This introduction to a series of five articles in a clinical forum outlines the forum theme, that culturally/linguistically diverse children can be validly and reliably assessed and treated for communication disorders. The introduction notes the growing population of minority children in the United States and the critical shortage of minority…

Empirical studies evaluating speech and language intervention procedures applied to children with autism are reviewed and the documented benefits are summarized. In particular, interventions incorporating sign language, discrete-trial training, and milieu teaching procedures have been used successfully to expand the communication repertoires of…

The article presents a framework for understanding the pragmatic, semantic, syntactic, text, and phonological aspects of language that underlie both oral and written communication. It gives suggestions for ways speech-language pathologists can assess children's language skills that are essential for success in a whole language program. (Author/JDD)

Factors that may hinder use of computers by speech/language/hearing clinicians in the schools are limited access, lack of training, worry over time constraints, and doubts regarding efficacy of computer activities. Clinicians should explore possible benefits of computer use such as tools for linguistic and phonological analysis, treatment data…

This report describes a research project that studied: the speech and language needs of Scottish children and young people with special educational needs, collaboration among parents and professionals, and the perceived effectiveness of different ways of providing speech and language therapy. Data were obtained from a series of mailed…

This booklet presents knowledge, attitudes, and educational ideas on how to give deaf children the support they need to develop. It focuses on the fundamental and comprehensive needs of deaf children, using methods and ideas that can be adjusted to countries without great technical resources. The first chapter examines the importance of language…

Addresses the concerns of rural school administrators who have difficulty recruiting and retaining qualified (master's level) speech-language pathologists. Outlines speech-language pathology services and differences between master's and bachelor's degree training for speech-language pathologists. Suggests service delivery models that provide…

This report summarizes information gathered by Project FORUM at the National Association of State Directors of Special Education from data collected by state education agencies (SEAs) on the provision of related services to students with disabilities. A survey asked SEAs to report on whether they collected state-level data on 13 types of related…

This column about federal government actions impacting school services for students with communication disorders examines concerns related to billing by schools providing Medicaid services, summarizes federal Medicaid regulations, and discusses ethical considerations and suggested actions for speech-language pathologists and audiologists. The…

The Language Resource Room Level of Service is a model developed by the Philadelphia (Pennsylvania) School District to provide intensive speech-language services for children with moderate to severe speech-language disorders, in the least restrictive setting. The speech-language pathologist assumes the roles of coteacher, consultant, and direct…

The construct of complexity has been advanced as a variable in the efficacy of treatment for children with functional phonological disorders. This article focuses on clinical complexity as it influences selection of target sounds, with three clinical factors reviewed: consistency of error, normative age of acquisition, and number of errors.…

As the consultation model of service delivery spreads, more and more speech and language clinicians are coming out of the therapy room and going into the classroom. Clinicians and classroom teachers can form technology partnerships as they collaborate to use microcomputer software to address the needs of children with speech and language…

Based on a North Carolina feasibility study (1967-73) which focused on development of a pattern for providing comprehensive mental health services to rural people, this guide deals with programming school mental health in Vance and Franklin counties. Detailing both successes and failures, this booklet presents the following program activities: (1)…

Most deaf children are born to hearing parents. Many of these parents have little or no knowledge of deafness and what it means for their child, themselves, or their family. This book introduces parents of deaf children to the aspects of deafness they will want to know more about. The book can be read as a whole, as it is designed to take a…

This listing provides directory information for organizations, centers, associations, and offices that provide services for people with deafness or hard of hearing on a national level. Services provided include information, referral, and outreach relating to education, hearing, speech, interpreting, rehabilitation, religion, recreation, medical…