Case management services for handicapped infants, required by Public Law 99-457, are reviewed from an historical perspective. Research on case management is described, and policy issues related to implementing case management in the context of early intervention are discussed. (Author/JDD)

A survey of 775 early childhood intervention professionals examined their perceptions toward the integration of special services into regular classrooms. Results showed that special educators were most likely to use and favor integrated services, followed by occupational therapists, speech language pathologists, and physical therapists.…

This article examines research methodology, dependent measures, and programmatic variables used to analyze the effects of preschool integration of children with disabilities. Analysis provides support for the benefits of preschool integration with respect to social and other behavioral outcomes, though not for developmental outcomes over time.…

Surveys and conference discussion found that typical students in preservice special education programs training to serve infants with handicaps and their families receive very little content related to infants or families, in undergraduate or graduate special education. More coverage was found in programs specializing in infancy or early…

Individual Habilitation Plans for 32 persons with severe/profound mental retardation were developed in the Goal Attainment Scaling format. At the end of a designated intervention period (six months or one year) using Goal Attainment Scaling, only 14 percent of prescribed goals had been achieved at expected levels. (Author/JDD)

Entry-level university programs (N=449) in eight disciplines were surveyed concerning students' preparation to provide services to young children with disabilities and their families. Although considerable variability was found across disciplines, the average student receives little specialized information concerning either the infancy period or…

The Family Needs Survey assesses the functional needs of parents with young handicapped children, including the following areas of need: information, support, community services, financial assistance, assistance in explaining the handicap, and assistance in family functioning. Field testing with 34 families indicated the instrument's usefulness as…

An inservice training program was designed to assist early interventionists in assessing family needs and setting family goals for Individualized Family Service Plans required for handicapped infants. The training increased interventionists' use of family assessment tools and increased the proportion of family goals written as part of a…

Early intervention professionals (N=95) rated their own knowledge and skills in 16 areas of competency. The paper analyzes the distinction between knowledge and skills, identification of item clusters, and changes in ratings over time. Findings provide partial support for the usefulness of self-ratings in the context of inservice education. (JDD)

The family dimensions of 24 Individualized Family Service Plans written for infants/toddlers with handicaps and their families were examined to determine the presence of key legislative requirements, the domains of family goals, structural dimensions, level of parent involvement, and time parameters for goal attainment. Issues surrounding family…

This study of 142 early interventionists examined self-competence in working with families, value placed on family roles, and concern about family-centered practices, and explored their relationship with experience, discipline, and job category. Nurses and social workers scored higher than educators and other health care professionals in several…

Expressed needs of mothers and fathers (n=422 parents) of young children with disabilities were compared and related to child and family characteristics. Mothers expressed more needs than did fathers, primarily in "Family and Social Support,""Explaining to Others," and "Child Care." Birth order, age, and race were not determinants of expressed…

A survey of 180 early intervention professionals found significant discrepancies between current and ideal family involvement in early intervention programs, specifically in parent involvement in decisions about child assessment; parent participation in assessment, team meetings, and decision making; and provision of family services. Barriers to…