Records of 250 children and adolescents admitted to a psychiatric hospital were grouped according to their educational status prior to admission as follows: nondisabled students (46%), students with serious emotional disturbance (36%), and students with other disabilities (18%). Differences among the three groups were found on gender, psychiatric…

This study evaluated the quality and costs of services for 16 young adults with dual sensory impairments and mental retardation before and during their placement at a specialized, community-based, residential, further-education facility in England. Results indicated that overall quality and costs were higher than in previous placements, though…

Two surveys of personnel preparation programs in education of the hearing impaired were conducted, to determine teacher educators' opinions on the preparation of teachers to serve learning-disabled and socially/emotionally disturbed hearing-impaired students. The 98 responses indicated a need to modify existing curricula in personnel preparation…

This case assessment of a man with dual diagnosis (mental retardation and mental illness) exemplifies the use of recent psychological measures, computerized programs, and structured assessment, including the Reiss Screen for Maladaptive Behavior, the Psychopathology Inventory for Mentally Retarded Adults, the Apperceptive Personality Test, and the…

This study investigated the differential effectiveness of assertiveness and problem-solving training on 28 dually diagnosed (mild mental retardation and mental disorders) patients' adaptive social behavior, distress and psychiatric symptoms, anger control, and problem-solving coping skills. Improvements resulted from combined assertiveness and…

This study with a second-grade child with multiple disabilities in an inclusive setting applied (1) self-management instruction, (2) generalization methodologies (general case programming and multiple exemplars), and (3) a high level of teacher involvement in designing and monitoring the self-management plan. Implications for researchers and…

Twenty children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and low IQs were followed up 4.5 years later (ages 8-20). A majority continued to screen positive for ADHD, as well as display high rates of comorbid anxiety disorders, tics, and elimination disorders. Multiple medication trials resulted in significantly lower hyperactivity…

Children who have both a hearing loss and a visual impairment are a very small but extremely heterogeneous low incidence group. These children vary greatly in the types and degrees of visual impairment and hearing loss. The majority of them have some usable vision and/or hearing, and many have additional disabilities. Most professionals (i.e.,…

Deaf students with multiple disabilities have a long history of limited opportunity, including limited access to educational opportunities available to their deaf peers. This article places the individual needs of deaf students with multiple disabilities in the context that guides much of deaf education--the importance of language acquisition.…

Three young children with severe, multiple disabilities were taught to utilize a voice output communication aid (VOCA) to request access to preferred items and/or peers during play activities. Acquisition of VOCA use resulted from a naturalistic intervention strategy that consisted of creating communication opportunities, prompting the participant…

This book offers a British perspective on ways of conceptualizing, assessing, and intervening in the challenging behavior of people with severe learning disabilities, with emphasis on the types of technical support needed. An introductory chapter explains why the term "learning disability" is used rather than mental handicap, mental…

This paper reviews issues in the provision of services to individuals who are mentally ill chemical abusers and addicted (MICAA). Introductory material defines this population and notes that these people are frequently ineligible for services aimed at either mental illness or chemical abuse alone. Service provisions within the psychiatric/mental…

This paper addresses issues in the definition of traditionally underserved persons who are deaf. It notes that these people have traditionally been labeled as low functioning, low achieving, multiply handicapped, minimal language skilled, and disadvantaged. A new definition, developed by the Northern Illinois University Research and Training…

Three elementary-aged students with severe, multiple disabilities acquired basic communication and motor objectives within cooperative learning activities conducted in their regular education classrooms. With gradually fading assistance from the instructor, the nondisabled members of the cooperative learning groups provided cues, prompts, and…

This study examined the effectiveness of a 10-week life skills program in meeting the needs of its six Australian participants, who were severely intellectually and physically handicapped young adults of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent. Interviews were conducted with teaching and residential program staff at the commencement, the…