Compared sociometric and behavioral measures of two-year (kindergarten to grade two, or grade one to grade two) and 1-year (kindergarten-only or grade-one-only) rejected children. Concluded that it was possible to identify at-risk, two-year rejected children as early as kindergarten by means of combined sociometric and behavioral data. (GLR)

Expresses concern with prevailing models that suggest comprehensive assessment across all areas of family strengths and needs for Individual Family Service Plan development for families of young children with disabilities. Issues of instrument development and use, the types and nature of early intervention services provided, and the role of…

This study evaluated the effects of a home-based parent training program on the language development of young children of 28 mothers with mental retardation. Interaction training consisted of verbal instruction, modeling, feedback, and tangible reinforcement. After training, parent/child interaction scores were no longer lower than those of a…

Describes a series of 16 longitudinal studies conducted by Utah State University on alternative early intervention programs for disabled children, focusing on the intensity of intervention, the age intervention begins, and parent involvement. Reviews factors that gave rise to the studies, research designs and procedures, and data interpretation.…

Compared a classroom-based early intervention program for disabled children and the same program with a parent training-support component. Found a small, immediate effect on child and family functioning and a long-term positive effect on child educational placement and teacher perceptions of child functioning, in favor of the parent involvement…

Compared a center-based early intervention program for disabled children and the same program with a parent training-support component. Found no immediate or long-term benefits in child or family functioning for parent component participants in the first four years of follow-up. Concludes however, that parents should still be involved in…

Discusses the Free to Grow initiative, a five-year program aimed at increasing the capacity of Head Start to help prevent substance abuse. The collaborative program is designed to assist a number of local Head Start programs to develop and implement model substance abuse prevention projects that will strengthen both the families and neighborhoods…

Guidelines are proposed for development of early intervention educational goals and objectives that reflect daily functioning skills. Guidelines are presented as questions to pose when developing individualized education programs (IEPs) and individualized family service plans IFSPs). They cover functionality, generality, instructional context,…

Mothers of seven preschool children with developmental delays were trained to encourage child participation in social interaction by being highly responsive and child-centered. Following intervention, mother-child dyads experienced more episodes of joint engagement and increased total duration of joint engagement than control dyads. Changes in…

This paper cites modest beneficial effects of early intervention for children with developmental disabilities or children at risk, and examines two specific program features, age of start and family involvement. The moderating influence of the level of disability severity is also analyzed, and future directions for improving early intervention…

After four years of planning under Part H of Public Law 99-457, data reveal that the early intervention program is behind schedule, with Individualized Family Service Plans (IFSP) not in place in all states. However, 5 of the first 10 states in their fourth year of official Part H participation are assuring full implementation of IFSPs. (Author/DB)

Twenty parents whose handicapped children were receiving early intervention services were encouraged to participate in formal education and training on individualized family service planning (IFSP). A significantly greater number of present level of development statements were included in IFSP documents of participating parents. Increased numbers…

Six articles examine the challenges to physical education provided by Public Law 99-457 which promotes services for infants and toddlers with disabilities and their parents. The articles describe the law, critical components of the Individualized Family Service Plan, adapted physical education, and the impact on one school district. (SM)

Returned questionnaires of 440 early intervention specialists in Bavaria, Germany, were analyzed to evaluate the organization of early intervention programs, goals, attitudes, functions of interdisciplinary teams, time utilization, referrals, and special centers for children with attention deficit disorders. Six recommendations are offered.…

This commentary on EC 606 262 (a study on the effectiveness of peer-mediated intervention on the social behavior of eight socially withdrawn preschoolers) emphasizes the importance of assessing multiple measures of integration, the need to implement research in real world settings, and the need for research on enhancing generalization and…