Since the introduction of the specific learning disability (SLD) classification in federal special education legislation, there has been considerable ambiguity and controversy about the criteria that should be used in the determination of SLD (Kavale & Flanagan, 2007; Zumeta et al., 2014). Various models have been introduced to identify…

Long waits for diagnostic assessment prevent early identification of children suspected of having autism spectrum disorder. We evaluated the benefit of embedded diagnostic consultation within primary care clinics. Using a streamlined diagnostic model, 119 children with concerns for autism spectrum disorder were seen over 14 months. Diagnostic…

Since the inception of special education, scholars and practitioners have been concerned about the disproportionate representation of students from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds among students identified with disabilities. Professional efforts to address this disproportionality have encompassed a range of targets, but scholars…

In July 2016, the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights (OCR) issued two documents to clarify and provide guidance on Federal obligations of school districts to students with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) under Section 504. This action was in response to numerous complaints (approximately 2,000 over 5 years)…

Recent research of relevance to school psychologists suggests that the cause, or etiology, of mental retardation can be established by medical diagnosticians in approximately one-half of cases. In the current study, 109 practicing school psychologists considered a hypothetical case of an elementary student with mental retardation and indicated…

The second edition of this essential handbook provides a comprehensive, updated overview of the science that informs best practices for the implementation of response to intervention (RTI) processes within Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) to facilitate the academic success of all students. The volume includes insights from leading scholars…

This study sought to determine the relation between Instructional Consultants' communication skills and competence using videotapes of simulated Problem Identification interviews. A quantitative analysis identified the frequencies of questions and alternatives to questions used, and the qualitative analysis examined the content of the…

Reinforcement-based interventions, the most frequently used treatments for school-age children, rely on accurately identifying stimuli that will serve to reinforce appropriate classroom behavior. Research has consistently demonstrated that the results from a forced-choice pairing procedure are the best predictors of reinforcing stimuli.…

Objective. The purpose of this study was to examine differences between traditional student assistance teams and an innovative consultation-based assistance team in terms of the risk ratios for minority students for evaluation and eligibility for special education services. It was hypothesized that the innovative consultation-based assistance team…

This final report describes activities and accomplishments of the Vermont State Project for Children and Youth with Deaf-Blindness, a 3-year federally supported project to provide statewide services, training, and technical assistance to Vermont children (birth to age 21) with deaf-blindness, their families, and service providers. Throughout the…

This report describes activities and accomplishments of the Oregon Project for Services to Children and Youth with Deaf-Blindness, a 3-year federally supported project to ensure effective educational services for this population and provide support for families and service providers. The project focused on: (1) identifying additional children with…

Provisions for children with specific learning difficulties were studied in 27 secondary schools in 5 regions of Scotland. Specific learning difficulties were seen as functional weaknesses in students who might otherwise be intellectually able. Questionnaires were completed by the schools to determine: number of students with specific learning…

This report describes activities and accomplishments of the Dual Sensory Impairments Program in Florida, a 3-year federally supported program, housed at Florida State University, to provide technical assistance and other services to students, ages 0 to 21, with deaf-blindness. A change in priorities concerning infants (ages 0 to 2) is noted as the…

This final report describes activities and accomplishments of the Arkansas Project for Children and Youth with Deaf/Blindness, a 3-year federally supported project to provide support services to children and youth in Arkansas who are deaf-blind. The project provided technical assistance in the following areas: early identification, incidence and…

An overview of special education in Costa Rica is provided. Costa Rica has promulgated four educational service models that extend special education expertise: consulting teachers, educational assistance teams, itinerant teams, and resource centers. Their educational classification system describes the level of modifications required by students.…