Explains how functional language instruction can be made useful for persons with moderate to severe handicaps who are also culturally and linguistically different. Explains how vocabulary and cultural information of the Spanish-speaking student can be included in functional language instruction. (RS)

Practical information on how to teach severely retarded and severely retarded autistic students of limited English proficiency is presented. Specific information is given on developing a functional word list for these students that utilizes both Spanish and English. Other helpful techniques for teaching students in both languages are offered.…