With the rise in unemployment, the problems many young people face when they enter the labor market have become more acute. Misunderstandings exist about the role of education and training in relation to the problems of young people. Problems of underutilization of manpower cause unemployment and underemployment of young people; this situation in…

This article explores potential risks faced by children with disabilities who are left at home alone. The importance of assessing children's needs and skills for safely staying home alone is stressed and suggestions offered for concepts to teach children, alternate methods of supervision, and other practical concerns. (PB)

This fact sheet discusses the preparation of students with mental retardation for life in the community. It presents the position of the Association for Retarded Citizens (ARC) on the education of students with mental retardation, lists the school experiences that best prepare students for life in the community, examines how views of the role of…

A conceptual framework derived from formal and behavioral theories was used to describe and evaluate a sample of the best developed programs for teaching decision making to adolescents. The internal validity of the programs was evaluated in terms of the adequacy of their coverage of the normatively prescribed steps to good decision making. The…

Students must make decisions about their lifestyle, future careers, academic pursuits, and classroom and school issues. Learning to make effective decisions for themselves and for society is an important aspect of competence. They can learn decision making through interacting and solving problems with others. A central ingredient for successful…

The effects of using newspapers as adjunct materials in education have been documented in recent research. Research results indicate that students are seriously deficient in civic knowledge, and that the newspaper can serve as a bridge between home, school, and community by educating youth about the real world and by influencing their knowledge of…

Part of a special issue on the national network of University Affiliated Facilities, the article defines independent living (IL) and discusses the development and application for the IL concept. An IL model is presented that focuses on improving the community environment and offering assistive devices to persons with severe disabilities.…

Reviews literature on handicapped children and their families, particularly parents. Early studies reported devastating effects of handicapping conditions on families, resulting in certain myths. More recent studies reported less devastating effects. Research regarding several such myths is examined. Providers of professional services should…

The concept of health is defined as the state of body and mind which affords the individual the ability to strive toward his/her functional objectives and his/her culturally desired goals. The role of health education should be to impart knowledge which will assist individuals in making personal choices about lifestyles, values, and goals. (JN)

This article reviews 251 studies evaluating the behavioral treatment of autism from 1980 to 1995. Each study is analyzed for the target behaviors and behavioral techniques that were implemented. Target behaviors included aberrant behaviors, social skills, language, daily living skills, and academic skills. Behavioral techniques are identified as…

The paper reviews normal communication skills in infants, young children, and adults from the perspective of barriers to communication interaction and implications for handicapped individuals. The communicative competence construct is described, noting the complex relationship between verbal and nonverbal behavior. Parental response to a child's…

This monograph synthesizes the research literature on transition from school to work and independent living for handicapped youth. The emphasis is on handicapped youth, but general literature is included where appropriate. The first part presents a short series of dramatized vignettes, based on fact. Summaries and syntheses are then provided on…

The article describes three goal structures (competitive, cooperative, and individualistic) that provide the context in which social skills are learned. Major components of structured learning are next presented as a strategy for teaching social skills. Limitations and advantages of combining the two approaches are discussed. (Author/JW)

The article reviews research on training mentally retarded adults in the following community survival skills: travel training, money management, meal preparation, clothing and personal care, telephone skill, housekeeping, self-medication, leisure skills, social skills, and conversation. Results are said to indicate the value of behavioral…

Discusses a cognitive perspective on personality, focusing on how dispositions are cognitively expressed and maintained in social interaction. Shows how individuals interpret life tasks in light of their most accessible schemas, envisaging alternative future selves, and devising cognitive strategies to guide behavior. Discusses adaptiveness of…