This study uses a best-evidence synthesis method to investigate the secondary effects of various antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) and their implications on augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) processes. Epilepsy is a common serious neurological disorder, a concomitant condition in individuals with severe developmental and intellectual…

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) remains largely untreated among adults with severe mental illnesses (SMI). The treatment of psychotic symptoms usually takes precedence in the care of adults with SMI. Such oversight is problematic in that PTSD in SMI populations is common (19%-43%), contributes a significant illness burden, and hinders mental…

A method of water learning (teaching low level motor coordination in water, rather than on land) has been developed for stimulating the growth and skills of severely handicapped students. The model, which attempts to elicit natural developmental responses to the environment, incorporates task analysis of developmental preswimming sequences…

The paper offers guidelines for estate planning, defined as the art of arranging one's affairs to best care for loved ones while, at the same time, minimizing transfer costs. An understanding of the basics of estate planning is essential if one is to provide for the future of a severely handicapped child. Definitions are given for federal estate…

The report describes second year efforts of a 5-year investigation of skill generalization among severely handicapped students. An overview section introduces the Washington Research Organization, noting its administration and management and its major emphasis on the collection of descritptive data and laboratory research, research in natural…

Described are the efforts of the Biomedical Engineering Center in developing devices, particularly the Tufts Interactive Communicator (TIC) for the non-vocal severely physically disabled individual. It is noted that research has been conducted in the following areas: dictionary development, anticipatory communication, symbol communication, symbol…

The document lists and briefly describes 37 assessment devices and 65 reference materials regarding the education of severely and profoundly handicapped students. Entries are arranged alphabetically and list information on publisher; date; cost; location; content (test purpose, population targeted, stated emphasis, lvels, and subareas);…

Presented is a directory of 169 projects for severely handicapped persons. Descriptions include title of project, director's name, project address and telephone number, target population, designation of personnel (including teacher, medical personnel, and psychologist) involved in training, project areas (such as staff training, communication and…

The article presents an overview of ISAARE, an Information System on Adaptive, Assistive, and Rehabilitation Equipment for severely handicapped persons. (Author/DLS)

The parent of a severely handicapped child encourages parents to prepare written care plans when leaving a child with others for a respite period. (DB)

Evaluation of pretask requesting with four elementary age students with moderate to severe disabilities suggested that familiar, rapidly paced, verbal directions with reinforcement can effectively mediate transitions from one activity to another. (Author/DB)

Fifty-one job terminations of adults with disabilities were investigated. The most frequently reported causes were problems in character and/or production. Social awareness, character, and/or production accounted for more that 50% of all terminations. (Author/CL)

Results of interviews with state administrators of educational, vocational, and residential services, are discussed in terms of the implications for state agencies in effectively planning the transition of students with severe handicaps from school to postschool services. (Author/CL)

The paper responds to L. Brown's proposal for extended training without pay in integrated settings for adults with severe intellectual handicaps. While agreeing with several tenents, the authors believe that Brown's extended training proposal represents an unnecesary retreat from values that have guided development of exemplary school and…

Effects of three proximity arrangements on socially oriented responses of three dyads of severely multiply handicapped students were compared. Results indicated that social responses increased as function of closer proximity. Social responses were observed more often at one foot than at five feet for all Ss, and more often at five feet than at ten…