This volume investigates the clinical, educational, and social frameworks necessary for understanding and supporting individuals with developmental and physical disabilities. The authors, Phillip S. Strain and Vincent B. Van Hasselt, synthesize research from the fields of psychology and special education to provide a comprehensive overview of intervention strategies. The text utilizes a multidisciplinary approach to examine the etiology, assessment, and treatment of various conditions, aiming to bridge the gap between theoretical research and practical application in clinical settings.

The subject matter points to a dense, specialist text intended for practitioners, researchers, and graduate students in the fields of clinical psychology and special education. Its structured approach suggests a foundational reference work designed to provide a rigorous overview of the diagnostic and therapeutic landscape as it existed in the late 1980s.