This paper describes the process of developmental assessment of infants and young children from a parent's perspective. The artificial and arbitrary nature of most assessments is bemoaned as failing to adequately recognize children's abilities that may be readily evident to parents in more natural settings. Assessments emphasizing children's…

Brief daily notebook entries by the teachers and therapists who worked with a developmentally disabled child provided valuable information for parents. The notebook served as a summary of daily activities and noteworthy events, a diary of developmental changes, and a record of medical information. (JW)

Parents need information about the range of community resources and services available to them as soon as they learn their child has a disability. Schools must take a more active role in directing parents to community resources. (Author/CB)

Developmental disabilities and chronic illness can impact the oral health of children in the preeruptive and primary dentition stages. The article covers prevention and management of dental caries; gingival changes; trauma to the primary dentition; sucking, swallowing, and mastication; extraorally fed patients; and factitial injuries. Home-care…

This "Feature Issue" of the quarterly journal "Impact" presents 19 brief articles on family support systems in the United States for persons with developmental disabilities and their families. Emphasis is on provisions of Public Law 99-457. Articles include: "Family Support in the United States: Setting a Course for the…

The manual is intended to provide special educators, adult service providers, and parents with strategies for providing community based job training to youth with autism and other developmental disabilities. Section I deals with a variety of work sites appropriate for training young people with severe developmental disabilities. Information…

Practical advice for parents of handicapped children is the focus of this issue on self-care skills including self-feeding, dressing, and personal hygiene. Ten initial tips for teaching skills to children include constant repetition, modeling, and keeping verbal instruction to a minimum. The section on self-feeding addresses the topics of…

The successful transition of developmentally disabled persons from school to employment, often supported employment, involves changing the attitudes of both families and businesses. Contacts on state committees on employment of the handicapped are listed as are seven model supported work and school to work transition programs. (DB)

This annotated bibliography describes in brief approximately 60 resources on transition of individuals with disabilities. It is organized into five sections: (1) transitions in the early childhood years; (2) transitions in the public school years; (3) transitions after school; (4) transitions across the lifespan, and (5) general support resources.…

This booklet is a collection of stories by people who have facilitated Personal Futures Planning groups. The groups provide an individualized, structured approach to life planning for people with developmental or other disabilities and have been implemented since 1988 in Minnesota. Introductory material describes the process, which starts when a…

Developed as part of Delta College's Parent Awareness Program, this manual offers parents and family members of handicapped children explanations of the following conditions: mental retardation, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, learning disabilities, and autism. In the first section, "Special Parenting Information," Gerri Caesar describes her own…

The study examined effects of a combined teacher-parent behavior management program focusing on inappropriate behaviors in the school and homes of five preschool children with developmental and/or language delays, behavior disorders, and/or multiple handicaps. A special education teacher/trainer collaborated with parents to select target behaviors…

This guide to preventing self-injurious behavior, in question-and-answer format, is intended for parents, teachers, and other caregivers of people with disabilities. It describes the more common types of self-injurious behavior, discusses methods for identifying causes of self injury, and outlines interventions. Specifically, the guide covers: (1)…

Written for parents to use in the home environment, this illustrated handbook describes the Maxi-Move program, an intensive one-year program of exercise for children of one to eight years of age, who have cerebral palsy. The program does not use physical therapy, patterning, or specific movement goals, but focuses on having fun, creating…

James E. Gilliam is the author of a book entitled "Autism," published in 1981 by Charles C. Thomas Company. This brochure records an interview with Mr. Gilliam conducted by Burt Smith and later converted to narrative form for publication by Charlene Warren. Adapted from a series of radio broadcasts entitled "The Human…