This study examined each of Kansas's 40 local interagency coordinating councils, which were established to coordinate services to infants and toddlers with special needs and their families under Part H of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act of 1990. The study looked at council scope, productivity, membership, governance, training…

This response to an article comparing guidelines for developmentally appropriate practice from the fields of early childhood education and early intervention/special education stresses the importance of recognizing the uniqueness of both disciplines and of getting recommended practices into actual practice. (DB)

This article reviews the structure, development, function, and assessment of the visual system and then considers: common eye problems of young children with visual impairment; impacts of severe impairment on child development; and the roles of early intervention professionals, ophthalmologists, and pediatricians in working with these children and…

Examines the history of punishment for crimes in American society and argues that the present system is racially biased. Alternatives, such as treatment, particularly for juveniles, are sorely needed, but are unlikely to replace the viciousness that characterizes justice and corrections for African Americans. (SLD)

The Infant Parent Social Interaction Code was developed to measure infant-parent interaction utilizing four parent variables, four infant variables, and one dyadic variable for which operational definitions were developed. Preliminary and validation studies with a total of 232 infants and toddlers suggest the measure reveals important interactive…

This article describes the Montessori educational philosophy and method as it can be applied to preschool children at risk for learning disabilities. This approach to early intervention is designed to offer an individualized program which provides success and a conceptual preparation for later academic learning. (Author/DB)

A survey of 141 California personnel preparation programs for the major disciplines providing early intervention services found that coursework and practica experiences varied greatly across programs, both within and across disciplines. Survey results also indicated that programs provide relatively little training that is specific to early…

This article describes the process of interagency coordination for personnel development in early intervention, relates stages of the coordination process to evaluation of state planning teams, discusses the literature on interagency coordination and group development in relation to the case of North Carolina, and provides guidelines and…

This article describes progress made by states and U.S. territories in implementing the Part H program for handicapped infants and toddlers and the Section 619 preschool grants program, both authorized by the 1986 Amendments to the Education of the Handicapped Act. Challenges faced by states include financing, personnel supply and standards, and…

This paper examines state-of-the-art early childhood education and gifted education, identifies points of intersection and potential collaboration between the two fields, and offers implications for practice. Intersection points discussed include the characteristics of good programs, importance of early intervention, integrated curriculum, parent…

This article describes nine federally funded projects serving gifted children. Three projects serve young children (New Horizons, Project Synergy, and Project STRENGTHS); three focus on disadvantaged or minority populations; and the remaining three deal with nurturing scientific and mathematical talent, studying educational policy, and using music…

Provides an overview of how early identification and intervention for hearing impairment may benefit deaf infants' acquisition of symbolic language. Concludes that the role of the caregiver is central to the planning and success of early intervention programs for infants with deafness. (MDM)

Pediatricians (n=342) responding to a survey reported that they nearly all routinely performed some type of developmental screening; most recommended more training in developmental/behavioral pediatrics in residency programs; and 83% were aware of Public Law 99-457, but less than half were familiar with all of its provisions. (Author/JDD)

As part of a continuing dialog, this response to Johnson and McChesney Johnson (1992) focuses on the many areas of overlap between principles of Developmentally Appropriate Practice and current early childhood special education principles of early intervention. (Author/DB)

As part of a continuing dialog, this response to Carta et al. (EC 607 082) raises questions about the comparability of early childhood special education and Developmentally Appropriate Practice principles and examines philosophical differences over the meaning of integration of curriculum and assessment and the importance of active engagement. (DB)