This article discusses the assessment and evaluation of infants and toddlers with disabilities or at risk for developing disabilities, recent contributions to knowledge of assessment of infants and toddlers, current practices, and future trends. The paper cautions against using one test for all purposes or using a test with an insufficient…

This article highlights major themes, issues, and recommendations that evolved from an August 1991 international symposium on risk and resilience in individuals with learning disabilities. Recommendations in the areas of research, direct services, and social policy are offered. (Author/DB)

This paper addresses the issues surrounding the widely publicized problem of newborn infants who have been exposed to cocaine before their birth, and suggests ways to prevent the problems associated with fetal exposure to drugs during pregnancy. The paper presents information concerning the effects of prenatal cocaine exposure on infants,…

This article discusses needs of parents and families of at-risk students and students with mild disabilities. It examines responsibilities of various professionals and offers suggestions for addressing these needs. Tables display data on educators' perceptions of parent/family needs and responsibility for responding to those needs. (DB)

This article presents a review of literature addressing professional burnout, designed to help professionals recognize at-risk patterns and characteristics of burnout. A conceptual model is presented for managing work setting and work style characteristics that place early intervention providers at risk for burnout. (Author/PB)

This commentary examines at-risk students who are seen as in danger of losing control of their lives because of external loci of control and society's lack of coherent self-control. At-risk students are considered to be suitable candidates for intervention as much as students with more conventional disabilities. (PB)

This article examines special problems in assessing young blind children resulting from their great heterogeneity. Case studies are offered to illustrate the irresponsibility of applying standardized tests developed for sighted populations to blind children who have very different experiential backgrounds. Positive principles for assessment of the…

Argues that teachers seeking to identify what constitutes a crisis for children must consider the child's response to and feelings about the experience, not just the event itself. Reviews common physical, psychological, and social symptoms of crisis. Discusses ways to help children in crisis while maintaining appropriate boundaries. (PAA)

Presents information about suicide among adolescents. Profiles the suicidal person and reviews general distress signals and events precipitating suicide. Suggests responses to potential or actual suicides, including intervention, prevention, and ministry strategies. Provides recommendations for educators and clarifies common myths about suicide.…

This report contains a compendium of the opinions and concerns of a task force that researched current conditions that affect court-involved youth and identifies the most promising strategies for connecting court-involved youth to the labor market. The report includes three introductory chapters, four chapters related to task force discussion…

This paper presents a schema for measuring the effects of prevention programs in mental retardation, using 43 items that are quantifiable, accessible, and pertinent to disability outcomes. The items relate to service indicators, risk indicators, and incidence/prevalence information in the prenatal, perinatal, and childhood periods. (Author/JDD)

Provides information on alcoholism and codependency to help teachers identify and respond to children of alcoholics (COAs). Discusses characteristics of alcoholic homes and problems encountered by children and adult COAs. Examines survival "masks" of COAs, including hero, rebel, adjustor, clown, and caretaker. Lists organizational,…

This document, the first joint annual report issued by the Extension Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture (ES-USDA), and the Extension Committee on Organization and Policy (ECOP), summarizes the decisions made by the two organizations in November, 1989, and includes descriptive highlights of the process implemented by the cooperative extension…

Nationwide attention to the problems of teenage pregnancy and suicide, Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS), substance abuse, domestic violence, child abuse, dropping out of school, and other conditions is resulting in a proliferation of primary prevention programs, projects, and activities. In too many communities, however, the growth of…

Reports growth in the number of chronically ill children attending Catholic schools. Describes the separate roles of home, school, and hospital in children's long-term care. Urges educators to obtain necessary information on children's attendance, peer interaction, education, and medical compliance. Reviews issues specific to chronically ill…