Describes, in a case study, how a functionally illiterate adult coped with the disabling effects of not being able to read and how, once he was involved in an educational therapy program, his attitude toward reading, his self-esteem, interpersonal relationships, coping strategies, and actual progress in reading were influenced by the treatment.…

This study investigated eye movement and comprehension therapy in sixth graders with reading disability. Students received each therapy type for 12 weeks with half receiving eye movement therapy first and half receiving comprehension therapy first. Mean growth in reading comprehension for the total sample was 2.6 years with equally significant…

This article describes prevention and treatment factors that can assist rural students at risk for learning difficulties to develop self-esteem and lead useful lives. Factors include social change, teacher education, community-business-school partnerships, family involvement, community education, interdisciplinary approaches to assessment, school…

Sixteen pupils, aged four to six, with various disabilities requiring intervention services in motor skills acquisition, participated in a follow-up study. The study found that gross motor gains resulting from intensive intervention failed to continue once the intervention was withdrawn. Fine motor skills were not affected by the gross motor…

The article proposes a six-stage model of the development of communication forms and functions during the prelinguistic period. Applications to the clinical treatment of severely developmentally disabled persons concern expanded targets and procedures for assessment and treatments which are socially interactive and responsive. (DB)

This article describes a learning therapy structure used at the Hill Top Preparatory School that enables learning disabled young people to compensate for their deficiencies and to cope with physical, social, and emotional problems. The goal is to help them achieve academically, remain accepted and contributing members of their families, and…

Describes and evaluates a student-administered group-oriented contingency technique for improving the arithmetic performance of grade school children. (KH)

Good self-esteem and self-concept have a bearing on a child's performance in school. The article describes ways to recognize poor self-image in a child and suggests strategies for building self-concept. Activities listed include positive marking of papers, bibliotherapy, improvisational drama, and values clarification. (DS)

Golden Age 4-H Clubs provide opportunities for older persons to remain curious and creative. They can become vehicles for communication between the generations both in the family and in the community. Their development requires careful planning, incremental development, and clear participant motivation. (Author/SK)

The article discusses the roles of music education and music therapy in special education, specifically with reference to the concept of the individualized education program (IEP) as mandated by the Education for All Handicapped Children Act (P.L. 94-142). Journal availability: National Association for Music Therapy, Inc., P.O. Box 610, Lawrence,…

Many learning-disabled students experience social skill problems which call for training to promote success in school, work, and social settings. Social skill problems fall into three categories: skill deficits, performance deficits, and behavioral excesses. Interventions generally focus on increasing the individual's repertoire of skills, using…

This article examines ways in which intuitive understandings may help teachers in developing the thinking of pupils with autism. The article suggests that, by working toward students' development of an autobiographical memory, it may be possible for them to establish an awareness of their own role as a problem solver. (JDD)

This issue of the information letter consists of two articles, "Music Therapy" and "Research and Applications of Psychomusical Techniques"; a review of the book, "La musicotherapie et les methods nouvelles d'association des techniques" by Guilhot and Cecourt, and a bibliography of books on music therapy written in…

This guide outlines the characteristics of dyslexia and its educational implications. Parental understanding of the problem and support for intervention efforts are stressed. Various learning activities are suggested, along with guidelines to help the child cope with the disability, become better organized, study for tests, etc. (JDD)

The empirical research on the economics of early educational intervention for handicapped children is reviewed and critically assessed. Analysis of 16 research reports shows that few methodologically sound economic studies have been conducted, and statements that early intervention is cost effective cannot be empirically substantiated. (Author/JDD)