Particular reference is made to change seen as either a discrete or a continuous process. This topic is discussed in relation to progress and modern trends in biology and physics. Additionally discussed is the development of children's understanding of the process of change in physical and biological phenomena. (Author/RH)

The study examined brain functions related to information processing in autistic adults using auditory evoked potentials (AEP) and missing stimulus potentials (MSP). Both nonautistic and autistic adults showed normal mature patterns and lateralities in AEP for music stimuli, but nonautistic children did not. Autistic adults showed matured patterns…

Studies young children's behavior regarding acceptability of objects (cookie, comb and juice) that were contaminated with insects or human hair. (NH)

The study compared longitudinally performance of six Down syndrome and six nonretarded children on Object Permanence and Means-Ends Relations Scales. Results indicated that Down syndrome children progressed from Sensorimotor Stage 5 to Stage 6 at the same rate as nonretarded children, once Down's Ss slower developmental pace was considered.…

The author suggests methods for developing thinking and feeling processes (as conceptualized in type II Enrichment in J. Renzulli's Enrichment Triad model) for gifted and talented students. A taxonomy is presented which addresses four objectives: (1) cognitive and affective training, (2) slow-to-learn skills, (3) use of research and reference…

Preliminary observations from a project that is examining the effects of three methods of teaching LOGO are discussed. The working hypothesis presented is that teaching LOGO in a "mediational" format based on current cognitive literature will produce generalizable cognitive development in children. (Author/CL)

Relationships between intellectual giftedness and performance within Piagetian stages of 673 gifted students (10-16 years old) were investigated. Results showed that intellectually superior children out- performed children of normal ability at all age levels. Intellectually superior Ss out-performed bright-normal Ss at lower ages, but no…

The article reviews experimental data on the deleterious effects of environmental lead and cadmium on cognitive functioning of children. (CL)

Nongifted students (N=25) were slightly more curious than gifted Ss. Gifted boys displayed a greater curiosity level than gifted girls, whereas nongifted girls expressed slightly greater curiosity than nongifted boys; in both cases, no significant differences were found. Curiosity items rated the highest were associated with novelty, unknown…

The article presents a summary of the cognitive difficulties often encountered when a multidisciplinary team attempts to manage children with spina bifida. Suggestions for intervention and program planning are presented. A model for team management incorporating medical, allied health, and psychosocial professionals is presented. (Author/CL)

Epstein (1974) claims evidence for regular two-year growth spurts in the development of brain and mind, a phenomenon he calls phrenoblysis. Unfortunately, repeated analysis of the data he presents as proof of his theory provides no support. (Author/RH)

The study investigated the relationship of early language development and symbolic play behaviors in 20 normal and 20 trainable mentally retarded children. Symbolic play which involves the use of one object to represent another was found to be a strong correlate of early language development. (Author/CL)

Thirty-eight children hospitalized because of physical abuse were compared with a control group. Abuse Ss had significantly lower mean scores than the comparison children on the verbal, performance and full scale scores of the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children Revised and the Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence. (Author/CL)

The paper argues that the criterion form-referenced (CFR) concept contradicts the philosophy and definition of mainstreaming, whereas a cognitive conceptualization constitutes a more appropriate framework for designing and assessing mainstreaming. Learning from a cognitive perspective that emphasizes self-regulation is reviewed. Specific examples…

Proposes, as an alternative to Sokolovian models, a model of early habituation based on selective adaptation of feature detectors. The model suggests that early habituation is attributable to the organization and immaturity of the young infant's visual system. (RH)