Describes three studies which explored the use of computer assisted instruction with mildly handicapped secondary school students. Comparisons with non-handicapped students are made in vocabulary development, using drill and practice; concept instruction in elementary logic, using a tutorial approach; and problem solving in health education, using…

A physician discusses the work of the Communications Enhancement Clinic at Children's Hospital-Boston in providing assistance to children with severe speech problems. He describes the process of evaluating and matching a child's strengths and weaknesses to available technology, including educational software, speech or print output devices, and…

Fifty successfully employed handicapped individuals were interviewed concerning their transition from school to work, strategies they used to aid transition, and barriers they encountered. Results illustrated the importance of knowledge of available services; high school education; mainstreaming; academic, job, and social skills preparation;…

State applications for the Part H program of Public Law 99-457 were classified by type of lead agency and by level of previous early intervention activities. Two variables were then analyzed: required components emphasized during initial year activities, and allocation of funds for administration, interagency coordinating council, planning, and…

Interviews, from a symbolic interactionist perspective, reveal that parental activism, which involves seeking information and control and challenging authority, is viewed as a response to the failure of society to meet the needs of disabled children and their families. Parental activism may result in a careerlike pattern. (Author/BJV)

Maintaining the precision necessary for administering norm referenced tests can be a problem for the special education teacher who is trained to assist the student. Criterion-referenced tests, observations, and interviews are presented as effective alternative assessment techniques. (JDD)

A new program at Boston University that identifies students who would have great difficulty fulfilling their foreign language requirement is described. This program offers an alternative sequence of courses designed to help these students achieve foreign language learning success. (LMO)

A transdisciplinary therapy model that integrates visual services into the student's total educational program is illustrated by a case report of a 19-year-old male with multiple handicaps. Traditional domain areas (cognition, communication, motor, and self-help) are linked to environmental domains (domestic living, community training,…

A needs assessment survey of 381 learning disabled young adults, 948 service providers, and 212 advocates identified and ranked perceived problems in six areas: academic, health, vocational, daily living skills, social skills, personal adjustment. Detailed results are reported, including identification of vocational needs by service providers and…

Describes a successful training model for early childhood educators (Grades K-three) and paraprofessionals who are unprepared to work with mainstreamed handicapped children. Specifically discussed are program goals and objectives; training modules; training activities; on-site visitation; evaluation; and discussion and recommendations. (Author/DST)

Program design, implementation, and public policy issues are discussed for five urban community-based programs for the developmentally disabled: (1) direct services in intermediate care facilities; (2) a High Risk Infant project; (3) group home consultative services; (4) training for support services to adoptive families; (5) a national…

Important factors in assessing performance of handicapped individuals in transitional, supported employment include secondary school vocational performance, assessment and placement, resources for supported employment, and on-the-job performance, and the social ecology of the workplace. (CB)

Computer assisted video instruction (CAVI) was tested as a way to improve four teaching behaviors of a paraprofessional who was responsible for the instruction of a deaf-blind, severely retarded six-year-old student in a rural school. Direct observation revealed that CAVI was effective in modifying three of the target behaviors. (Author/DB)

A model of service delivery to rural handicapped children trains classroom teachers onsite to be "Cooperative Extension Service Agents" within their schools. University faculty bring graduate coursework to the school site and "Agent" teachers provide special education inservice assistance to fellow teachers, facilitating local…

Investigates effects of media on attitudes of fourth- and seventh-grade students toward mentally handicapped using three treatments and discussion at each grade level. One group viewed "The Hayburners"; companion book was read to another group; third was exposed to both book and film; control group did neither. (17 references) (EJS)