This digest defines the term "severe disabilities"; lists some typical behavioral characteristics of individuals with severe disabilities, such as self-mutilation and lack of self-care skills; and outlines the educational implications of severe disabilities. The digest stresses the need for a multidisciplinary approach to education; the…

This fact sheet offers general information about traumatic brain injury. Information includes a definition, incidence, individual characteristics, and educational implications. The fact sheet notes that the designation of traumatic brain injury as a separate category of disability signals that schools should provide children and youth with access…

This fact sheet offers definitions of the three types of spina bifida, outlines their incidence, describes characteristics of individuals with spina bifida, and reviews educational implications. The fact sheet emphasizes that school programs should be flexible to accommodate these students' special needs and frequent absences, that children with…

The document reports several policy options that address the issue of educating autistic children in rural and sparsely populated areas. A description of autistic children relates numerous problems, confusions, and disagreements about the nature and course of the handicap including lack of agreement about definition and treatment. The most…

This article offers characteristics and definitions of gifted, learning disabled, and gifted learning disabled. Principles of identification and programing are summarized. The five dimensions of the Autonomous Learner Model (including orientation, individual development, enrichment, seminar, and in-depth study) are applied to program development…

Texas' policies and administrative procedures for special education are set forth. General special education concerns are covered, such as definitions of 12 exceptionalities, administrative structures, and planning and evauation approaches. Child identification, individual assessment, and individual educational plan development and review are…

Intervention advances in mental retardation have enabled some individuals to function as independent, nonretarded persons. Establishing total habilitation (a term needed to describe this outcome) as a major goal of intervention will promote research and the development of an intervention continuum that includes prevention, total habilitation, and…

The article addresses such issues as the effects of definition of deaf-blindness on programs and training, the functional interpretation of deaf-blindness, intervention theories, early intervention, the development of residual vision and hearing, and an integrated sensory approach. Recommendations include developing appropriate preservice…

This digest presents summary information on the characteristics and needs of children with learning disabilities (LD). The federal definition of learning disabilities is given and the existences of differences at the state level noted. Next viewpoints on various issues are briefly considered including the special educational needs of students with…

Views on the curability of mental retardation are reviewed. The implication of the view of Drash et al., that current technology makes total habilitation possible for many people, is refuted. Efforts should continue in replication research, follow-up, etc. Setting a goal of total habilitation for an individual should be exercised cautiously. (KM)

The monograph summarizes characteristics of effective instruction of mildly handicapped and non-handicapped students by focusing on two literature areas: Instructional Psychology and Models of School Learning. The review on instructional psychology covers the following areas: definitions of instruction, principles of learning, models of the…

The transcript of a four-part radio program on learning disabilities (LD) focuses on issues involving the definition, identification, and education of LD children. Definitional concerns are voiced by J. Gallagher, S. Kirk and S. Richardson. Controversy over prevalence estimates is discussed. Teachers of LD children comment on effective…

This training module is designed to provide an introduction to education of the gifted and talented, including information on characteristics associated with gifted/talented individuals and suggestions for modifying curriculum to meet the needs of above-average students. Part 1 of the module covers the following topics: definitions and models of…

This guide is an introduction to head injury and to educational resources in the field. An introductory section describes traumatic brain injury (TBI) as a federally recognized disability category and provides its federal and Idaho definitions. The following section introduces the unique characteristics of students with brain injuries. A section…

This monograph resulted from a meeting of regular and special education leaders which addressed what works for the successful inclusion of students with special needs in regular education classrooms. The monograph focuses specifically on inclusion of students with learning disabilities. After an executive summary, the paper includes a review of…