Four studies found serious problems with components of the federal Medicaid program's survey process for evaluating intermediate care facilities for the mentally retarded--surveys did not discriminate between certified and noncertified units, direct-care staff behavior was very reactive to the survey's presence, and service providers had divergent…

A structure of interlocking contingencies was designed to train and support managers' provision of effective feedback to subordinates, peers, and superiors at a large state residential institution for children with developmental disabilities. The system included formal scheduling of feedback, reinforcement, and goal setting. Increased feedback…

Introduces art therapists to transgender males with AIDS. Discusses three specific cases, and emphasizes the role that art played in subjects' relationship with their residential community and the ways art served their efforts to resolve issues. Considers common themes, special challenges, and benefits of working with this population. (SNR)

Activation of change processes in cognitive capacity of 71 institutionalized adults with mental retardation in four age groups was investigated after the Instrumental Enrichment Program. The initial and final test scores of adults with Down syndrome were lower than those of adults with other forms of mental retardation. (Contains extensive…

This paper presents a case study of the implementation by the London School Board of special education for children designated 'feeble-minded' or 'mentally defective' in the period from 1890 to the passing of the Elementary Education (Defective and Epileptic Children) Act in 1914. Through an analysis of the choice of pedagogy for special schools,…

In global terms, 2005 was not much different from the years before, as it was again not a happy time for the world's children. The trend of many countries sinking further back into poverty continued, with people living shorter lives, fewer children going to school and more children dying than ever before. Wars keep raging on, taking heavy tolls on…

The study was conducted with mothers of adult children with developmental disabilities and had two aims: (1) to examine the mental health, resources and stress among mothers who keep their adult child at home vs. those who choose placement in a community arrangement; and (2) to assess the associations of mothers resources and stress with mental…

The word "miftan" means "threshold" in Hebrew. The Miftan as an educational framework was conceived in Israel as a response to the needs of marginal male youth who are about to drop out or who have dropped out of the regular school system. Currently 42 Miftanim are operating in that country. This report presents ethnographic…

Adult residential programs are examined in terms of their effectiveness, characteristics, participants, models, and literature. A variety of adult learners are served through these programs, which attempt to integrate living experiences with learning. Research is stated as inconclusive, failing to isolate the effectiveness of the residential…

This report examines the unique aspects of homelessness among youth ages 16 to 21. Section I reviews existing literature and data on the size, characteristics, and needs of homeless youth. Section II summarizes New York State's current efforts on their behalf. Section III analyzes obstacles to serving this population. Section IV outlines an action…

THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES OF THE NEWARK STATE SCHOOL ARE CLASSIFIED AND RELATED TO SUBJECT AREAS IN A PREFACE TO TWO SEPARATE CURRICULUM OUTLINES FOR SOCIAL AND OCCUPATIONAL ADJUSTMENT. FOR EACH UNIT, SUGGESTED TEACHING CONTENT IS CORRELATED WITH GENERAL AND SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES CATEGORIZED FOR EACH AGE LEVEL--PREPRIMARY (5-8 YEARS), PRIMARY (9-12),…

A survey of 90 selected public school districts in the United States was conducted to identify administrative problems unique to the operation of resident outdoor education programs, and to determine which problems were more, less, or equally difficult to resolve than administrative problems encountered in managing usual phases of an educational…

This paper presents a rationale for family involvement in the drug rehabilitation effort. This is based on the significant role the family plays during the process of overcoming the impact of disability. The perspective of this paper is a result of the author's experience over a three-year period with families of drug abusers and their attempts to…

The failure of incarcerative approaches in the alleviation of drug abuse combined with the advent of more liberal public opinion toward drugs has resulted in the development of various rehabilitation treatment methods. The complexity and heterogeneity of the problem, however, indicate the desirability of a multidimensional approach which…

Discusses emotional and practical stress factors confronting child care workers, especially those in adolescent intake residences or group homes. Makes recommendations to agencies on ways to improve administration-worker communication and staff training and emphasizes need for clear-cut goals, schedules and work routines. Suggests ways for workers…