Analysis of the narratives of 150 Latino mothers of young children with developmental disabilities concerning themselves and disability found that most mothers portrayed themselves as good mothers in line with larger cultural notions, and viewed their children as bringing about positive transformations in their lives. Suggestions for using…

This paper reports results of a qualitative study of the workplace experiences of eight young adults with developmental disabilities. Four characteristics of supportive workplaces were identified: (1) multiple context relationships; (2) specific social opportunities; (3) a personal and team-building management style; and (4) interdependent job…

Presents suggestions to help school nurses intervene on behalf of students who demonstrate signs of Pervasive Developmental Disorders (PDD) and other autism-related syndromes. The paper describes autism and Asperger's syndrome and discusses how to help students with PDD. Two sidebars present PDD subtypes and signs and symptoms of Asperger's…

Used case-by-case matching and regression techniques to compare outcomes for parents and families who adopted children with Down syndrome and those who adopted children with other developmental disabilities. Found successful parent and family functioning, regardless of the child's disabilities. The positive stereotype for Down syndrome was not…

A study compared sociosexual attitudes of 31 adults with developmental disability, 15 with autism, and 16 with mental retardation, and 25 typical Canadians and 28 Americans. Most differences were contributed by the individuals with mental retardation who endorsed significantly fewer than 50% of sexual activities presented. (Author/CR)

This study examined whether maternal responsivity would predict the extent to which prelinguistic milieu teaching (PMT) facilitated generalized intentional communication better than a contrast small-group treatment with 58 children (ages 17 to 36 months) with developmental disabilities. If mothers were relatively responsive before treatment, PMT…

Fifty-eight prelinguistic children with developmental disabilities and their mothers participated in an experimental test of whether intentional communication elicits maternal responses purported to facilitate language development. Results indicated that treatment effects on maternal responses varied by pre-treatment maternal education level and…

This article discusses implications of the movement toward managed health care models for long-term health care services for people with disabilities, especially people with developmental disabilities. It notes possible advantages of managed care but raises issues concerning consumer choice, management and financial capacity of managed care…

This study compared immediate (after each error) and delayed (at the end of each session) error correction during sight-word instruction with 4 students (ages 7-9) with developmental disabilities. Immediate error correction was superior on each of four dependent variables. (Author/DB)

A woman with a developmental disability discusses self-advocacy, the need for self-advocates to be involved in professional organizations, and the need for professionals and society at large to be more inclusive in their attitudes and behaviors. (DB)

Analysis of data on family support services and spending for individuals with developmental disabilities presents information on cash subsidy payments, respite care, and other family support. A graph shows U.S. spending for family support, 1986-1998. Additional tables break down subsidy spending for family support services by state in 1998 and…

Describes the successful outcomes of a behavioral support and crisis-response demonstration project in Minnesota that was designed to prevent the institutionalization of individuals with developmental disabilities who displayed behavior problems. Results indicate the outreach support kept individuals out of institutions and did so cost…

While access to educational opportunities has increased, associated mental health services have lagged behind and frequently lack sufficient depth, scope, and duration. This article offers lessons for clinicians derived from recent legislative amendments and developments in the case law surrounding the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.…

A survey of 538 nurses found that only about 10 percent received much training related to developmental disabilities. Most respondents received little or no training in the area and most had received no specific training with developmental disabilities since receiving their licenses or while in their current jobs. (Contains references.) (Author/CR)

Thirty-five children diagnosed with autism or pervasive developmental disorders at age 2 were re-evaluated 2 years later for factors related to spoken language development including child variables and environmental variables. After controlling for age 2 language skills, the only significant predictors of age 4 language skills were motor imitation…