Self-determination is vital to the successful transition of youths with disabilities into adult life; however, this ability does not emerge without these skills being fostered during the early years of childhood. On the basis of the survey proposed by Palmer and Summers (Early Intervention & Early Childhood Special Education Goal 2: U. S.…

This article describes the family quality of life among families who are raising a young child with autism spectrum disorder. Survey research was conducted with 180 families of children with autism spectrum disorder who were receiving disability-related services in the Gauteng province of South Africa. The principle measure used was the Beach…

The authors analyzed data from the 2001 Survey of Income and Program Participation (SIPP) to determine the extent of a disability-based net worth and income gap among U.S. households. The sample included 4,154 households with an adult with disabilities and 12,365 households without an adult with disabilities. Households with an adult with…

Background: The linkage between sleep quality and weight status among teenagers has gained more attention in the recent literature and health policy but no consensus has been reached. Methods: Using both a propensity score method and multivariate linear regression for a cross-sectional sample of 2,113 teenagers, we analyzed their body mass index…

Participation in home, school, and community activities is a primary outcome of early intervention services for children with disabilities and their families. The objectives of this study were to (a) describe participation of preschool-age children with cerebral palsy (CP); (b) determine effects of sex, age, and gross motor function on intensity…

This manual provides guidance and documentation for users of the longitudinal kindergarten-second grade (K-2) data file of the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study, Kindergarten Class of 2010-11 (ECLS-K:2011). It mainly provides information specific to the second-grade rounds of data collection. Users should refer to the "Early Childhood…

Peer victimization is a serious social problem that can negatively affect a child's psychosocial development and school adjustment, and may have lasting effects for victims. Previous studies on peer victimization have suggested that children with disabilities (CWD) are likely to be more frequent targets of peer victimization. This longitudinal…

This manual provides guidance and documentation for users of the longitudinal kindergarten-fourth grade (K-4) public-use data file of the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study, Kindergarten Class of 2010-11 (ECLS-K:2011), which includes the first release of the public version of the third-grade data. This manual mainly provides information specific…

Fertility rates have fallen dramatically around the world. In some countries, there are no longer enough children being born to replace adult populations. The disappearance of children is a matter of concern matched only by fears that childhood is becoming too structured or not structured enough, too short or too long, or just simply too different…

Objectives: Our goal was to investigate the physical and mental health of mothers who care for a child with Rett syndrome. Methods: We assessed maternal physical and mental health by using the SF-12 version 1 physical component summary and mental component summary scores as the outcome measures of interest. Mothers (n = 135) of children with Rett…

This demographic overview summarizes some major findings from national surveys reported by the Census Bureau in 1990. Statistical data are drawn from the Current Population Survey, the Survey of Income and Program Participation, and the American Housing Survey. The following trends are reported: (1) the decline in average household size begun in…

The influence of child and family sociodemographic variables on service utilization was investigated with infants with disabilities and their families from three states. Of the 157 infants and toddlers studied, 149 had some form of scheduled service for the 4 specific weeks examined. Of the scheduled service encounters, about 72 percent were…

Based on the 1990 Core Questionnaire and Family Resources Supplement of the National Health Interview Survey, involving 108,815 individuals, this report presents estimates of the prevalence of disability in families, selected demographic and socioeconomic characteristics, and utilization of health services by families with and without members with…

This study examined relationships between the caregiving environment, severity of disability, and several aspects of family ecology for 102 adolescents with disabilities. Family ecology variables included poverty status, parental intelligence, social support, and marital quality. The disability categories were mental retardation; orthopedic…

This guide compares statistics for black and non-Hispanic white children in each state to assess gaps in economic, educational, and social wellbeing. It uses data from the 2000 U.S. Decennial Census and addresses: demographics (e.g., number of children under age 18, under age 6, ages 6-12, and ages 13-17); families and households (e.g., percent of…