Children identified with developmental disabilities or delays (DD) are increasingly being educated in inclusive mainstream classroom environments. At the kindergarten level, there have been pedagogical shifts towards the promotion of play-based learning, with few resources addressing how teachers can support inclusion in play. Forty-two Ontario…

The term "functional play" is used widely and variably in serving young children who have developmental delays, affecting its use in research and practice. It also is confused with play as a functional goal. We reviewed studies that used the term. Of 146 reports, less than half included a definition. We organized those with definitions…

Sexuality education (SE) for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities is needed, but is sparse. Seven individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and two educators participated in a mixed method participatory design to iteratively refine nine learning activities for SE. We analyzed usability, usefulness, and…

Research suggests spending time outdoors and with natural materials can benefit all young children across different areas of development. However, children with developmental disabilities often have fewer opportunities to engage with nature as a result of the limited understanding and negative views about nature expressed by their caregivers and…

Communicative and social capacities are known to be of primary developmental importance to all children and often present a particular difficulty for children with neurodevelopmental disorders. A recurring challenge for teachers is achieving effective communication with children who span developmental diversity (e.g. inclusive settings or those…

The purpose of this study was to examine participants' perspectives on how a volunteer-based adult literacy class supports the learning of adults with developmental/intellectual disabilities. Interviews were conducted with four tutors, three adult learners, and two coordinators and observations of the class occurred over a 6-month period during…

The booklet describes approaches to teaching a large group of severely developmentally disabled students. The book begins with a review of the circle time format intended to foster motivation through a sense of playfulness, novel items, and opportunities for student participation and response. A theme approach to planning is advocated, and…

The booklet presents large group activities designed for severely developmentally disabled individuals. Activities are intended to meet a wide variety of ages and developmental levels and to foster opportunities for student response and participation. The first section explains a large group format entitled circle time. Themes explored in circle…

The development of visual perception skills in children with partial vision as well as developmental disabilities is considered. A model of visual learning is offered which incorporates the role of visual experience, movement, and visual learning. Specific teaching suggestions for developing visual attention and visual search skills are offered.…

This manual provides instructional activities for teachers/trainers to use for in-service training of persons who work with mentally retarded, learning disabled, and handicapped clients. The first part of the booklet contains standard learning activities, such as open discussion, games, modeling, role-playing, and debates. The rest of the booklet…

The document is designed to provide practical information for teachers, parents, group home workers, work activity personnel, and others interested in developing social interaction skills and appropriate social behaviors in developmentally disabled adolescents and young adults. An introductory section discusses social problems of the…

This booklet, based on the Transition Through the Arts project developed by Very Special Arts, describes the successes that project instructors have achieved in using the arts to assist individuals with developmental disabilities reach employment. The project uses the arts as a vehicle to teach and reinforce the social and personal skill…

This manual provides additional instructional activities for teachers/trainers to use for in-service training of persons who work with mentally retarded, learning disabled, and handicapped clients. The first part of the booklet discusses standard learning activities, such as open discussion, games, modeling, role-playing, and debates. The rest of…

The paper describes an approach for identifying intervention strategies, techniques, procedures, and activities designed to enhance the developmental competencies of handicapped, mentally retarded, developmentally disabled, and at risk children (birth to 4 years of age). Curriculum procedures are classified according to domains of intervention and…

Practical information and sample teaching activities for child caregivers who work with young developmentally disabled children in family day care settings are provided in this manual. Each chapter shares a typical experience a caregiver may have with a particular child. Chapter 1 focuses on getting to know a new child, initial expectations, and…