Thirty-six English children with cerebral palsy (ages 3-4) were compared on their skills for independence. Nineteen of the children were enrolled in a Conductive Education Program, and 17 were enrolled in special education programs. Results indicate there were no significant differences between the two groups in their independence skills.…

Covert self-injurious behavior in a 21-year old with mild mental retardation and cerebral palsy was treated by first identifying tangible and social reinforcers and then providing reinforcers contingent on absence of tissue damage identified during physical examination. Almost complete success was achieved and maintained over 10 months. (DB)

Reports were elicited from 56 Bengali parents of children (ages 1-18) with cerebral palsy on activities they engaged in with their child and on the toys the child possessed. The majority reported spending time playing with their child and all respondents named at least two toys belonging to their child. (Contains references.) (Author/CR)

This issue brief provides a national profile of individuals with developmental disabilities based on the National Health Interview Survey on Disability, Phase 1. This in-depth survey of 107,400 individuals uses a complex sampling strategy which is designed to provide national incidence estimates for each survey item. Data are reported which were…

Based on the Las Palomita, New Mexico Sensory Training Program, suggestions are offered to parents for activities that can be done at home to improve the sensory motor integration of children with cerebral palsy or other physical or mental handicaps. Included are directions for activities to improve posture, balance and coordination and walking as…

Noun and verb comprehension of 11 children with cerebral palsy or other motor impairments was assessed by presenting a linguistic stimulus and determining whether the child watched a video event that matched or did not match the stimulus. Subjects, aged 2-6, watched the match significantly more, especially when dynamic visual stimuli were…

Two adult males with severe motor and speech deficits resulting from cerebral palsy were trained to use an augmentative communication system (Touch Talker) independently. Results demonstrated that training on operation of the device was insufficient to ensure improvement in conversation performance and that it was important to incorporate direct…

This article discusses family-centered functional therapy, a model of practice for children with motor dysfunction based on tenets derived from family-centered philosophy and dynamic systems theory. This model stipulates that parents must be included in the identification of functional goals. Positive results of pilot work with 12 children are…

Twelve nonambulatory adults with severe speech impairments associated with cerebral palsy were studied to examine the effects of aided-message length (single-word vs. phrase-generated messages) and partner feedback on perceptions of communicative competence while using an adult augmentative and alternative communication system. Results indicated…

Viewed from an ecological perspective, maternal sense of competence and social support would be expected to influence a mother's spontaneous interactions with her infant. In this study 29 mother-infant dyads were visited in their homes when the infants with cerebral palsy were 18 months old. Infants' solitary spontaneous play and mother-infant…

The subject of the attached case study is Sara, a 17-year-old high school honors student who communicates using a DynaVox 3100, which she accesses via single-switch visual scanning. A team of education and engineering specialists at DynaVox Systems LLC collaborated with Sara to identify and maximize her use of device features and accessories that…

The use of Carba-linguaduc equipment (an electronic device that facilitates communication in the nonverbal) in the teaching of basic reading skills was compared to gestural yes/no responses in a study with four severely cerebral palsied/moderately retarded young adults (ages 20 to 30). Results indicated that significant language learning was…

Presented is information on adapted physical education and recreation for the multiply handicapped. An introductory section contains varying definitions of the term 'multiply handicapped' and explains that more programing information and literature exist in the areas of the deaf-blind and the crerbral palsied than for other handicapping…

This study examined behavioral development during the first year of life of 41 infants diagnosed with cerebral palsy, hypotonia, or hypertonia. The KID Scale, an empirically normed, caregiver-report inventory which covers behavior in five domains (cognitive, motor, language, self help, and social) was administered at about 5, 9, and 12 months…

The article describes a study conducted to determine the needs (physical, training, and support) of cerebral palsied students enrolled in community colleges. Ss' responses are presented in three general areas of accessibility: academic, social/psychological, and physical. A program providing needed special services for such students is proposed.…