This study characterized individual advocacy performance differences of 3 individuals with developmental disabilities and 21 parents before and after participating in training programs called Partners in Policymaking. A three group taxonomy of advocate development (beginner, involved, and activist) is suggested. (DB)

A within-subject multiple baseline design was used to teach a young girl with severe disabilities six target signs that were functionally equivalent to existing behaviors (e.g., leading, reaching). Teaching occurred only in the presence of behavioral indication by the subject. Results showed successful acquisition and discriminating use of the six…

Examines automated speech technologies (AST) and describes uses in education and training. Topics include AST in foreign language instruction and translation; AST in medical education, including economic considerations; and needed research and development for AST in education and training, including voice recognition technology and advanced…

Effects of two instructional trial scheduling formats (massed practice only, versus combined massed practice and distributed practice) on acquisition, transfer, and generalization of explicitly prompted requests were studied with five children with severe mental disabilities, ages 4-8. General case/naturalistic teaching was effective for all…

Suggests strategies for mobilizing more leadership and power in the early childhood profession including: (1) getting teachers, providers, and directors to the table; (2) taking time to reflect and raise questions; (3) using a constructivist, empowering pedagogy; and (4) forging relationships of integrity and respect. (SD)

Discusses diversity in the workplace and offers guidelines for practitioners in designing, developing, and implementing diversity training. Highlights include linking the diversity initiative to the organization's mission, cultural climate assessments, reviewing policies and procedures, needs assessment, learner analysis, establishing objectives,…

This article identifies potential challenges facing professionals who work and who plan to work with speech-language pathology assistants, including job security, professional confidence, work efficiency, supervisory training, preservice training, the effect of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association's policies, professional autonomy, and…

Discusses early teacher education in Germany, which followed a microteaching tradition or a psychological theory framework that included humanistic psychology, behavioral theory, and cognitive psychology. Examines the shift to training models focused on the specific needs of teacher tradition. Argues that training methods are a valuable supplement…

The cascade model has been widely used to reduce costs and maximize benefits in teacher education. This article discusses one step in the cascade process, training the trainers, noting the need to integrate more social and cultural awareness into this area of training if the cascade approach is to succeed. Two South African projects that use the…

Information on family context was used to individualized behavioral support plans designed to support family use of functional communication training (FCT) for three children (ages 3-5) with autism. Results indicate problem behavior decreased and functional communication increased when FCT was introduced into family routines selected for training.…

Presents the annual bibliography of literature from 1989 on the education and training of information professionals. Highlights include library and information science schools and departments; professional qualifications; career development; continuing education; training; the role of associations and societies in library education; and the…

Mothers and caregivers of 28 preschoolers were trained to facilitate children's play. Play training of adults was shown to be an effective mechanism for enhancing preschoolers' verbal cognition. Training of mothers and caregivers was more effective than training of caregivers only. (CB)

Children with mental retardation are particularly prone to failure on relational tasks such as oddity and match-to-sample, suggesting a differential sensitivity to relational information. This paper reports on several studies in which characteristics of stimulus arrays were enhanced. Results demonstrated the theoretical and practical significance…

Presents a two-part training activity by means of which teachers can learn the quality components of accreditation of child care and early childhood programs. (BB)

In response to Whitman, "Self-Regulation and Mental Retardation" (EC 222 812), the author raises four points: use of alternatives to language based interventions, questionable effectiveness of verbal self-instruction with the retarded, questionable practicality of gradual withdrawal of teacher prompting, and need for immediate testing of…