This literature review discusses cultural influences on individuals with disabilities and describes three historical models of disability--the moral model, medical model, and sociological/environmental/civil rights/minority group model. The use of alcohol and drugs by disabled persons is explored, focusing on individuals with orthopedic and…

This technical report is part of a series on AIDS/HIV (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome/Human Immunodeficiency Virus) and is intended to help link various legal advocacy organizations providing services to persons with mental illness or developmental disabilities. Such persons, especially adolescents, are at risk for exposure to HIV because…

This document reports on a project of the Illinois Planning Council on Developmental Disabilities to assess needs of current transition practices in Illinois for preschool children with special needs. The project involved: analysis of a comprehensive review of the relevant research literature; recommendations from advisory board members, workshop…

A resource and activity guide for the developmentally disabled that focuses on functional and constructive play is presented. Some basic ideas for fostering dramatic play among the severely developmentally disabled are also introduced. In following a developmental approach, this guide identifies goals and objectives, and explains the relevance of…

Existing patterns of deinstitutionalization and group home placements funded through Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and private supplemental trusts can provide the means for independent living for developmentally disabled adults. Yet, because of the propensity of probate courts to refrain from alteration of written documents evidencing the…

Written for parents to use in the home environment, this illustrated handbook describes the Maxi-Move program, an intensive one-year program of exercise for children of one to eight years of age, who have cerebral palsy. The program does not use physical therapy, patterning, or specific movement goals, but focuses on having fun, creating…

Steps are outlined in the construction of two self-report assessment scales designed to measure general life satisfaction and leisure activity levels of developmentally disabled adults. The potential usefulness of a reliable, valid self-report instrument as a measurement tool in client programming is noted in the context of a review of similar…

This paper describes causes of mental retardation in rural America, preventative methods, and factors impeding preventative approaches in rural settings and offers principles for tailoring traditional preventative methods for rural areas. Relevant findings of research conducted by the National Rural Project, American Council on Rural Special…

The conference on "Support for Family Caregivers" reported in this document was designed to identify, encourage the development of, and disseminate information about effective approaches for strengthening the capacity of families to care for their impaired relatives. The first of two presentations in the opening plenary session reviews the needs…

This paper reports on a 14-year follow-up study of two developmentally retarded Japanese children, a brother and sister, who had been kept shut up in a small shack before being rescued (at ages 5 and 6 respectively). Following birth they consistently suffered malnutrition, maternal deprivation, social isolation from adults, language deprivation,…

Home movies of eight normal children and eight children later diagnosed as autistic were analyzed based on: (1) Piagetian criteria of sensorimotor development and semiotic functioning, and (2) developmental levels of action competencies. The age range covered was 4 to 42 months of age. The analysis showed that, from the second year of life, timing…

James E. Gilliam is the author of a book entitled "Autism," published in 1981 by Charles C. Thomas Company. This brochure records an interview with Mr. Gilliam conducted by Burt Smith and later converted to narrative form for publication by Charlene Warren. Adapted from a series of radio broadcasts entitled "The Human…

The document describes New Jersey's plan to provide services to persons with developmental disabilities (DD). Section I defines developmental disabilities, provides population statistics by age group for 21 counties, and briefly outlines the DD State Grant Program. Section II outlines the organization (including appointment of 12 members who…

The purpose of Project COMPETE is to use previous research and exemplary practices to develop and validate a model and training sequence to assist retarded youth to make the transition from school to employment in the most competitive environment possible. This project working paper lists vocational goals and objectives that individuals with…

The Individualized Resource Program/Community-Based Vocational Training Program of the Iowa Valley Community College District provides assessment, vocational and functional academics training, and job placement services for adults with developmental disabilities and moderate mental retardation. Participants complete a non-credit community college…