This article discusses why the universal adoption of family-centered values and practice in early intervention is problematic in the context of the current state of early intervention. Recommendations are provided for the new millennium, including participatory research in family-centered early intervention and personnel preparation based on…

Discusses the need for school districts to develop lucid, comprehensive policies on family and community involvement. Discusses what teachers can do to lead the way, and what school districts can do. Discusses critical issues in such policy: budget/resource allocations, assessment of outcomes, and the collaboration process. (SR)

Part C Program of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act is related to school social work. Three groups of infants and toddlers served are distinguished; prevention alternatives are discussed. Service delivery (intended to enhance families' ability to care for their children) and the responsibility for service delivery are discussed. (EMK)

This article examines factors associated with underutilization of early intervention services, outlines the prevalence of these factors in the population of families with young children, presents statistics on the sociodemographic characteristics of families with children under five, and suggests policies that may facilitate the participation of…

Challenges the message of "biopsychiatry," the belief that all mental illness is biologically based, genetic in origin, and incurable, and can only be treated chemically. Suggests that the epidemic drugging of school-age children is an act of despair. Highlights one family's experience in getting appropriate treatment without medication for their…

The myth persists that the elderly are institutionalized because their relatives do not care enough about them. Nursing home staff may not respond to family members' concerns about their relatives with any better solutions than to take their relatives home. Family response to this lack of solution may be retreat or retaliation. Thus the…

The paper, originally given at a 1986 Ethnic and Multicultural Symposium, attempts to provide a practical frame of reference for understanding and appreciating the similarities and differences among Asian Americans. Discussed are immigration and settlement history as well as acculturation (types of acculturation and factors influencing…

Suggests that systematic provision for the participation of clients in decision making could mitigate a number of longstanding problems in child welfare. Argues that clients' opinions are not, a priori, any more or less subjective than those of child welfare professionals. (Author)

Synthesizes the research on infant-parent interaction and proposes a model for introducing and including infant-parent interaction in family-centered early intervention with young children having disabilities. The model stresses the family's vision for the child's future and the family's role in active decision making. (DB)

This response to Baird and Peterson (EC 617 085) suggests that the original authors' conceptions of family-centered philosophy and intervention in parent-child interaction are inaccurate. They note the importance of parent-child interactions and the need for intervention procedures to be based on the parent-child interaction literature. (DB)

Notes that research has demonstrated the importance of parent-child interactions in developing literacy. Claims that parent literacy programs are effective in the children's literacy development. Proposes that research on the value of extensive interventions can suggest ways to improve parents' interactions with their children during the literacy…

Three case studies illustrate problems in the identification of gifted students when tests are not used appropriately. The paper concludes that testing must occur within the context of intensive observations of and discussions with the child and family. The importance of all teachers receiving training in gifted education is stressed. (DB)

A concluding article to a clinical forum on language, speech, and hearing services to students with autism spectrum disorder stresses: (1) importance of incorporating the family perspective in assessment and intervention; (2) social, behavioral, and communication challenges that influence assessment and intervention; and (3) effects of the…

Describes the beginnings of Head Start in detail. Discusses Head Start's record in providing health care for low-income children. Compares early Head Start with the program of recent years. Discusses ways in which Head Start emphasizes children's health and helps Head Start parents and family members. (BG)

Issues related to training of personnel working with handicapped infants/toddlers and their families center on two major areas: content of training and process of training. Following an analysis of within-discipline and cross-discipline content and within-discipline and cross-discipline training processes, recommendations are offered concerning…