The document contains transcripts of the Congressional hearings on the Developmental Disabilities Act Amendments of 1978 (H.R. 11764), legislation designed to improve and coordinate provision of services to the developmentally disabled. Presented along with the text of H.R. 11764 are the texts of H.R. 278, H.R. 2151, and H.R. 10059 (all part of…

The pamphlet discusses several puzzling disorders of childhood, including autism, atypical personality development (childhood psychosis), psychosocial dwarfism, and Tourette's syndrome. Psychosocial dwarfism is said to be characterized by a marked reduction in physical development and by immaturity in behavior, while Tourette's syndrome involves…

Instructional package technology can meet the needs of the aging and aged developmentally disabled person by focusing on specific functional skill instruction by paraprofessionals. (CL)

A prospective longitudinal study of the development of children with delays of unknown etiology over a six-year period (from mean age 34.2 months to 109.7 months) indicated that, for the group as a whole, scores were stable with the most able children at entry making the most progress over time. (DB)

A five-year-old developmentally delayed, musically gifted child with no formal musical training was asked to repeat passages on the piano. Analysis of responses to melodies in each of the 24 major and minor keys indicated sensitivity to aspects of diatonic structure exhibited by mature listeners. (Author)

A microcomputer was used to assist residential staff in assessment, training, and management of persons with developmental disabilities. Using nonprofessionals as the major source of input, the system produced comprehensive individualized behavioral intervention plans for more than 300 different problems and identified preventive measures.…

Summaries are presented of the activities of 16 committees on the Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities Branch (MRDD) of the National Institute of Child Health. Committees are organized to guide future research efforts in biomedical issues, behavioral and social sciences, and the interface between biomedical and behavioral/social…

Autistic individuals were observed in their familiar residential environment using a time-sample technique. The data do not support the notion that autistic children are unusually "negativistic". (Author/NH)

Results of an analysis of 50 years of federal government spending for mental retardation and developmental disabilities are summarized. Spending for services and income maintenance since fiscal year 1981 has plateaued. Federal support for research and training has declined since the early 1970s. (Author/CL)

A study of respite services for families of persons with developmental disabilities indicated five major problems: inconsistent availability across the state, inconsistent planning and evaluation procedures, inadequate management information systems, lack of information to families, and lack of a career development model for respite workers.…

A center for retarded students provided students contacts with animals on a regular basis to help students overcome their fear, increase self-confidence and self-esteem, develop nurturing skills, and learn cooperation. Case studies of six children who showed special benefits from the program are included. (CL)

One successful approach to monitoring group homes for people with developmental disabilities features a parent monitoring committee with specific administrative and observational duties. Members evaluate homes on the basis of residents' rights, general environment, and staff performance. (CL)

The author describes how political and social whims can have disastrous effects on existing, effective programs for developmentally disabled, institutionalized persons, as illustrated in cutoffs for funding of a behavior modification team which used parent assistants as volunteers. (CL)

Directed to occupational therapists, the article focuses on the applications of microcomputers to services for developmentally disabled persons. Noted are computer devices (input, output, software, and firmware); computer programs (basic and sophisticated instruction, graphics); and LOGO, a computer language.

In a study involving 40 nonhandicapped preschoolers, the child's sex and the interaction between sex and label did not influence performance ratings, test scores, or the examiners' verbal behavior. The label "developmentally delayed," however had a negative impact on children's test scores and performance ratings. (Author/CL)