Instruction is the most important variable in special education, but it is often overlooked. Special instruction is what makes special education work, yet it is often neglected. We need to know more about how to teach both academic and behavioral skills more effectively, how behavioral and academic skills are interrelated, and how to choose those…

This article discusses three major issues in the education of students with autism: the field's reliance on controversial treatments; the issue of full-time inclusion of students with autism in general education classrooms; and preparation of personnel to serve students with autism. Suggestions for meeting these challenges are provided. (Author/PB)

Inservice education has the potential to provide teachers with knowledge and skills that are necessary to manage challenging classroom behavior and improve academic and social/emotional outcomes. To assess the effectiveness of 3 inservice programs that focused on knowledge, understanding, and/or functional-assessment interventions, we identified…