This study identified 10 savants with developmental disabilities and an exceptional ability to calculate calendar dates. These "calendar calculators" were asked to demonstrate their abilities, and their strategies were analyzed. The study found that the ability to calculate dates into the past or future varied widely among these…

This compilation of materials offers an overview paper and an annotated bibliography on self-determination. The overview paper on self-advocacy for individuals with developmental disabilities, authored by Michael Kennedy and Patricia Killius, presents a definition of self-advocacy, notes that poor communication skills should not prevent an…

This paper examines the first educational placement and current placement for 1068 New Mexico students who graduated from special education preschool programs, 1987-1989. All subjects met eligibility criteria for the developmentally disabled and were divided evenly between rural and urban districts. With regard to initial placements, 9% of…

The first of five papers written by the Ohio Developmental Disabilities Planning Council's Deinstitutionalization Task Force Project, this document focuses on the role of institutional services. Following a brief summary of planning principles (least restrictive alternative, right to services, normalization, equal justice, respect for human…

The report describes the Kona Infant and Child Development Program for developmentally delayed/disabled/high risk children in the rural areas of West Hawaii. The first chapter of the report presents geographic and demographic background information and reviews the services prior to 1978 when the Kona program began. Chapter 2 describes the three…

A telephone survey of each state's mental retardation/developmental disabilities agency was conducted to determine the national availability of group home type community residential programs. Results revealed a large group home population--at least 68,000 noninstitutional beds (including specially licensed family care and independent apartments)…

Tourette Syndrome has a history of being misdiagnosed or undiagnosed due to its unusual and complex symptoms. This paper describes: the symptoms of Tourette Syndrome; its etiology; age of onset; therapeutic methods, such as drug therapy, psychotherapy, diet control, and hypnosis; educational implications; and employment prospects. Several…

The 1985 update addresses New Jersey's plans for services to people with developmental disabilities. In a question and answer format, the manual focuses on the following topics: definitions and impact (incidence); the state planning council on developmental disabilities (council members and staff); the administering agency for the developmental…

The monograph describes "Boatworks," a subsidiary of Stepping Stones Growth Center in Oakland, California, which trains developmentally disabled adults to clean and maintain pleasure boats, and "Cleansweep," a janitorial and grounds maintenance training program for the same population. A brief history of the programs is followed by client profiles…

A study, involving four developmentally disabled children who exhibited a variety of disruptive behaviors such as self-injury and tantrums, was conducted to assess the influence of task demands and adult attention on children's behaviors. The three experimental conditions were the "EASY 100" which consisted of an easy task on which children could…

This paper offers reflections from the author's experience with community placement for developmentally disabled persons, specifically addressing practical and philosophical issues. Drawn from the author's personal involvement with the Macomb-Oakland Regional Center (MORE) in Michigan, this document notes nine illustrations of progress from…

A social curriculum package was developed for use in adjustment training centers that serve developmentally disabled clients over the age of 16 years. The curriculum features two different instructional styles (verbal instruction and role play) for nine task areas: (1) seeking attention, (2) complying, (3) telling the truth, (4) expressing…

A case is made for the utility and necessity of thorough behavioral analysis and description of developmentally disabled children using Wolfenberger's "Five Embarrassments in the Diagnostic Process" as a point of departure. (DB)

The authors report the first year's evaluation findings on the Family Consultation Project, a transdisciplinary, noncategorical early intervention program serving infants at known or high risk for developmental disability due to genetic disorders or severe perinatal medical complications. The intervention program encouraged mutual pleasure in the…