This study measured current perceptions of stress of mothers (n=35) of children with mental retardation and compared these to their recollections of the initial diagnosis. Analysis revealed that more subjects with low stress scores had their spouse present at the time of diagnosis and recalled positive suggestions offered by the attending…

Gilles de la Tourette syndrome is a disorder characterized by multiple involuntary motor and verbal tics. This review covers the history, symptoms, diagnostic criteria, past and present treatments, associated disorders, and various educational techniques. (Author/DB)

This article presents a plea to include disabled children in physical education programs and discusses appropriate programing within the context of British Columbia's new guide, "Physical Education: Primary to Graduation Curriculum/Assessment Learning Guide." (DB)

This article discusses fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) including causes, common characteristics, secondary characteristics, prevention, and treatment. Economic implications are noted which suggest that treatment costs are 100 times the cost of prevention programs. (DB)

Families (n=46) of mentally retarded public school graduates in British Columbia were asked about their child's transition outcomes and transition process. Results revealed a strong reliance on segregated adult services and a transition process in which families received little help. (DB)

This paper notes a Canadian survey on the policies and practices of mainstreaming and integration of disabled students and suggests that, although widespread integration exists, there is a growing disaffection with the demands of mainstreaming which include individualized instruction, personalized success structuring, and continuous learning. (DB)

This paper reviews (1) data documenting Saskatchewan's progress toward teaching disabled students in mainstream settings; (2) four studies showing the attitudes of preservice and regular classroom teachers toward integrating disabled students; and (3) correlates of special education placement in Saskatchewan. (Author/DB)

This paper examines the extent to which special needs children are integrated in Manitoba; what the main concerns of the classroom teacher, the special educator, and the child are; and relevant teacher training activities. The possibility of a comprehensive service delivery system is seen as threatened by impending cut-backs in provincial funding.…

Examination of the treatment program for learning-disabled adolescents at McGill-Montreal Childrens Hospital Learning Centre (Quebec) suggests intervention can mitigate effects of even severe learning disabilities if it addresses consequences of prolonged stress and failure and affective and social competence as well as cognitive and academic…

Health care issues of families of children with chronic disabilities are explored using (1) data from earlier research and (2) a questionnaire survey (52 responses) of parents of children with moderate or severe mental disabilities. Among findings was that the degree of severity of the intellectual impairment affected parental perceptions of…

The study calculated "teacher student discordance" for 12 grade 1 teachers and 45 at-risk students. At the end of the school year, students were divided into three groups (positive, neutral, negative) based on teacher recommendations regarding placement. In general, T-S Discordance did not discriminate across teacher recommendation groups. (DB)

A questionnaire was used to examine computer use by teachers (n=200) of special needs students in Alberta. Results indicated keen interest in computer use and that computer access was not a problem. Problems identified included low utilization of available computer time, training needs in computer use, and selection and classification of software.…

This paper comments that problems with Great Britain's Key Stage 1 standard assessment tasks (SATs) for pupils with special educational needs involve the SATs design and use. Issues discussed include activity-based assessments, adaptations, time demands, step size, future development of SATs, and disapplications of the National Curriculum. (JDD)

A consortium working group was formed to examine statements of attainment in Great Britain's National Curriculum and make recommendations on curriculum organization and delivery for students with learning difficulties attending special schools. The consortium recommended teaching science through guided play and such science-focused topics as…

A White Paper published by Great Britain's Department of Education and Science titled "Education and Training for the 21st Century" is summarized, and recommendations are offered for post-16 education and training of young people with special needs. Recommendations focus on rights guarantees, funding, program quality, and representation on…