This review of the research concerning developmental patterns of young children with autism finds specific patterns of relative strengths and weaknesses involving cognitive, emotional, linguistic, and motoric capacities. Early intervention strategies that address the unique learning profile of autism and utilize the effective practices developed…

This study attempted to ascertain commonalities and differences in critical program practices among nationally known, validated educational programs for young children with autistic spectrum disorders. Areas of agreement among programs included early intervention, individualization, specialized curriculum, family involvement, systematic…

This article evaluates three early intervention approaches--applied behavior analysis, TEAACH (Treatment and Education of Autistic and Related Communication Handicapped Children), a structured classroom-based program, and relationship therapy/"floor time"--to identify which aspects of each approach complement individual learning styles and…

This article examines trends in autism in the context of parental problems and decisions. It compares autism in America in the 1960s with autism today, considers the roles of the Autism Society of America, and discusses the experience of parenting with emphasis on the individuality of each person with autism, challenges, and the probability of…

This article identifies characteristics and challenges encountered by families that include young children with autism. Emphasis is on three issues in providing needed support services: (1) enhancing family competence and confidence; (2) addressing support from a lifestyle perspective; and (3) arranging for stability and continuity in support…

Evidence that genetic factors play a significant role in susceptibility for autism is reviewed, especially: (1) chromosomal abnormalities associated with autism; (2) single gene disorders associated with autism; and (3) twin and family studies of autism. However, recent genetic studies have failed to locate any genes having a major effect on…

This study examined whether there has been an increase in the prevalence of autism and related disorders in recent years through a review of 20 studies published in 1966 through 1997. Later studies and non-U.S. studies tended to report significantly higher prevalence rates than earlier and U.S. studies with a minimum prevalence of .5 percent in…

This article describes the autism surveillance activities of the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. It considers why surveillance to track prevalence of autistic disorders is needed, how such surveillance is conducted, and the special challenges of autism surveillance. (DB)

The Checklist for Autism in Young Children, comprising 30 symptoms, was administered to 143 children with autism. The children had an average of 23 (77 percent) of the listed symptoms. Percentages of children exhibiting each checklist symptom and other data were compared with diagnostic criteria reported in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual…

This article considers the extent to which Child Find procedures discussed in the literature are responsive to families from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. Discussion of the legal basis for Child Find activities targeting these young children and challenges in early identification of children from diverse backgrounds is…

This article presents ideas for using play activities to support the development of emergent literacy skills in young children, including those with disabilities. Four principles of promoting early literacy skills are explained and applied to activities in block and microsymbolic play, macrosymbolic play, and fluid construction play. The…

This article explains the use of a community mapping methodology to identify natural learning environments and inclusion opportunities for young children with disabilities. Four steps are discussed: (1) selecting kinds of learning opportunities for mapping; (2) gathering information about community learning sources; (3) developing an informational…

This article discusses the importance of learning to define a word. It provides a brief background on the contribution of the definitional skills to communication and school success, information on children's development of definitions, and teacher and family strategies for enhancing young children's definitions in relation to other skills.…

A mother discusses her family's experience in transitioning her daughter from early intervention services to an early childhood program. Helpful strategies that the early childhood staff used are identified and include introducing families to teachers during the transition process and allowing parents to visit the program before sending their…

This article describes a preservice program that promotes the utilization of the creative arts to enhance the learning of young children with disabilities. It highlights the benefits of co-teaching across disciplines and the value of creativity in early childhood special education. The curriculum and the students' fieldwork are described.…