Intended for local education agency administrators who are establishing programs for children with low incidence handicapping conditions (severe and multiple handicaps), the manual presents information on a range of program topics. Separate chapters are devoted to the following aspects (subtopics in parentheses): identification (presenting…

The guide for teachers of deaf blind children deals with visual functioning, evaluation, and instruction. An overview of the fundamentals of visual functioning in deaf blind children includes concepts basic to an understanding of the process. Assessment and evaluation of the child's visual functioning is discussed, and procedures for determining…

Written for parents of young multihandicapped children who experience coordination difficulties or delayed development, the book explains how to teach independent eating habits, using a spoon or other utensil. Parts 1, 2, and 3 deal with such topics as foods to use when beginning; head control problems; how to evaluate initial skills and…

Discussed in remarks by two special education teachers and two administrators from Kentucky are the development and use of the Lexington Developmental Scale (LDS) with multiply handicapped preschool children. It is explained that the LDS covers five skill areas: gross and fine motor, receptive and expressive language, cognitive, personal-social,…

Covered in the paper on the psychoeducational assessment of the multihandicapped child are the importance of the learning accomplished in the sensory motor period and the effects of evaluation media and sequence on child performance. Described are the six stages of sensory motor development measured by a Piagetian-based instrument developed by J.…

This volume is a guide for assessing children with dual sensory or severe impairments between the ages of 6 and 15. It presents a functional-ecological assessment process that is individually determined, contextually based, and leads directly to intervention. It begins by discussing the benefits of this model over standardized assessment…

This article reviews "ADHD with Comorbid Disorders: Clinical Assessment and Management" by Steven R. Pliszka, Caryn L. Carlson, and James M. Swanson, a book that provides information on children displaying both attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and other comorbid psychiatric conditions, complex psychopharmacological interventions that may…

Three case studies are provided of the evaluation of assessment-based interventions strategies within the natural classroom context for students (ages 11-14) with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and comorbid disorders. For each participant, results demonstrated that assessment-based environmental modifications could decrease problematic…

Six tables provide a breakdown of the answers to a survey responded to by 93 experts in the treatment of psychiatric and behavioral problems in people with mental retardation. Questions address confidence in diagnosing such disorders in this population, methods of evaluation, value of various rating scales, appropriateness of medication for…

Three volumes contain the results of a projejct to develop an evaluation procedure and training program for young adults and adults with hearing impairments, visual impairments, or multiple handicaps. Four major components are included: (1) the National Independent Living Skills Screening Instrument, The National Independent Living Skills…

Examined approaches to the design of an assessment procedure for the child with cerebral palsy. Suggests the concept of an open-ended grid that cross-references basic psychological processes with expressive modality is a means of systematizing the individual evaluation. (Author)

Research on relationships among depression, social withdrawal, reticence, and language disorders in children is reviewed. Methodological issues regarding the assessment of depression and social withdrawal are raised, and alternative assessment procedures are proposed for further research. Implications for intervention are discussed, emphasizing…

Utility of the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales-Expanded Form to discriminate among areas of adaptive behavior was substantiated by comparing profiles of scores obtained by 113 individuals with mental retardation and either a communication, social behavior, or motor disorder. Results support the use of the Vineland Scales in ecological evaluation…

Practical and concise, this introductory guide is filled with real-world tips and strategies for anyone working to improve the communication of children with moderate, severe, and multiple disabilities. Emphasizing the link between behavior and communication, three respected researchers transform up-to-date research and proven best practices into…

Discusses diversity in the population of individuals with visual impairments, the changing role of orientation and mobility (O&M) specialists, and the broadened definition of O&M. An overview of best practices and model demonstration programs for providing O&M services to a diverse population of persons with visual impairments is presented. (SM)