In 2002, the American Association on Mental Retardation (AAMR) (Luckasson et al., 2002) revised their manual on mental retardation. It also extended the changes that had been made in the previous (1992) manual to further promote an alternative approach to definition and classification in the field. The study reported here sought to determine the…

The focus of this manuscript is on the challenges faced by individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities within the criminal justice system. Prevalence data are cited and these data are interpreted in light of possible rationales for the disproportionate number of individuals with disabilities present within the system. Then the…

Intellectual disability has been considered a high incidence disability in special education since the inception of the field in the United States. The purpose of this article is to evaluate current educational programs and practices for students who historically and commonly have been referred to as having mild mental retardation. The article…

The development of self-determination skills in individuals with developmental disabilities is a primary focus of curriculum development in the field. Research over the last decade has identified the components of self-determination and provided an analysis of individuals' acquisition of skills in this area. A key concern that has been less…

A study investigated the impact of the American Association on Mental Retardation's 1992 manual that provided an alternative approach to mental retardation definition and classification. Forty-four states indicated they based their guidelines on the 1983 manual, four states reported using the 1992 manual, and three used neither model. (Contains…

This review of Prader-Willi Syndrome notes characteristics (mental retardation and excessive overeating). Educational interventions including weight management, cognitive and educational development, behavioral interventions, and transition to adulthood are discussed. (DB)

Analyzes the application of levels of deficits or supports in the classification of mental retardation in published research. Analysis of data from three professional journals indicated that the supports model of classification has had no significant impact in subject descriptions reported in mental-retardation research. Implications for teacher…

Discusses the revised definition of mental retardation in a 1992 manual by the American Association on Mental Retardation. The key principles that provided the foundation for the development of the new definition are described, including the paradigm shift from facility-based to services-based to supports-based models. (CR)

The article reviews trends in litigation, mainstreaming, definition, and adaptive behavior of mildly mentally retarded students. Guidelines are offered for establishing criteria of eligibility for placement in programs for the population. (CL)

Among the issues rated most highly by 67 professionals in the field of mental retardation were two clusters: first, vocational, career education, and postschool adjustment; and second, long term effects and generalization of effects of programs. (Author/CL)

The paper presents a rationale for and a discussion of the Council for Exceptional Children's Division on Mental Retardation's Board of Directors' position on assessment and identification in mental retardation, especially mild retardation. The historical foundations of identification and assessment, current practices, recommended practices, legal…

California public school children (n=84, aged 3-21) with mild mental retardation who were referred for evaluation of psychiatric, medical, or other disorders were studied to create a profile of children for whom schools may need critical assistance. Associated psychiatric and biomedical problems were evident, while levels of psychosocial…

Data collected on 130 older and 104 younger students with educable mental retardation are presented on intellectual level, racial background, degree of integration into regular programs, placement history, social status, and presence of specific behavioral disorders. Findings suggest the need for comprehensive curricula and systematic training in…

Teacher-completed rating scale data were collected on boys and girls aged 6 to 18 years identified as EMR (educable mentally retarded, N=612) or nonhandicapped (NL) learners (N=1116). Significant differences between EMR and NL students were most notable on items related to self-esteem, disruptiveness, and attentional problems. Age and sex…

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)…