Refers to Lake Wobegon effect, Cannell's (1987) conclusion that all 50 states were above national average in performance on standardized achievement tests. Although commentary and research to date have focused exclusively on regular education, this article describes Lake Wobegon effect and its implications for assessment of exceptional children.…

The University of Georgia model curriculum to prepare students to work with mentally retarded older adults has six units: population overview, physiological issues, mental health issues, social support systems, service delivery networks, and legal/ethical issues. (SK)

This study evaluated the effectiveness of a staff training-and-management package on nutritional practices in two community-based group homes serving adults with developmental disabilities. Food storage, menu development, and meal preparation were covered. All staff behaviors increased after training and were maintained for up to one year.…

A national survey of 48 state coordinators evaluated use of the Medicaid Home and Community-Based Waiver to fund supported-employment services for individuals with developmental disabilities. Very low utilization was found, primarily due to limits on eligibility. Low reimbursement rates to provider agencies and disinterest of providers in using…

This article identifies three "waves" of the disability movement (the professional, parent, and self-advocacy waves) and applies them to issues of control and choice in the lives of people with developmental disabilities. It identifies issues related to the self-advocacy movement such as group identity and the long-term role for people who are not…

Examined the recreation activities of families that included children with developmental disabilities. Data from surveys and interviews indicated that the most popular and frequent forms of recreation reflected five categories: passive, play, physical, social, and entertainment/special events. Despite variations in family sociodemographic…

A study investigated the prevalence of carbamazepine- or oxcarbazepine-induced hyponatraemia and leucopenia in 334 Finnish individuals with developmental disabilities. Medication with these drugs resulted in significantly lower levels of serum sodium and counts of blood leucocytes. Because of difficulties in expressing their symptoms, this…

This paper examines the validity of Asperger syndrome as a condition apart from high-functioning autism. Potential differences between Asperger syndrome and autism is possible if both are strictly defined. The importance of genetic factors in Asperger syndrome is stressed. Research on the nosological validity of this condition and its relationship…

Sotos syndrome is characterized by high birth length, rapid bone growth, distinctive facial features, and possible verbal and motor delays. It is more common in males than females. Developmental deficits, specific learning problems, and speech/language delays may also occur. (DB)

The introduction to a special issue on happiness and people with mental retardation identifies seven verities about supports for happiness such as: many external factors do not correlate well with happiness; there are significant internal or personal factors that do relate to happiness; and there is a need for studies on happiness in people with…

The Missouri Developmental Disabilities Resource Center (MDDRC) is an information and referral service located within the Institute for Human Development (IHD) at the University of Missouri-Kansas City. Through its varied informational services, including its Web site, the MDDRC is helping to support the independence, productivity, integration and…

This article reports on the development of the Health and Secondary Conditions Surveillance Instrument Monitoring and Promotion System for use with adults with developmental disabilities. Results of a pilot survey with 119 individuals illustrates how survey data might be used to improve systems of services and supports for this population.…

In this study, self-reports of 34 individuals with developmental disabilities (DD) were compared with proxy ratings from family and providers. Correlations between the ratings of individuals with DD and the proxy raters were low, as were the correlations between family members and providers. In all scales except "cognition," the individual with DD…

The efficacy of the atypical antipsychotic risperidone was evaluated in the treatment of aberrant behavior (e.g., aggression, self-injury) in 20 individuals with developmental disabilities. The study, a double-blind crossover design, identified 50 percent of participants as responders. Naturalistic observations of five participants showed that…

Purpose: States are increasingly using the Medicaid 1915c waiver program to provide community-based long-term care. A substantially greater share of long-term-care dollars supports community-based care for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, relative to older and working-age persons with primarily physical disabilities.…