The central role of family support in programs serving young children with disabilities was emphasized in Public Law 99-457. In the ensuing 25 years, much work has been done to describe the principles and practices that characterize effective family support. Less clear is whether and how programs serving infants, toddlers, and preschoolers promote…

Suggests that Public Law 99-457 raises questions about the play of children with special needs. Discusses topics which include (1) the developmental nature of play; (2) play of special needs children; (3) strategies for teaching play skills, and (4) implications of research for teachers' practice. A direct approach to teaching children about…

The paper reviews factors affecting development of early intervention programs for all handicapped infants including changing political and economic conditions and programmatic issues (setting, staffing, identification). Finally, the provisions of P.L. 99-457 creating a discretionary infant intervention program are outlined. (Author/DB)

Public Laws 94-142 and 99-457 mandate the provision of surrogate parents to represent parentless disabled children in acquiring educational services. Described are the rights and responsibilities of surrogate parents, their role in case conferences and in development of individualized education programs, and the activities of the Indiana Surrogate…

This article discusses the newly enacted Public Law 99-457, which mandates preschool special education, in the historical context of the implementation of Public Law 94-142. Provisions of the new law are summarized, and a variety of issues (such as interagency coordination) that the field needs to address are discussed. (Author/DB)

The article reviews the current situation in preschool special education: who is served, how they are served, and program costs; predicted is program expansion under Public Law 99-457. A strategy is recommended for developing state preschool special education policies that take into account costs as well as benefits. (Author/DB)

The development of comprehensive, coordinated, multidisciplinary services for young handicapped children is required by Public Law 99-457. The article presents a definition of technical assistance, a description of developmental levels in service provision, suggestions for designing such services, and a discussion of major needs of states…

Because implementation of Public Law 99-457 is dependent on the quality of service providers to young handicapped children, the article encourages teacher trainers to confront the major policy issues of personnel shortages, certification standards, program content, and inservice training. (Author/DB)

The article compares Part B of the Education for All Handicapped Children Act (P.L. 94-142) of 1975 with Part H and argues that the similar meanings of "appropriate educational services" and "least restrictive environment" under both parts support efforts to integrate infants and toddlers with disabilities. (Author/DB)

The article proposes that conceptualizing intervention with young disabled children using the framework offered by the ABCX Model of Family Adaptation increases the likelihood that intervention will be planned and conducted in ways reflective of the normalizing approach underlying Public Law 99-457 (Education of the Handicapped Act Amendments,…

Contemporary developments concerning the effectiveness of family involvement in early intervention programs are described within the framework of Public Law 99-457 and illustrated with investigations focusing on children at biological risk, children with cerebral palsy, and children with general developmental delays. (Author/DB)

This article adapts change procedures designed by organization theorists within the field of business and applies them to the challenge facing early intervention programs in light of the requirements of Public Law 99-457. A five-step plan for change which includes the factor of resistance to change is discussed. (DB)

The article examines the need for new strategies for screening and identification of infants potentially eligible for services under Public Law 99-457. Both traditional and new assessment methods involving the family are required. (Author/DB)

This article reviews the legislative history of Public Law 99-457, the Education of the Handicapped Act Amendments of 1986, which created a new program of early intervention services for infants and toddlers with disabilities. The unique features of Part H are considered in the context of current uncertainty about its future. (Author/DB)

The transition of children between the two programs of Public Law 99-457, serving children aged birth through two and age three through five, can impact on state administration and local agency administration of the programs. Recommendations are provided for facilitating the family's and child's transition and ensuring continuity in services.…