By looking at the positive strengths of your students with special needs, you can help those students flourish, ensure their success, and align their instruction to Common Core State Standards. One of our most popular authors, Thomas Armstrong, shows you the steps you need to take to establish a more favorable, productive learning environment for five special needs categories: (1) Learning disabilities; (2) ADD/ADHD; (3) Autistic spectrum disorders; (4) Intellectual disabilities; and (5) Emotional and behavioral disorders. Explore the strengths, talents, and abilities of students with these special needs, and learn how to construct a positive day-to-day learning experience that fits the unique needs of each child. Armstrong explains why applying these strength-based concepts makes it easier to align instruction of special needs students with the Common Core State Standards. And he provides you with examples of how to teach and assess specific English language arts and mathematics standards for students with different special needs. Even if you rarely deal with special needs students, taking account of your students' neurodiversity is an essential new insight for your practice.