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The use of a portable schedule prompting system to increase independence and self-regulation in time management was compared to use of a written schedule with 12 adults with mental retardation. Results supported the utility of a Palmtop computer with schedule prompting software to increase independence in the performance of vocational and daily living tasks in this population. (Contains references.) (DB)

To examine the possibility of gender bias in special education referral and admission, this study reviewed records of 695 students admitted to special education over 3 years. Findings support the hypothesis that males are not necessarily overrepresented in the special education population but, instead, females who could benefit from special education services are underrepresented, possibly due to gender bias. (Contains references.) (Author/DB)

In this study, a prototype web browser, called Web Trek, that utilizes multimedia to provide access for individuals with cognitive disabilities was developed and pilot-tested with 12 adults with mental retardation. The Web Trek browser provided greater independence in accessing the Internet compared to Internet Explorer. (Contains references.) (Author/CR)

A study examined the effects of self-prompted communication book training provided by peers on the conversational initiations of four high school students with extensive support needs. The intervention was associated with increases in participant's appropriate initiations and general education conversational partners' corresponding responses. (Contains references.) (Author/CR)

The Self-Determined Learning Model is designed to teach adolescent students to set goals, take action on those goals, and adjust their goals and plans as needed. The program resulted in dramatic changes in 17 of 19 students (ages 14-19), at levels that exceeded teachers' expectations. Additional social validation data from both students and teachers supported the model's utility. (Contains references.) (Author/DB)

This article introduces a model of teaching, The Self-Determined Learning Model of Instruction, incorporating principles of self-determination, which enables teachers to teach students to become causal agents in their own lives. Results from a field test indicate students (N=40) receiving instruction from teachers using the model attained educationally relevant goals. (Contains references.) (Author/CR)

A survey of 1,219 teachers providing instruction to students with disabilities (ages 14-21), found that a majority believed that instruction in self-determination was important, but teachers differed in their responses regarding the strategies taught and the extent and type of instruction provided based on the severity of the student's disability. (Contains references.) (Author/CR)

Provides an introduction and overview of the development of self-determination and recommendations for instruction during preschool and early elementary years. Describes a model of instruction designed to promote self- determination for kindergarten through third grade. Includes suggestions for supporting families to promote this outcome. (Author/KB)

In this study, self-determination, autonomy, life choices, and lifestyle satisfaction for 273 adults with mental retardation in different types of residence or working environments were examined. Those who lived or worked in community-based settings were more self-determined, had higher autonomy, had more choices, and were more satisfied. (Contains extensive references.) (Author/CR)

A survey of 516 family members examined assistive-technology use by students with mental retardation. Findings indicate that the number of students who could benefit from devices but did not have access to them exceeded the number who actually had devices. Barriers to device utilization are discussed. (Author/CR)

Describes a functional model of self-determination as a dispositional characteristic of individuals. The model has been used to conduct research to examine the effect of self-determination on the lives of people with disabilities, to describe the development of self-determination, and to design interventions to promote self-determination. (Author/CR)

This study involved a content analysis of the transition goals of 136 students (mean age 17) with mental retardation for those which addressed skills related to self-determination. Results indicated very limited emphasis on such skills. Discussion focuses on the need to provide systematic instruction in elements of self-determination to students with mental retardation. (DB)

The psychometric properties of the Hopelessness Scale for Children (A. Kazdin et al., 1983) were examined for children and adolescents with mental retardation or a learning disability. Analyses of scores from 261 students shows a factor structure almost identical to the original structure and scale scores of adequate validity. (SLD)

A national survey (N=1,218) examining use of assistive technology by people with mental retardation found that, in four of five areas (mobility, hearing/vision, communication, home adaptation, environmental control), the percentage of individuals who used assistive devices was under 10%, although many more individuals would likely benefit from such devices. (DB)

Expectations for the future of students with mental retardation (n=93), learning disabilities (n=158), or students without disabilities (n=178), were examined. Students with mental retardation were significantly less hopeful than were their peers with learning disabilities or without disabilities. Students with learning disabilities were less hopeful than those without disabilities. (Author/CR)

Federal law requires that schools provide students receiving special education services and their parents/guardians with notice, 1 year before the student reaches the age of majority, that all of the educational rights previously afforded to the parents/guardians will transfer to the student once they reach the age of majority. During this "transfer-of-rights" period, educational professionals often advise parents/guardians to seek legal guardianship over the student with disabilities without providing information about other options. As a result, many parents/guardians seek guardianship without knowing about or exploring less-restrictive alternatives that could help students retain their legal rights, provide opportunities to enhance self-determination, and build community participation skills that benefit them in school and as adults. This article will (a) provide an overview of the use and impact of guardianship and describe recent advances in developing and implementing less-restrictive alternatives to guardianship and (b) advocate for an amendment to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004 that will require schools to provide students and their families with information about the full range of decision-making options during the "transfer-of-rights" period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents a definitional framework of self-determination as an important educational outcome for students with disabilities. It identifies essential characteristics of self-determination and discusses developmental aspects of self-determination. Implications for educational intervention during the early childhood, elementary, and secondary years are drawn. (DB)

Presents findings from the field test of 261 adolescents with mild mental retardation and learning disabilities on a student self-report measure of self-determination. The four primary domains of the scale were autonomy, self-regulation, psychological empowerment, and self-realization. The utility of the scale for instructional and research activities is discussed. (Author/CR)

This article proposes a definition and model of self-determination for individuals with mental retardation. Self-determined behavior is seen as autonomous, self-regulated, based on psychological empowerment, and self-realizing. Evaluation of the definition with individuals with mental retardation indicated that measures of essential characteristics predicted differences between groups based on exhibition of self-determined behavior. (Author/DB)

A study of 104 students (ages 16 to 22) with mental retardation (n=32), learning disabilities (n=34), or no disabilities (n=38) examined variables that contribute to perceptions of self-determination and increased student motivation. The students with disabilities were found to have more of an external locus of control orientation. (CR)

This study assessed the validity and reliability of a modified, self-report version of the Autonomous Functioning Checklist for use with adults with mental retardation. Adolescents and adults (n=409) with mental retardation were interviewed. Results generally supported the instrument's validity and reliability and previous studies' findings that people with mental retardation experience very limited autonomy. (DB)

This article examines the importance of self-determination for all people. A national survey of 4,544 adults with mental retardation concerning how independent, integrated, and productive they perceived themselves to be and how important each of these outcomes was to them revealed that people with mental retardation are not likely to be self-determining. (Author/JDD)

Adults with mental retardation (n=392) involved in self-advocacy groups completed the Life Choices Survey. Findings indicated that this group indicated more choice opportunities than most adults with mental retardation and that total choice availability varied with level of disability and type of living arrangement but not by age or gender. (Author/DB)

This article reports findings from a comprehensive examination of the self-determination of 408 adults with mental retardation. Analysis of variance identified severity of disability, current living arrangement, and primary caregiver status as predictive of differences in self-determination in this population. (Author/DB)

This article summarizes a framework for identifying skills relevant to self-determination for individuals with disabilities and describes the use of the Life Centered Career Education secondary curriculum to promote self-determination. This curriculum consists of almost 350 lesson plans organized into domains, competencies and subcompetencies, and specific objectives. (DB)

The social cognitive problem-solving skills of 389 adults (ages 17 to 72) with mental retardation were evaluated using the Means-Ends Problem-Solving measure. Subjects employed limited means to solving social problems and generated proportionally fewer relevant means than expected. The relationship between self-determination and social problem solving is discussed. (Author/DB)

This paper reviews research describing developmentally typical and atypical repetitive motor movements of children with and without disabilities. It then reports findings of a study of nine preschool-aged children with developmental delay and atypical stereotypies. Predictors of repetitive movements included level of functioning, age, ambulation, and days of postnatal hospitalization. (JDD)

A survey of 216 adults with cognitive and developmental disabilities who belong to self-advocacy groups found that individuals unemployed and employed in sheltered settings perceived themselves as having less control than individuals employed competitively. Results are examined in light of quality of life findings, focusing on the need to include choice and control in programming. (Author/JDD)

This study evaluated locus of control orientations, perceptions of efficacy, and outcome expectancies of 282 adolescents with mental retardation and compared them to students with learning disabilities and at-risk students. Subjects were found to hold unrealistic understandings and perceptions of causality and excessively external global perceptions of control. (JDD)

Seventy-eight adolescents were administered the Career Decision Diagnostic Assessment instrument. Students with mental retardation or learning disabilities scored more poorly than nondisabled students on decision anxiety, tendency to avoid decision making, authority orientation, and luck and fate orientation. The study concluded that students' lack of self-determination is one contributor to poor employment outcomes. (JDD)

This literature review examines the psychological aspects of the savant syndrome in people with intellectual disabilities, focusing on the means by which such abilities as calendar calculation are accomplished and highlighting variables (such as intense motivation in one area) postulated as important for development of the syndrome. (Author/DB)