This paper presents a conceptual framework, based on training in self-regulation, for the normalization of sexual behavior in individuals with developmental disabilities. Four features of such an approach include acquiring appropriate sexual behaviors, generalizing skills, discriminating appropriate contexts, and evaluating one's actions. (DB)

Institutions for people with disabilities can be "deinstitutionalized" by changing the way they are organized and regulated. The process of developing community learning environments in residential programs involves design of daily living routines, assessment of residential living skills, identification of teaching objectives, development of…

This rebuttal by the original authors to a critique (EC 609 029) of their article describing the TAPER psychotropic drug review process supports the process as an individualized approach to psychotropic drug treatment and as an interdisciplinary approach appropriate for use in community-based services for individuals with developmental…

A review of the use of psychotropic medications for people with developmental disabilities is presented. Results suggest that prescribing drugs based on topographical features of the problem behavior, without considering the function the behavior serves for the individual, contributes to variability in clinical response. Functional analysis of a…

Parents and teachers of 83 young children diagnosed with a pervasive developmental disorder rated each child on the Autism Behavior Checklist (ABC) and the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales (VABS). Although there was good agreement between informants on the VABS, there was virtually no agreement on the ABC, with parents reporting more autistic and…

This article describes a hospital-based education program that provides early intervention services to infants with chronic health impairments and developmental disabilities and their families during hospitalization. Emphasis is on family-centered care and transition to home/community services. An additional benefit is education of other health…

This study presents three cases of adults with profound developmental disabilities in which assessment data showed that self-injurious behavior occurred in at least two test conditions and describes a method used to analyze the effects of treatments based on hypotheses of multiple control. (Author/DB)

This study, with 61 Israeli parents of children with developmental disabilities, found that parental inclination to apply for out-of-home placement was a function of stress levels, sense of coherence, and social support received from formal and informal resources. (Author/DB)

Parental stress and family dysfunction were examined in 55 families with and 55 families without young children with developmental disabilities. Although families of disabled children showed higher levels of stress, they were only minimally different from control families in their family functioning, indicating high degrees of resiliency.…

Provides an overview of technology solutions for young children who have developmental concerns. Discusses the rationale for developmentally appropriate assistive technology and the use of high-tech computer-based solutions. Issues related to selecting appropriate hardware and software applications and a review of play-based software options are…

Presents strategies for early childhood educators and child caregivers for identifying potential developmental delays and disabilities among the children they work with. Suggests using a developmental checklist, documenting actual activities, talking with the director, meeting with the parents, and referring parents to the appropriate agency. (KB)

This article summarizes data showing that 77.1 percent of residential service recipients with mental retardation/developmental disabilities are living nationally in settings of 15 or fewer residents. Graphs show proportions living in residences of various sizes in 1982 and 1999. A table lists, by individual state, the numbers and proportions of…

This study examined differences in sensory-motor, cognitive, and verbal impairment between 10 Japanese preschool children with Asperger Syndrome (AS) 10 children with high functioning autism (HFA) using the Japanese version of the Miller Assessment for Preschoolers. AS children surpassed HFA children in verbal skills but HFA children were better…

This review of the effects of contingency experience on development and data from a model intervention program provides evidence demonstrating how basic technology can be used to teach young children with developmental disabilities that the environment is responsive and controllable and to promote positive attentional, emotional, and motivational…

Based on Mulkay's and Kuhn's models of change in scientific structure, a scientific communication model of the emergence of a hybrid research area was developed and tested in the field of developmental dyslexia; 74 researchers were partitioned into "blocks" of similar scientists. Results show support for Mulkay's model of branching…