Promoting student self-determination is recognized as a key component of effective transition supports and services for youth with disabilities. This study examined differences in teacher perceptions of student capacity and opportunity for self-determination over the course of an academic year based on teacher assignment to a treatment group that…

The purpose of this study was to assess the self-determination of Spanish high school students with Intellectual Disabilities and other Special Educational Needs (SEN). A total of 371 students between 11 and 17 years of age participated in the study. Of these, 46.4% (n = 171) presented SEN, specifically learning disabilities (n = 97; 26.2%),…

Research-Based Principles and Practices for Educating Students with Autism is a text under development by members of the Division on Autism and Developmental Disabilities. The text is intended for use as a professional resource and graduate level text for preservice and inservice educators, psychologists, speech/ language therapists and clinicians…

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act requires that States provide a free, appropriate public education to children with disabilities residing within that state between the ages of 3 and 21. The ages of 18 to 21 constitute a unique time for students with disabilities whose peers have left public schools for postsecondary education or…

Curriculum modification strategies, particularly curriculum adaptations and augmentations, have been identified as important to enable learners with disabilities to achieve access to and progress in the general curriculum. There is, however, relatively little research on the effect of these strategies with students with intellectual and…

Recent literature in the field of transition studies emphasizes importance of creating self-determination supports to promote independence, autonomy, and quality of life in students with disabilities. Much of that literature, however, has not taken cultural and familial factors into consideration. A review of the Navajo family and disability…

This study investigates use of computer simulation for teaching ATM use to adults with intellectual disabilities. ATM-SIM is a computer-based trainer used for teaching individuals with intellectual disabilities how to use an automated teller machine (ATM) to access their personal bank accounts. In the pilot evaluation, a prototype system was…

This study surveyed 94 school leavers with mental retardation or learning disabilities 1 to 3 years later. Students who were more self-determined fared better across multiple quality of life categories, including employment and access to health and other benefits, financial independence, and independent living. (Contains references.) (Author/PB)

Discussion of trends in the American Association on Mental Retardation's definition of mental retardation notes a shift toward a support paradigm and a definition stressing the interaction between a person's independent functioning and the various contexts of the person's life. The current definition is seen to promote greater access to the…

This report describes results of an initial investigation of the utility of a specially designed money management software program for improving management of personal checking accounts for individuals with mental retardation. Use with 19 adults with mental retardation indicated the software resulted in significant reduction in check writing and…

This article presents a multi-step process and multi-level model to promote access to the general curriculum for students with mental retardation. It discusses the incorporation of the following universal design principles: equitable use, flexible use, simple and intuitive use, perceptible information, tolerance for error and low physical and…

A study examined the effects of self-monitoring on selected social and academic behaviors of four high school students with mental retardation in inclusive classes. Occurrences of self-monitoring were associated with improvement in target behaviors. In addition, teachers and classmates perceived improved performance of target behaviors when…

This study developed and evaluated the utility of a Windows CE-based multimedia palmtop computer program for use in supporting young adults with mental retardation to more independently complete community-based vocational skills. Use of the Visual Assistant prototype resulted in improved task accuracy and decreased use of external prompts from a…

This article reviews requirements in the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act for providing access to the general education curriculum, examines the intent of the language, and proposes a decision-making model to enable Individualized Education Program teams to reach curriculum decisions that provide such access for students with mental…

This position statement of the Council for Exceptional Children's Division on Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities outlines federal regulations governing the transfer of legal rights to students with disabilities at the state-mandated age of majority. It discusses the importance of informed consent, self-determination and student…