This article presents a vision for early childhood personnel preparation that could be achieved by grassroots public support for early intervention through "learning communities". It discusses three areas where changes are critical: collaboration among multiple partners at multiple levels, attending to diversity issues, and promoting family…

Discusses how early childhood programs can blend developmentally appropriate practices with early childhood special education recommended practices. The elements of an inclusive program and the guidelines to developmentally appropriate practice are explained, and strategies for implementing both practices within the same setting are described. (CR)

Reviews the research and theory supporting the potential utility of measures of nonverbal social communication skills (such as joint attention) for young children with autism. Examples relate these types of measures to current issues, including the "recovery hypothesis," the "pivotal skill hypothesis," and the relative effectiveness of discrete…

Describes the use of a problem-solving negotiation model to resolve disputes under Part H of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and the need for formal education and training in problem-solving negotiation in early-intervention systems for children with disabilities. (Author/CR)

Describes a comprehensive continuum of services model for children with autism developed by a human services agency in Massachusetts, which incorporates these and additional empirically based approaches. Service components, methodologies, and program objectives are described, including representative summary data. Best practice approaches toward…

A study found the Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) Family-Centeredness Rating Scale was effective in evaluating 100 IFSPs from four different agencies. The highest rated items were identifying the family's role and writing in the active voice. More child-related goals were written compared to family-related goals. (Author/CR)

About 500,000 youngsters drop out of school each year. Reasons children drop out involve a combination of school and personal problems. Dropouts typically believe they have little control over their lives. Sidebars discuss ways of counting dropouts, suggest what schools should do, and provide selected references. (MLF)

Discusses the goals of early intervention for infants born with a cleft or craniofacial anomaly, which include facilitating feeding, counseling the family regarding expectations for growth and development, and identifying the nature and extent of family resources required. Program features of effective intervention are described. (Author/CR)

Examines the effects of drug use during pregnancy on early and later child development, the extent of women's drug use, and behavioral and learning characteristics of children prenatally exposed to drugs. Provides intervention guidelines for early childhood settings including children with prenatal drug exposure, focusing on recommendations for…

The early development of self-injurious behavior (SIB) in 16 young children with developmental disabilities was tracked over an 18-month period. Naturalistic observations in each child's classroom found a significant association between early SIB and low levels of social contact, which may be considered as a risk marker for SIB exacerbation.…

A study of 50 boys with fragile X syndrome, their parents, and teachers, found early intervention started on average at 21.6 months and there was a steady increase in the amount of early intervention across age periods. Although parents reported satisfaction with services, most would have preferred more services. (Contains references.) (Author/CR)

This article presents six principles designed to prevent writing difficulties as well as to build writing skills: providing effective writing instruction, tailoring instruction to meet the individual needs, intervening early, expecting that each child will learn to write, identifying and addressing roadblocks to writing, and employing…

Describes how to create a safe, healing environment for children recovering from the effects of trauma. Discusses basic assumptions, values, goals, and the process that must be shared by all system members. Moving to an injury-based perspective can increase teachers' understanding of students' problematic behaviors and help students avoid…

This paper reviews the Supreme Court's Zebley decision which expanded the definition of disability in young children by including functional equivalence; compares regulations and practices under the Social Security Administration and Part H of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act; and offers guidelines concerning the intent of the law,…

This paper reviews literature on the support needed by families of infants in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs). A survey of 94 California NICUs indicated that they generally provide comprehensive services to families while infants are in the hospital, less service during the transition home, and very little support and follow-up after the…