A statewide survey of the extent of visual impairment in the population served by regional centers revealed more than 3,700 of the 63,000 center clients have a serious visual impairment. Many visually impaired developmentally disabled Ss also have hearing impairments, additional medical problems, or behavior problems. (CL)

The article reports preliminary prevalence data of pervasive developmental disorders (including autism) in developmental disorders, and makes suggestions for diagnosis and treatment of pervasive developmental disorders in this group. (Author/CL)

The author introduces the succeeding four articles on finance and economics of developmental disabilities. He suggests that the articles point to the need to redefine current funding, eligibility, and service organization approaches. (CL)

The article describes the extent of co-occurrence of autism, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, and mental retardation within a New York population of 43,692 developmentally disabled persons and presents a method for developing nonduplicative estimates for intrastate planning. Three tables present frequency and conditional probability figures. (Author/MC)

Discusses social work practice and education with regard to deinstitutionalization of the developmentally disabled. Offers several recommendations to social workers in the field and examines three challenges for the profession--improving the care-taking system, creating innovative service provision, and obtaining adequate funding for programs.…

A survey of 1,329 schoolchildren evaluated in University Affiliated Facilities across the country was conducted to determine what types of handicapping conditions were being seen. Although children with mental retardation comprised the largest group, there were a surprising number of children with milder learning problems. (Author/CL)

The enuresis of a hearing-impaired, developmentally disabled adolescent was corrected through the use of an auditory alarm and specific training procedures. The young man progressed from wetting the bed every night to being consistently dry after five weeks of treatment. He has remaind dry for over two years. (Author/CL)

Results suggested that potential inclusion within the functional developmental disabilities definition of P.L. 95-602, the Developmental Disabilities Amendments of 1978, varies as a function of categorical disability, age, and level of intellectual functioning. (Author)

A newly developed audiovisual staff training package on the legal and historical aspects of developmental disabilities was assessed for its educational effectiveness with 100 direct care staff from an institution for the developmentally disabled. Results indicated significant learning effects which were maintained through the followup period.…

A program using food experiences with preschoolers having moderate to severe developmental delays in language skills is described. (DB)

PASS (Program Analysis of Service Systems) 3 is an instrument designed for use in the evaluation of any type of service system used by developmentally disabled clients. A factor analysis of the system yielded six rather than two factors, which clearly suggests that the scale taps more areas than previously realized. (PHR)

Designed for use by clinicians in rehabilitation planning procedures, a Communication Profile form for the developmentally disabled is presented. The profile is designed to elicit information in three areas: informant information, communication behaviors, and communication needs. (PHR)

The assessments of 79 parents regarding the extent of their children's developmental handicaps were compared with the findings of a professional assessment team. (Author/DLS)

In a field trial addressing revisions to autism criteria in the fourth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-IV), information on 977 cases (454 with autism, 240 with "autistic-like" conditions, and 283 with nonpervasive developmental disabilities disorders) was rated. DSM-IV criteria were compared with the International…

Responses from 64 participants in a forum on coalition building for elderly people with developmental disabilities showed increased awareness of the needs of this population and more networking with service providers. More lasting coalitions were reported by only 15. Local leadership and involvement to sustain coalitions are needed. (SK)