Difficulty in distinguishing mildly handicapped students from low-achieving children at risk for school failure resulting from socioeconomic and other factors is resulting in an apparent overidentification of students as handicapped. Strategies for improving the education of at-risk students, such as early childhood education programs, smaller…

Describes the history of early childhood intervention programs. Outlines research results related to the effects of the programs. Discusses the fadeout phenomenon of the graduates of the programs. Presents an introduction of the "Success for All" program in Baltimore. (YP)

The Aural Habilitation Program of Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario (Canada) provides weekly, individualized aural habilitation sessions for parents of young children with hearing impairments and offers guidance in creating a listening, learning environment in the home. Strategies for developing parents' skills and confidence are described.…

The Parent Infant Program of the Montreal Oral School for the Deaf provides individual guidance sessions, audiological assessment, parent-tot playgroups, home visits, parent education evenings, and a summer program. The benefits of a school-based program include continuity of diagnosis and habilitation as well as easing the transition from parent…

This discussion of naturalistic interventions with young children experiencing learning and behavioral problems notes their bases in studies of competent caregivers and focuses on intervention in the child's usual environments, provision of experiences targeting functional behaviors, and caregiver skills that facilitate learning and behavior…

The SKI-HI program, which provides home-based family support services for infants, toddlers, and preschool children who are deaf or hard of hearing, has been implemented by approximately 250 agencies and annually serves about 4,000 families. Information is provided on the program's rationale, development, family-centered home-based services,…

The potential benefits of massage for infants are discussed, including the role of touch on attachment and bonding and implications of massage for special needs infants. Research results on the benefits of massage for the infant and caregiver are covered, including increased bonding and enhanced growth and development. Historical information on…

This article addresses the adequacy of instruments for assessing family functioning and the process for introducing family assessment into early intervention services. Use of the Parent/Caregiver Involvement Scale illustrates how observation can be used to assess dyadic family interactions and can be interpreted to tailor intervention to…

Reviews research concerning barriers to and benefits of integrating young children with disabilities into regular preschool programs. Discusses the effects of integrated programs on children without disabilities, critical integration issues, activity-based intervention, and implications of integrated programs. (BB)

This article presents a review of literature addressing professional burnout, designed to help professionals recognize at-risk patterns and characteristics of burnout. A conceptual model is presented for managing work setting and work style characteristics that place early intervention providers at risk for burnout. (Author/PB)

Six dimensions of consultative services in early intervention for young children with disabilities are described: location, presence of other children, adult-child initiations, goal functionality, context of intervention, and consultant's role. A continuum of consultative models from totally segregated to fully integrated is presented, and data on…

Professionals (n=139) in habilitation teams and parents (n=73) of children with disabilities in Sweden were surveyed concerning early intervention services. The survey revealed discrepancies between current and ideal practices in parent involvement in child assessment decisions, assessment activities, team meetings and decision making, and…

This article highlights key portions of the National Institutes of Health's National Asthma Education Program. Guidelines for understanding asthma triggers and medications are provided, and approaches to controlling environmental factors are suggested. (Author/PB)

This article describes the implications of otitis media with effusion (OME) for children with disabilities who are already at risk for speech, language, and learning difficulties. The results of a survey of 189 early childhood special educators on management of young children with OME and the role of the early childhood special educator are…

This report addresses proficiencies, knowledge, and skills deemed necessary for 12 roles of the multidisciplinary team providing federally mandated services for deaf and hard-of-hearing children (from birth to 36 months of age). Roles include, among others, working with families, otological evaluation, provision/management of sensory devices, and…