This Colorado study of practices in infant and toddler programs (ages 0-4) involved a review of 53 individual family service plans (IFSPs) and perceptions of 44 parents and 51 professionals concerning family-centered practices. IFSPs were found to be primarily child-centered, and urban and rural differences were determined. (Author/SW)

The experience of prior victimization (sexual and nonsexual) was found to increase risk for experiencing later sexual abuse in 2,000 American children, ages 10 to 16, even when background variables (gender, race, age, geographic location, quality of relationship with parents, and level of violence in the home community) were controlled. Prior…

Mothers (n=26) who were incest survivors were compared with 28 mothers with no such history for 7 areas of parenting skills: role-image, objectivity, expectations, rapport, communication, limit-setting, and role-support. Significant differences were found on all seven scales, characterized by a tendency for the incest survivors to be less skillful…

This study examined the progress and disposition of child sexual abuse cases referred for prosecution in four urban jurisdictions. Most cases were accepted for prosecution. Most cases carried forward for prosecution resulted in guilty pleas. Only nine percent of the total sample went to trial. A majority of those were convicted. Over three-fourths…

This study assessed children's original perceptions of sexual abuse risk, perceptions of risk after participation in a sexual abuse prevention program, and age differences in children's beliefs about risk. Findings indicate that children's already high perceptions of sexual abuse risk increased after participation in the prevention program.…

Anonymous surveys regarding unwanted sexual experiences (USE) prior to age 18 were completed by 342 subjects in 3 clinic settings. While feelings of victimization were most common, self-blame and naivete were also reported. In the general clinics, 40% of females and 16% of males reported USE; in the sexual abuse clinic, 91% of patients indicated…

This study explored effects of child sexual abuse by priests and other perpetrators on victims' trust in the Catholic Church, priesthood, and their relationship with God. Subjects were adult Catholics who had been sexually abused but not by a priest (n=307) or sexually abused by a priest (n=40) and 1,376 nonabused controls. Results highlight the…

This study examined the construct validity of the Child Abuse Potential Inventory by comparing 41 maltreating and high-risk parents' CAP Inventory abuse scores to their behavior during observed interactions with their children. Correlational analyses revealed that CAP Inventory scores and observed parenting style yielded highly related findings…

Examination of friendships in 51 high-risk preschool-age children, of whom 38 were in foster care, found that most of the children had a "best friend" but the foster children all had friends who were quasi-siblings. Results suggest that foster care placement and the presence of siblings may influence a child's interactions with nonrelated peers.…

Thirty-eight female inpatients with major depression were assessed for childhood abuse. History of abuse was examined in relation to recovery from a major depressive episode over a 12-month follow-up period. Forty-six percent of the women had a history of childhood abuse. Women without a history of abuse were 3.7 times more likely to have…

This paper examines two types of interaction between families and professionals that appear to accompany escalating, and potentially fatal, child abuse. In the case of "closure," families attempt to withdraw from contact with the outside world and particularly from monitoring professionals. In "covert warnings," families approach professionals and…

This paper critiques the methodologies used in studies finding that reading problems in children are not strongly associated with attention deficit disorder (ADD) and that medication used to treat ADD does not improve reading performance. New data are reported, suggesting increased reading difficulty with longer reading passages and improved…

The Clock Drawing test was administered to 143 regular education students (grades 1-4) to determine approximate grade levels at which skill on the test may be expected and to 30 students with learning disabilities. For the regular children, scores improved most between first and second grade. The disabled children scored significantly lower than…

Factors which may affect school performance in children with asthma, including absenteeism, learning disabilities, psychological functioning, and medications, are reviewed. Recommendations are made to assist teachers in creating a classroom environment which promotes optimal academic and social development of students with asthma. (Author/DB)

This article describes amendments of the 1992 Rehabilitation Act Amendments which address choice and self-determination for people with disabilities. It also considers barriers within the vocational rehabilitation service system that prevent many individuals with severe disabilities from choosing integrated employment. (Author/DB)