Questionnaire responses provided by 319 European parents of autistic, multiply/physically handicapped, and Down's syndrome children revealed no potential pathologic event or cluster of events uniquely associated with autism. (Author/JW)

Five students (13-18 years old) classified as profoundly/multiply handicapped were trained to use microswitches to indicate reinforcer preferences. When the microswitches activated the devices during training, a substantial increase in the duration of motoric responding occurred for all students. In addition, some students performed differentially…

A factor analytic study of a symptom checklist was conducted with 131 emotionally disturbed, mentally retarded people (12-55 years old). Results added statistical detail to previous clinical reports on the symptoms of emotional disturbances in mentally retarded people. (Author/CL)

Thirty visually impaired children (6-12 years old) were administered The Word Test which does not use visual stimulus. Correlation between age and scores and comparisons of test results for individuals with test norms indicate that The Word Test can be used in assessing language disorders among visually impaired children. (Author/CL)

The University of Northern Colorado has expanded its multicompetency approach to teacher education to include training in teaching the severely/profoundly handicapped and blind component. Coursework emphasizes such areas of sequences as child growth and development, roles of ancillary staff, and application of specialists' reports. (CL)

Classroom simulation activities helped multihandicapped hearing impaired adolescents acquire independent living skills related to finding employment, handling job finances, and finding an apartment. (CL)

Responses to sound were observed in two groups of children (one developmentally normal, the other older but profoundly multihandicapped). Results showed no significant differences between groups. In both groups, however, responsiveness was dependent on hearing level and bandwidth but not on meaningfulness. Results support the practice of…

The article discusses the need for a developmental curriculum that covers the steps toward vocational readiness for visually/multihandicapped students, and outlines one such curriculum presently being field-tested in four Texas school districts. Worksheets, checklists, and tables illustrate aspects of the five-point curriculum. (Author/CL)

Annual program plans for residents written prior to and following the implementation of the IPP (Individual Program Planning) system were rated to determine the extent of changes that resulted. More departments attended meetings, stated objectives, described intervention plans and evaluation procedures for proposed objectives, and reported…

Giles de La Tourette disease (TD) is characterized by multiform changing vocal and motor tics with a wide range of accompanying behavioral symptoms. The range of tics and behavioral problems seen in TD is described along with a typcial case report in a multiply disabled child. Diagnostic criteria, and treatment recommendations are also given.…

In Study 1 the aggressive behavior of a deaf/blind adolescent was eliminated through a differential reinforcement of other behavior (DRO) procedure combined with a reinforcer cueing technique and brief time-out. In Study 2 DRO reduced stereotypic eye-pressing by a young blind hearing-impaired child. (Author/CL)

Compared to nonreactive toys (ones without or with restricted sensory feedback), reactive toys had a substantially greater influence on the amount of time each of three severely disabled children (6-9 years old) spent in manipulative activity. Comparative effects of two toy classes on visual attention to toy play were inconclusive. (CL)

Guidelines are offered for encouraging positive and predictive classroom behaviors from emotionally disturbed/hearing impaired students. Four suggestions are discussed: rewarding desired behavior, allowing students to decide, observing from other viewpoints, and setting written goals. (CL)

Deinstitutionalization, now government policy in British Columbia, may signal the return of formerly institutionalized persons (including those with severe/profound retardation and multiple disabilities) to their communities. Possible problems may include community resistance and inadequacy or inappropriateness of existing services. (CL)

Evaluation of Play Unit for the Severely Handicaped (PUSH) designed for the living room of a residential area used by 16 severely retarded multiply handicapped persons revealed that the impact of the unit was individualized and diverse, and that the responsiveness of the environemt's components appeared to be important. (CL)