The text examines issues in the roles of allied health professionals serving disabled children and youth. An introduction by C. Del Polito reviews the effects of negative public attitudes toward people with disabilities and describes an advocacy project to serve allied health professionals. In unit 1, J. Barresi traces the history of public policy regarding children with handicaps, describes the differences between federal and state law, and considers the future of P.L. 94-142, the Education for All Handicapped Children Act, in light of court rulings and actions by the Reagan administration. A. Bashir examines the roles and responsibilities of health professionals in serving handicapped children and youth in unit 2. Emphasis on the importance of communication as a competence for allied health professionals is addressed and suggestions for improving communication are presented by C. Del Polito in the third unit. Screening, assessment, planning and review of educational and health related services are focused on by A. Bashir in unit 4, with a section listing the definition, high risk indicators, behavioral indices, classification considerations, assessment issues, and intervention aspects for a variety of handicapping conditions. Strategies for referral, coordination, and management of services are considered in a chapter by J. Wittenmyer. Advocacy is the topic of the final chapter written by E. Ellis. Individual and collective advocacy are reviewed as are resources for effective advocacy. Appended information includes selected P.L. 94-142 regulations and a listing of national and federal organizations and groups. An accompanying instructor's guide presents guidelines on preparing for and presenting a workshop on the text. Suggested questions and exercises for each of the text's units are presented, as are transparencies and sample handouts. (CL)