This article reviews the use of transdisciplinary teaming and integrated therapy for young children with multiple disabilities. It presents examples and suggestions for implementation, in the areas of flexibility, Individualized Education Program development, and parent participation. (JDD)

A case study of an adolescent with catatonia superimposed on autism is presented. The symptoms of the patient are highlighted and include abnormal social interactions, deficits in symbolic play and in communicative language, and occurrence of hallucinations and delusions. Treatment of the patient with clozapine and lorasepam is described. (CR)

A survey found a majority of 93 workshop participants used Nielsen's Little Room, an educational method involving placing a structure on a resonance board that acts like a drum and gives tactile and auditory feedback as the child with visual impairments interacts with objects in it and on the board. (Contains references.) (CR)

Discussion of transdisciplinary activity-based assessment for young children with multiple disabilities focuses on application of assessment results to program planning for inclusion of these children in typical early childhood classes. Assessment steps are detailed and a sample assessment protocol is included. A case study is used to illustrate…

A study investigated the relationship between speech production and several demographic and developmental factors in 147 children (ages 14-60 months) with hearing impairments. Significant predictors of speech intelligibility and phonetic inventory included the child's age, expressive language ability, degree of hearing loss, mode of communication,…

In a survey of 233 educators working with students who are deaf or head of hearing with additional disabilities, educators identified 67 specific competencies needed for working with this diverse population of students. A list of the specific competencies and a rationale for providing more in-depth training for teachers is provided. (Contains…

Three students (ages 12-16) with moderate mental retardation and severe behavior disorders were taught to read sight words related to the daily newspaper weather report by a method that interspersed known words with new words. Students mastered the 10 sight words and showed some improvement in reading the weather report. (DB)

The relationship between medical services and the education of a child with a disability is examined using a case study of a young boy with numerous disabilities. The perspectives of the parents, educators, and physicians are explained. Recommendations are given for more effective communication among families, medical professionals, and educators.…

Thirteen children (ages 5-11) with autism and symptoms of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder participated in a double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover study of methylphenidate. Eight subjects responded positively, decreasing their hyperactivity. Ratings of stereotypy and inappropriate speech also decreased, however, no changes were found…

A study compared the behavioral adjustment of 48 children (mean age=11) with mental retardation and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and 47 children with mental retardation. The children with ADHD had significantly more symptoms of depression, family conflict, noncompliance, anxiety, hyperactivity, inadequate social skills, and…

Supported-employment employees participated in an adventure-therapy program designed to enhance self-esteem and facilitate an internal locus of control. Results indicated that persons assigned to the experimental treatment group gained greater self-esteem and a larger shift toward internality than did the control group. Effects dissipated over a…

Content analysis was used to evaluate diary entries of six adolescents with physical and cognitive disabilities. Themes concerning daily stress-coping phenomena were identified including time and task management, awareness of limitations caused by disability, and intense, yet naive, concern about boy-girl relationships. (DB)

This article discusses the inclusion of systematic preference assessment within transitional planning as a way to accurately interpret the preferences of students who use limited symbolic or nonsymbolic communication means. By using person-centered planning as a framework, it illustrates how to embed preference assessment within transitional…

The purposes of this paper are to examine the degree of ethnic diversity that exists among children with hearing loss; to review how this affects implementation of auditory-based intervention for children with many needs; and to suggest ways that auditory-based therapists can respect and respond to diversity for the improvement of services to…

A program was developed to improve auditory and visual stimulation and responsiveness for seven elementary school students (ages 6-7) who had severe/profound mental retardation and multiple disabilities. After initial observation, consultation, and assessment of the students, the 12-week intervention program involved auditory, tactile, and visual…