Presents a variety of living arrangement options for foster adolescents, many of which are designed to promote self-sufficiency and independent functioning. Describes existing options beginning with the most structured and restrictive environments and moving toward options that require lesser amounts of adult supervision. (RJC)

Discusses the advantages of foster parents as primary teachers of independent living skills to the foster adolescents in their home. Discusses the skills which are most essential to youth for self-sufficiency. (RJC)

This study surveyed teachers at five urban secondary schools regarding attitudes toward social skills training. Although most (82 percent) supported inclusion of social skills training in school curriculum, significant differences were found in willingness to be involved when respondents were categorized according to subject area and the school in…

These facilitator's skill packets comprise eight separate packets on beginning social skills: (1) listening; (2) starting a conversation; (3) having a conversation; (4) asking a question; (5) saying "thank you"; (6) introducing oneself; (7) introducing other people; and (8) giving a compliment. Each packet contains the following…

Intended to help special education teachers plan individualized education programs for high school special education students, this Project CAST (Community and School Together) guide presents language arts learning objectives important to independent living. Goal statements, behavioral objectives, and specialized vocabulary are outlined for the…

The paper defines independent living skills for persons with disabilities and gives samples of a variety of curricular materials available to teach these skills. Frequently asked questions (e.g., how are independent living skills related to survival or coping skills?) and answers precede the listing of 71 commercially available curriculum…

A set of instructional materials in German contains six units, each consisting of a dialog (of approximately four pages) between a man and his cleaning lady; a vocabulary list, in English, corresponding to the underlined words in the dialog; content questions and answers, in German; and composition and conversation questions, in German. The unit…

The manual describes a curriculum for severely handicapped students which features functional skills, opportunities for practice in real life situations, elevated teacher expectations and interest, appropriate role models, and integration into the community. The central role of decisionmaking is emphasized and approaches for its facilitation…

The study evaluated a program for teaching family-style mealtime skills to four profoundly retarded institutionalized adolescents. The program used forward chaining with a less-to-more intrusive prompting sequence and contingent reinforcement to teach the skills. (Author/DB)

Health education can become an integral part of deaf students' lives through an interdisciplinary approach beginning at an early age and continuing through college, with focus shifting from basic information, theoretical perspectives, and practical ideas for health maintenance. (CL)

The study with four adults with moderate and severe mental handicaps found that both backward and concurrent chaining training strategies were equally effective in teaching use of a fast food restaurant and a supermarket. (Author/DB)

The characteristics of the skill clusters involved in community living response chains were studied, focusing on the length of the chain, the response classes contained in the chain, and the implicit variations within the chain. Instruction of response chains can be enhanced through consideration of the stimulus control strategies used.…

A total of 274 British youth and adults with handicaps were administered the National Independent Living Skills assessment. Cluster analysis suggested that handicapped persons could be classified into four groups from lowest functioning to highest functioning, using independent living skills variables relating to living, work, and educational…

This article documents the important role of orientation and mobility training in achieving self-esteem and self-confidence in individuals with visual impairments. Orientation and mobility training is described as including motor development, sensory skills development, concept development, and orientation and mobility skills development. (JDD)

Describes practical materials that relate to places within the English-as-a-Second-Language learner's own community, such as the supermarket, local fast food restaurants, pharmacy, and library. Each literacy booklet contains approximately 35 pages of activities that can be used as classroom handouts. (LB)