Developmental Milestones Checklist

Developmental milestones give a general idea about what to expect from children at different ages.

Websites

Advocates for Special Kids (ASK) – A non-profit organization formed by a dedicated group of advocate-parent volunteers, ASK works to help other parents understand special education.

Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Resources – Information on recovery from autistic disorders: autism, PDD, hyperlexia, and Asperger's Syndrome and on treatment and therapy (including ABA, behavioral intervention, behavior modification, discrete trial training, or "Lovaas therapy"), special education, early intervention, and child disability resources.

California Department of Education (Special Education section) - Information and resources serving the unique needs of persons with disabilities so that each person will meet or exceed high standards of achievement in academic and nonacademic skills.

Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) - The largest international professional organization dedicated to improving the educational success of individuals with disabilities and/or gifts and talents. CEC advocates for appropriate governmental policies, sets professional standards, provides professional development, advocates for individuals with exceptionalities, and helps professionals obtain conditions and resources necessary for effective professional practice.

Disability Rights California – California’s protection and advocacy system.

First Words Project – Conducts longitudinal research investigation in the Department of Communication Disorders at Florida State University. Their major goal is to identify early “red flags” of developmental language disorders, autism spectrum disorders, and other communication delays in children under 24 months of age. Through research findings, their aim is to improve screening tools and early detection of communication disorders by maximizing the role of the family and help families obtain intervention services sooner.

National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities (NCBDDD) – Part of the Center for Disease Prevention and Control, the NCBDDD works to identify the causes of and preventing birth defects and developmental disabilities, helping children to develop and reach their full potential, and promoting health and well-being among people of all ages with disabilities.

Wrightslaw – Parents, educators, advocates, and attorneys can refer to this site for accurate, reliable information about special education law, education law, and advocacy for children with disabilities.

Zero to Three: National Center for Infants, Toddlers and Families – A national nonprofit organization that informs, trains and supports professionals, policymakers and parents in their efforts to improve the lives of infants and toddlers.

Publications by Racing Ahead Staff

Frea, W.D., Unkefer, L.C., Odom, S, L., and Johnson, D. (1999). Differential effects of structured social integration and group friendship activities for promoting social interaction with peers. Journal of Early Intervention, 22, 230-242.

Liber, D. B., Frea, W.D., & Symon, J.B. (2008). Using time-delay to improve social play skills with peers for children with autism. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 38, 312-323.

Frea, W. D. (1997).Treating stereotypic behavior by teaching orienting responses to environmental stimuli. Journal of the Association for Persons with Severe Handicaps, 22, 28-35.

Frea, W.D. (2009) Get ‘Em While They’re Young: How Infant Stimulation Programs Can Make a Big Impact on Little Ones. Exceptional Parent Magazine (online version).

Frea, W. D. (2004). Review of families and positive behavior support. American Journal of Mental Retardation, p. 109.

Mullen, K.B., and Frea, W.D. (1995). A parent –professional consultation model for functional analysis. Teaching Children with Autism, (pp.175-188). Baltimore, MD. Paul H. Brookes Publishing Co.

Paul, A.S., and Frea, W.D. (2002). The importance of understanding the goals of the family. Journal of Positive Behavior Interventions, 4, 61-63

Additional Publications Supporting and Guiding Racing Ahead Assessment and Intervention Practices:

Parent Education and Support

Boettcher, M., Koegel, R., McNerney, E. (2003). A family-centered prevention approach to PBS in a time of crisis. Journal of Positive Behavior Interventions, Vol 5(1) pp. 55-59.

Carr, E., Dunlap, G., Horner, R. (2002). Positive behavior support: Evolution of an applied science. Journal of Positive Behavior Interventions, Vol 4(1). pp. 4-16.

Koegel, R.L., Bimbela, A., & Schreibman, L. (1996). Collateral Effects of parent training on family interactions. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders.

Koegel, R.L., Glahn, T.J., and Nieminen, G.S. (1978). Generalization of parent-training results. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 11, 95-109.

Koegel, R.L., Schreibman, L., Johnson, J., O’Neill, R.E., and Dunlap, G. (1984). Collateral effects of parent-training on families with autistic children. In R.F. Dangel and R.A. Polster (Eds.), Behavioral parent-training: Issues in research and practice. New York: Guild Press.

Koegel, R.L., Bimbela, A., & Schreibman, L. (1996). Collateral effects of parent training on family interactions. Journal of Autism and developmental Disorders, 26, 347-359.

Koegel, L.K., Koegel, R.L., & Dunlap, G. (1996). Positive behavioral support. Baltimore: Brookes.

Hemmeter, M.L., & Kaiser, A.P. (1994) Enhanced milieu teaching: Effects of parent-implemented language intervention. Journal of Early Intervention, 18, 269-289.

Teaching Strategies

Koegel, L.K., Koegel, R.L., Harrower, J.K., & Carter, C.M. (1999). Pivotal Response Intervention I: Overview of Approach. Journal of the Association for Persons with Severe Handicaps.

Koegel, L.K., Koegel, R.L., Shoshan, Y. & McNerney, E. (1999) Pivotal Response Intervention II: Preliminary Long-Term Outcome Data. Journal of the Association for Persons with Severe Handicaps.

Kern, L., Vorndran, C.M., Hilt, A., Ringdahl, J.E., Adelman, B.E., & Dunlap, G. (1998). Choice as an intervention to improve behavior: A review of the literature. Journal of Behavioral Education, 8(2), 151-169.

Lerman, D.C., Iwata, B.A., Rainville, B. Adelinis, J.D., Crosland, K., & Kogan, J. (1997). Effects of reinforcement choice on task responding in individuals with developmental disabilities. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 30 (3), 411-422.

Peck, S.M., Wacker, D.P., Berg, W.K., Cooper, L.J., Brown, K.A., Richmand, D., McComas, J.J., Fischmeyer, P., & Millard, T. (1996). Choice-making treatment of young children's severe behavior problems. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 29(3), 263-291.

Romaniuk, C., & Miltenberger, R.G. (2001). The influence of preference and choice of activity on problem behavior. Journal of Positive Behavior Interventions, 3(3), 152-159.

Shevin, M., & Klein, N.K. (1984). The importance of choice-making skills for students with severe disabilities. Journal of the Association for Persons with Severe Handicaps, 9(3), 159-166.

Spradlin, J.E., and Siegel, G.M. (1982). Language training in natural and clinical environments. Journal of Speech and Hearing Disorders, 47, 2-6.

Camarata, S.M. (1995). On the importance of integrating naturalistic language, social intervention, and speech-intelligibility training. Positive Behavioral Support, (pp.333-351). Baltimore, MD: Paul H. Brookes Publishing Co.

Kaiser, A.P., and Hester, P.P. (1995). How everyday environments support children’s communication. Positive Behavioral Support, (pp. 145-162). Baltimore MD. Paul H. Brookes Publishing Co.

Schreibman, L., Stahmer, A.C., and Pierce, K.L. (1995). Alternative applications of pivotal response training. Positive Behavioral Support, (pp.353-371).Baltimore, MD. Paul H. Brookes Publishing Co.

Carr, E.G., Dunlap, G., Horner, R.H., Koegel, R.L., Turnbull, A.P., Sailor, W., et al. (2002). Positive behavior support: Evolution of an applied science. Journal of Positive Behavior Interventions, 4, 4-16, 20.

Krantz, P. (2000). Commentary: Interventions to facilitate socialization. Journal of Autism & Developmental Disorders, Vol 30(5), pp. 411-413.

Kaiser, A.P., & Hester, P.P. (1994). Generalized effects of enhanced milieu teaching. Journal of Speech and hearing Research, 37, 1320-1340.

Earles, T.L., Carlson, J.K., & Bock, S.J. (1998). Instructional strategies to facilitate successful learning outcomes for students with autism. In R.L. Simpson & B.S. Myles (Eds.), Educating children and youth with autism: Strategies for effective proactive (pp. 55-111). Autism: PRO-ED.

Conference Presentations by Racing Ahead Staff

What works: A Comparison of Teaching Techniques to Increase Language and Social Skills in Children with Autism. Symposium, California Association for Behavior Analysis, Annual Conference, Garden Grove, CA. (2008)

Positive Supports for Positive Behaviors. Invited Presentation, Autism Society of America, Greater San Gabriel Valley and Long Beach Region, Long Beach, CA. (2008)

Improving social skills during recess using peer mediation strategies. Hawaii International Conference in Education. (2007)

Increasing appropriate social play initiations between children with autism and non-disabled peers using peer mediation and self-management. Hawaii International Conference in Education. (2007)

Parent education program for stimulating infants at risk for autism: Another look. Paper presented at the international conference of the Association for Behavior Analysis. San Diego, California. (2007)

Behavior management…Making life a little easier at home. Invited Presentation, Talk About Curing Autism Group, Orange County Division, Newport Beach, CA. (2007)

How to Incorporate Social Skills Curriculum Resources within ABA Programs for Young Children with Autism. Workshop Presentation, The Association of Applied Behavior Analysis Annual International Convention, San Diego, CA. (2007)

Including Peers to Increase Social and Play Skills for Children with Autism in School Settings. Symposium presented at the International Conference on Positive Behavior Support, Reno, NV. (2006)

How to incorporate peers and social skills training into your child’s educational program. Invited Presentation, Talk About Curing Autism Group, Inland Division, Murrietta, CA. (2006)

Effective evaluations for educational planning. Invited Presentation, Los Angeles Families for Effective Autism Treatment. Torrance, CA. (2006)

Evaluating the efficacy of educational programs: Making evidence-based decisions. 31st Annual Convention, The Association for Behavior Analysis International; Chicago, IL. (2005)

Psychopharmacological treatment and autism spectrum disorders: Rationale and systematic assessment of efficacy. Workshop Presentation, Working Together: Systems and Strategies for Improving Outcomes for Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders. A Joint Conference by Alpine Learning Group, CCCD, Eden II Programs, and NSSA; New York Academy of Medicine, NY, NY. (2005)

A parent education program for Stimulating Infants at Risk for Developmental Disabilities. Paper presented at the annual western regional conference of the California Association for Behavior Analysis. Dana Point, California. (2005)

Teaching language and communication skills to children with autism. Workshop Presentation. Alaska Autism Resource Center sponsored conference; Anchorage, AK. (2004)

Effective evaluations for educational planning. Workshop Presentation. Alaska Autism Resource Center sponsored conference; Anchorage, AK. (2004)

Developing effective IEPs for children with disabilities. Workshop Presentation. Alaska Autism Resource Center sponsored conference; Anchorage, AK. (2004)

Addressing ethical concerns: Focus on young children with autism. Panel Discussion. 30th Annual Convention, The Association for Behavior Analysis International; Boston, MA. (2004)

Working effectively with parents to provide quality services to families of children with special needs. 30th Annual Convention, The Association for Behavior Analysis International; Boston, MA. (2004)