This study employed a multiple probe design to evaluate the effectiveness of a school-based lunchtime oral-sensory/oral-motor/positive reinforcement program on food acceptance behaviors of three youth with multiple disabilities. Overall dramatic gains in food acceptance behaviors of all participants indicated that trained school personnel were…

This article reviews current epidemiological studies estimating the prevalence and incidence of permanent hearing loss in children. In particular, it addresses trends in ages of onset of hearing loss and causes. Studies estimating the number of children with hearing loss and additional special needs in various countries are presented, as well as…

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…

Practical and concise, this introductory guide is filled with real-world tips and strategies for anyone working to improve the communication of children with moderate, severe, and multiple disabilities. Emphasizing the link between behavior and communication, three respected researchers transform up-to-date research and proven best practices into…

Students with multiple disabilities, such as severe to profound mental retardation combined with motor and visual impairment, are usually unable to engage in constructive activity or play a positive role in their daily context. Microswitches are technical tools that may help them improve their status by allowing them to control environmental…

This paper proposes that learning and teaching for pupils with severe and profound and multiple learning difficulties could be enhanced by a closer focus on emotional factors and on the careful identification of what is meaningful for them. Phil Goss, senior lecturer in counselling and psychotherapy at the University of Central Lancashire draws on…

This study examined the relationship of teachers' and parents' ratings of the employability skills of 15 students (ages 8-16) with multiple disabilities. Five teachers and 14 sets of parents used the Ohio Employability/Life Skills Assessment, Parent Form to assess student mastery of employability attitudes and skills. Significant differences were…

The paper describes the community residence and independent living services offered by Perkins School for the Blind which serves multi-impaired, blind, visually impaired, and deaf blind individuals. The first part reviews existing community living options and emphasizes the need for thorough diagnosis, extensive training in daily living skills and…

Elements of effective planning in special education are considered, and a Hawaii project, Model T, is described. The project focuses on the process of making and evaluating resource decisions, such as decisions about the kind and frequency of related services staff time versus instructors' time. Microeconomic concepts such as diminishing returns…

A 7-week art program for 16 visually impaired multiply handicapped children (5-to-13-years-old) explored their potential for creative growth when given a free choice of materials within a planned learning environment. (LH)

The article focuses on neurodevelopmental/sensory integration treatments for the profoundly retarded, multiply handicapped child. (JS)

The Small Residential Facilities Project of Teaching Research is developing residential models targeted for six populations who have been considered difficult to serve in the community. A progress report is presented on the four established programs. The Adolescent Severely Emotionally Disturbed Program consists of an apartment program, an…

The report presents recommendations from a 1981 meeting sponsored by Unesco (United Nations Education Scientific and Cultural Organization) on the topic of integration of severely/multiply handicapped persons into general and vocational education. A summary of discussion topics addresses terminology; the concept of integration--its advantages and…

This manual summarizes technical information regarding the 1982 Stanford Achievement Test, Seventh Edition when administered to hearing-impaired students. In Section 1, the procedures used to select the norming sample (7,557 hearing-impaired students) are described, and the demographic characteristics of the resulting sample are compared to those…