The Portland Neurotoxicity Scale (PNS) is a brief patient-based survey of neurotoxicity complaints commonly encountered with the use of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs). The authors present data on the validity of this scale, particularly when used in longitudinal studies. Participants included 55 healthy controls, 23 epilepsy patient controls, and 86…

Examined were the incidence of retardation and related risk factors (including cerebral palsy) among 446 siblings of 179 severely retarded children (IQ less than 50) with unknown etiology. (CL)

This report summarizes the initial phase of research with neurological patients on timing functions. Parkinsonian, cerebellar, cortical and peripheral neuropathy patients as well as college aged and elderly control subjects were tested on two separate measures of timing functions. The first task involved the production of timed intervals and used…

Designed for use in adult education courses for parents of developmentally disabled children, this manual provides basic information about major categories of disabilities and a glossary of commonly encountered terms. After an introductory overview, the manual provides information about the characteristics and etiology of five disabling…

An innovative program at the University of Washington Epilepsy Center which employes group social skills training procedures to ameliorate the psychosocial problems of chronic seizure-disorder patients is described. The rationale for the program is presented through a brief social learning analysis of the effects of long-standing periodic lack of…

Information is presented on the definition, causes, effects and population estimates for developmental disabilities; and a tentative hypothesis regarding the hearing impaired/developmentally disabled is set forth. (CL)

This study aimed to: (1) identify a characteristic profile of polydrug abusers; (2) compare that profile to the profile of nondrug users of comparable background, and to those of nonproblematic subjects; (3) compare self-reported versus other-reported characteristics; and (4) compare the results of this study with those of others. (JAZ)

Examined the validity of intellectual, neuropsychological, and emotional adjustment measures administered in high school in predicting vocational adjustment of 39 young adults with epilepsy. Results showed neuropsychological tests were the best predictors of later adjustment. Abilities were more related to final adjustment than variables…

This issue, primarily written in French, contains articles by researchers in the fields of linguistics and social sciences and by health care professionals. The articles include the following: "The Collective Working Out of Medical Knowledge" (Lorenza Mondada); "Involvement and Constraint in a Surgical Consultation Room"…

This fact sheet, written in both English and Spanish, provides a definition, information on incidence, typical characteristics, and educational implications of epilepsy. It notes that epilepsy is classified as "other health impaired" under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and that children with epilepsy or seizure disorders…

A social worker at the Seizure Unit, Children's Hospital, Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts, explains how the unit helps parents understand epilepsy. (DS)