Notes little empirical research exists on mental health issues of lesbians/gays. Contends that whether researchers choose to define sexual orientation by sexual behavior, self-definition, or membership in lesbian and gay community groups will impact results. Sees mental health research that includes lesbians, gays, and heterosexuals allowing…

Individuals (n=32) with cancer rank ordered 15 psychosocial needs in terms of importance to themselves. Similarly, their family members (n=41), oncology nurses (n=45), hospital social support staff (n=40), and rehabilitation counselors (n=41) ranked same needs. Differences were reported among groups in nine need areas, indicating that perceptual…

Establishing a partnership between the early childhood educator and the school librarian could ensure that materials appropriate for every child's physical, emotional, social, and cognitive abilities were provided. By cooperating, these two professionals could easily identify learning activities and materials that could be matched to individual…

Suggests that outdoor pursuits and adventure activities promote Maslow's goal of self-actualization. Identifies the middle-order needs (belonging and self-esteem) trap as an inhibitive barrier to growth and maturation of the personality. Proposes six mechanisms to transcend the trap in the outdoor experience. (KS)

Examines the literature about people who choose to become single adoptive parents. Reviews the demographic and personal characteristics of single parents who adopt, and summarizes the experiences of single parents with the children they adopt. Calls for further research on single parents who adopt special needs children. (GH)

Analysis of questionnaire responses of 51 regular elementary teachers and 50 paraprofessionals in British Columbia classes which included handicapped children found both groups tended to agree on actual, preferred, and not appropriate paraprofessional tasks. Task endorsement was primarily determined by the age, grade level, abilities, and needs of…

Examines concerns of elementary special needs students who must make transition to and from regular classroom and special education classes. Sees counselors in strategic position to act as consultants to regular and special educators involved in mainstreaming special needs students. Identifies two significant areas in which counselors and…

Reviews empirical literature to highlight individual, family, and illness variables that alone and together may improve identification of patients and families in need of social work services. Notes that development of screening mechanisms may be useful vehicle for improved psychosocial care and for the planning of social work services. (Author/NB)

Surveyed Family Service America member agencies to assess impact of impetus to look to private sector for provision of services. Found that family service agencies experienced tremendous growth in 1980s in both client caseloads and areas of service provision. Family service agency client was likely to be minority person seeking counseling within…

Examines urban high-school teachers' professional-development experiences through the lenses of personal teaching efficacy and professional learning, highlighting interview responses of 20 teachers with highest and lowest scores. Degree of personal teaching efficacy influences how individual teachers experience professional development. Programs…

Notes the difficulty of finding quality day care for special needs children. Discusses Project Specialcare, designed to support family child-care providers who accept such children into their programs. Describes how providers participated in Saturday sessions focused on a topic followed by open discussion and how the advice and counsel of a…

Reviews Cline and Helding's guide for adoptive and foster parents of disturbed children, noting author's direct approach in considering the difficulties of adopting special needs children, the quality of practical assistance, and the Cline/Helding Adoptive Parent Attitude Assessment. (JPB)

A study investigated the impact of the use of the Vermont Interdependent Services Team Approach (VISTA) by seven individual student-planning teams on students (ages 5-13) with deaf-blindness educated in inclusive classes with individually determined support services. Greater implementation of decisions made using VISTA increased the likelihood of…

Describes ocular and other complications of diabetes that orientation and mobility instructors should consider in determining the most appropriate mobility training for persons with diabetes who are visually impaired. Compares the benefits of using dog guides and long canes in dealing with these various complications. (Author/CR)

Suggests that individuals can compile an action plan for professional and organizational change that aligns personal and organizational priorities by considering leadership, coaching, corporate citizenship, change management, efficiency, teamwork, customer focus, and decision making. Presents models and assessment instruments for personal…