The author describes the difficulties her family of 12 has faced with finding the best programs for their multiply handicapped, severely physically disabled preschoolers. (CL)

COMPUPLAY, a program of the National Lekotek Center (Illinois) for handicapped children (ages 2-14) emphasizes the value of parent/child play activities using computers and provides computer support and resources to parents and professionals. (DB)

Parents of visually impaired children are given suggestions for helping to make school a success. Guidelines begin with infancy and address topics related to the preschool period (such as providing special experiences and teaching social skills) and the school age period (such as taking part in the placement decision). (CL)

Early intervention programs are very diverse in clientele served, ages served, staffing, focus of services, location of service, length of service, agencies responsible, and funding. The Early Intervention Research Institute at Utah State University is investigating the efficacy of early intervention programs; 13 of its ongoing longitudinal…

A planned search/selection process can help locate the best possible learning situation for a child needing early intervention services. Parents are offered a detailed checklist for evaluating programs, and are encouraged to consider goals for the coming years, to make site visits to potential programs, and to ask questions. (JDD)

This editorial describes the role of early intervention programs in helping children with disabilities, focusing on parents' and infants' needs, the Family Service Plan, and the role of case managers. The editorial cautions that: early intervention's effectiveness is unproven, early is not always better, and more is not always better. (JDD)

Ideas are presented for identifying, evaluating, and selecting instructional software for children with special needs. The article notes several library research tools as sources of information and lists specific questions to consider when evaluating software. (JDD)

A father relates his family's efforts to provide early stimulation to a son diagnosed with cerebral palsy and visual impairments. As the boy developed, he listened to audiotape recordings of music and nursery rhymes, explored household objects, watched television, played computer games, and was eventually enrolled in a mainstreamed kindergarten.…

This discussion of funding for assistive technology devices for children with disabilities addresses how to locate community funding sources, set priorities, increase peoples' awareness of technological applications, and encourage parental involvement. An annotated bibliography lists seven items on funding, and a chart shows an example of an…