This paper reviews characteristics of autism spectrum disorders (ASD), possible causes of ASD, current demographic information, the effects on the individual with ASD and the family, as well as diversity and multicultural issues related to autism. Additionally, the paper provides pertinent information about students with ASD for both general…

Parent Involvement and parent expectations are important factors in successful academic and career outcomes for students who are d/Deaf or hard of hearing. Parental roles are particularly important during the transition planning process for students with disabilities. Results are presented from an exploratory study of 56 parents that measured…

This study investigated school exclusion's relationships with student characteristics, mother characteristics, parental involvement, school location, and service provision. The researchers examined data from 4,837 students in seventh to 12th grade extracted from a national data set. Multivariate results showed that student's age, gender,…

This Info Brief introduces families, including families of youth with disabilities, to a new way of looking at career development for youth. This brief discusses the three phases of career development, highlights Individualized Learning Plans as a tool for facilitating the career development process, and offers strategies on how families can be…

The purpose of this study was to develop an Individual Education Program (IEP) evaluation tool based on Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) requirements and National Research Council recommendations for children with autism; determine the tool's reliability; test the tool on a pilot sample of IEPs of young children; and examine…

Participants with and without specific learning disabilities (SLD) provided responses as to background and school features, postschool plans, dream career, and most likely job after completing school. Findings suggest that participant groups are similar across most background and school features, with apparent differences for grade level and…

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) has been reviewed and described as an empirically supported treatment for anxious youth. One component of CBT is the use of out-of-session "Show That I Can" tasks (STIC; i.e., homework tasks). STIC tasks vary in content and are to be completed between sessions. We discuss homework in CBT for Robert, a 13-year-old…

Although it is true that good planning does not always lead to a good life, it is equally true that supporting people to have a full, rich life does not happen without good planning. In the past 12 years, the author's organization has supported over 125 people to live in their own homes, control their own funding, direct their own supports,…

Supplemental Security Income and Medicaid are both "need-based" federal programs intended to benefit certain categories of individuals who are legal residents of the United States--primarily those 65 or older, those who are blind or those with disabilities--who have minimal income and financial resources. However, an individual's…

A survey was made of schools using Individually Prescribed Instruction (IPI). The numerical and percentage results of questions concerning the pretesting program, prescriptions, curriculum-embedded tests and posttests are given. (JY)

The questionnaire reproduced here is to be completed in part by the school superintendent and in part by the school principal. It reflects the criteria used in the selection of a school for participation in Individually Prescribed Instruction (IPI). Administrative commitment, teacher commitment, willingness for retraining of teachers and…

Education is individualized in measure as the learning goals an individual pursues, and the means whereby he works toward them, are selected for and by him. Individualization is not limited to independent learning or learning in a tutor-student dyad. Depending on learning goal and learner characteristics, individualized education also can occur in…

A model is presented which includes these components: analysis (behaviors, objectives, sequence), synthesis (competencies, materials, setting), and outcomes (evaluation, modification). (DAG)

The method of teaching English rules in intermediate shorthand through the use of self-instructional or learning packages has proved to be successful at Mountain View College. Both instructors and students benefited from the individualized instruction method. (KP)