A resource cost methodology was used to obtain estimates of the cost of 11 early intervention programs for children, aged birth through five, with disabilities. Factors that had the greatest influence on cost were program duration and frequency of service, staff-child ratio, geographic location, and volunteer resources. (Author/JDD)

Twelve male children (ages 2-6) with autism were found to be less accurate than 12 typical male children in decoding nonverbal facial expressions of happiness, sadness, or anger in videotaped vignettes. However, children with autism were able to identify happiness vignettes at above-chance levels. (Author/JDD)

A study involving four teachers and preschool children with mild disabilities found transition-based teaching did not substantially alter the duration of transitions for teachers or children, did not appear to interfere with other teacher responsibilities during transitions, and produced increases in children's target behaviors. (Author/CR)

This response to an article evaluating Indiana's early intervention service delivery (EC 628 669) notes additional important aspects such as the central finance model used, the value of the Indiana data system in tracking the amount and type of services provided, the incentive provided to complete all the Individual Family Service Plan data…

This article describes a comprehensive approach to identifying children needing evaluation for exceptional education needs while providing support to parents. Professionals from education, public health, social services, and child care collaborate to provide parents with information, observe children in play, and respond to parents' concerns.…

Comments on "Assessing the Comfort Zone of Child Care Teachers in Serving Young Children with Disabilities" (Buysse and others) and questions using children's characteristics as the basis for determining teachers' comfort levels. The possible use of comfort level data in denying access to educational placements is discussed. (CR)

Longitudinal data on the unstructured interactions at home of nine children (ages 11-60 months) with Down syndrome were used to compare individual differences in initial expressive vocabulary growth to data on 42 children without disabilities. Findings indicate that the overall pattern of vocabulary growth was similar in all the children.…

Thirty-five mothers' experiences in parenting young children with disabilities (Down Syndrome, hearing impairment, and neurological impairment) were examined in this three-year longitudinal study. Results showed significant relationships between maternal stress and parenting experiences. Few differences across groups were noted. (Author/DB)

Information on a national survey of 643 home visiting programs serving families with children under 3 years of age is presented. Data include family characteristics, purpose of home visits, services provided, organizational structure, the conduct of home visits, home visitor employment and training, and program evaluation efforts. (Author/DB)

Recent developments have led agencies serving young children with disabilities to obtain third-party reimbursement (Medicaid, private insurance, etc.) for services. An examination of the legal and policy implications of increased third-party billing reveals serious drawbacks including loss of confidentiality, burdens on informed consent, hidden…

A study involving 58 children (17 to 36 months) with developmental disabilities in the prelinguistic period of development and their mothers found that the relationship between intentional communication and later language was, in part, due to covarying relationships with maternal responsivity. (Author/CR)

A multiple baseline study evaluated effects of using voice output devices to facilitate communicative initiation behaviors of two young nonverbal children with developmental delays. Both children increased their specific initiations and decreased unclear initiations and adult prompted communication behaviors. Results support the use of…

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…

This response to an article evaluating Indiana's early intervention service delivery (EC 628 669) identifies implications of the study including: service intensity is relatively light; service location and context and the process of Individualized Family Service Plan formulation should be examined; implementation should be treated as an…

This study examined the process of communication within the professional-family relationship by identifying and describing the types and patterns of talk during interactions between 15 families of young children with developmental delays and their respective early interventionists. Videotaped interactions of routine home visits were coded using a…