The transition from primary to secondary school is a sensitive phase in the life of a child, especially within vulnerable groups such as children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). ASD characteristics, such as the refusal to change or social interaction difficulties, present challenges to the transition not only for the students themselves, but…

On March 22, 2017, the Supreme Court unanimously ruled that schools are obligated to provide more than de mimimus services for students with disabilities. The core issue in "Endrew F. v. Douglas County Schools" is how schools are to define the "A" in FAPE: What is an appropriate public education? Douglas County schools held…

Art has the capacity to engage exceptional learners, regardless of the nature of their exceptionalities. Students who experience difficulty with academic subjects may enjoy visual art activities with which they engage holistically to learn problem-solving skills and interact positively with their environment, including the social environment of…

Diverse learners with particular needs require a specialized curriculum that will help them develop socially and intellectually. As educational technologies and theoretical approaches to learning continue to advance, so do the opportunities for exceptional children. "Instructional Strategies in General Education and Putting the Individuals…

Recognizing the deep and multifaceted literature that has established parent participation in IEP meetings as problematic (particularly in terms of parent affect and parent voice), the purpose of this study was to examine parent experiences with IEP meetings so as to then identify strategies for how such meetings could feel more welcoming and…

If our students are to be prepared for the demands of the 21st century, we must find ways to meet their educational needs. We have increasing numbers of students with special needs, in particular a dramatic increase in students identified with Autism Spectrum Disorder. In 2009-10 there were 2,548 more of these identified students than five years…

Children with autism present unique challenges related to communication, behavior, and social skills. Each child with an autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) exhibits individual characteristics of the disorder. Early identification of autistic spectrum disorder has been shown to improve the child's benefit from educational interventions. There may be…

Individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) present unique needs regarding sexuality education. While the topic of sexuality has received increased attention in the fields of intellectual and developmental disabilities generally, less consideration has focused on the unique needs of individuals with ASD specifically. This paper presents one…

Case studies of two students with pervasive developmental delays illustrate the conflict between belief-based versus measurement-based approaches to planning educational services for students with diverse abilities. The doctrinaire view embraces inclusion as an end in itself. Placing students with diverse abilities, even severely handicapping…

This resource is Book 9 in the Programming for Students with Special Needs series. The information in each book in the series is interrelated and can be used to provide instruction to all students. Chapters one and two cover the prevalence, causes, diagnoses, and characteristics of autism spectrum disorders. Chapters three and four cover…