This report discusses the outcomes of a study designed to assess two measures of family functioning for families with children with disabilities: the Family Support Scale (FSS) and the Family Resource Scale (FRS). The FSS is an 18-item questionnaire that measures the amount of perceived support given to the parents of young children with…

Presents the Verbal Interaction Analysis System (VIAS), a computer-based system designed to analyze verbal interactions, and describes application of the VIAS in analyzing family/professional interactions during the Individualized Family Service Plan process. The results of a pilot test of the VIAS found high interobserver reliability. (Author/CR)

Open-ended interviews in which 20 family members discussed issues related to their child's problem behavior revealed three major themes: the difficult process of coming to terms with the child's disability, the importance of having support from caring people, and the pervasive impact the problem behavior exerts on family functioning. (Contains…

This article offers an historical perspective and evaluation approach for technical assistance efforts provided by U.S. based agencies in the Pacific and two studies of outcome evaluation at the regional and local level. The Palau Interagency Model is discussed in depth as a model for change and improved interagency coordination. (Contains…

This article provides an overview of the family information gathering process in early intervention and the effect of cultural and linguistic diversity on family information gathering. Practical strategies that early intervention providers can use in interviews, surveys, and observations are discussed, as well as implications for personnel…

Maintains that appropriate staff training for family and child care center providers is critical in providing services to special needs--disabled--children, and outlines briefly a course designed to provide such training offered by Montgomery College in Montgomery County, Maryland. (BB)

Maintains that, as for other families with young children, availability, quality, and cost are important child care issues for families with special needs, including families with single heads of household, families with female heads of household, families in poverty, minority families, and families with handicapped children. (BB)

Reviews the literature supporting cooperative learning as a means to promote social and cognitive growth among handicapped children in a classroom environment. In an analysis of three studies, cooperative learning strategies were shown to increase the chance that mainstreamed children would be accepted by classmates and show positive gains in…

Increasingly, very young children with disabilities are using microcomputers, powered mobility, myoelectric prostheses, and augmentative communication devices. This article examines research, clinical experience, and issues in the field of advanced technology applied to disabled children, aged birth to three, and suggests future applications of…

Reviews research on the use of computers in preschool and kindergarten classrooms and their effect on social development. Also discusses gender differences in computer use among young children and the effects of computer-based activities on the inclusion of children with disabilities. Implications for preschool curriculum are examined. (MDM)

This study examined the relationship between maternal perceptions of family coping strategies and family strengths in 206 Hispanic, African-American, and Caucasian families of young children with and without disabilities. Within all three groups, use of internal family coping strategies was more predictive of family strengths than was use of…

This article describes new approaches to providing physical and occupational therapy intervention services in naturalistic early childhood settings and reviews the limited body of literature examining their efficacy. It offers assessment and intervention strategies that support a normalized approach to intervention and offers suggestions for…

Describes Oregon's Rural Early Intervention Training Project, a University of Oregon master's level training program that includes on-site courses and practicum supervision and summer on-campus course work and practicum. Discusses program philosophy, goals, and objectives; student recruitment process; course work; and evaluation measures. Includes…

The Getting Started Together project is a 48-hour curriculum to enhance health care professionals' abilities to work with handicapped and at-risk infants and toddlers and their families. The curriculum was packaged into 10 self-instructional videocassette modules for people who are unable to attend classroom sessions. (JOW)

Discusses the dynamics and development of prosocial play activities for children with a variety of handicapping conditions. Suggests ways for teachers to facilitate the participation of children with special needs. Contains 14 references. (Author/LB)