Offers 20 suggestions for improving parent involvement in their child's schooling at home and at school, and for improving school-home communication. Home suggestions include asking parents to read to and with children, assist them with homework, and help them start their own library. School suggestions include planning specific volunteer…

This paper discusses risks to communication development in infants and toddlers. It suggests basic guidelines for assessment of the infant, the interaction, the caregiver, and familial strengths and needs. It also suggests guidelines and resources for intervention with infants at various linguistic stages and with their families. (JDD)

Early language developmental delay within high-risk and handicapped populations is explored, focusing on: basic guidelines and emerging directions in screening, diagnosis, and ongoing evaluation of infants, toddlers, and their families; early intervention activities in neonatal intensive care nurseries and in community settings; and future…

Suggestions are offered for strengthening the basic speech, language, and communication skills of young children with hearing impairments, during ordinary periods of interaction at home. Suggestions focus on auditory training, speech drills, and reading, as well as formal and informal language instruction for all family members. (JDD)

Examined is the impact of childhood head trauma on the family, focusing on cognitive, psychomotor, emotional, and behavioral sequelae; a review of relevant research pertaining to family reactions following head trauma; and a description of family needs, coping abilities, intervention, and advocacy. (JDD)

Notes that on a child's first day of school, lasting impressions are formed for child, parents, and practitioners. Suggests that the day should be made special, and practitioners should have realistic expectations of the child. Also suggests ways to help establish a bond between home and school life, including making positive phone calls to…

The best help parents can offer students with their homework is instituting a formal study program. Rather than assisting with reading, writing, and arithmetic, parents should spend more time teaching students to organize, budget time, plan ahead, concentrate, handle responsibility, and solve problems. (SM)

Presents a list of 15 suggestions to help parents boost their children's self-esteem and create a safe, emotionally secure environment that offers a sense of belonging, purpose, and personal competence as well as the freedom to develop a unique identity. (SM)

This article describes techniques, used in a family-centered early intervention project, that both assist in accomplishing the goals of the Individualized Family Service Plan process and create opportunities for families to display their present competencies and acquire new ones to meet the needs of their children with communication disorders.…

Discusses several family literacy programs that promote parent support and involvement while promoting mutual learning for all family members. (MG)

This article discusses the importance of using a family-centered approach in early childhood intervention and practices that integrate child assessment within the context of the family. Strategies for developing an integrated approach within the different components of the assessment process are described. Principles for assessments with family…

This article discusses the barriers that limit school participation by immigrant parents of students with disabilities, including language differences, lack of information, negative educational experiences, unfamiliarity with the U.S. educational practices, cultural differences, and differing views regarding involvement in schools. Strategies are…

This brief informational flyer presents practical information on the transition from an early intervention program into a preschool program for parents and teachers of young children who are deaf blind. It provides information on: (1) the laws that affect a child with disabilities when he/she turns 3 years of age; (2) the transition process from…

Intended for South Carolina families with a child having mental retardation, this guide encourages families to participate in all aspects of programs and services and offers guidelines for working with professionals. Five to 30 suggestions or tips are listed for each of the following aspects: (1) learning that your child has special needs (e.g.,…

This guide was developed to accompany a 43-minute video that introduces early intervention personnel to the transdisciplinary (TD) assessment process. The transdisciplinary team consists of the family and professionals from various disciplines, working together to share information and skills across disciplinary boundaries in assessment, program…