This paper explains why social work practice does not seem to play as strong a role as other professions in enhancing the dignity of lives of individuals with developmental disabilities. Social workers are urged to give the same validity to case management of individuals with disabilities as has been given to improving services to poor people.…

Psychotropic drug use was monitored for 139 persons residing continuously over a 10-year period in an Intermediate Care Facility for mentally retarded persons. Results indicated an ongoing decrease in psychotropic drug use, with usage decreasing from 30-12 percent. Antipsychotic medication was discontinued for 73 percent of the clients over the 10…

This study of social referencing in parent/child dyads found that 20 nondisabled children (ages 6-27 months) showed evidence of behavior regulation, touching positive-message toys more often than fearful-message toys, whereas a group of 20 children (ages 15-54 months) with developmental delays did not. (Author/JDD)

There should not be an intentional reduction of the technological focus in applied behavior analysis research to expand the theoretical focus. The manner in which applied behavior analysis has beneficially affected the field of developmental disabilities services demonstrates how technologically related research plays a necessary role. (JDD)

This paper reacts to previous symposium papers (EC 604 155-161) concerning regulations and quality assurance in Intermediate Care Facilities for the Mentally Retarded (ICF/MR) and stresses the central mission of helping people and the need to achieve quality and not just compliance. (DB)

This study compared 20 children (ages 8-14) with either autism or receptive developmental language disorder (RDLD) to 10 controls in their ability to detect frequent and infrequent randomly presented auditory stimuli. Only the children with autism demonstrated an abnormally small amplitude of the P3b, a component of the event-related brain…

Procedures are outlined for employing a resource components approach to collect and report cost information on training and supported employment programs for adults with developmental disabilities. Examination of the costs of 41 Minnesota programs indicates that costs are functionally related to different consumer and program factors. (Author/JDD)

This paper describes the Assessment of Basic Learning Abilities Test and recommends its use to assess discrimination acquisition or learning-to-learn skills of persons with severe and profound disabilities. (DB)

Argues that the failure of programs for developmentally impaired children lies in the type of programs developed, their mode of delivery, and the organization of the care delivery system itself. Suggests that direct community and family involvement would be more effective than additional funding or expansion of current programs. (FMW)

An observational study in a British nursery school examined effects of direct and indirect strategies in increasing interactions of four developmentally delayed young children with their peers. (DB)

This study compared the family histories of 13 children with autism or pervasive developmental disorder (PDD) with depression and 10 similar children without depression. Ten of the depressed children had a positive family history of depression compared to three of the nondepressed group. Findings support the validity of depression as a distinct…

Defines the concept of self-determination and discusses the importance of family involvement in affecting the development and expression of self-determination in adolescents with autism and other developmental disabilities. Strategies to promote and support parental involvement in self-determination instruction are discussed. (Author/CR)

A survey of 58 university-affiliated programs serving persons with mental retardation and developmental disabilities (MR/DD) found that 74% were affiliated with a school of social work and identified types of and settings for MR/DD training opportunities. Results suggest that potential exists for creating and expanding such training relationships.…

Three preschool children with developmental disabilities participated in a social-skills intervention involving use of collage placemats with pictures to foster turn-taking verbal interactions with peers at the lunch table. The intervention resulted in doubling the rate of interactions with peers. Generalization to regular lunchtime occurred when…

A respite care needs assessment survey was completed by 574 Iowa families of children with developmental disabilities. Results documented a void in the availability and accessibility of respite services regardless of demography, income level, or extent of disability. Respondents generally perceived that the availability of respite care service…