Children with visual and motor disabilities constitute a distinct group with a unique set of educational needs. Such children are often grouped with the broader population of children with multiple disabilities and visual impairments (that is, those who are blind or have low vision) (Erin, 2000; McLinden, 1997). The chief characteristic of…

The transition to life after high school for students with disabilities and the vital role that school counselors have in assisting the students and their families to achieve success are discussed. As there may be unique requirements for these students in making this transition, it is important that school counselors are acquainted with particular…

Every year, under the federal law known as the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), millions of children with disabilities receive special services designed to meet their unique needs. Early intervention services are provided through the state to infants and toddlers with disabilities under three years of age and their families. For…

The article describes adaptive techniques used to evaluate and teach mobility to the physically handicapped blind individual, with emphasis on users of wheelchairs and walkers. The use of electronic travel aids is discussed, and a system is designed by the authors to mount the Mowat Sensor to a walker is described. (Author/CL)

Students with multiple disabilities, such as severe to profound mental retardation combined with motor and visual impairment, are usually unable to engage in constructive activity or play a positive role in their daily context. Microswitches are technical tools that may help them improve their status by allowing them to control environmental…

One of the most difficult problems confronting the education of the deaf is defining what is meant by the term multihandicapped deaf. Multihandicapped deaf have been sorted into three groups--mild, moderate, and severe--which educators must use for the effective development of educational programs and services. (JN)

The 2007/2008 Parents of Children with Severe Special Needs Survey is conducted to obtain opinions from parents of children with severe special needs to assess their satisfaction with key areas of the education system. A random sample of 816 parents of children with severe special needs completed the survey. Severe special needs descriptions…

A 39-year-old man who was blind, diabetic, and had a double amputation with chronic renal failure and peripheral vascular disease was treated with thermal biofeedback to reduce his depression through increased self-control, to minimize pain, and to facilitate healing of a pregangrenous hand. On treatment discharge, his mental and physical states…

The resource guide on physical education and recreation for the multiply handicapped contains 161 bibliographic references, descriptions of 35 audio visual aids, and listings of other resources. Divided into sections for the cerebral palsied, deaf-blind, multiply handicapped blind, multiply handicapped deaf, and other handicapping conditions, the…

Critiques the assumptions about the nature and meaning of disability advanced in social-psychological writing, suggests the origins of these assumptions, and proposes a return to a Lewinian/minority-group analysis of the situation of people with disabilities. Introduces the other articles in this issue. (Author/ BJV)

Based on reporting forms from nearly 500 teachers, the booklet identifies effective materials for use with exceptional learners. Contents are divided into various exceptionality areas (educable mentally retarded, trainable mentally retarded, severely and profoundly retarded, communication handicapped, learning disabled, emotionally disturbed, deaf…

The report examines, from a cognitive developmental view, research on the teachable moment or critical learning period in handicapped infants. The author explains that developmental gaps are produced by a mismatch between the infant's readiness and opportunity to learn. Characteristics and educational implications of specific handicapping…

This guide is intended to assist school authorities in Alberta (Canada) to complete required Student Review Forms for students with severe disabilities. A Special Needs Profile form to determine eligibility for Severe Disabilities funding precedes information specific severe disability categories. These categories are: severe mental disability;…

This annotated bibliography covers materials about children at risk because of disabilities and/or abilities. The bibliography includes approximately 560 entries. The following categories are addressed: autism; gifted; handicapped--general and multiple; hearing impaired/deaf; learning disabilities; mental illness; mentally handicapped/brain…