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;…

This commentary responds to a critique (EC 610 642) of a study on professional acceptability of various treatment procedures for challenging behaviors exhibited by individuals with disabilities. The commentary asserts that treatment options should be evaluated in terms of probability of success, time factors, distress caused by the procedure, and…

This article first reviews concerns over the use of psychotropic medication and the use of diagnostic criteria with persons with developmental disabilities and notes the variety of potential diagnoses that may underlie a behavior disorder. A model to guide clinical decision making is developed that stresses the importance of reliable differential…

Relative prevalence of stereotyped behaviors was studied with 246 children and adults with developmental disabilities. Two staff members completed a 54-item checklist assessing stereotyped behaviors, abnormal focused affections, compulsions, rigidity, savant skills, and defensiveness. Factor analyses produced weak evidence for a general stereotypy…

This analysis examines integration of people with developmental disabilities in terms of an ethnography which contrasts an old narrative based on segregation and a confined form of space and time with a new narrative of interdependence achieved through a cyclical form of space and time. This new narrative requires the accommodation of differences…

This article discusses problems inherent in the analysis of automatically reinforced behaviors, which are behaviors that are maintained by operant mechanisms independent of the social environment. Four classes of treatment that are compatible with automatic reinforcement are reviewed, including manipulations of establishing operations, sensory…

Effects of parental acceptance or rejection of a proposed aversive behavioral intervention for students with developmental disabilities on treatment acceptability ratings were investigated with 273 undergraduate and graduate students. Results suggest that parental acceptance or rejection of the proposed intervention significantly affected…

This paper reviews research describing developmentally typical and atypical repetitive motor movements of children with and without disabilities. It then reports findings of a study of nine preschool-aged children with developmental delay and atypical stereotypies. Predictors of repetitive movements included level of functioning, age, ambulation,…

This study of 78 mothers of mentally retarded children and adults found that respite care acts as a differential service that can enhance coping resources and is of most benefit to high self-esteem mothers of young developmentally disabled children, especially as a home-based model. (Author/JDD)