This article reports on the development of the Health and Secondary Conditions Surveillance Instrument Monitoring and Promotion System for use with adults with developmental disabilities. Results of a pilot survey with 119 individuals illustrates how survey data might be used to improve systems of services and supports for this population.…

Systematic review of 26 studies on language deficits in children with emotional and behavioral disorders (EBD) found 71 percent of EBD children had clinically significant broad-based language deficits including pragmatic, receptive, and expressive deficits. Longitudinal studies suggested that the rate of comorbidity between language deficits and…

This study of the haptic exploratory strategies used by nine children with visual impairments and additional disabilities when interacting with portable and freely manipulable objects found that a broader approach to assessment and analysis is required than is used with typically developing children. An "adaptive-tasks" approach is proposed as a…

This article, from the "Journal of College Admission's" Special Diversity Issue, which in its entirety has won the 1997 Muir Award, discusses various misconceptions regarding individuals with multiple learning disabilities and whether or not these individuals should consider college as an option. The author contends that students with learning…

In this article I share stories I have lived alongside my son, Matthew, who is challenged by multiple disabilities, particularly in the domain of expressive speech. Narrative inquiry shaped a space to attend and inquire into stories. The stories reveal the tension between an identity "given" and an identity continually "created" in relationship.…

Music therapists regard music therapy as a valuable intervention for students with moderate to severe intellectual disability or multiple disabilities, but many special educators would regard it as a controversial practice, unsupported by empirical research. This paper reviews the goals and strategies used by music therapists working with students…

The paper addresses the issue of placement for students with severe and multiple disabilities. Controversies over the principle of least restrictive environment are reviewed; and the implications of the normalization movement and the passage of P.L. 94-142, the Education for All Handicapped Children Act, are summarized. The rationale for…

The paper examines three case studies to illustrate problems and benefits involved in attempting to integrate severely handicapped persons into community and classroom settings. The authors discuss the integration efforts for two children with severe/multiple handicaps and one with autism and report on findings from site visits across the United…

Described are the origin and current status of mental health services for the deaf at St. Elizabeth's Hosptial in Washington, D.C. (LS)

Several upper elementary trainable retarded students effectively tutored more severely handicapped children in gross and fine motor activities. (CL)

This monograph, a product of a symposium that examined innovative research and practices in evaluation, adjustment training, and employment services for hearing impaired persons addresses the assessment phase of the vocational rehabilitation process. The editorial introduction provides an overview of how assessment is conducted with deaf…

The journal includes 12 papers on the topic of preservice education and leadership training in deaf education. Articles focus on aspects of administration and supervision, application of theory to practice, and research perspectives. The following articles are included: "An Interview with Dr. Herman Goldberg, Executive Director of the Office of…

The relationship between schizophrenia and mental retardation is examined. Historical associations between symptoms of the two disorders are reviewed, and a 3-year study of the incidence (14%) of mental illness in 798 retarded individuals in a community based program is described. Information on the etiological, developmental, and phenomenological…

The paper sets forth the position of the National Joint Committee on Learning Disabilities regarding definitions of learning disabilities (LD) as found in P.L. 94-142, the Education for All Handicapped Children Act. The paper cites difficulties with the current definition, suggesting that misinterpretation has given the impression that individuals…

Experiences working with nonverbal severely and profoundly retarded and multiply handicapped children are discussed in this paper. Alternative communication systems are reviewed, including use of manual signs, pictures and symbols, photographs, realistic drawings, pictograms, and Bliss Symbols. A model for teaching basic understanding of…