The paper reviews factors affecting development of early intervention programs for all handicapped infants including changing political and economic conditions and programmatic issues (setting, staffing, identification). Finally, the provisions of P.L. 99-457 creating a discretionary infant intervention program are outlined. (Author/DB)

The article discusses problems inherent in using the developmental model in the implementation of programs for young children with disabilities, and proposes a reconceptualization based upon M. Lewis and M. Starr's salient responses model. The primary components of this model are presented, along with their implications for early intervention…

Effective early education for gifted children must include special policy and program considerations. Preschool/day-care efforts should be based on the child's needs, special program goals, appropriate placement or grouping, and parent involvement. Administration convenience must yield to developmental efficacy to provide early admittance to…

Judgment based assessment (JBA) in early childhood special education is discussed in its theoretical context and noted are three trends: (1) the widening of JBA to include emotional characteristics and developmental processes; (2) inclusion of such informants as peers and persons with disabilities; and (3) development of new methods for eliciting…

Judgment based assessment (JBA) allows the collection and quantification of the perceptions and impressions of individuals appraising a child's status and environment. This article addresses the purposes, features, and appropriate uses of JBA of young children with disabilities. Current research relevant to JBA is discussed. (Author/DB)

This paper argues that behaviorism has utility in the design and implementation of early childhood special education services. It explores criticisms of behaviorism, describes critical features of the behavioral approach, and provides examples of the influence and application of the behavioral perspective in early childhood special education.…

This article reviews research concerning (1) myths surrounding parents with mental retardation, (2) how life experiences of adults with mental retardation impact their parenting, and (3) characteristics of early intervention programs that meet the needs of parents with mental retardation. (DB)

This article recounts the experiences of a pioneer of the Head Start program, a program developed to provide disadvantaged young children with school readiness skills. Influences in the early development of the program are discussed, along with program challenges. The need for standardized performance measures and program evaluation is urged. (CR)

The development of comprehensive, coordinated, multidisciplinary services for young handicapped children is required by Public Law 99-457. The article presents a definition of technical assistance, a description of developmental levels in service provision, suggestions for designing such services, and a discussion of major needs of states…

Professional roles in early childhood special education (ECSE) are expanding beyond traditional frameworks of direct service, to include consultation services, program planning and evaluating, and marketing. Potential dangers of role conflict and role overload are noted. (Author/DB)

This article examines issues related to treatment acceptability in early intervention programs, by applying concepts pertaining to collaboration, cultural difference, compliance and freedom of choice, family life cycles, and systems theory. A paradigm for designing home-based intervention plans with families of preschoolers with behavior disorders…

This article reviews literature on experiences with the Individualized Education Program (IEP) and the Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP). It identifies IEP problems (such as poorly written objectives) and positive features (such as better teacher-family relations). The article suggests that IEP/IFSP development flaws may indicate problems…

This article offers guidelines for designing inservice education for personnel working with young children with disabilities and their families. Discussion covers definitions, assumptions, support and start up, initial planning, program design, evaluation, implementation, and follow-up. It identifies special considerations and circumstances…

The article reviews the current situation in preschool special education: who is served, how they are served, and program costs; predicted is program expansion under Public Law 99-457. A strategy is recommended for developing state preschool special education policies that take into account costs as well as benefits. (Author/DB)

This article describes a demonstration project that utilized 28 community early childhood programs as intervention placements for 30 preschool-age children with disabilities. Results suggested significant developmental gains for all children. Service delivery characteristics identified as necessary for the effective implementation of intervention…