This article discusses the importance of social validity and quality of life concerns in identifying meaningful outcomes for the education of students with severe and multiple disabilities. The article stresses the need for outcomes to result in participation in daily routines and in the student's having more meaningful control over personal…

In a long-term study of 14 adults with visual impairments, 11 of whom had diabetes, the concept of "the short life" emerged as a prevalent theme important for understanding the changing priorities, adaptive strategies, and general life planning of the participants, many of whose lives were marked by gradually deteriorating health and…

After an introduction to the problems experienced by Australian individuals with multiple disabilities and their families, this article outlines the use of the McGill Action Planning System, or MAPS, to improve or develop educational programs. The timing and relationship between MAPS and Individual Education Plans are also discussed. (Contains…

This article shows that unexpected gains can happen when teachers develop aggressive, innovative, and adaptive orientation and mobility (O&M) programming for children who are low-functioning. A case study illustrates strategies for using an adaptive mobility device, squaring-up, stepping out, and charting progress. Challenges to a successful O&M…

Ninety-four 7th- and 8th-grade students with learning and emotional/behavioral disabilities received intervention services that incorporated monitoring and school engagement strategies. Half continued to receive services through grade 9. On two of three measures, students receiving continued intervention services were significantly more likely to…

A survey of orientation and mobility specialists (N=26) was conducted to determine the mobility devices currently being used with visually impaired and elderly clients. These results were then used to design and develop an effective, commercially manufacturable adaptive-mobility device prototype which was tested with elderly individuals, multiply…

Utility of the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales-Expanded Form to discriminate among areas of adaptive behavior was substantiated by comparing profiles of scores obtained by 113 individuals with mental retardation and either a communication, social behavior, or motor disorder. Results support the use of the Vineland Scales in ecological evaluation…

A case study of an eight-year-old boy with emotional/behavioral disorders, learning disabilities, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is used to illustrate principles of inclusion. An analysis of the educational system and the student's needs is followed by a description of various inclusive interventions (such as academic modifications,…

A study examined specific word- and sentence-level features most frequently used in the expository writing of 87 college students with learning disabilities, 50 with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, 58 with both disabilities, and 92 controls. Very high correlations were found between verbosity, quality, and lexical complexity. (Contains…

This article summarizes results of a 1998 conference which reviewed research on screening and diagnosis of autism spectrum disorders and identifies promising areas of research especially the search for the ultimate diagnostic indicator, infant screening and diagnosis, the role of sensory-motor disorders, diagnosis of co-occurring disorders,…

This study found that 51 mothers of children (aged 8-87 months) with visual impairments experienced more stress than did 47 mothers of typical children, particularly in areas involving the children's behavior and when the children had multiple disabilities. The major resource for the families was the availability of social support. (Contains…

This is the 31st Annual Report to Congress on the Implementation of the "Individuals with Disabilities Education Act," 2009. Section 664(d) of the "Individuals with Disabilities Education Act" ("IDEA") (P.L. 108-446), as reauthorized in 2004, requires that the Department of Education report annually on the progress…

In this article, the authors report that, although social attention to the education of children with special needs began in the late 1970s, education for children with autism is the greatest challenge in special education in China. They point out that most school-age children with autism are still kept out of both regular and special schools. In…

The education of students with severe to profound mental handicaps (SPH) or multiple disabilities may be greatly limited in rural settings. A survey investigating this issue in a southwestern state was completed by 136 of 346 directors of special education, 67 of whom worked in rural special education cooperatives. These cooperatives served 393…

This Congressional hearing on the reauthorization of the Education of the Deaf Act examines the progress in implementing research findings and the methods used to provide services to diverse populations within the deaf community. It addresses such issues as the needs of minority deaf students, improving the educational achievement of deaf students…