Discusses the usefulness of team collaboration when working with students with chronic health and/or other disabilities and the manner in which rehabilitation psychologists function in this process. Notes the values and roles of rehabilitation psychology and ways rehabilitation psychologists can enhance the education process for these students.…

A study of 147 school districts in Georgia examined the extent to which special health care procedures are performed in a school setting, the involvement of teachers performing special health care procedures, training and supervision issues, and the availability of written procedures. Results found teachers performed health care procedures more…

Discusses the use of the Internet for increased self-advocacy by persons with physical impairments. Current legislation relating to access and technology and technology's role in increasing independence are also addressed. Profiles are provided of people using the Internet for advocacy and projects encouraging adaptive technology and…

A study of 611 occupational therapists investigated the impact of inclusion on public school occupational therapy. The respondents indicated that inclusion did impact service delivery and the skills of students with disabilities. Responses to the questionnaire also indicated active involvement in inclusion planning and collaborative intervention…

Discusses what a quality curriculum should look like for a student with severe disabilities, who should determine curricular content, the basis for selection of curricular content, and how individualized curricular content can be appropriately addressed in a classroom where students without disabilities are pursuing different curricular content.…

This article discusses the efforts of Virginia school divisions as they prepared for and received students with complex health care needs. Findings from four studies that interviewed early childhood special education teachers and occupational therapies are described. The need for team planning and the development of a Health Services Plan is…

This article discusses how special education teachers can serve as mentors to parents of children with physical and health disabilities. The benefits of mentoring to both the parent and the mentor are described. The stages that the relationship may go through and potential barriers are also addressed. (Author/CR)

This article examines the theoretical foundations of the Mobility Opportunities Via Education (MOVE) Curriculum, which is designed to teach sitting, standing, and walking skills to students with physical disabilities. By incorporating natural environment, functional activities, scaffolding, and partial participation, the curriculum enables…

Norman Kunc, consultant on educational and disability issues, discusses his early segregated education and perceived devaluation due to his cerebral palsy; the intrusion of therapies into his daily schedule; and the sometimes assaultive nature of physical therapy. Kunc views his disability as a characteristic of his personal diversity and…

The need for more interdisciplinary training for professionals who deliver services to students with multiple disabilities was examined in a survey of 50 occupational therapists, 50 physical therapists, 50 speech-language pathologists and 50 teachers in clinical or educational settings in Kentucky. The survey found a need for interdisciplinary…

Studies of the degree of involvement (DOI) and its relationship to therapeutic intervention effectiveness and related services for young children with cerebral palsy were reviewed. Three dimensions of DOI: (1) brain damage and mental retardation, (2) functional motor ability, and (3) emotional disturbance and behavior problems were reviewed. The…

As more medically fragile and health-impaired students are included in the educational system, teachers are increasingly likely to confront the death of a student. This article identifies developmental levels of understanding death, factors which affect grieving, and symptoms of grief demonstrated by children and adults. Recommendations for…

This response to Parette et al. concerning the use of degree of involvement (DOI) in determining appropriate related services for individuals with cerebral palsy and other disabilities proposes a standard for using limited resources judiciously based on the principle of "only as special as necessary." (DB)

This article outlines the development of a new California teacher credential in the area of physical and health impairments. The credential development process, identification of adopted standards, and the guiding principles used by the authors, who served as consultants to the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing, are described.…

Procedures developed by Gwinnett County (Georgia) Public Schools to evaluate and serve the increasing number of students with medically complex needs are outlined. A medical review panel convened to address health and safety issues and requests that the school provide unique or specialized health care procedures is described, as is the development…