Multi-sensory stimulation provided in a Snoezelen room is being used increasingly for individuals with mental retardation and mental illness to facilitate relaxation, provide enjoyment, and inhibit behavioral challenges. We observed aggressive and self-injurious behavior in three groups of 15 individuals with severe or profound mental retardation…

Computer-based video instruction (CBVI) was used to teach verbal responses to questions presented by cashiers and purchasing skills in fast food restaurants. A multiple probe design across participants was used to evaluate the effectiveness of CBVI. Instruction occurred through simulations of three fast food restaurants on the computer using video…

Home health care patients often have several late-life risk factors for suicide and constitute a high risk group for suicidal behaviors. In this study, we examined the characteristics of 14 older adult home health care utilizers who died by suicide and four community controls who used similar services. Both groups of home health care utilizers had…

This investigation provides a model for at-risk youth community agencies to tailor their programs to fit the specific needs of their local out-of-school youth. Using a needs-based assessment, baseline data were gathered on Cleveland African Americans (N = 187) to pinpoint academic strengths and deficits, career interests, and life-skill needs. The…

There is a widespread problem with schools having the ability to turn out young people equipped with skills needed to properly function in society. This report describes a program for increasing skills necessary for learning and for living such as cooperation, perseverance, problem solving, and friendship. The targeted population was elementary…

The abstract sheet summarizes research reported in "Assessing and Developing the Adaptive Functioning of Handicapped Children and Youth" by Robert H. Bruininks. The research concerned the dimensions of adaptive behavior, its usefulness in placement and eligibility decisions, and differences between ratings of students' adaptive behavior…

The study examined the relationship between probe and training conditions on performance of nine severely handicapped students on functional tasks in classroom and community settings. Findings led to the following recommendations to teachers: measures of student performance under natural or probe conditions should be evaluated in addition to…

Several patient status variables have been associated with caregiver burden. A study was conducted to examine relationships between caregiver burden; patient variables of cognitive status, depression, and physical status; and caregiver perceptions of disruptive behavior and discrepancies between patient abilities and behaviors. Subjects were…

Models of well being and human functioning have traditionally been based on empirical studies done with children and young adults. As part of an ongoing research program to develop and test a model of effective functioning and positive health in older adults, 31 elderly individuals (7 males, 24 females), with a mean age of 73.58 years, completed…

A study was conducted to expand and disseminate the school-to-work transition skill activities begun in a 1980-81 project in Pennsylvania by focusing on two groups: vocational instructors and disadvantaged vocational students. Questionnaires were created and mailed to 903 teachers, with a 50 percent usable response; while a student survey was sent…

Adult day care is increasingly being offered as an alternative to institutionalization. However, this alternative is not suitable for nor is it available to all elderly. There is need to determine if elderly users of these services have distinguishable characteristics from those who do not. This study evaluates 35 impaired elderly day care clients…

This is a report of a conference concerned with educating "less-able" 16-19 year old students within the British school system. These students vary from being physically handicapped, to educationally "sub-normal," to simply lacking in vocational skills. Topics of papers presented include: defining disadvantaged young people,…

Described is Project PRICE (Programing Retarded in Career Education), for educable retarded students from kindergarten through grade 12. Dealt with in three sections are a review of the literature and a discussion of such critical issues as the work ethic vs. the life ethic (concerning the major program emphasis in career education. It is…

Presented as a part of Project PRICE (Programming Retarded in Career Education) for primary through secondary age educable retarded persons, are behavioral objectives for 22 competencies in the areas of daily living skills, personal social skills, and occupational guidance and preparation. It is explained that the competencies should comprise the…

A coat was adapted for a 20-year-old severely handicapped woman to control her practice of "mouthing" her hands and clothing. Velcro strips attached to the coat held the student's arms down long enough to allow for differential reinforcement of appropriate behavior, which successfully reduced the rate of mouthing. (JDD)