This paper offers guidelines to compare the characteristics observed in children with autism and blindness and those observed in children with blindness alone. It distinguishes between stereotypic behaviors (blindisms) in blind individuals and similar stereotypic behaviors of children with autism. A table presents typical behavior patterns of…

A meta-analytic approach was used to determine whether diagnostic overshadowing judgmental bias reliably occurs when clinicians evaluate clients with mental retardation and mental disorders. The diagnostic overshadowing effect was reliable over the 349 studies reviewed, and the size of the effect was small to moderate. (Author/SW)

Discusses the need to improve library and information services for the deaf community, describes technological support available, offers current examples and future possibilities, addresses the needs of users with multiple disabilities, considers compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, and suggests guidelines for serving the…

This paper presents the Institute of Medicine model of the dynamic nature of the disabling process of both primary disabilities and secondary conditions, and the interaction of that process with risk factors and quality of life. The components of a comprehensive disability prevention program are discussed. (Author/JDD)

A six-point program of diagnostic inquiry and treatment strategy for individuals with behavior disorders in addition to severe or profound mental retardation is presented, which allows alternate etiological hypotheses to be tested in a clinical setting. This format is intended to unify psychopharmacy practice in mental retardation and in general…

A teacher recounts a summer school program for 9 students (ages 9-16), all with hearing loss and several with other learning problems. Stressed is the role of the summer program in maintaining academic skills. Specific activities around the theme of "rivers" are detailed. (DB)

This study of 40 patients with mental retardation receiving carbamazepine found hyponatremia in only 5 percent of these patients and found a statistically, but not clinically, significant decrease in serum sodium levels in patients receiving anticonvulsant polytherapy. Results support the use of this drug with patients with mental retardation and…

Four experiments involving 18 individuals (ages 14-55) with profound multiple handicaps found that 12 stimuli used in a preference assessment represented a comprehensive stimulus set for identifying preferences, though the utility of the set could sometimes be enhanced by caregiver opinion. Results also indicated that preferences identified were…

The reliability of diagnoses of mental retardation severity was examined by comparing psychiatric and psychological case records of 126 dually diagnosed (mental retardation and psychiatric disorder) clients. Overall chance-corrected agreement was 0.47. Results suggested that the reliability of diagnostic decisions may be best evaluated by analysis…

This article examines issues in the assessment of secondary and postsecondary students who are both learning disabled and hearing impaired. It notes origins of the gap between deaf education and the field of learning disabilities; considers who should evaluate these students; and discusses formal assessments, informal assessments, and use of…

The frequency and clinical presentation of autism in 28 probands with tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC), an autosomal dominant disorder characterized by benign tissue growths and a high frequency of seizure disorders and mental retardation, was examined. Eight probands met criteria for autism. Implications for understanding the association of…

This study evaluated the reliability of the Child Behavior Checklist with 42 children and youth with mild mental retardation. Use of kappa coefficients and intra-class correlations at item and syndrome levels indicated that the Child Behavior Checklist may not always represent a reliable checklist for the assessment of psychopathology in this…

This study examined aggression and psychopathology in 70 persons with severe or profound mental retardation. Most aggressive episodes were directed toward other clients; aggression was positively correlated with self-injury, stereotypic behavior, and being ambulatory. Aggression was most consistently predicted by dependent personality and…

A study evaluated an off-site/on-site program for reducing job coach assistance provided for three adults with severe multiple disabilities in a part-time community job. On-the-job assistance was reduced, while the individuals received more traditional day services when not at work. No adverse effects on productivity were observed. (Contains…

This article discusses issues in the identification of learning disabilities in students with low vision and examines the academic performance of one 8-year-old student and the methods that his multidisciplinary team used to document a dual diagnosis of low vision and learning disabilities. (Contains references.) (Author/DB)