This longitudinal case study examined the communication and literacy learning progress of an 11-year-old boy with severe speech and physical impairments related to cerebral palsy. Integrated use of voice-output augmentative communication technology led to improved communication skills as well as increased demonstrations of literacy capability…

This case study evaluated an antecedent intervention for tantrums by a five year-old girl with cognitive, language, and motor problems. Functional assessment correlated tantrums with high-demand activities but not with novel staff. Intervention placed novel staff in charge of high-demand activities and successfully eliminated tantrums, which…

A functional analysis of eye poking by a four-year-old female with severe developmental disabilities and visual impairments showed that high rates occurred in all conditions. Attempts to identify the maintaining variable found that eye poking decreased only when finger-eye contact was interrupted by blocking the response. (Author/DB)

This paper describes experiences of a psychiatrist working with adults who have intellectual disability along with challenging behaviors and/or psychiatric illness, focusing on harm minimization, relationships with staff, and collection of behavioral data. Three case histories illustrate differences between institutional and office practice and…

This study investigated the semantic and syntactic knowledge of a child (age 12) with severe multiple disabilities who could read, write, and comprehend 2 languages but did not initiate conversation. The study demonstrates that high levels of language comprehension and ability to read and write do not automatically transfer to conversational…

This case study reports use of ignoring, positive reinforcement, passive restraint, and time-out in treatment of a 10-year-old girl with profound retardation and disruptive behaviors in home and classroom. Time-out was the most effective intervention with all three target behaviors, with improved behaviors maintained for at least six months.…

The paper reports on a project which examined the communication of a 10-year-old Swedish boy with severe retardation and multiple disabilities. Interviews, observations, and videorecordings were used. Communication categories included body language, gestures, head position, gaze/eye contact, and sound/mouth and tongue use. The child was found to…

The effectiveness of an objective, systematic assessment and individualized programing approach for discovering new channels of learning is illustrated with case study evaluations of multiply handicapped visually impaired children with complex learning and behavioral problems. (SB)

The paper examines implications of the high incidence of learning disabilities in children with Tourette Syndrome. Tourette Syndrome is a neurological disorder that causes involuntary muscle jerks and vocalizations. Approximately 60% of children with Tourette Syndrome are classified as learning disabled. It is possible that this high correlation…

The paper presents one approach to assessment and educational programming for a severely/multiply handicapped (cerebral palsy, severe mental retardation, asthma, seizures) 8-year-old boy. The curriculum based assessment and instructional recommendations reflect the position that normal developmental sequences do not solely constitute appropriate…

Emotional problems and behavioral patterns of parents who have deaf blind children are described clinically and in short case studies. Deaf blind young children are said to be isolated from their families due to lack of sensory cues; to display behaviors such as back arching and fear of walking; and to experience frequent health crises such as…

Presented is the case study of a multiply handicapped institutionalized boy (3.8 years old) with presenting problems of self-injury, refusing food, and inability to walk. (IM)

The paper defines the population of primary school age language/learning-disabled children with communication disorders and emotional/behavioral disorders. It then discusses the language demands of traditional treatment methods, assessment and diagnostic procedures, approaches to communication intervention, and treatment modalities; and offers a…