This study investigated the effectiveness of a relationship-focused intervention on the socioemotional well-being of 20 young children with autism or pervasive developmental disorder. Weekly intervention sessions encouraged parents to use a responsive teaching curriculum to promote children's socioemotional development. The intervention resulted…

A study evaluated impact of supportive paraprofessional home visiting on 88 mothers and young children with or at-risk for developmental disabilities and at-risk for inadequate parenting. Mothers who received services demonstrated moderately better mental health than controls, and their children were more likely to have an Individualized Family…

This article lists eight resources for providing effective services to very young children who are deaf or hard-of-hearing and their families. Resources address communication options, early intervention, aural-oral and sign options for hearing families in early home programming, cochlear implants, and sharing the joy of storytelling with toddlers…

Nine gifted learning-disabled children with organizational skill deficits were put on a structured timetable of after-school activities. Parents were taught behaviorally based discipline techniques designed to reduce disruptive family behavior. Improvements were subsequently observed in the middle school students' home and school behavior, school…

Considers what kinds of programs need to be developed for the prevention of child abuse and neglect, especially among teenage parents. Programs include sex education, prenatal counseling, postnatal training, parent training in child development, child care, and abuse education for children. (BB)

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…

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)

Describes the activities of the Elizabeth Street Learning Center, a kindergarten through grade-10 school in Los Angeles that emphasizes multiage classrooms, parent education, and year-round activities. The school, which serves a mainly Mexican-American population, is funded by the New American Schools Development Corporation, a private consortium…

A nationwide survey of 63 college and university programs offering degrees in education of the deaf found that fewer than half offered specializations in early intervention, curriculum content and practicum experience were highly variable, very few programs had accreditation in parent-infant education, and program expansion efforts were hampered…

Studied the impact of a $70-per-month increase in payment to foster parents, and other incentives, on the stability of foster care and the behavior of 4- to 7-year-old children in foster care. Children whose foster parents received payments exhibited a lower foster care dropout rate than other children. (SM)

Demonstrates that the educational needs of Black mothers of preadolescent children can be determined by using an instrument that takes into account the way both generations feel about their relationship. The Parental Strengths and Needs Inventory proved a worthwhile tool for making decisions about curriculum content appropriate for mothers. (AF)

Reviews literature on issues of sexuality for adolescent girls, interweaving quotes from adolescent mothers. Information comes from the author's work educating teenage parents. The article focuses on the relationship of social pressures to sexuality, femininity, the body, silence and rebellion, adolescent motherhood, and sexual abuse. (SM)

A Javits grant implemented statewide in Kentucky used innovative curriculum and team teaching to identify and serve middle school gifted students. Project components included interdisciplinary curriculum development, staff development, expanded provision of services, alternative methods for identifying middle school gifted students, and parent…

Outlines the racial and cultural identity needs of minority group children adopted by white parents. Discusses the social worker's role in educating adoptive parents about these needs and how they can be met through the neighborhood, the school, the church, friendship systems, and recreational activities. Contains 29 references. (SV)

Presents an account of the development and use of the Neonatal Behavioral Assessment Scale (NBAS). Discusses ways in which NBAS has increased understanding of development in the newborn, of states of consciousness in the infant, of prediction in development, and of a clinician's opportunities to share information with parents. (BC)