There is a growing body of research to support the benefits of early intervention programs for children who have or are at high risk of having a developmental disability. Tennessee's Early Intervention System (TEIS) was developed to ensure that all families of children birth through age two who have a developmental disability have access to…

This report describes a program designed to increase opportunities for people with developmental disabilities to lead good lives in places of their own, strengthen their communities, and enjoy a genuine sense of self-worth. In addition to offering independent services, the Training Toward Self-Reliance (TTSR) program staff have increased their…

This report focuses on the current status of national and state information systems on residential services for persons with developmental disabilities. Ten national databases and 24 state databases are profiled. Each profile presents a summary of the types of information collected and how this information can be accessed. Data elements are…

Two studies examined turnover among newly hired residential direct support workers in community homes serving people with developmental disabilities. In Study 1, 110 community homes for people with mental retardation in Minnesota were surveyed for facility and residential characteristics, direct support worker wages and benefits, recruitment and…

Two single subject multiple probes across subjects research studies were conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of two instructional writing programs. The objective of the first study was to determine the effect of an instructional program on the selection of initial letters of words by 3 children with developmental disabilities (ages 7-10) who…

Describes the philosophy and activities of the Adaptation, Development, and Placement Training Day Program, designed to provide mental health services to clients dually diagnosed as mentally retarded and mentally ill. The program helps developmentally disabled people prepare for community workshop placement. (Author/JAC)

Parents should counter the common perception of the developmentally disabled as eternal children and foster social acceptability through encouraging normal speech, teaching appropriate touching, and providing age appropriate experiences. (SW)

Through the combined efforts of the Hawaii Department of Health's Family Health Services and Mental Health Division, developmental and socioemotional screening services are being offered in approximately 115 preschool and day-care centers. This paper provides a general overview of the program and describes its various service delivery models.…

This study is based on data gathered in interviews with 400 families with a developmentally disabled family member. The study supports the need for supportive services to ease the demands created by the handicapped person and reports the types of services perceived by these families as needed. (Author)

This study examined experiences of 44 employed mothers of children (age 5) with developmental disabilities who had searched for and found child care services within the preceding year. Care by relatives was the most common arrangement; center-based care the least common. Severity of developmental delay and the presence of behavior problems…

This article describes the possible effect a smaller federal government would have on empowerment of families of individuals with developmental disabilities. The concept of empowerment and how families have come to rely on government support are discussed. The article also reviews the impact that decreased government support would have on early…

Thought processes involved in counting and comparing small amounts of money were studied among 34 children and adolescents with Down's syndrome or mental retardation of unknown etiology and 15 normally developing first graders. Few intergroup differences were found in children with mental retardation. As complexity of counting tasks increased,…

A study of a man (age 19) with severe developmental disabilities evaluated the effects of implementing extinction for some problem behaviors of a functional response class, with and without reinforcement of an alternative communication response. Results found that using extinction and functional communication training reduced all topographies of…

Four boys (ages 5 to 12) with developmental disabilities and severe challenging behaviors were evaluated using two functional assessment procedures: different analog probe conditions, and direct classroom observation of the child's behavior, antecedents, and consequences. Results raised questions about the reliability and ecological validity of…

This article describes an approach to evaluating and managing feeding disorders in children with developmental disabilities and examines effects of these management strategies on growth and clinical outcomes. A structured approach is stressed and a diagnostic and treatment algorithm is presented. Use with 79 children found that diagnostic-specific…