The use of naturalistic teaching procedures in developmentally appropriate early childhood settings was evaluated in two single subject studies. Acquisition and maintenance of skills within developmentally appropriate play contexts were demonstrated by a preschooler with Down's syndrome and one with mild developmental delay. (DB)

Discusses the increasing educational opportunities for culturally and linguistically different preschool children and suggests that there is a growing need to ensure accurate identification of minority-language preschoolers with special needs. Offers strategies to improve the value of diagnostic information and presents issues to consider at each…

The passage of Public Law 99-457 relating to education for the handicapped increases the probability that the school psychologist will be asked to evaluate infants and children diagnosed as suffering from nonorganic failure-to-thrive (NOFT) disorder. Etiology, models, and interventions appropriate for NOFT children are discussed. (SLD)

With America's eroding social support, transitioning from childhood to adulthood is difficult. Adolescents need help in forming healthy lifestyles to positively affect their futures. The article recommends a developmental approach to providing life skills training, explaining the necessary conjunction of life sciences curricula, life skills…

Assesses the state of U.S. education after a decade of debate about school improvement, and explores what research is teaching us about child development. Children develop a significant portion of their cognitive skills before they are old enough for Head Start, making early interventions crucial. (SLD)

Studied the relation of child-rearing beliefs and values of parents of children entering kindergarten to children's academic achievements. Examined effects of a child-centered educational preschool program for socioeconomically disadvantaged children on parents' beliefs and values. Parents of children at risk differed from other parents in beliefs…

This paper reviews historical trends in provision of services to young gifted children, with particular emphasis on inhibiting factors preventing greater services. Work with young gifted children and their families is then discussed, focusing on children from upper- and middle-class backgrounds, with handicapping conditions, and from low-income…

A multimethod study encouraged teachers, aided by supervisors, to examine their own teaching practices by viewing and discussing videotapes of their interactions with students. Results with four elementary school teachers, eight supervisors, and two observers indicate that the approach may facilitate teacher change and enhance effectiveness. (SLD)

Rural graduate students in early intervention used case-study and ethnographic methods to record family-focused field experiences, thereby developing an understanding of family perspectives and personal theories about early intervention in rural settings. These personnel preparation processes help students engage in a lifelong process of…

Investigates rural and urban adolescents' perceptions of mental health. Provides insight into rural and urban students' perceptions of problematic behaviors, who should intervene, and how. Recommends that health care providers help adolescents expand their range of coping behaviors, especially in regard to alcohol abuse and violence. (Author/GCP)

Addresses public policy issues concerned with treatment of children with autism under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Emphasis is on issues raised by the popular, but labor-intensive, Lovaas method, such as whether these therapies are an entitlement under IDEA, the choice of an intervention strategy decision process,…

A study of 52 African-American children with speech/language disorders investigated how a large urban school district implemented recommendations of an early intervention program that fed into its schools. Results showed that the early intervention team's assessment and identification information was highly accurate and that early intervention…

Maintains that school failure can be prevented if at-risk students are provided with a coordinated set of interventions. Presents recommendations for principals and teachers and describes several successful programs that promote at-risk student learning, including cooperative learning, mentorships, instructional technology, and the whole-language…

Discusses the practical implications from Lonigan and Whitehurst's study regarding strengthening the skills of teachers and parents that will subsequently improve language and emerging literacy skills in preschoolers. Maintains that one of the most important outcomes of the dialogic reading intervention is the notion that adults can learn to…

Raises questions concerning the research methodology and related issues arising from Lonigan and Whitehurst's study: (1) degree of parent compliance in implementing the intervention; (2) effect of the parents' education level; (3) potential effects of other manipulations of the home environment to increase access to literacy materials; and (4)…