Reliability and validity data are reported for the Motivation Assessment Scale, a 16-item questionnaire designed to identify variables maintaining self-injurious behavior in persons with autism and other developmental disorders. Results indicated that interrater reliability and test-retest reliability among teachers was good and that ratings…

Boatworks, a subsidiary of Stepping Stones Growth Center in Oakland, California, provides work experience to developmentally disabled persons and helps them learn skills useful in private sector jobs. Workers learn job responsibility, quality control, and work safety procedures and are paid according to productivity. (CB)

A comparison of the social activity of eight mothers with developmentally delayed, noncompliant children with that of eight mothers with nondelayed, noncompliant children indicated the latter group's social activity was significantly higher. This suggests that the previously reported depression of mothers of developmentally delayed children may be…

In this description of an unusual family, accounts are given of the later development of two sisters who had suffered severe social and emotional deprivation in infancy. The development of a half brother who was raised elsewhere is recounted, and discrepancies in development are discussed.(RH)

Reviews five previously published and one novel case history of children who suffered extreme deprivation in early childhood. Aspects of cognitive, emotional, and social development are critically appraised, and three issues central to theories about the origins of developmental disorders are addressed.(RH)

Available from: EC 090 265.

Available from: EC 090 265.

The 30 papers in this collection are arranged in five sections which address general issues, neurodevelopmental disorders, other neurological conditions, non-neurological pediatric disorders, and psychiatric disorders. The papers are: (1) "Sleep Disturbance: A Serious, Widespread, Yet Neglected Problem in Disorders of Development"…

This report presents data and analysis from the National Residential Information Systems Project on Residential Services concerning residential services for persons with developmental disabilities (DD) including mental retardation (MR) through 1999. An executive summary identifies major findings of the study. Each of the nine chapters begins with…

This paper summaries a study on the participation of 10 students (ages 18-21) with developmental disabilities in the transition from school to work using the Whole Life Planning model. Data included observations of organizational and planning meetings and structured interviews with the students, parents, and facilitators. Analysis resulted in the…

Development of a screening tool for detecting developmental disabilities and at-risk conditions in younger children is described. Data obtained from this tool are correlated with two other widely used screening instruments. Future research should continue to explore the interrelationship of items on screening instruments to obtain valid and…

Addresses the advocacy, counseling, and case management skills needed by the rehabilitation counselor in independent living settings. Independent living is a concept expressive of people's desires to be in control of their own lives. One of the critical roles in these programs is that of the rehabilitation counselor. (PAS)

Data on 46 preschool-age children confirmed the fact that parents of children suspected of having developmental disabilities are usually able to provide an accurate global impression of their own child's development. Journal available from: 535 N. Dearborn St., Chicago, IL 60610. (Author)

Investigates the syntactical level of spontaneous and echolalic utterances of 26 autistic boys at different stages of phrase speech development. Speech samples were collected over a 90-minute period in unstructured settings in participants' homes. Imitations were not deliberately elicited, and only unprompted, noncommunicative echoes were…

A curriculum development model was formulated for training resident advisors (RAs) to work with developmentally disabled clients in small community homes. Overall findings suggested that the alternative living arrangement pilot training programs were highly effective in helping students acquire the knowledge and skills requisite to successful RA…