Advocates adoption workers receive perinatal education so that they may be more competent in placing special needs children. Suggests a perinatal inservice program for social workers which would bridge the gap from the clinical practice setting of perinatal centers to the child welfare arena. (Author/CM)

An assessment instrument developed to measure applied reading and comprehension skills, direction following (using information from the reading passages), applied number skills, and social adaptation to a work situation was administered to 30 developmentally disabled adolescents. (Author)

The article reports the effects of step-by-step integration of four cognitively and/or behaviorally handicapped preschool children in a day care program designed to serve nonhandicapped children. Results were mixed. Journal availability: see EC 133 846. (Author)

The article describes Life Experiences, Inc., an organization in Cary, North Carolina, that operates and maintains facilities and programs for handicapped adults and assists them to function as productive citizens of the community. (DLS)

A study of seven adults with profound developmental disabilities compared methods for presenting stimuli during reinforcer-preference assessments. It found that a multiple-stimulus format in which selections were made without replacement may share the advantages of a paired-stimulus format and a multiple-stimulus format with replacement, while…

This study found a high incidence of nontraumatic fractures in adults with developmental disabilities living in a state-run facility, a 7.3% incidence among 391 adults. Factors associated with fractures included use of antiepileptic medication. Although bone mineral density (BMD) by heel ultrasound did not predict fracture, values were much lower…

This study examined stress-support in 42 families of 3- to 18-year-old children with Prader-Willi Syndrome. While children's age, intelligence quotient, and degree of obesity were not related to familial stress, families experienced greater stress when children showed more behavior problems overall, more externalizing and internalizing problems,…

Describes manifestations and diagnosis of Asperger Syndrome (AS). Outlines areas to be addressed in planning educational programs for children with AS: learning style, behavioral patterns, learning strategies, environmental predictability, and behavior-emotion regulation. (Contains 25 references.) (SK)

A cost-benefit analysis is presented for Illinois's statewide supported employment initiative for individuals with developmental disabilities. The analysis concludes that society realized a $0.75 return for every $1.00 invested in supported employment, while supported employees realized a 37 percent increase in their earnings. (Author/JDD)

Cluster-analyzed results from intelligence and visual-motor measures of children (N=1,204) referred for academic and/or behavior problems. Found five subgroups with three of the five showing more dysfunctional patterns than other two. Results suggest influence of physiological/developmental factors with development of learning difficulties.…

Presents Comprehensive Employment Preparation program, an intervention designed to help youth and young adults with developmental disabilities acquire skills necessary to prepare them for effective functioning as self-sustaining, working members of society. Delineates such community-based strategies as vocational enrichment programs; pursuing,…

The article describes a six-week cooking program for developmentally disabled adults offered through the county continuing education program. The program utilizes illustrated recipes (an example is included). Significant outcomes and implementation pointers are noted. (DB)

This article examines reasons parents may choose a controversial alternative treatment for a child with developmental disabilities and reviews a few specific treatments--vitamin B-6 and magnesium, auditory integration training, megavitamins and minerals, Piracetam, intravenous immunoglobulin, and melatonin. Recommendations on talking with families…

Literature-based quality of life dimensions for individuals with disabilities were derived and proposed as a conceptual model, which was supported by 1,243 empirical measures in 87 studies. The studies were analyzed for demographic variables, type of investigation, methods of assessment and their psychometric properties, and common dimensions of…