Functional analysis was used to determine the possible function of inappropriate spitting behavior of an adult woman who had been diagnosed with profound mental retardation. Results of an initial descriptive assessment indicated a possible attention function and led to an attention-based intervention, which was deemed ineffective at reducing the…

The ability to make choices, plan, and self-evaluate are among the primary skills included in the development of self-determination. This study was designed to determine if a teaching paradigm, which incorporates key elements of self-determination, is as effective and more efficient in teaching syntax than a traditional, clinician-directed…

The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of a parent training program teaching self-care and domestic skills to children with mental retardation. The study was conducted with three mothers, their children and classroom teachers. Multiple probe across behaviors design was used. Experimental procedure consisted of three meetings…

The purpose of this study was to investigate the perceived impact of physical recreation transition programming on individuals with cognitive disabilities and generate strategies for improved transition. Interviews were completed with 17 young adults who were one to three years post graduation. Interviews determined graduate's perception of their…

The single-stimulus (SS) preference assessment procedure has been described as more appropriate than the paired stimulus (PS) procedure for "lower functioning" individuals, but this guideline's vagueness limits its usefulness. We administered the SS and PS preference assessment procedures with food items to seven individuals with severe or…

IDEA mandates that students be responsible for their educational programming once they reach the age of majority, and are considered competent. Guardianship is often raised when student competence is questioned. Six focus groups were conducted to gather information regarding the extent to which participants understood guardianship and its…

This paper gives a description of the support needs of people with profound multiple disabilities (PMD), based on the five basic dimensions of the 2002 AAMR System, being intellectual abilities, adaptive behavior, participation, interaction and social roles, health and context. It is based on a study of the literature concerning the target group.…

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…

Children with developmental disabilities are slower to develop skills at intentional and symbolic communication than typically developing children, and may rely on atypical patterns of preintentional behaviors to support more complex communication development. The present study compared complex gaze engagement behaviors elicited by 25…

Crucial to the successful inclusion of young children with disabilities is the premise that benefit occurs when children socialize with peers and are actively involved in preschool activities including play. Playgroups are often primary to learning in typical preschool classrooms since it is within playgroups that preschool-age children learn both…

This study surveyed 25 siblings of persons with Down Syndrome to gain an ecological perspective about important communication competence indicators. Siblings favorably described persons with Down Syndrome as "effective" and "good" communicators who "communicate to potential." Siblings regarded social communication skills as especially important,…

Primary health care nurses are frequently overlooked when delivering services to children with developmental disabilities, despite the fact that they are often the first contact many primary caregivers have with rehabilitation professionals and usually remain the bridge between caregivers and professionals. A time series one group design with…

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of using picture activity schedule books to increase on-schedule and on-task behaviors of children with moderate intellectual disabilities. Four students enrolled in a self-contained classroom participated in the study. Graduated guidance, system of least prompts, and verbal prompting…

In order to gain physical fitness and health, exercise must be performed at a sufficient level of intensity. Exercise intensity can be monitored with rated perceived exertion (RPE) scales to promote safe and effective programming. The usefulness of the Children's OMNI Scale as a subjective measure of intensity for adults with intellectual…

The views of 14- to 16-year-olds who have undertaken vocational courses in further education, and those of parents and staff, raise issues regarding the ways in which schools and colleges support learning. Staff differ in how they understand vocational education, reflecting not only conceptual differences but also differences in the market…