Premises and misconceptions about developmentally appropriate practice (DAP) are discussed, along with how the premises and practices of DAP diverge and overlap with recommended practices for early childhood special education. Instructional strategies that have been effective for teaching young children with disabilities and that follow DAP…

Examined whether changes in family support and resources would affect parenting stress in families of medically fragile children. Results suggest that changes in support and resources correlate with change in parenting stress. However, for white families, stress changes correlated to child's developmental progress or changes in social support,…

This paper presents the beliefs of Israeli residents of Oriental (North African or Middle Eastern) origin regarding children who are mentally retarded. Based on written materials and interviews with 40 mothers, the paper discusses beliefs about mental retardation's causes, blame, treatment, and recovery. Methods of dealing with parents of pupils…

Twenty students (ages 11-15) with disabilities used a consensus-based group evaluation system to evaluate their group's behavior during a specified time period. Comparing team ratings to teacher ratings and delivering reinforcement (based on group behavior and team accuracy in rating behavior) was found to be an effective strategy for modifying…

Thirty-eight bilingual (Spanish-English) first graders with language delays were compared on rate of receptive acquisition of English prepositions and pronouns. Subjects who received instruction in Spanish prior to instruction in English acquired the English prepositions and pronouns twice as rapidly as subjects who received instruction in English…

This report describes a self-management skills intervention utilizing a picture schedule for four high school students with moderate to severe mental retardation. The program was initiated at school and continued at home with different tasks. Students continued to successfully use the schedules on follow up after summer vacation. (DB)

Effects of a restructured Chapter 1 program (RCP) on 45 first graders' literacy were examined. RCP students could read a primer fluently and performed better than comparison groups (students in the regular Chapter 1 program and classroom peers). Improvement was particularly apparent for those with the lowest initial readiness scores. (SLD)

This article reviews the rationales and premises of the Developmentally Appropriate Practice (DAP) approach and early childhood special education (ECSE), highlighting areas of overlap. DAP's insufficiencies for planning, implementing, and evaluating ECSE programs are noted. A selective literature review clarifies issues separating the two areas,…

Examines family-centered care and prevention, two concepts central for the development of child welfare services for children infected with HIV. Explores implications of HIV infection for foster care of infected children. Reviews the training of foster care personnel and foster parents to provide competent services. (BC)

Pre- and postcourse questionnaire assessments of a university course on Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) taken by 429 college students demonstrate substantial cognitive and attitudinal changes over the period. University courses can be an efficient way to educate future community leaders and professionals about AIDS. (SLD)

A 2-year stepped intervention program--the HealthWise Intervention Study--at a company with 4,164 employees found that overall health risk status improved at all 4 intervention levels. The highest level, combining environmental policy with high-risk targeting, was associated with the greatest improvement in lifestyle risk factors. (SLD)

Analyzes why the current complex of social institutions and systems does not effectively serve poor children, highlighting the lack of early or preventative help for families and inappropriate organizational structure. Offers a series of five principles for a new foundation based on prevention, comprehensiveness, continuity, and accountability.…

Describes the Decker Family Development Center (DFDC) in Barberton (Ohio), while relating the difference that the DFDC's services has made to one poor family. Recounts the DFDC's establishment, funding, and current services (adult education, counseling for parents and children, and several types of child care services). (JB)

This study of 13 youth with moderate/severe mental retardation who learned to use the System for Augmenting Language (SAL) found that subjects used the SAL in concert with vocalizations and gestures and that the SAL permitted subjects to convey specific information that was helpful in promoting the initiation as well as the continuation of…

This article extends the ideas of social support systems to giftedness and disadvantagement, and presents examples of two intervention programs for talented, economically disadvantaged children--the Epstein Fine Arts Fund, and SMART (Science and Mathematics Advocacy and Recruitment for Teaching), both in Chicago, Illinois. A research agenda is…