Exceptional Learners: Introduction to Special Education

1. Exceptionality and Special Education. Educational Definition of Exceptional Learners. Prevalence of Exceptional Learners. Definition of Special Education. Teachers' Roles. Origins of Special Education. Trends in Legislation and Litigation. A Perspective on the Progress of Special Education. 2. Current Trends and Issues. Integration into the Larger Society. Participation in General Assessments of Progress. Access to New Technologies. Early Intervention. Transition from Secondary School to Adulthood. Discipline of Students with Disabilities. Some Concluding Thoughts Regarding Trends and Issues. 3. Multicultural and Bilingual Aspects of Special Education. Education and Cultural Diversity: Concepts for Special Education. Implementing Multicultural and Bilingual Special Education. 4. Learners with Mental Retardation. Definition. Prevalence. Causes. Assessment. Psychological and Behavioral Characteristics. Educational Considerations. Service Delivery Models. Early Intervention. Transition to Adulthood. 5. Learners with Learning Disabilities. Definition. Prevalence. Causes. Assessment. Psychological and Behavioral Characteristics. Service Delivery Models. Early Intervention. Transition to Adulthood. 6. Learners with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. A Brief History. Definition. Prevalence. Assessment. Causes. Psychological and Behavioral Characteristics. Educational Considerations. Medical Considerations. Service Delivery Models. Early Intervention. Transition to Adulthood. 7. Learners with Emotional or Behavioral Disorders. Terminology. Definition. Classification. Prevalence. Causes. Identification. Psychological and Behavioral Characteristics. Educational Considerations. Early Intervention. Transition. 8. Learners with Communication Disorders. Definitions. Prevalence. Language Development and Language Disorders. Educational Considerations. Augmentative and Alternative Communication. Communication Variations. Speech Disorders. Early Intervention. Transition. 9. Learners Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing. Definition and Classification. Prevalence. Anatomy and Physiology of the Ear. Measurement of Hearing Ability. Causes. Psychological and Behavioral Characteristics. Educational Considerations. Early Intervention. Transition to Adulthood. 10. Learners with Blindness or Low Vision. Definition and Classification. Prevalence. Anatomy and Physiology of the Eye. Causes. Psychological and Behavioral Characteristics. Educational Placement Models Early Intervention. Transition. 11. Learners with Low Incidence, Multiple, and Severe Disabilities: Autism Spectrum, Traumatic Brain Injury, and Deaf-Blindness. Autism and Related Disorders: Autistic Spectrum Disorder. Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). Deaf-Blindness. Behavior Problems. Early Intervention. Transition. 12. Learners with Physical Disabilities. Definition and Classification. Prevalence and Need. Neuromotor Impairments. Orthopedic and Musculoskeletal Disorders. Other Conditions Affecting Health or Physical Ability. Prevention of Physical Disabilities. Psychological and Behavioral Characteristics. Prosthetics, Orthotics, and Adaptive Devices for Daily Living. Educational Considerations. Early Intervention. Transition. 13. Learners with Special Gifts and Talents. Definition. Prevalence. Identification of Giftedness. Neglected Groups of Students with Special Gifts or Talents. Educational Considerations. Early Intervention. Transition. 14. Parents and Families. Professionals' Changing Views of Parents. The Effects of a Child with a Disability on the Family. Family Involvement in Treatment and Education. Appendix: Summary of IDEA '97 Regulatory Issues. Glossary. References. Index.