The effectiveness of a behavioral skills training (BST) package to teach the implementation of the first three phases of the picture exchange communication system (PECS) was evaluated with 3 adults who had no history teaching any functional communication system. A multiple baseline design across participants was used to evaluate the effectiveness…

The interdisciplinary evaluation has been a well-established process in centers for neurodevelopmental disabilities, but it is costly and may generate long waiting lists that can delay early diagnosis and treatment. An alternative evaluation paradigm was designed, using a specific screening approach, to improve use of staff time without…

Background: The development and use of support need instruments for funding disability services is a relatively recent initiative. Although the use of these measures appears at face value to provide an objective measure of support needs, little is known about their psychometric properties, particularly with respect to rater bias and purpose of…

Pictorial and tangible paired-stimulus preference assessments were compared with 4 adolescents with developmental disabilities. In the tangible assessment, two stimuli were placed in front of the participant on each trial; in the pictorial assessment, two line drawings were placed in front of the participant on each trial. Approach responses were…

Presented is testimony given before the Subcommittee on the Handicapped of the Senate Committee on Human Resources regarding the Developmentally Disabled Assistance and Bill of Rights Act. Statements are included from representatives of such agencies and organizations as the National Association for Retarded Citizens, American Occupational Therapy…

The directory lists facilities (including schools for the deaf, residential and day facilities for the developmentally disabled, special classes in public schools, and rehabilitation centers) purportedly serving hearing impaired developmentally disabled (HIDD) persons in the United States. Entries are listed alphabetically by state for 33 states.…

A toy library provided a variety of materials for developmentally disabled children and allowed for evaluation of materials according to the number of interactions they inspired. (CL)

Adults (N=154) with developmental handicaps were tested on alternate forms of the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test (PPVT) and the PPVT--Revised. A comparison of response profiles indicated a significant degree of correspondence in general performance using alternate forms. However, differences in consistency appeared when more specific comparisons…

The author describes the federal effort to expand private sector job opportunities for persons with developmental disabilities, beginning with an overview of the Administration on Developmental Disabilities. Positive results of the federal employment initiative are cited, and directions for the future are offered. (CL)

Developmental disabilities are reviewed from the standpoint of definition, service systems, and interventions. Definitions from relevant laws outline population characteristics and required services. Intensive, comprehensive, coordinated ongoing delivery mechanisms are emphasized, including vocational, residential, and generic services. General…

The purpose of this document is to define mental retardation and answer questions related to this topic. According to the American Association on Mental Retardation (AAMR), mental retardation is a disability that occurs before age 18. It is characterized by significant limitations in intellectual functioning and adaptive behaviors as expressed in…

Examined impact of having sibling with developmental disability on career choice of nondisabled sibling. Findings from 27 adult siblings of persons with developmental disabilities showed no significant difference in career choice between siblings of individuals with developmental disabilities and siblings of individuals without such disabilities.…

Describes quasiexperimental investigation constructed to examine effects of staff implementation of choice program on reduction of challenging behaviors of people with developmental disabilities residing in supported community residences. Results suggest that choice program implementation produced significant decreases in frequency and severity of…

Argues that autistic people experience greater comfort from imposed routines than from a yielding form of love and understanding called naive humanism. Assesses the flaws of naive humanism via Collin's theory of action, a reductionist approach. Compares the different social contexts of care of autistic people. (Author/CCM)

This case report describes the presence of autism and Childhood Disintegrative Disorder (CDD) cosegregating within a sibship of half-brothers with the same mother. The report suggests that the rarity of the two conditions suggests a shared transmissible mechanism. (Contains references.) (Author/DB)