This article presents a model and practical suggestions for training teachers to use a case-study approach to training preservice and inservice early interventionists. The article covers necessary resources, a three-stage process in teaching the use of case studies, writing a case study, and collaboration with colleagues. (DB)

Early amplification is crucial to efficient habilitation and development of oral communication skills in hearing-impaired infants. Initial evaluation and fitting of amplification is a joint effort by the audiologist, therapist, and parents, whether the child uses traditional hearing aids or cochlear implants, and should be supplemented by a…

Discusses successes and problems of Head Start. Suggests that Head Start's difficulties relate to its implementation, not its design. Proposes increasing the effectiveness of Head Start through a series of reform strategies that relate to interventions that address the needs of children in child care, preschool children, and school-age children.…

The identification of clusters of behavior that are commonly seen in infants with prenatal drug exposure is discussed, as are intervention techniques that have been successful in hospital and home programs. Reading behavioral cues, modifying the environment, and providing support for the infant's attempts at self-regulation are suggested.…

An augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) intervention to increase vocabulary acquisition by 5 children (ages 7-9) with mild to moderate mental disabilities was evaluated. The AAC communication procedure resulted in higher rates of vocabulary and sentence selection for each of the children; improvement persisted above baseline levels…

Examined the effectiveness of an intervention program to prevent conduct problems among the preschool sons of 104 alcoholic fathers. The 10-month intervention combined parent training and marital counseling and had significant positive effects on the children's negative, prosocial, and affective behavior at program termination. Only the prosocial…

This study compared the effectiveness of two interventions that differed in the nature of dialogic interactions among teachers and students in reading groups. Teacher-interns (n=35) instructed 109 children with mild disabilities in special education resource rooms. Analyses indicated that the intervention featuring dialog, social interactions, and…

Parents of nine preschoolers with Down's Syndrome participated in a training program focusing on phonological skills. Results of analysis of videotapes of parent-child interactions showed that measures of the children's phonological abilities were correlated with their parents' interactional communication skills. (Author/JDD)

Discusses the historical role played by families in early intervention programs, and presents a rationale for current thinking about this role. Recommends practices that recognize and encourage family-directed early childhood education, care, and intervention services. Identifies additional resources. (BB)

The Infant Health and Development Program was an eight-site randomized controlled trial of comprehensive early intervention for low birthweight, premature infants from birth to age three. Higher mental development and IQ were associated with high levels of intervention participation at 24 and 36 (but not 12) months. A dose-response relation…

Summarizes findings of a survey of eight First Nation (Canada Native) communities concerning the provision of child and family services. The results identify important differences concerning the causality of child welfare problems, the definition of key child welfare concepts, and the place of cultural values and practices in intervention. (MDM)

Describes development and implementation of a school-based substance abuse preventive intervention "systems approach" strategy. Interventions are selected and linked to existing school program/personnel components for reinforcement based on local needs assessment survey data. Modifications are ongoing corresponding to the results of a substance…

Reviews how students' ethnicity shapes the goals of preventive interventions, the methods of program implementation, and program impact. Argues that workers must examine the underlying assumptions that guide definitions of social competence and methods of behavior change in intervention programs. Programs should be tailored for each ethnic group…

Critical themes and specific alternatives for helping adolescents with disabilities to avoid severely limiting their life choices are discussed. The themes concern relating learning experiences to the youth's life, providing experiences that allow and prepare youth for adulthood, and adult caring and advocacy for youth. Interventions supporting…

Background and historical information on dyslexia are presented, including use of the term dyslexia, definitions of brain disorders affecting language ability, various schools of thought on remediation, guidelines for evaluating individuals with language-processing problems, and recommendations for treating common problems. (SW)