Peer relationships are just as important for students with autism, intellectual disability, and other developmental disabilities. Through their interactions with peers across the school day, students develop new skills, encounter new perspectives, access needed supports, find camaraderie, develop social capital, learn prevailing norms, and elevate…

Describes how two disability sports programs, Little League Baseball's Challenger Division and TOPSoccer (The Outreach Program for Soccer), are being implemented in Arlington, Texas. Both programs are intended to include children and youth with physical or mental disabilities and to increase family involvement. Summarized are game rules, outcomes…

Guidelines for developing a physical activity program for students with severe/profound disabilities address medical clearance; levels of participation; staffing; equipment; and program components, including warm-up, range of motion/flexibility activities, aerobics, resistance training, and cool-down. (DB)

Presents a rating scale for evaluating programs that are working to include students with high-incidence disabilities. The scale evaluates 12 general components with 47 items. Its use in over 50 schools in Florida to aid in program development, program monitoring, program evaluation, staff development, and parent education is described. (DB)

This article discusses recent experiences with successful special education mediations. It examines several mediation cases, focusing on common elements that may have contributed to successful resolution, including the skills of the mediator, training for mediation, development of an educational plan, the assistance of well-trained advocates, and…

This article describes how to use flowcharts in designing, implementing, and evaluating programs for students with disabilities. Types of flowcharts, basic flowchart symbols, and guidelines for drawing flowcharts are discussed. A case study illustrates how a flowchart was used to develop and display a behavior teaching plan for a nonvocal…

Provides guidance for teachers and administrators in developing and implementing ability awareness programs designed to foster greater understanding of people with disabilities and increase students' sensitivity toward individual differences. Topics include choosing a program coordinator, establishing a committee, planning meetings, clarifying…

Discusses strategies for encouraging student participation in the development of an Individualized Education Program for a child with a disability. Outlines the significant steps in the process including developing a vision, prioritizing learning needs, collaborative problem solving, setting goals, and planning the intervention. (CR)

This article explores ways to include self-determination and self-advocacy goals and objectives in individualized education programs (IEPs). It identifies self-determination goals and offers guidelines on selection and writing of self-determination goals. Insets and tables include a review of the literature, definitions of self-determination…

This article provides strategies for improving parent information sessions and engaging parents in the support of their children's (including children with disabilities) education. Strategies include using parent-friendly teaching materials, scheduling meetings for family convenience, maintaining a comfortable atmosphere, and providing…

This article examines the provision of effective services for students with emotional or behavioral disorders and recommends a broad spectrum of individualized interventions. A theoretical framework is provided and specific components to be included in an effective behavior change plan are described. A sample individualized education program is…

The Family Support Services program of the Washtenaw Intermediate School District in Michigan encourages active collaboration between parents of children with special needs and professionals. This article addresses the history and philosophy of parent involvement; a district survey of family needs which identified information as the highest ranked…

This article addresses program planning for successful inclusion of students with mild disabilities in rural schools. It discusses preplanning with staff and peers, developing a communication system, structuring collaborative planning time, dealing with resistant teachers, gaining administrative support, involving parents, designing a grading…

This article describes the Laptop Computer Initiative (LCI), a program in a Delaware school district to enhance referral-to-placement practices and to develop individualized education programs for special education students. The six steps in the program's development are recounted and positive results of the LCI, such as increased staff efficiency…

This article discusses the benefits and outcomes of using Internet-based instruction to improve the performance of students with disabilities by developing Internet-based lessons and assessments that target the growth of higher-order thinking skills required on many state assessments. Internet resources for educators are listed. (Contains…