Impact assessment skills are used in planning practice, reflecting expansion in society's concern with externalities of growth and development, improved methods for predicting environmental effects, and wider acceptance of impact mitigation as a growth management goal. This article reviews the status of impact assessment in planning pedagogy and…

This article explores the many facets of the contemporary family in the United States, including their variations in structure, size, and ethnic and linguistic characteristics; the impact of sociohistorical factors on family functioning and lifestyle; implications of models of child development; and policy recommendations. (JDD)

Three criticisms of family-centered models of early intervention for individuals with disabilities are put forth: the definition of family is indeterminate; early interventionists bring their own conceptions of the meaning of family to their work; and empirical research about family processes and their relationship to individuals' development is…

This paper argues that early interventionists' awareness of their own cultural beliefs is an essential first step in developing effective collaboration with culturally different families. Areas of potential dissonance between professionals and families include interpretation of the meaning of disability, concepts of family structure and identity,…

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 study of 88 mothers of children with mental retardation, physical disabilities, or developmental risk found that, although biocultural factors such as employment and marital status have differential influences on parent, child, and family functioning, intrafamily role sharing and extrafamily support available to mothers can buffer possible…

This investigation studied the family environments and social support of 503 families of young children with handicaps enrolled in early intervention programs. Families identified as "distressed" were more likely to be of lower socioeconomic status and have children with more severe disabilities. Parents had high levels of early intervention…

Families (n=725) with young children with disabilities completed the Parenting Stress Index (PSI), and their scores were compared with the PSI's normative sample. No differences were found between samples on parent-related stress, supporting the normality or family strengths perspective. A normative table of PSI scores for families with children…

The social relationships and leisure activities of a representative national sample of 336 persons with mental retardation living in 181 small foster or group homes were evaluated. Findings indicated these subjects were integrated into the community and had typical life experiences, though their lifestyles lacked depth and breadth. (Author/DB)

This evaluation study with 94 elementary students (50 with mild mental handicap) compared computer-assisted instruction (CAI) and paper-and-pencil practices in promoting automatization of basic addition and subtraction skills. Findings suggested CAI was more effective but that the students with mental handicap required more practice than…

A more businesslike approach to job development, which stresses meeting employer needs, is encouraged for growth in supported employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities. Seven job development guidelines are offered, including research businesses to identify personnel needs and problems, and define services so employers understand…

A constant time delay procedure was used to teach four adolescents with moderate mental retardation to select lower priced grocery items using an adaptive number line. Students reached criterion, maintained the skill up to 14 weeks after training, and generalized the skill from the classroom to a community grocery store. (Author/DB)

Peer-delivered self-instructional training was evaluated with three adolescent students with moderate to severe disabilities and their two peer teachers (with mild mental retardation). Two students learned the job skill and were able to generalize it. The third student required picture cues and training by a nonpeer trainer. (Author/DB)

This report describes a self-management skills intervention utilizing a picture schedule for four high school students with moderate to severe mental retardation. The program was initiated at school and continued at home with different tasks. Students continued to successfully use the schedules on follow up after summer vacation. (DB)

A future-based assessment/intervention model is proposed for improved programing for students with mental retardation. The model is an extension of curriculum-based assessment but takes into consideration students' abilities and individual goals and objectives. The assessment model is linked closely with instruction and is particularly valuable…