Teachers and parents completed the Autism Behavior Checklist (ABC) for 17 congenitally blind children (ages 4 to 11). The modified format ABC completed by teachers detected three of four children with pervasive developmental disorder without any false positives. (Author/SW)

This study evaluated an Extended Optional Infinitive theory of specific language impairment (SLI) in children, which suggests that SLI children omit finiteness markers longer than do normally developing children. Comparison of 18 SLI 5-year olds with 2 normally developing groups (ages 5 and 3) found that SLI subjects omitted finiteness markers…

A survey of 241 Nigerian teachers found that subjects felt that the principal marker of giftedness is learning characteristics rather than general behavioral characteristics or creativity. The demographic variables of sex, educational level, and age did not have any significant differential effects on the perceptions of the subjects. (Author/JDD)

Presents a comparison of human population and pathologic models. Builds support for a hypothesis that the human population is a planetary cancer by establishing the following: (1) features of human populations; (2) characteristics of human populations and other biological communities; (3) models of pathologic processes; and (4) malignant…

The process of recognizing qualities of giftedness in a child evokes a range of responses in families, affecting the roles and relationships of an entire family system as the whole family constellation shifts to accommodate a child's giftedness, and each family member's reactions differ because of their own particular temperament, personality,…

This examination of gifted education in South Africa discusses such problems as the use of group psychometric tests, inequalities of schooling due to discrimination, and rote-learning environments. The subject of history is presented as a vehicle for development of inquiry and problem-solving skills. (JDD)

Presents a conceptual framework for understanding individual and group differences. Identifies biological, societal, and intrapsychic origins of difference. Discusses valuation of differences as a source of social status and power, and the psychological uses of differences by individuals. Suggests applications of the model in social work practice…

In cooperation with a university educational technology unit, an agronomy professor used hypercard and videodisk technology to develop a computer program for identification of 181 weed species based on user-selected characteristics. This solution was found during a search for a way to organize course content in a concise, manageable system. (MSE)

A survey of 106 educators rated the importance of knowledge statements and skill statements in the area of assessment of children in special education. Highly ranked items concerned referral, screening, prereferral, classification, state and federal guidelines, multidisciplinary team roles, monitoring student progress, and evaluating the results…

Forty-five gifted children, ages 11-17, were tested with the Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scale and the Woodcock-Johnson Tests of Achievement. Results indicated 18 of 20 correlations between the area and composite scores were significant. The Stanford-Binet Short-Term Memory standard age score mean was lower than other scores' means. (Author/JDD)

Results of a survey of 145 special education administrators in 27 states are presented under 4 headings: student identification practices; service delivery; student exit procedures; and program evaluation practices. Findings indicate student identification procedures are fairly well developed, whereas student exit and evaluation practices are less…

Provides construction details for a simple reflectometer that can be utilized for the observational technique known as reflectance spectroscopy. Includes background discussion, applications, calibrating techniques, and typical results. (JJK)

The Index of Personality Characteristics (IPC) and the Social Reasoning subtest of the British Ability Scales were administered to 36 students with behavior disorders (BD) and 37 nonexceptional students in grades 3-7. Results indicated that the IPC composite score in combination with the Social Reasoning subtest accurately predicted BD…

A review of the records of 490 students nominated and screened for the gifted education program in Nigeria in 1988 did not find that parental professional affiliation explained the academic preparation and eligibility of the children in this program. (DB)

In 1980 urban Brazil, race of mother significantly affected child mortality after controlling for region, income, and parent education, with a mortality gap of 6.7 years between the whites and Afro-Brazilians. Parent education, indoor plumbing, access to public health care, and presence of adult females significantly reduced the probability of…