Two task analytic instructional procedures, a traditional strategy and a strategy based on therbligs (fundamental hand motions), were compared in teaching vocational skills to three adults with severe disabilities. Both strategies led to the acquisition of the target tasks, but the therblig-based strategy was more efficient and efficacious.…

Social toys and isolate toys were presented to 24 children (ages 3-5). The older children displayed more social interactions in the social toy condition than did other ages. Disabled subjects displayed more social interactions in the social toy condition than isolate toy condition. Nondisabled subjects had more social interactions in both toy…

The Milestone Reinforcer Survey was developed to assess reinforcer preferences of adults with mild to profound retardation living in community settings. Psychometric properties of the survey were established with 120 adults. The total reinforcer scores were found to be internally consistent, consistent across raters, and stable over time.…

An investigation was conducted of the displayed biobehavioral states of 5 students (ages 8-20) with profound mental retardation. Results indicated that state level can be reliably specified and that overall state characteristics can be used to classify subjects according to profile groups. (Author/JDD)

Two applications of interdisciplinary problem-based learning at the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy are described. In one application, seniors investigate dilemmas resulting from modern advances in science and technology; in the other sophomores study the critical decisions which drove American development. Evidence of program…

At the Central Virginia Governor's School for Science and Technology, a variety of techniques are used to infuse technology concepts throughout the curriculum as part of school reform. Technology infusion categories are (1) increasing productivity (through infusion of productivity tools); (2) exposing students to emerging technologies; and (3)…

Project Outreach, operated by the Louisiana School for Math, Science, and the Arts, uses computer telecommunications to offer advanced content courses in math, foreign language, science, and the arts to gifted students in rural areas. Evaluation has shown favorable responses from participants and significant gains on a national calculus exam. (DB)

This article describes the accelerated college level curriculum at the Louisiana School for Math, Science, and the Arts, a residential school for academically or artistically talented eleventh and twelfth graders. The curriculum combines a required core curriculum with specialized focus areas. Student perceptions of the curriculum are also…

This article addresses principles of Waldorf education and their applicability to the education of gifted students. The Waldorf curriculum emphasizes creativity in partnership with academics. Efficacy evidence for the Waldorf approach from Germany is offered as are results from a pilot study in Toronto in which Waldorf principles were used with…

Evaluation of practices at a residential summer program for gifted and talented adolescents (Tennessee Governor's Schools) involved analysis of questionnaire data from 2,213 students and school directors. Relationships were found between students' ratings of program effectiveness and directors' changes in program practices. An expanded timeline…

Presents concept of dying as a developmental stage in the life of terminally ill children. Sees dying as a normal developmental process in which the child focuses on appreciating and prizing the moment rather than preparing for something yet to come. Discusses communication with the dying child and use of the language of play. (Author/NB)

Examines value of using play in counseling. Explores pragmatic ways play is used across life span and in different counseling settings. Discusses limitations of including play in counseling. Reviews premises on which play in counseling is based and some uses of play as therapeutic instrument with children, adolescents, and adults in individual,…

Examined stages that college students (n=64) experience in adventure-based educational program. Analyzed affective statements from student journals to discern any apparent pattern. Six stages of adjustment to adventure-based program were identified: adventure, apprehension, affiliation, animation, accomplishment, and appreciation. (Author/NB)

Notes that caregivers of the dying would do well to consider the prescriptive power of humor when confronting the challenges of healthy care for the terminally ill. Addresses laughter as the best medicine not only for the dying person but also for family and principal caregivers. Includes examples of therapeutic use of humor with the terminally…

Considers innovations to client-centered therapy that have been proposed and delineates some requirements for accepting such innovations. Contends that innovations should be consistent with the philosophy and theory of client-centered approach, should demonstrate that conditions proposed by Rogers as necessary and sufficient are not sufficient,…