This 6th edition volume presents a detailed report on the growth of programs for persons with disabilities at the federal level and in the states. The two chapters of part one provide a cross-disability perspective, "An Institutional History of Disability" (David Braddock and Susan Parish) and an empirical study across federal, state,…

This study investigated the utilization of early intervention services by 102 children (ages 2 to 72 months) and families seen for assessment at a diagnostic clinic in Portland, Maine. Surveys completed by subjects' case managers assessed whether recommended early intervention services were received and reasons why recommended services were not…

This guide to helping children with motor-skill problems (dyspraxia or developmental coordination disorder [DCD]) examines the motor learning difficulties and their social implications and suggests some strategies to support children through key learning stages. The first chapter discusses terminology, summarizes research on sensory input and…

This study examined the perceptions of involved adults concerning sex education for individuals with intellectual disabilities. Participants were 40 individuals who provided direct care or instruction to individuals with intellectual disabilities or who had administrative responsibility for them. They completed a 36-item Q-sort that examined their…

This study examined the role and participation of facilitators, family members, and friends in the person centered planning process for youth with disabilities. It examined the participation of 10 youth (ages 18-21) with developmental disabilities who took part in Whole Life Planning processes through observation of 34 organizational and planning…

Describes the Minnesota Preschool Inventory and provides data regarding its validity. Results based on a study of (N=360) prekindergarten children indicated that low scores on certain developmental scales question children's abilities to meet kindergarten expectations. Parent concerns, adjustment scales, and symptoms may point to a need for…

Effects of mothers' contingent and non-contingent vocal stimulation on vocalization and looking behavior was investigated in 10 Down's Syndrome infants. Neither condition increased infant vocalization but results suggest that looking behavior may be an important indication of competence in pre-linguistic social communication for developmentally…

Examining problems that confront developmentally disabled persons in rural areas, this article includes the current definition of developmental disabilities, discusses preventive measures, points out some considerations to be made in the establishment of appropriate professional diagnostic and treatment services, and examines public and private…

Presents two case histories that show the types of stress experienced by the developmentally disabled. These people are being denied adequate mental health services. Suggestions are made to the agencies that serve the disabled in order to correct this situation. (Author/LAB)

Explains and supports the policy statement on assistive technology devices and services approved by the Council for Exceptional Children's Division on Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities. The need for the identification of appropriate assistive technology devices and services subsequent to examination of factors across multiple…

National, metropolitan, and local newspaper coverage in Sydney, Australia, of individuals with developmental disabilities was analyzed in terms of content--categorical focus, age of individuals, possibility for and means of improvement, and terminology used. Although the study found frequent use of inappropriate terminology when referring to…

This narrative describes the case of Richard Lapointe, a man with Dandy-Walker syndrome (a congenital brain malformation resulting in a build-up of cerebrospinal fluid in the skull), who was accused of homicide. The questionable practices of the police in acquiring a confession are recounted. The narrative discusses the court appeals process and…

Data are presented on the number of people with developmental disabilities who are projected to lose long-term Medicaid health care services in the year 2002 under the 104th Congress' Medicaid spending reduction proposals. A table illustrates by state the number of people with developmental disabilities receiving services in 1992 and the number…

The joint attentional processes of 15 preschool children with autism and 15 preschool children with developmental language disorder were compared during play sessions with unfamiliar adults. It was found that the children with autism monitored the channel of communication with their adult play partners 37% less often than children in the…

Provides an overview and discusses some of the implications of the 104th Congress's legislation relating to disability issues. Changes in the federal welfare programs are described as well as passage of legislation dealing with health insurance and reforms, traumatic brain injuries, developmental disabilities programs, and nursing homes.…