Described is the Crisis Intervention Center, a rehabilitation center for the severely developmentally disabled which includes three developmental satellite centers (providing work activity programs, work evaluation, and supervised employment). (CL)

Described is the Pre-Vocational Training Unit, a Canadian day program which offers training in personal adjustment, communication and language skills, social and educational skills, physical fitness, motor dexterity, and basic vocational skills to severely developmentally handicapped individuals (17 to 53 years old). Available from: Journal of…

A literature review regarding parents of children with developmental disabilities suggests that professionals must learn to understand the stages of parental adjustment to the handicapping condition, because parental involvement in the daily implementation of the child's program is crucial. Seven national agencies which have early infant…

Describes limitations of traditional approaches to assessment and curriculum as they relate to the needs of children with autism and severe disabilities who are functioning at presymbolic levels of development. Alternative assessment strategies are identified, and suggestions for instructional design are provided. (Author/BN)

A counselor describes the strains placed on a marriage after the birth of a handicapped son by both parents' difficulties in dealing with their own parents. The importance of better communication of needs among all parties and ways grandparents can help parents with a handicapped child are discussed. (VW)

Results of a questionnaire of administrators of community living arrangements programs for the developmentally disabled in Pennsylvania (N=116) found that some programs promoted relationships with neighbors, but others wished to keep the role of neighbors to a minimum. (Author/DB)

Reviews major research data associated with aging among the developmentally disabled including prevalence, longevity patterns, morbidity profiles, mental decline, mental illness, comparative experiences of disabled persons in institutions and in community based living situations, and approaches used to define aging in this population. Discusses…

A survey of affiliates of the Tourette Syndrome Association of Ohio was conducted to document the special problems and needs of the Tourette Syndrome student. Findings indicate that students reported problems similiar to adults and that many students were in need of specialized educational services. Suggestions for dealing more effectively with…

Compares developmentally disabled children in foster care and adoption in 13 agencies nationwide and describes the parents who adopted these children. The importance of building links between foster care and adoption units within and between these agencies is stressed. (Author/BB)

A three-year-old child with developmental handicaps was taught attention, imitation, and toy manipulation behaviors. Observation on 10 targeted behaviors showed that from the time the intervention program commenced, the child increased her attention to persons and objects and markedly decreased her level of self-stimulation and self-injury. (GC)

California's data on 59,000 mentally retarded/developmentally delayed persons were examined. Despite claims of excess institutional population and the availability of residential alternatives, 52.5% of all persons resided in their natural homes: small family care units held 14.2% of the population and institutions, 12.8%. (Author/CL)

Two experiments were performed with five severely developmentally disabled individuals (13-26 years old) to test the relationship between toys as conditioned reinforcers and stereotypy. Findings suggested that conditioning reinforcers for play, such as toys, may result in a durable and possibly more cost effective procedure of dealing with…

Discusses the discrepancy between the attitudes of social workers and parents of developmentally disabled children. A recent study showed that 75 percent of the parents (N=27) reported the experience had made them stronger, while only nine percent of the social workers surveyed believed parents felt that way. (JAC)

This information packet presents five readings about community participation and social networks of people with developmental disabilities and an annotated bibliography. The first paper, "Building Stronger Communities for All: Thoughts about Community Participation for People with Developmental Disabilities" (Robert Bogdan and Steven J. Taylor),…

People with cognitive, intellectual, or developmental disabilities are a small but increasing portion of offenders in the criminal justice system. People with developmental disabilities are estimated to comprise 2-3% of the general population, but 4-10% of the prison population, and an even higher percentage of those in juvenile facilities and in…