Three studies were undertaken to examine ways in which profoundly disabled infants and children interact with the environment. Findings suggested that the Ss were active responders and processors of environmental stimuli and that automated equipment under their control was highly motivating for them. (CL)

A teacher of children with multiple disabilities reviews an adaptation of the "Conflict Cycle" designed to help children understand their conflicts through concrete manipulation of cards involving visual, auditory, and tactile modalities. (CL)

The need for greater attention to the emotional problems of mentally retarded persons is discussed in terms of community adjustment, the use of available psychotherapeutic methods, and issues in assessing effectiveness of treatment. (Author/JW)

The article describes the extent of co-occurrence of autism, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, and mental retardation within a New York population of 43,692 developmentally disabled persons and presents a method for developing nonduplicative estimates for intrastate planning. Three tables present frequency and conditional probability figures. (Author/MC)

Traditionally, students with significant disabilities, such as autism, mental retardation, or multiple disabilities, receive transition services in a public high school setting until they are 21 or 22 years old. While this is an appropriate setting for students with these disabilities during ages 14-18, it may be neither an appropriate nor…

The dual handicaps of blindness and brain damage produce a unique combination of rehabilitation problems. To examine these problems, several illustrative cases are cited. The relationship of the eye to the brain is discussed, along with several neurological syndromes. Suggestions for working with the brain-damaged, blind client are given. (Author)

All Ss' accuracy decreased with increasing task difficulty. Accuracy of nonretarded Ss did not differ as a function of visual status. Blind retarded Ss were more accurate than were sighted retarded Ss. (Author)

The investigation surveyed a sample of 650 speech-language pathologists providing services in elementary schools to obtain information on the concomitant problems of stutterers in their caseloads. The results of the survey revealed that 32% of all the young stutterers were free of any other problems. (Author)

The phenomenon of catatonic-like states in people with autistic spectrum disorders is discussed in the context of current knowledge about catatonia as it occurs in severe mental illness and, less frequently documented, in conjunction with developmental disorders. The existing literature on catatonic-like states in people with autistic spectrum…

Although some progress has been made, the belief that students with severe cognitive and multiple disabilities will not or cannot become self-determined remains a barrier for many such students. This article revisits topics that were identified in Wehmeyer (1998) as contributing to this problem, with a particular focus on definitional issues…

In recent years, the number of children receiving cochlear implants who have significant disabilities in addition to their deafness has increased substantially. However, in comparison with the extensive literature on speech, language, and communication outcomes following pediatric implantation in children without complex needs, the available…

Background: In a recent study, we constructed an item pool that contains items on the quality of life (QOL) and related aspects of support of people with profound multiple disabilities (PMD). In the present study, a panel of experts assessed the content and the structure of this item pool in order to enhance its validity and usefulness. Method: A…

Students with a hearing loss often have an additional disability. Although the number of deaf students with multiple disabilities is growing, research on this population has significantly decreased over the past quarter-century. The article reviews the literature on identification and placement of deaf students with multiple disabilities,…

Background: Intensive Interaction is an approach to developing the pre-verbal communication and sociability of people with severe or profound and multiple learning disabilities and autism. Previous research has indicated many potential benefits; however, the approach is not consistently used in social care. Aim: To report on the significant and…