The article discusses recommended adaptive behavior scales for use with hearing impaired, visually impaired, and multihandicapped sensory impaired individuals. Assessment instruments developed and used in the National Independent Living Skills Project, which have applicability across sensory impaired populations, are also described. (Author/JW)

A fictional 1995 post-evaluation conference is used to offer predictions regarding the future of adaptive behavior assessment and intervention. The student's profile of performance on a comprehensive adaptive behavior scale is analyzed. The status of theoretical issues ten years from now is discussed as an extrapolation of current trends.…

The study with five mildly handicapped students (ages 10-12) found that changing setting (regular or resource classroom) alone had no significant impact on student performance. The combined effect of changes in test materials and test administrator, however, indicated that curriculum differences did affect extent to which skills were transferred…

The study compared characteristics of 91 mentally retarded victims (ages 11-74) of abuse by residential caregivers with characteristics of nonabused subjects in the same facilities. A significant relationship was found between abuse status and such subject characteristics as level of functioning and frequency of maladaptive behaviors. (Author/DB)

Concurrent use of two direct observation instruments (momentary time sample of task engagement and event recording of discrete student responses) were evaluated in six middle school resource rooms using either of two reading programs. Findings tended to be program specific with differences lost or diluted when data were combined across programs.…

The overlap between reading subtests of four individual achievement tests and five basal reading curricula for grades 1-5 were examined. Results showed that little overlap exists between what is taught and what is tested with degree of overlap varying considerably across tests and curricula. (Author/DB)

Grade 5 students (N=39) judged on the basis of familial factors to be at risk for antisocial behavior were evaluated for academic engaged time, social interactive behavior, teacher ratings of social skills, principal contacts, and special education services. Results indicated behavioral differences between the at risk subjects and normal controls.…

The impact of four early childhood education screening programs intended to identify handicapped children was evaluated using ecological case study methods. Results suggested that few screening and referral practices influenced screening outcomes in a consistent manner. (Author/DB)

The mathematics performance of 1,098 learning disabled (LD) Florida tenth graders on the Florida State Assessment Test-II was evaluated. LD students tended to perform better on skills requiring literal use of numbers and worse on skills requiring application of mathematical knowledge. Employers' ratings supported the importance of skills tested.…

The article discusses factors (such as underlying physical conditions, cognitive delay, emotional disturbance, and developmental stages) that affect the impact of pain on the exceptional child. (DB)

Use of bibliotherapy with handicapped children is examined through an analysis of the literature. A conceptual framework is offered which encompasses (1) self-actualization therapy, (2) a strategy for attitudinal change, (3) a method for self concept improvement, and (4) an instructional tool. Little systematic demonstration of bibliotherapy…

Responses of 232 children or adults receiving medication for hyperactivity and 100 mothers of these children revealed that teachers were often not included in referral, diagnosis, or withdrawal of medication; standardized evaluation instruments were rarely used; and direct communication with the physician was virtually nonexistent. (Author/CL)

The author outlines the implications of a linguistic-functions approach for language intervention with handicapped children. Among topics considered are language assessment and programing for nonverbal children with some language, language programing for low-level profoundly retarded children, and the integration of language into other activities.…

A relationship-focused model in intervention programs with families of developmentally disabled infants encourages parent-infant reciprocal interactions and promotes generalized parent competence and problem solving skills. A home-based program using family consultants to focus on parent-infant interaction is described. (CL)

The bivariate normal distribution can be used to determine the prevalence of reading disabilities when the primary variables are reading achievement and IQ and when the correlation between reading and IQ is known or can be estimated. The advantages and diadvantages of the bivariate normal distribution are discussed. (Author/CL)