This study assessed social perspective taking in 57 children classified as educable mentally retarded divided into 3 age groups from 8-16 years. Significant differences in social perspective taking were obtained between the three groups in understanding individuals and between the older and two younger groups in understanding friendship.…

Issues in the development of appropriate curricula for elementary students who are mildly mentally retarded are discussed. Emphasis is on the concept of "subsequent environments as an attitude" and on variables that may influence vertical (e.g., preschool and middle school transitions) and horizontal (including social and curricular integration)…

The article reviews the literature on the participation of persons with disabilities in religious organizations and summarizes a study which found that clergy (n=125) are aware of only low numbers of persons with disabilities in their congregations and are not highly active in providing accommodations or services to these individuals and their…

The study of a peer-mediated instructional procedure (Classwide Peer Tutoring) with 9 students (ages 78 to 119 months) classified as mildly mentally retarded found that daily practice of spelling words using the procedure resulted in 95 percent correct on weekly tests, about 90 percent correct on tests of long-term retention, and positive student…

This paper examines issues related to implementation of Public Law 100-407, the Technology-Related Assistance for Individuals with Disabilities Act of 1988, including the meaning of technology, the need for information systems, funding mechanisms, transportation needs, technology evaluation, hands-on experiences before purchasing, and training…

A retrospective evaluation of restrictive behavior programs in a state residential facility for persons with mental retardation found beneficial behavioral effects. The behavior programs reviewed utilized isolation timeout, exclusion timeout, response cost, prone restraint, seated restraint, timeout device, nonexclusion timeout, standing…

A progressive time delay procedure used in a small group instructional arrangement was successful in teaching four high school students with severe handicaps to read community-referenced words. Two of the students learned additional words by observing their peers. (Author/DB)

A panel of 178 leading special educators identified seminal articles in the area of mental retardation. The top 25 articles (dated from 1941 to 1984) were identified and compared to a similar study which identified seminal articles in the broader area of special education with 3 articles appearing on both lists. (DB)

This study evaluated the sign language skills of 17 adults with mental retardation living in community settings and their habilitation instructors. Results showed staff's sign language competence was only slightly better than that of the residents and was used minimally in interactions with the residents. (Author/DB)

This article, focusing primarily on England and Wales with some data references to the United Kingdom, describes the general education system, special educational provision, support services, integration, training of special educators, and challenges for the future. The impact of the Education Acts of 1981 and 1988 is also discussed. (JDD)

Information about education and social services for Spain's disabled children and adults, with emphasis on the hearing-impaired population, is provided. An overview of Spain's demographic and historical background is followed by a broad discussion of policy, legislation, and health and welfare services. (Author/JDD)

This study found that 24 children (age 7-16) with mental retardation and 30 normal children were similar in remembering which of a series of tasks they performed or only imagined performing. Performance was more accurate at an immediate interview compared to an interview eight weeks later, and children remembered activities performed better than…

This article describes common forms of relaxation training that can be used with at-risk or exceptional students in remedial, special education, or regular settings. In addition to reviewing salient research assessing the effects of relaxation training on reading achievement, attention, hyperactivity, impulsivity, self-concept, stress, and…

Adolescents (n=173) rated the academic and social characteristics of a male peer who was videotaped as a highly competent student and as an average student. Students judged the competent target as likely to be more successful in academic subjects, more socially acceptable, and a better leader than the less competent peer. (Author/JDD)

Sixty-eight gifted disadvantaged youngsters (ages 4-8) participated in a summer institute. A common and differentiated curriculum was developed for Anglo and Hispanic parents based on their expressed expectations regarding child development. Home and school were successfully enjoined in a collaborative educational effort by providing a…