The contributions in this volume grew out of a conference at the University of Minnesota in the fall of 1989. They examine issues that promote a longer range perspective on preventing disabling conditions and intervening early in the lives of children with disabilities. The range of preventable disabling conditions, perinatal influences on development, interventions to alleviate their effects, and a national plan for prevention and early intervention are discussed. Chapters include: (1) "For the Sake of Our Children: Poverty and Disabilities" (Travis Thompson); (2) "Prevention of Disabilities: Priorities and Research Directions" (Duane F. Alexander); (3) "Maternal Nutrition and the Primary Prevention of Disabilities" (Judith E. Brown); (4) "Resiliency and Vulnerability to Adverse Developmental Outcomes Associated with Poverty" (Norman Garmezy); (5) "Longitudinal Interventions: Virtues and Limitations" (James J. Gallagher); (6) "Education for Young Children in Inner-City Classrooms" (Judith J. Carta); (7) "Promoting Cognitive Competence in Children at Risk" (Susan C. Hupp); (8) "Improving Educational Expectations for Young Children Who Have Down Syndrome: 'Chromosomes Don't Have the Last Word'" (John E. Rynders); (9) "Chosen Ones: Adopted Children with Disabilities" (Laraine Masters Glidden); and (10) "The New Morbidity: A National Plan of Action" (Alfred A. Baumeister, Frank D. Kupstas, and Luann M. Klindworth). References follow each chapter. (Contains 13 figures and 15 tables.) (SLD)