Use of the Sonicguide, a binaural sensory aid, by a quadraplegic, totally blind 18-year-old student is described. The rationale for training, device adaptations, and the eventual use of the device as a primary mobility aid in areas familiar to the student are explained. (Author/MC)

Discusses National Industries for the Blind which was established in 1938 as a result of the Wagner-O'Day Act. National Industries serves the vocational needs of multihandicapped blind people. (Availability: Superintendent of Documents, Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20401) (JOW)

The association of hearing loss and retinitis pigmentosa has been generally recognized as the genetic disorder of Usher's syndrome. The article reviews findings of this syndrome and suggests strategies for dealing with the clinical and psychological problems displayed by Usher's syndrome patients. (Author/SW)

Specific program suggestions are provided to enable the speech-language pathologist to utilize the mealtime setting to integrate both vocal and nonvocal communicative objectives. The roots of interaction and communication which underly both vocal and nonvocal systems are described. (Author)

Role play with toys was modeled to develop communicative language function in 14 multiply handicapped individuals (8 to 26-years-old whose speech was characterized by echolalic and stereotypic responses. Verbal expression increased and narrative and question forms appeared. Language behavior became more communicative and meaningful as social…

Two classes of first graders--one of handicapped children, the other of normal children--developed their own ways of learning about each other. (Author)

The author describes specific classroom activities and materials that can be used with visually impaired, multihandicapped children who can function in a group. Objectives, procedures, materials, and possible modifications are listed for activities involving colors, shapes, and gross motor development. (Author/CL)

Operant conditioning techniques were used to teach a visually impaired deaf girl (six years old) to emit eye contact within a classroom for deaf-blind children. (Author/CL)

Through the use of surveys, the article discusses the number of noninstitutionalized visually impaired individuals who also have other disabilities. The main finding is that, even excluding many chronic conditions, a majority of severely visually impaired persons have one or more additional impairments. (PHR)

The article presents a case history of infantile autism associated with Down's syndrome, and discusses the relationship between the two conditions. Among the aspects covered are the child's family history and his developmental and medical history. (DLS)

The happiness indices in a Fun Time activity were systematically increased for three of four people with profound multiple disabilities by providing their preferred stimuli. The fourth showed decreased unhappiness. However, three people with profound disabilities and minimal movement failed to show any indices of happiness or unhappiness.…

Medical charts of 150 multihandicapped children (aged 3-19) admitted to a psychiatric hospital were examined to determine the extent and characteristics of abuse/neglect. Results indicated maltreatment in 39 percent of the cases, 40 percent of whom had been assaulted by multiple perpetrators. Severity of maltreatment and severity of handicaps were…

This study assessed the validity of idiosyncratic choice-making behaviors of three children with multiple disabilities. Children were given either their "choice" of food or drink or were given the opposite. Direct observations of children's acceptance or refusal revealed the children consistently indicated choices during both conditions.…

The article presents findings of a survey of disabled populations (3,216 responses) in Wisconsin concerning alcohol abuse and disability. The survey results suggest that people with disabilities consume more alcohol than nondisabled people and some disability groups (including the blind or visually impaired) drink more than others. Assessment and…

This paper reports on two children diagnosed as having co-occurring autistic disorder, schizophrenia-like psychosis, and Tourette syndrome, and two autistic adults who had tics and episodes of schizophrenia-like psychosis. (JDD)