Background: Previous research has reported on the effectiveness of the Signposts program for supporting families of children with an intellectual disability and difficult behaviour (Hudson et al., 2003; Hudson, Cameron, & Matthews, 2008). This paper reports on an investigation of the extent to which child characteristics moderate the…

This essay describes the setting up of early intervention services in Vietnam. From the outset, there was a focus on developing staff training programmes alongside establishing model early intervention programmes to ensure that the work would be sustained at the end of the project funding and spread throughout the country. The success of this work…

This article describes three dimensions of normalization that extend beyond mainstreaming in the context of early intervention: (1) the physical environment, (2) teaching and therapeutic strategies, and (3) family-focused services. Examples of normalized practices within each dimension are offered, and issues related to normalization are…

This approach to developing Individualized Family Support Plans for families of handicapped children is derived from a needs-based family systems model of assessment and intervention. The process and format are designed to be both flexible and functional in order to be continually responsive to the concerns and needs expressed by families. (JDD)

Describes the roles of case manager and home visitor in relation to handicapped infants, toddlers, and their families. Strongly advocates combining the roles in this service. (SAK)

This article describes the design and testing of the Family-Centered Program Rating Scale, which is seen as useful during comprehensive evaluation of early intervention programs for young children with disabilities and their families, as well as during program planning, staff development, and research processes. The article provides information…

This study investigated 52 Navajo family caregiver perceptions about early intervention services and supplemental information was gathered from 15 early interventionists identified by caregivers. Overall, caregivers were satisfied with services. Caregivers' perceptions of program family-centeredness had a strong positive relationship with…

This article explores factors that facilitate moving from the service-provider role to becoming part of a family's constellation of helpers. Elements of empowerment are juxtaposed with the following metaphors for practice: building a definition of disability, following the parent's lead, creating a community of helpers, and expanding perspectives.…

This two-page fact sheet summarizes typical approaches, programs, and resources in the area of family support and respite programs for families with special needs. Principles of family support programs are listed, stressing the common goal of increasing the ability of families to successfully nurture children. Typical components of such programs…

This annotated bibliography addresses issues, principles, programs, and research about respite care published in articles and books from 1978-1988. It covers a wide range of topics, from comprehensive overviews of respite issues, services, and policies to descriptions of specific respite care program models. A number of the bibliographic entries…

Intended for people interested in replicating the ideas contained in this manual in their own communities, the handbook describes the Family Exchange Center (FEC), an approach designed to support families with developmentally disabled children. Services offered include social, recreational, educational, mutual aid, support, and respite activities.…

The concept and implementation of direction services, a one step center offering assistance to parents of handicapped children, are traced. Three basic functions of the federally funded direction service centers are noted: to help locate and provide access to the most appropriate resources for handicapped children and youth; to collect and…

Changes in policies and legislation in the past 15 years have created a fundamental shift in the roles of early childhood interventionists. Family-centered approaches to the provision of services to children with disabilities have heightened the importance of family-practitioner partnerships. This FPG Snapshot summarizes a book chapter by Dr. Pam…

This article discusses the increased emphasis on providing early intervention services within natural environments and how to maximize natural learning opportunities by using everyday activities that children experience and embedding intervention in daily routines. Guidelines for deciding the frequency of services, changing services, and the level…

Parents (N=229) of young children with handicaps in 10 states evaluated the Family Needs Survey, one instrument sometimes used to develop Individualized Family Service Plans. Overall, parents felt the survey to be useful in communicating useful information to professionals. The survey was equally acceptable to minority and low income parents.…