The article defines punishment; describes types of punishers used with handicapped students (response cost, time out, overcorrection, contingent exercise, aversive conditioning); discusses the role of punishers; outlines policies and procedures; and gives guidelines for establishing priority levels of target behaviors and hierarchical levels of…

The article addresses the use of sign language and drama with young children with such disabilities as mental retardation, aphasia, autism, and other language learning disorders. Examples of activities that integrate creative drama techniques with sign language techniques are offered. (DB)

The article describes approaches special education teachers can take to reduce stress including diet and exercise, relaxation techniques, use of social support systems, goal setting, time management, and networking. A survey of special education teachers found the use of humor the most common strategy for coping with stress. (DB)

Possible strategies to integrate severely disabled students into regular classrooms are offered. Suggestions are given for promoting support among school personnel and parents, designating a support facilitator, developing networks of support, providing instruction naturally, promoting respect, and integrating personnel and resources as well as…

The article describes the community learning program Fairfax County, Virginia, provides moderately and severely handicapped students to prepare them for eventual home and work environments. Covered are program structure, preparation, traffic and public transportation instruction, safety instruction, grocery store instruction, restaurant…

A technique to develop differentiated requesting skills in individuals with severe handicaps is the "missing item format." By delaying the presentation of a needed item the child is encouraged to independently request the item. Sequential use of the technique in three phases is explained. (DB)

The article describes the problem of assessing culturally diverse students for behavior disorders, proposes a solution which replaces norm referenced assessment with functional assessment, and offers recommendations for implementing such a nonbiased, functional approach. (DB)

Teachers are encouraged to utilize rational-emotive therapy to prevent and deal with classroom behavior problems. Rational-emotive therapy is defined, the ABC model of rational thinking briefly explained, types of irrational thinking identified, and suggestions for becoming a rational thinker are offered. Classroom examples are given. (DB)

The interview with Beth Langley, an award winning teacher of students with profound visual and multiply handicapping conditions, examined her choice of special education as a career, her classroom management techniques, personal rewards she receives from teaching, and trends in special education she has observed. (DB)

The article presents suggestions for developing multicultural activities with special education groups including Black awareness activities, Hispanic awareness activities, Asian/Pacific Islander awareness activities, and American Indian awareness activities. A calendar identifying holidays and important dates celebrated by these groups is…

Four brief articles examine the implications of restructuring, a central element in the school reform movement, for special education. Major areas of focus include curriculum, organization, and school governance, academic standards, discipline, accountability, restructuring the teaching profession, and the relationship between special and regular…

The use of special "words and rituals" to strengthen the handicapped students' sense of belonging to a class is encouraged. A specific group name, student nicknames, a symbol or mascot, and shared group rituals help establish class cohesiveness. (DB)

The Sequential Prompt Reduction Technique (SPRT) was used with a 5-year-old severely retarded boy to develop his play skills. The SPRT has four components: identification of a desired terminal behavior, establishment of task sequences, delineation of prompts, and establishment of a prompt sequence. (DB)

Methods of recording observational data on student behaviors are reviewed for special educators. Criteria for choosing an appropriate measure are applied to frequency/rate measures, duration measures, time sampling, and measurement of permanent products. (DB)

The current educational system is not producing the outcomes it should for learning-disabled, mildly mentally retarded, and emotionally disturbed students, and standard educational interventions cannot solve the students' unemployment problems. Alternative solutions include improving vocational training, altering instructional goals, developing…