Listed below are articles which have appeared in past editions of The Evergreen Report. If you want to receive an article or want to be put on our mailing list, please let us know by filling out our "Contact Us" form.

Educational Review Teams: Bridging Competing Theories to Ensure Successful Student Outcomes (By Robert F. Littleton Jr., M.Ed. - Executive Director)

ABSTRACT: Teacher motivation, subject matter knowledge, the effective implementation of instruction, and congruence between educational philosophy and practice are discussed as elements which determine successful outcomes for the education of students in need of special education. This paper also introduces the Educational Review Team as a further evolution of practice influenced by earlier reports of the effectiveness of teacher assistance teams and teacher support teams. The value of adding a monitoring function, subject area consultation, and the authority to allocate educational resources to the composition of teams is confirmed in terms of their impact on the elements of effective education described above.

Clinical Research Adds to Program Effectiveness
(By Michael Cameron, M.A.)

This study highlights the advantages a functional applied research program has on the clinical and educational efficacy of a residential treatment program. The positive impact on staff professional development is also discussed.


Eliminating Self Injurious Behavior
(By Dennis Bradley, M.A.)

This case study describes the positive clinical outcomes of functional communication training and stimulus control shaping in reducing the severe self-injury of a 21-year old girl with profound mental retardation.


Sexuality Training - New Educational Programming
(By Ann Smith, M.S.N., R.N., CDDN)

In recognition of some students' need for sexuality training for individuals with developmental disabilities, the Evergreen Center implemented a sexuality training program. This article describes the development process that resulted in the establishment of this service component.


Teaching Basic Skills in the Community
(By Maureen McGrath)

This article documents the importance of using a "natural " setting for the teaching and generalization of basic skills and social competencies. It also discusses how addressing skills while in the community provides the additional bonus of encouraging students to develop relationships with people outside of those who work with them.


Post Surgical Management for Effective Care
(By Ann Smith, M.S.N., R.N., CDDN)

This is a case study of a young man who has a diagnosis of severe mental retardation and who also had significant behavioral issues. He had bilateral cataracts which required surgery. This case study illustrates the components essential to the development of a successful post surgical management process - a process that starts before surgery and continues through hospitalization and the post-operative recuperative period.


Setting /Meeting Recreation Goals
(By Michael Cameron, M.A.)

Stimulus shaping was used to teach a 21 year old man with severe disabilities to jump over hurdles in preparation for the Special Olympics.


The Arjo Lift
(By Lynda Chace, Licensed Physical Therapist)

An equipment review of a uniquely designed and easy to use battery operated lift used in transferring disabled individuals. It describes the sling which allows easy positioning by a single caretaker and provides posturally secure support for the user, and the maneuverability of the lift frame which allows infinite positioning of the user while being transferred.


Design/Build accessibility for Community Living
(By Ralph P. Mastroranni, Registered Architect)

Aesthetically pleasing, well maintained homes play an important role in building and maintaining good neighborly relations. Read how the Evergreen Center uses these principles in the renovations and construction of their student housing.

A Family Grows and Stays Together
(By Maureen Ross)

This article discusses the need for professionals to recognize the need to enhance the capacity of families to deal with challenges as they emerge in the evolution of family life and how supporting family involvement at entry level, and during every stage is the essence of effective treatment.


Transitions to Adult Life
(By Brian Madden, M.Ed.)

This article discusses transitional process from residential school to adult support services. Explains key steps (preparation, communication, planning, etc.) that allow for a smooth and successful transition for the young mentally retarded adult.


Beyond Consequences
(By Michael J. Cameron, M.A.)

This author advocates for a proactive, stimulus control approach to challenging behaviors. He argues that typical, consequence based approaches are used too often and fails to teach functionally equivalent prosocial alternatives to challenging behavior.


The Use of Exemplars to Train Writing Skills
(By Robert Ross, B.S.)

Comprehensive, accurate, and timely assessment of students' needs is an integral part of providing quality care. This article discusses the successful use of exemplars by Evergreen staff in writing effective assessments and reports.


New Options in Positioning Equipment
(By Lynda Chace, Licensed Physical Therapist)

A review of two pieces of equipment made by the James Leckey Design Company, a relatively new vendor on the American market. The Complete Chair provides postural support, physical boundaries, and appropriate positioning for individuals with postural, motor and/or sensory deficits, while demonstrating excellent durability, portability, and adaptability. The unique design of the Freestander encourages appropriate posturally aligned supported standing by individuals of many functional levels in a well controlled and appropriate postural alignment. It is quickly and easily adjusted for multiple users. Since this article was written, the company has proven to be quickly responsive to any requests for repairs or replacement parts.

Review Boardmaker and Talking Switch Plates
(By Lynda Chace, Licensed Physical Therapist) (Tijen Fitz-Patrick, M.S., CCC-SLP) (Michael Grupp)

A review of augmentative communication equipment. Boardmaker is a computer software program (using standard Mayer-Johnson line drawings) which allows easy and timely development of generic or user specific communication boards and books. Unique use of event specific miniboards is discussed. Voice output switch plates are simple and inexpensive devices which can be used as a basic communication system for behaviorally or cognitively challenged individuals, or as an assessment training tool on the road to more sophisticated technological equipment. Specific devices discussed are the BIGmak switch, the Rocking Plate, and the Cheap Talk 4 and 8.


Working Through Behavioral Escalation During Neuroleptic Titration
(By Judy Hurlburt, M.Ed.)

This case study illustrated the importance of working through behavioral escalations during a time when neuroleptic medication is being withdrawn. It documents the need for understanding the relationship between behavioral, physical and emotional states as a way to avoid precipitous decisions to reinstate medications.


Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and the Child with Developmental Disabilities
(By Robert. F. Littleton Jr. M.Ed.) ( Michael J. Cameron, M.A.)

The article summarizes two needs of people with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and guidelines for their effective education. Suggestions are made for the incorporation of appropriate clinical techniques in a framework which emphasizes the individual's preferred lifestyle.


Certification in Developmental Disabilities Nursing
(By Ann Smith, M.S.N., RN, CDDN)

This article discusses the complexity of health care planning for persons with developmental disabilities and why nursers require additional skills and preparation to work effectively with people who are developmentally disabled. The rationale for the certification program in developmental disabilities nursing is addressed in this article.

The Way Home
(By Jonathan Kimball, Ph.D.) (Nancy Manske B.A.)

The Way Home reflects on the collaborative efforts employed to return a young girl with emotional, behavioral, and cognitive challenges to an appropriate family setting from a residential treatment facility.


T.B.I.: Linking Symptoms and Teaching Approaches
(By Judy A. Hurlburt, M.Ed.) (Robert K. Ross, B.S.)

This case study documents the importance of implementing positive and creative practices that maximize the interests and abilities of students with Traumatic Brain Injury. It discusses the need for interventions developed around the students specific symptoms, rather than simply addressing "target behaviors" with "consequences."


Supporting Community -Based Employment: A Behavior Analytic Approach
(By R.W. Maguire, Ph.D.) (D. Carozza, B.S.) (D. Lebese)

This article describes the blend of supported employment instructional techniques with applied behavior analytic procedures to ensure a positive community based work experience for a young man with mental retardation and challenging behaviors.


Influences of Biological Setting Events on Behavior States
(By Michael J. Cameron, M.A.)

Behavior analysis too often focuses exclusively on a linear/observative phenomenon analysis of challenging behavior. This analysis often fails because many causal factors of challenging behavior are not readily apparent (e.i., illness, seizures, Post-traumatic Stress Disorder etc.) Behavior analysis to be successful, must take into account these variables.


Management of Severe Dysphagia: A Case Study
(By Diane L. Maxson, MS, ORT/L)

Smooth coordination of the complex processes involved in chewing and swallowing is difficult for many children. This case study reviews the coordination of services provided by medical and educational personnel in the development of therapeutic feeding strategies which allowed a child with long standing feeding difficulties to continue to eat and drink safely while avoiding invasive surgical intervention.

Aaron's Story: Choosing an Appropriate Communication Device
(By Lynda Chace, R.P.T.)

"Aaron' Story" details the steps followed in providing a non-verbal, severely physical disabled young man with an appropriate advanced voice output communication device. It follows the extensive journey from start to finish, highlighting: the skill level handicapping conditions that had to be considered, the diagnostic process, the types of devices that were considered, how and why a specific choice (a computer with dynamic display) was made, the preparation and training process, matching the device to his other equipment (power wheelchair), and the successful outcome. The article additionally reviews the hardware and software eventually chosen, describing what this equipment can be expected to do.


Toward a Practical Approach to the Treatment of Rectal Prolapse
(By Michael J. Cameron, M.A., BCBATM, Kimberly Pittman, M.A., Magda M. Stropnik, M.S., Department of Behavioral Services, Evergreen Center)

This article reports on the efficacy of a treatment package for the management of a low incidence clinical disorder referred to as a rectal prolapse. A 9-year-old boy with a primary diagnosis of autism served as the participant. During a treated baseline, rectal prolapse occurred over 530 times per day. A clinical treatment protocol was implemented after protracted failure to reduce the occurrence of this health threatening behavior. The protocol was compromised of differential reinforcement strategies, randomized consequences for the occurrence of the target behavior and one-to-one staffing. The intervention package resulted in a 78% decrease in rectal prolapse.