A study examined the relationship between phonological awareness skills and social-emotional competence among 98 Israeli preschool children, 39 at risk for developing learning disabilities. Children at risk had lower phonological awareness measures, viewed themselves as more lonely, felt less confident, and were less accepted by peers. (Contains…

Sixty-two infant teachers and 88 therapists (physical, occupational, and speech) working in therapeutic toddler classes in the Netherlands completed a job questionnaire for job stress. Most job stress was perceived to be a result of lack of non-contact time. Nine sources of job stress were identified. The four disciplines responded differently to…

Two-thirds of teachers (N=58) in special schools and units in the United Kingdom reported that they used interactive approaches but what this meant to them varied considerably. Their responses are compared with central elements of interactive approaches identified in the literature. A relative lack of emphasis on process among the teachers is…

A questionnaire was developed and administered to 30 young children with autism and a control group to explore sensory hyper- and hypo-sensitivities. Significant differences were found between groups across all (auditory, tactile, visual, gustatory, and vestibular) domains. Findings are interpreted within the framework of theory of mind and joint…

Reports were elicited from 56 Bengali parents of children (ages 1-18) with cerebral palsy on activities they engaged in with their child and on the toys the child possessed. The majority reported spending time playing with their child and all respondents named at least two toys belonging to their child. (Contains references.) (Author/CR)

Reviews the literature on the role of play in a young child's development and describes the development of a preschool play-based curriculum for children with disabilities. Distinguishes types of play and discusses important play spaces in the physical environment, adult/child interactions, accommodations to meet individual needs, and assessment.…

Offers a rationale for and overview of contextual factors that influence the play and developmental outcomes of preschool children with disabilities. Research on play is discussed relative to child, program, family, and measurement characteristics that can influence play/developmental outcomes. (DB)

Explores the applied research in which object-related play skills of preschool children with developmental concerns are enhanced through intervention strategies. Guidelines for teaching toy play skills are offered as are strategies to promote generalization and maintenance of those skills. (DB)

Provides an overview of play in occupational therapy. Examines how occupational therapists' view of play has evolved and offers a model of play as occupation to illustrate how children's ability to play is influenced by developmental disabilities. Also outlines occupational-therapy assessment and treatment practices that use play and identifies…

Reviews concepts and practices in the enhancement of peer relationships among young children in the context of play experiences with particular emphasis upon the needs of individuals with developmental disabilities. Examines definitions and typical developmental patterns of social competence and offers some best-practice guidelines based on…

Examines developments in early language intervention within a framework of general early special education and early intervention. Reviews models of language and communication intervention in terms of efficacy, parent/child interaction research, and parallels with early-intervention models. Offers guidelines based on the literature concerning…

Ethical considerations in relationships with people who have severe speech and communication problems must be based on acceptance that the individual has something of value to communicate even if the means for expressive communication are limited. There is an ethical imperative on the more competent communication partner to help the disabled…

This study evaluated the effectiveness of a multimedia computer-based instructional program with four middle school students with moderate/severe mental retardation in establishing match-to-sample skills and generalizing those skills to the natural setting (a grocery store). In vivo probes found mean and median duration to find target items…

This summary of the 1996 Schonell Memorial Lecture addresses four major topics related to the education of students with disabilities in general education classrooms with support, including characteristics of inclusive education, key lessons learned about inclusive education, tools to facilitate inclusion, and the impact of inclusion on students…

Examines attitudinal barriers toward children with disabilities in the context of legal mandates for inclusive educational settings. It defines prejudice and discrimination, draws parallels between racism and "ableism," and reviews what is known about the development of prejudice in children as well as effective interventions to reduce prejudice.…