Recently, early childhood programs in the United States are serving increasing numbers of dual language learners (DLLs), many of whom have disabilities or are considered at risk. Vocabulary skills in preschool and kindergarten are strong predictors of DLLs' early literacy and later reading achievement. However, DLLs might initially and temporarily…

Students in recreation programs are often introduced to laws that apply to therapeutic or community recreation services. Several of these laws have to do with policy regarding people who experience a disability. One important law is the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). In order for students to better understand the law and its…

Opportunity to Learn (OTL) stems from the basic premise that there is an important relationship between the quality and intensity of classroom instruction and students' levels of academic success. For many students with disabilities, an emphasis on OTL has become national priority, yet measuring its impact is a complex challenge. The first purpose…

For many students with disabilities to be successful learners in the general education curriculum, they must receive supplemental aids and services. Assistive Technology commonly referred to as AT, fits both the definition of supplemental aids as well as related services for students with disabilities. Assistive Technology services and devices…

This text was written as an outgrowth of 6 years' work with children aged 3-5 in the Child Development Center at Western Oregon State College, Monmouth, Oregon. The children attending this program included typically developing children as well as children with disabilities. A primary purpose of this book is to share the experiences and learnings…

The use of contract activity packages (CAPs) in writing an individualized education program for special needs students is discussed. A CAP is defined as including simply stated objectives; use of multisensory resources; creative, sequential material; provision for student developed alternatives; at least three small group techniques; and a pretest…

Intended as a practical tool for high school classroom teachers, the manual examines career objectives and activities for handicapped students. An introduction presents the eight goals of career education. A chapter on assessment provides sample instruments and information from a vocational evaluation unit. Extensive material in chapter 3 is…

Intended for use with preservice regular class teachers, the manual presents activities to provide an orientation to handicapped students. Information is included on objectives, time requirements, materials, and procedures. The first section focuses on attitudes and includes eight activities designed to help educators clarify their feelings about…

This guide is designed to help individual teachers as they plan for and implement student-led Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) for students with disabilities. It presents activities for helping secondary students develop and participate in their IEPs. The first part of the guide is organized around the following five stages for involving…

The packet provides a series of activities designed to help schools become familiar with a systematic approach to successful mainstreaming, educational strategies with mainstreamed students, and effective communication techniques. The packet includes a preservice activity and 12 steps for developing a mainstreaming program in the school: (1)…

This paper describes an activity developed at the University of Nebraska to familiarize prospective teachers with the process of developing Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) for students with disabilities. The activity, titled "Experiencing the Change Process: Writing a Personalized IEP," acquaints students with the major IEP…

Describes how simple changes in pretend-play areas can enable children with disabilities to participate more fully in early-learning experiences. Discusses how play reflects cognitive and social skills. Identifies challenges to supporting inclusive pretend play related to environmental barriers and children's characteristics; presents suggestions…

The contributions of art experiences to special education are discussed and guidelines for integrating art into the curriculum are provided. Art is seen to have potential for developing handicapped children's self expression, independence, sensory stimulation and motivation, perception discrimination, skill development, and career and personal…

The manual presents an Individualized Education Program development guide for working with special education preschoolers. Goals, objectives, and activities are specified in six major areas: (1) speech and language skills (expressive skills, comprehension skills, imitation of non-speech vocalizations, sorting by category; (2) self help skills…

This transition checklist is intended to be a guide for North Dakota students with disabilities, teachers, parents, and agency personnel to help drive the transition process in an orderly and organized manner. The checklist provides suggestions and activities for grades 8-12 and students ages 14-21. The information is organized in sequence to…