The paper describes vocational education approaches designed to prepare severely handicapped students for nonsheltered, meaningful work. Training is cumulative, beginning with early childhood training and continuing through middle school, high school, and transition stages. Ecological strategies are advocated to match characteristics of non-school…

The guide presents a non-technical approach to adapting battery-operated and electrical devices for persons with severe handicapping conditions. The material was developed through Project REACH (Reconstructive Equipment Adaptations for Children with Handicaps). Chapter 1 presents rationales for the use of adapted switches and devices, including…

An eight-step decision-making paradigm appropriate for guiding decisions regarding selection of instructional programming alternatives for visually impaired multiply disabled children is presented. Brief case studies illustrate the application of the paradigm. (Author/DB)

Vocational needs of multi-handicapped hearing impaired teenagers include skills in communication, behaviors and attitudes, understanding of the variety of available jobs, job seeking skills and specific job preparation. Job training can take place in the classroom, on school grounds, or in the community. (CL)

Specific program suggestions are provided to enable the speech-language pathologist to utilize the mealtime setting to integrate both vocal and nonvocal communicative objectives. The roots of interaction and communication which underly both vocal and nonvocal systems are described. (Author)

Two classes of first graders--one of handicapped children, the other of normal children--developed their own ways of learning about each other. (Author)

At an Ohio school that serves 150 multiply handicapped children, maintenance staff spread some old insecticide around a storage shed in a misguided attempt to kill rodents. Cleanup efforts cost over $15,000. Advises schools to examine their policies regarding pesticides. Lists information sources and the availability of a booklet on pest control.…

The booklet is intended to help train people with mild mental retardation to drive electric wheelchairs. The systematic training incorporates features of adequate time, stress upon generalization, and a relaxed and secure environment. Lessons are presented on the following skill areas: preparation, starting and stopping, driving straight ahead,…

The paper describes an interactive evaluation process based on E. Brown's transactional evaluation model, and its application to evaluating programs serving children with severe and multiple disabilities or other low incidence populations. The model emphasizes the first part of the assessment process, determining which questions to ask and what…

Deinstitutionalization, now government policy in British Columbia, may signal the return of formerly institutionalized persons (including those with severe/profound retardation and multiple disabilities) to their communities. Possible problems may include community resistance and inadequacy or inappropriateness of existing services. (CL)

Considerations are offered for making toys for children with severe multiple disabilities. Eight toys are described, and objectives for the use of each toy are outlined. Toys include a pulley, tunnel, slide-the-discs, window, bowling, tactile wheel, activity centers, and multisensory mat. (JDD)

This article reports on a study of the methods that 21 ophthalmologists used to assess the visual acuity of children with multiple impairments and the difficulties they encountered. Additional means of assessing visual function and alternative means of communicating the results are suggested. (Author/DB)

This article introduces this special issue focused on application of guidelines based on the consensus of experts to the treatment of psychiatric and behavioral problems in persons with mental retardation. It explains the method of developing the guidelines, the limitations and advantages of the guidelines, and the organization of the guidelines.…

The paper addresses the issue of placement for students with severe and multiple disabilities. Controversies over the principle of least restrictive environment are reviewed; and the implications of the normalization movement and the passage of P.L. 94-142, the Education for All Handicapped Children Act, are summarized. The rationale for…

The paper examines three case studies to illustrate problems and benefits involved in attempting to integrate severely handicapped persons into community and classroom settings. The authors discuss the integration efforts for two children with severe/multiple handicaps and one with autism and report on findings from site visits across the United…