Developed a measure of severity of mental retardation in adults, the Level of Activity in Profound/severe Mental Retardation, scale using Rasch analysis as a guide to item selection. Results from using the scale to rate 146 adults with mental retardation support the use of the scale for classification of severe and profound retardation. (SLD)

A study involving three preschoolers with developmental disabilities examined whether or not the use of a simultaneous prompting procedure would result in an increase on the percentage of correct responding of receptively identifying occupations from picture cards. Results found simultaneous prompting was effective. Maintenance and generalization…

Discussed are some advances in the treatment of autism. The cooperation between clinicians and parents is highlighted. The success of one school program is described. (CW)

Reviews evidence on biological etiology of autism and other pervasive developmental deviations, stressing necessity for providing early and accurate diagnosis for family. Discusses implications of downplaying individual pathology and concentrating on parental or family dysfunction. Presents components of psychoeducational model for diagnosis and…

The paper presents data obtained in a preliminary study of teacher (N=2) responsiveness to communicative initiation attempts of preschool children (N=4) with developmental delays. Teacher contingent responsiveness was low for both child- and teacher-directed activities but was lowest for the teacher-directed activities. (Author/DB)

The paper describes the steps necessary to integrate a preschool program to increase least restrictive environment options for preschoolers with developmental handicaps, and reviews the case study of one preschool undergoing integration. Described are the rationale for change, the change process, daily activity schedule, and sample continuums for…

The empirical support for three theoretical approaches to infant intervention is reviewed, including direct intervention via nonsocial means, direct intervention via social means, and indirect infant intervention via social support to the family. For each approach, underlying theoretical assumptions are identified, and for each assumption,…

Individuals with developmental disability (n=400) were assessed with the "Dyskinesia Identification System: Condensed User Scale" (DISCUS), a 15-item tardive dyskinesia rating scale shortened from the "Dyskinesia Identification System-Coldwater." Based on interrater reliability, 2-week stability, and other analyses, DISCUS is…

Discusses a sibling support group for 7-13-year-old siblings of developmentally delayed children. Describes group sessions and family responses to the program. (RJC)

The economic and political factors maintaining the large numbers of residents with developmental disabilities in public institutions are reviewed from the perspective of Minnesota. Alternatives are presented to lessen the economical and political impact of institutional closures, in order to advance the process of deinstitutionalization.…

Data from surveys of 2,071 facilities providing vocational services to adults with developmental disabilities were used to analyze: employment placement patterns in sheltered, supported, competitive, or transitional settings; employment retention rates; occupational categories; rehabilitation costs; integration with nondisabled coworkers; effects…

The process of toilet training a boy with Rubinstein-Taybi Syndrome is addressed. Emphasized are the joint effort of the teacher and parents, the frustration at the seeming lack of progress, the use of rewards and "positive practices," and the ultimate success of the boy's toilet training program. (JDD)

Aimed to determine to what degree newborns' auditory brainstem evoked responses (ABRs) predict delayed or impaired development during the first year. When 93 infants' ABRs were evaluated at three, six, and nine months, newborn ABR was moderately sensitive for detecting hearing impairment and more sensitive than other indicators in detecting…

Focuses on one developmentally disabled child's experiences at a summer camp for nondisabled children. Describes the strategies implemented at Lourdes Camp (New York) to provide individualized support. Discusses the benefits to nondisabled children of normal interactions with a disabled child. Includes six references. (SV)

Two reasons why treatment recommendations for children with developmental disabilities are more often based on usual practice, expert opinion, and belief than scientific evidence are the lack of a conceptual framework that accommodates data across multiple disciplines and multiple dimensions of the disabling process and determination of outcome…