As health education professionals, it may be easy to overlook the significance of the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing (NCHEC) Responsibilities and Competencies. This commentary discusses how Certified Health Education Specialists at one nonprofit organization brought the Responsibilities and Competencies to life as they…

The principle of age-appropriateness is widespread throughout government policy and nongovernment practice guidelines, but the exact meaning of the term is rarely defined. It is commonly assumed to mean activities and approaches commensurate with an individual's chronological age. Dress, furnishing, object selection, and the style of interactions,…

The increased numbers and additional handicaps of deaf students born in the 1963-65 rubella epidemic require not more postsecondary programs, but rather strengthened programs and rehabilitation approaches to vocational and independent living skill training. (Author/CL)

The need for greater attention to the emotional problems of mentally retarded persons is discussed in terms of community adjustment, the use of available psychotherapeutic methods, and issues in assessing effectiveness of treatment. (Author/JW)

The mother of a multiply handicapped child relates how her attitude and approach to life changed from being passive to that of being assertive in obtaining services for her daughter. Initial reactions upon hearing of her child's handicaps are recounted, and steps to take in dealing with professionals are considered. (SBH)

Factors affecting the development of a taxonomy of psychopathology for children with mental retardation are considered, along with the following diagnostic areas to address: stereotypic behavior and self-injury, autism, organic brain syndromes, and pervasive developmental disorders. Using data from multivariate studies and findings related to…

The history of residental programs for the blind is reviewed, and the impact of the deinstitutionalization thrust on those schools is examined. The author asserts that residential schools must re-orient themselves to serving multiply handicapped students. (CL)

The mother of a child with a variety of difficulties recounts her family's frustrations in receiving conflicting and ambiguous diagnoses from medical specialists who focused only on their area of specialty rather than the whole child. (CL)

The article examines trends in the education of the visually impaired, severely-to-profoundly retarded population. Present trends advocating functional curricula, particularly with the chronological adolescent, are reviewed. Within the framework of life goals, narrowing of the range and scope of individualized programing is proposed for the…

Discusses National Industries for the Blind which was established in 1938 as a result of the Wagner-O'Day Act. National Industries serves the vocational needs of multihandicapped blind people. (Availability: Superintendent of Documents, Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20401) (JOW)

This paper addresses the varied and often contradictory emotions that accompany living with multiple disabilities. The author incorporates his personal experiences (e.g., as a middle school teacher, as a doctoral student, and as a researcher) with disability as he attempts to reflect upon his perceptions of the world as a disabled individual. In…

The paper presents an intervention framework for the management of communication disorders in learning disabled children. The model is comprised of three components: communicative intentions, presupposition, and the social organization of discourse. Resulting instructional guidelines and principles are offered. (Author/DB)

Discussion of psychological disorder in adolescents and adults with Asperger syndrome suggests that these individuals commonly develop a psychological disorder secondary to Asperger syndrome including affective disorders, anxiety-related disorders, and conduct disorders. Treatment usually involves a combination of psychoeducation, social change,…

This article notes a current de-emphasis on genetic syndromes in published articles concerning mental retardation despite major deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) advances in determining mental retardation causes. The article calls for incorporation of these genetic advances into behavioral research of mental retardation, especially as reflected in the…

The journal includes 12 papers on the topic of preservice education and leadership training in deaf education. Articles focus on aspects of administration and supervision, application of theory to practice, and research perspectives. The following articles are included: "An Interview with Dr. Herman Goldberg, Executive Director of the Office of…