Outlines problems faced by parents and caregivers of a child with encopresis. Differentiates between knowledge, skill, and volition issues when dealing with the encoprectic child; and suggests possible causal frameworks for the behavior. Concludes with suggestions for managing the teaching/learning situation arising from this behavior. (Author/KB)

This study compared 21 children with pervasive developmental disorders (autism group) with 15 children with fragile X syndrome on the Childhood Autism Rating Scale and the Reiss Scales for Children's Dual Diagnosis. Seven of the fragile X children also scored in the autism range and were more impaired than the other fragile X children. (Contains…

Pediatric occupational therapists (n=59) were surveyed to identify assessments to evaluate functional performance that accommodate special needs of children with pervasive developmental disorders. Fifty-two assessments were identified. The study highlights the need for practice parameters that would guide the assessment process and create…

This annotated bibliography describes literature for children that addresses issues concerned with developmental disabilities. The 15 references are grouped into those for children in prekindergarten through grade three and those for children in grades four through eight. (DB)

Describes consultation to a public school district in the form of a systems-wide evaluation of instructional and behavior support practices for students with developmental disabilities. The format of the evaluative model, respective findings, suggested remedies, and implications for large-scale public school consultation are provided. (Contains 22…

Case studies of 4 females and 1 male, aged 6-25, with pervasive developmental disorders are described. All met standard diagnostic criteria for autism and showed many Rett syndrome symptoms. It is concluded that there is considerable overlap between the 2 disorders and that symptomatic similarities might mirror common pathopsychological…

The history of residential care for persons with autism and other developmental disabilities is summarized for the past 200 years. Residential trends toward community integration in the past three decades are traced for autism in general and for the Murdoch Center in North Carolina. Possible negative side effects of current trends are identified.…

In the area of developmental screening, predictive validity is typically assessed by two methods: correlational analysis and classificational analysis. This paper describes each methodology and reviews their relative advantages and disadvantages in relation to early identification of developmental handicaps and risks. (JOW)

The development of a new standardized investigator-based interview for use in the differential diagnosis of pervasive developmental disorders is described, together with a diagnostic algorithm based on its use. The algorithm correctly identified 16 autistic individuals and none of the 16 nonautistic mentally handicapped subjects. (Author/DB)

Describes the physical and developmental disability services of the Early Intervention Program, a therapeutic-educational program for parents and children from birth to 3 years who are "at risk" delayed or handicapped. Describes the facilities and the assessment, therapy, education, planning, and evaluation components. (RJC)

Psychologists who are infant specialists play important roles in clinical assessment, intervention, and research with infants who have developmental disabilities and their families. Specific training experiences helpful to professional development are reviewed and their implications for training programs are discussed. (Author/DB)

A program for a family support group for grandparents and extended family of children with developmental delays is described. The program provides a unique opportunity for members to discuss adjustment reactions, develop supportive roles, and strengthen the entire family constellation. (Author/DB)

A special education teacher describes a successful class activity in songwriting for developmentally disabled students that has resulted in an album entitled "Special Music by Special Kids." (TE)

Data gathered from 296 agency accreditation surveys, conducted by the Accreditation Council on Services for People with Developmental Disabilities, were analyzed, focusing on ownership, services provided, size of residential units, critical standards, characteristics of individuals served, and accreditation outcome. Redundancies between private…

The relationship between abnormal stereotyped behaviors and abnormal focused affections was examined in 20 children (ages 7-13) with developmental disabilities. Results include all children with abnormal focused affections exhibited stereotypes; abnormal focused affects could be studied reliably in this population through several methodologies;…