An examination of the mandated acceptance of developmentally disabled individuals as rehabilitation clients is presented. Appropriate services are detailed in three stages: special education focus, community integration focus, and rehabilitation counseling focus. The stages have been proven effective in other similar disabilities. (Author/PHR)

Treatment with two setting condition manipulations and use of a visual occlusion helmet was found to decelerate intense screaming by a 16-year-old girl with developmental disabilities. Cranial pressure was found to be the critical element in self-control, and replacing the helmet with a headband was found to be effective in maintaining behavior…

This study of an adolescent with mental retardation and autism found that pica of cigarette butts was maintained in a condition with no social consequences when cigarettes contained nicotine but not when cigarettes contained herbs without nicotine. A procedure based on stimulus control, which reduced cigarette consumption to zero, is described.…

Interviews Denny Chopin-Napper, a kindergarten and first-grade teacher of students with developmental disabilities. Notes that adaptation is a big part of her teaching approach, which varies instruction to suit students' individual needs. Discusses her classroom, how she teaches literacy skills, and the place of technology in her teaching. (PM)

This article first reviews the literature regarding temperament and outcomes for children with developmental disabilities and explores methods for integrating temperament information into early intervention practice. It proposes that children with developmental disabilities who present extreme scores in specific domains of temperament may benefit…

Describes problems facing personnel preparation in community-based vocational and residential services for adults with developmental disabilities. Recommends plans of action to allay these problems: (1) direction and coordination of adult services; (2) assessment of providers' personnel training needs; and (3) evaluation and strengthening of…

Annie Sullivan Enterprises, Inc. (Chapel Hill, North Carolina), a community resource network for the integration of children and youth with developmental disabilities and mental health problems, is described. A brokerage model is espoused for accessing and delivering services. Recommendations based on seven years of successful operation are…

The short- and long-term effectiveness of a staff-monitored, home-based aerobics program was assessed in a group of 15 individuals with developmental disabilities and compared to fitness levels of 12 non-participating controls. Results showed significant improvement on some aspects of fitness, but difficulties with measurement and maintenance were…

An anthropological description of interaction between two boys with profound developmental disabilities, living in a state institution, is offered. The socio-cultural analysis revealed behavior patterns which demonstrated feelings, communication, autonomy in play, and purposeful interaction in the attainment of a goal. (JDD)

The paper describes a series of management strategies for developmental apraxia of speech. Numerous unanswered questions about the effects of therapy are posed and pertinent research issues are identified. (Author/DB)

The study compared the attention-directing behaviors of 15 autistic children, 14 children with developmental language delay, and 13 young normal children. Although the autistic children's behavior was most unlike that of the other groups, autistic children did not produce more attention-directing behavior when a high degree of adult direction was…

The feeding skills of 73 adults with severe developmental disabilities who aspirated were examined. Mobility, level of mental retardation, or feeding skill did not discriminate those who aspirated. Mealtime respiratory distress (65%) or chronic lung disease (55%), however, were significantly associated with aspiration. (Author/DB)

This paper, developed by a group of parents, advocates, and service providers, addresses the limitations of human services for people with developmental disabilities, including: (1) services cannot "fix" people or problems; (2) consistency and uniformity are not necessarily good qualities of human services; (3) more human services are not…

This paper identifies and evaluates emerging developments in the behavioral pharmacotherapy of people with developmental disabilities, including such medications as the opiate antagonists, fenfluramine, beta adrenergic blockers, buspirone, antipsychotics, amantadine hydrochloride, and antilibidinal drugs. The need for more well-designed drug…

Specialists in developmental disabilities and aging need competence in the following areas: advocacy, characteristics of older persons with developmental disabilities, planning and implementation, communication, and training. (SK)