The five responses to a nationwide study of public mental retardation/developmental disabilities spending in the states focus on such aspects as needed data for policy choices, classification decisions in the original study, the need for policy research, the need to reform Medicaid, and values in the funding of social services. (DB)

Training of early special education teams (serving 11 autistic and 10 developmentally-delayed children) to use the Playschool model resulted in: positive perception of the training's value; increases in knowledge about child development, infantile autism, and the model; increased use of Playschool techniques; and positive developmental changes in…

Twenty-one language disordered children ages three through seven diagnosed with autism, mental retardation, and/or developmental aphasia received a mean number of 74 signed speech training sessions. Seventeen children learned at least one word, and seven children learned multiple-word phrases. Most language learned was retained in a six-month…

The progress of a developmentally delayed child is described by his mother, covering his infancy, placement in and withdrawal from a residential school, family life, placement in a day school, adolescence, and entry into adulthood. (CB)

A review of research on the role of social competence in the community adjustment of developmentally disabled persons indicates that facilitation of such adjustment should focus on remediation of maladaptive behavior, instruction in social skills and behavioral competencies, assessment before placement in the community, and continued on-site…

The article describes an alternative approach to preparing infant interventionists by providing interdepartmental training in special education and maternal and child health. The program recognizes the transactional nature of infant development, infants as part of a family system, and the ecological notion that the family system is nested within…

The objective template matching procedures of D. J. Bem were evaluated with 14 group homes for the developmentally disabled. Placement requirements were described in terms of minimum adaptive behaviors required, maximum maladaptive behavior tolerated, and required level of supervision. Environmental templates were developed and matched with client…

Self-help training is most effective when it involves assessing skills and deficits prior to training; developing training goals based upon consideration of the individual's ultimate level of functioning; preparing the training environment; implementing effective training programs; evaluating training effectiveness; and promoting maintenance and…

Assesses which organizational structures and climate variables were related to agency success in placing developmentally disabled children for adoption. One hundred ninety-nine public and private agencies in the United States and Canada participated in the study. Overall, decisiveness was an important agency variable in placement. Variables for…

Describes an evaluation of the effectiveness of a program to convey accurate information about developmental disabilities to high school students. Describes changes in students' knowledge of and attitudes towards persons with developmental disabilities. Details an effective program for promoting awareness and understanding of disabling conditions.…

This study focuses on the adjustment of siblings of male children with pervasive developmental disability, diabetes, or no known chronic illness. Findings indicate that siblings of ill children are not uniformly at greater risk for psychosocial impairment. Domains were identified in which siblings and parents were more susceptible to adjustment…

This booklet explains a system for prevention of and intervention with behavior problems in individuals with mental retardation and autism. The underlying premise is that all behaviors are an effort at communication and that by deciphering the communicative intent or function, one can guide an individual to a more acceptable mode of communication.…

This feature issue of "Impact" focuses on persons with developmental disabilities and the justice system. Articles include: "The Invisible Victims" (Daniel D. Sorensen), which discusses the high rate of people with developmental and other severe disabilities who become victims of crime; "The ADA in the Justice System"…

This volume contains selections from the writings of Burton Blatt, a prolific writer who advocated for the deinstitutionalization of people with developmental disabilities. Part 1 starts with excerpts from "Christmas in Purgatory" (1966), followed by Blatt's subsequent reflections on reactions to the book, and an address before the…

Group psychotherapy has emerged as an exceptionally efficient and cost-effective means of delivering mental health services. The use of action methods to activate and enhance dynamic interactions between members has been central to the origin and evolution of group therapy. This book is intended for use by counseling students or counseling…