There is little research on inclusion of children with selective mutism in school/kindergarten. Moreover, few studies have tried to understand selectively mute children's interactions in the natural surroundings of their home and school/kindergarten. Five children meeting the DSM-IV criteria for selective mutism were video-observed in social…

A survey of 281 mothers of young children with cognitive delays, communication disorders, physical disabilities, risk of delays, or typical development revealed widespread support for the benefits of mainstreaming and a substantial number of perceived drawbacks. Mothers' perceptions of mainstreaming were similar across family demographics, child…

The booklet describes the New Friends approach to mainstreaming young handicapped students. The approach focuses on the understanding and acceptance of individual differences through introduction of life-sized dolls with disabilities. Seven units are presented, each with notes to the teacher, discussion guidelines, lists of frequently asked…

Interviews with mothers of preschool age children with established disabilities (n=230) and those classified as at-risk (n=32) were conducted, focusing on issues of children's peer relations and friendships. Mothers of children in both integrated and specialized settings perceived their respective settings as facilitating social development. Both…

Describes a system of inservice training and support delivered to mainstream day care personnel by the staff of the Social Integration Project. The results of the project's goal to integrate handicapped preschool children into day care programs are measured by the progress of the children served and by teacher attitudes. (Author/DT)

A 5-year plan to improve the delivery of services to special needs students was evaluated in Fairbanks, Alaska. The plan focused on developing a model for integrated services and reducing the number of pull-out programs by having special services staff work directly with classroom teachers. Information sources included interviews with 62 staff…

This book is intended to help primary grade teachers teach children with disabilities or other special needs to learn to read and write together with their peers. Each chapter focuses on a different aspect of literacy. The first chapter discusses emergent literacy and highlights strategies to help children find meaning and relevance in print…

This introductory text presents 14 chapters on various aspects of educating individuals with exceptionalities, with emphasis on human diversity in needs, characteristics, and life styles. Most chapters include, in addition to the relevant basic information, personal statements focusing on individuals with differences, current events relating to…

Compiled for beginning teachers who have not had much experience working with special learners, this handbook provides brief descriptions of the different categories of special learners in vocational education. Information is arranged in abstract form and presents a summary of the characteristics of these learners, how to recognize them in the…