Describes procedures for mainstreaming multihandicapped children at the elementary level in a program designed to meet children's individual needs while developing positive social skills, self-esteem, communication skills, and daily living skills. Notes benefits for regular education students. (Author/SV)

Discusses the concept of capability in relation to life both inside and outside the education system. A group film-making project at Edinburgh University which is designed to increase student autonomy in learning is described; problems of group process evaluation are discussed; and a self and peer process assessment questionnaire is explained. (21…

Provides a summary of seven eras reflecting the philosophical perspectives that have influenced the treatment of handicapped individuals in the past. Issues concerning the integration of handicapped people into the community are reviewed. A conceptual framework for examining factors that influence service delivery is provided. (Author/BJV)

Reviews some of the major developments in teaching and training relevant community skills to mentally retarded persons. The following adaptive skills are discussed: (1) toilet use and bed wetting; (2) eating, dressing, and personal hygiene; (3) community survival; and (4) vocational and social skills. (BJV)

This report describes a self-management skills intervention utilizing a picture schedule for four high school students with moderate to severe mental retardation. The program was initiated at school and continued at home with different tasks. Students continued to successfully use the schedules on follow up after summer vacation. (DB)

This article examines psychosocial needs of learning-disabled individuals making transitions from secondary to postsecondary education and ways in which service providers can address these needs. A transition project at the University of Minnesota is described, and techniques such as individual and group counseling, disability awareness training,…

Parents of students with moderate (n=38) and severe (n=15) disabilities indicated their preferences for the percent of a typical school week spent on functional life skills, academic skills, friendship/social relationship development, and other educational activities. Both groups of parents preferred that the largest percentage of time be spent on…

This study found that the Individualized Education Program (IEP) annual goals of 21 students (ages 11-15) with mild mental retardation, whether in categorical or cross-categorical programs, were almost solely academic, with few behavior, social, vocational, or life skills. Students were also receiving instruction in content areas not stated on…

This article describes the characteristics of before- and after-school child care programs and deliniates the features needed to accommodate children with special needs. Potential ways to adapt current programs to fill this need and suggestions for design of future programs are discussed. Characteristics of effective programs are reviewed. (PB)

A number of risks researchers have identified with latchkey children are described. The lack of effective advocacy on behalf of such children is discussed and special educators in general are seen as well-suited to the advocate's role resulting from their knowledge base, experience, and commitment to preventive programing. (PB)

A survey of 790 blind and visually impaired persons in Arkansas assessed their use of technological assistive devices and their unmet needs, focusing on life functioning, spending practices and credit options for purchasing devices, funding support systems, travel practices, information sources, and satisfaction with services and devices.…

As the educational environment becomes increasingly diverse, adult educators are poised to serve as invaluable resources to adult learners, both as links to reliable health information and builders of skills. Health literacy skills are important tools that prepare learners to access, understand, and use information to make informed health…

Objective: It is now well documented that satisfaction with mental health services is influenced by a variety of other factors (e.g., race, diagnosis, functioning level). Because of a generally brighter outlook, this study examined whether care satisfaction is also influenced by contentment in housing, social relations, or existence in general.…

A Responsibility Model-based (RM) (Hellison, 2003) cross-age teaching program was developed to promote the leadership of a selected group of youth from underserved communities. The participants, called the "Urban Youth Leaders," were eight 11 to 15 year old boys who taught various physical activity skills to a group of 40 fourth graders for eight…

A transdisciplinary therapy model that integrates visual services into the student's total educational program is illustrated by a case report of a 19-year-old male with multiple handicaps. Traditional domain areas (cognition, communication, motor, and self-help) are linked to environmental domains (domestic living, community training,…