This article discusses health fraud in special education. Psychopathology of health fraud, standards by which pseudoscience and quackery are defined, and the complexities of learning disorders are considered. A scale to determine whether an alternative therapy is reasonable is presented. Several popular therapies are used as examples. (Author/PB)

The study compared the effectiveness of sensory integrative therapy with a parallel physical education program or a no-treatment condition with 55 5- to 10-year-old learning or perceptually motor disabled children. Results indicated no significant differences among groups except that reading progress of children already able to read was improved…

The study examined changes in attitudes of nine non-handicapped (NH) six- and seven-year-olds toward peers with severe learning difficulties (SLD) after experience of structured integration sessions over one school year. The NH children had generally maintained their positive attitudes though attitudes toward classmates thought to be "not very…

Review of claims for the effectiveness of the gentle teaching philosophy with people having severe problem behaviors and mental retardation finds that the methods were unsuccessful with seven of nine individuals. Although more research is needed, the review suggests that gentle teaching cannot be considered an ethically defensible treatment…

A survey of 62 Minnesota directors of special education examined 20 issues of school choice pertinent to school districts. Issues listed as important by the most respondents were excess program costs, the effects of enrollment options on the planning process, and the billing of resident districts for special education services. (JDD)

This article discusses what the term "outcomes" encompasses at the national, state, district, and building or classroom level, and provides descriptions of current and proposed strategies for establishing standards and assessing the educational outcomes of students with disabilities. Personal perspectives from national, state, and local educators…

This paper outlines a framework for documenting the impact of the Administration on Developmental Disabilities' University Affiliated Programs (UAP) on three domains: clients and their families, systems of services or higher education, and leveraging of resources. The paper identifies characteristics associated with successful UAP development and…

This study of 20 preschool children with disabilities and 8 normally developing children found that more peer interaction occurred during play activities that were more structured, whereas teacher interaction rates were not related to activity structure ratings. Among children with disabilities, rate of peer interaction correlated positively with…

Arguments in favor of and against the Regular Education Initiative (REI) are presented. Lack of appropriate qualifications of regular classroom teachers and a lack of empirical evidence on REI effectiveness are cited as some of the problems with the approach. (JDD)

Provides an overview of how early identification and intervention for hearing impairment may benefit deaf infants' acquisition of symbolic language. Concludes that the role of the caregiver is central to the planning and success of early intervention programs for infants with deafness. (MDM)

This study identified easily available nonprofessional resources for screening and identifying individuals with disabilities in India's rural areas, evaluated the efficacy of the resources, and identified community resources to facilitate long-term social self-management of individuals with disabilities. National Service Scheme volunteers from two…

PEECH (Programing for Early Education of Children with Handicaps) is a center-based program combining child-initiated and teacher-directed activities for children with mild to moderate disabilities, ages 3-5. Results of an evaluative study at the demonstration site and replication sites revealed participants' improvement in receptive and…

A review of the literature on Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) from 1975 to 1989 identifies three phases (a normative phase, an analytic phase, and a technology reaction phase), and reveals a history of IEPs' inadequacies and passive compliance, in contrast to the original intent of Public Law 94-142. (Author/JDD)

Montana's Comprehensive System of Personnel Development (CSPD) Council reorganized into five regions to address diversity of needs in large geographic areas. Descriptions, needs assessment, regional activities to meet staff development needs, and use of the training-for-trainers model are reported for each region. Results of statewide and regional…

A study investigated whether or not mentors disseminated the skills and knowledge acquired through the Utah Mentor Teacher Academy. Data indicated that the majority of mentors disseminate their skills and knowledge through inservice and consultation. Behavior management was the topic most often discussed. Characteristics of effective mentors are…