First published in 1988. Language is an important developmental ability which facilitates communication both at home and at school. It is also the foundation of many of a child's learning experiences in school. A certain level of language is often a pre-requisite both for success in particular curriculum areas and for the ability to conceptualise generally. Language developing is thus a major concern for those who work with mentally handicapped children and it has come to be regarded as one of the main objectives within the special school curriculum. This book is concerned with the opportunities for language learning which special schools make available for severely mentally handicapped children. It describes how special schools seek to meet the very diverse needs of their pupils and provides a discussion of the success of contemporary approaches to encouraging language development. The author makes a number of constructive criticisms and suggestions for improving practice which should interest anyone whose work involves teaching children with severe learning difficulties.

First published in 1996. Three major and topical issues which affect the lives of people with learning difficulties and those who work and live with them are sexuality, integration and age appropriateness. These issues are contentious and controversial and there are no simple solutions. In this book, preconceived, established and sometimes narrow views of what constitutes integration, sexuality and age appropriateness are challenged and a discussion of thought-provoking alternatives are explored from the perspective of the child or adult with learning difficulties.

First published in 1992. This book provides accounts of case-study research and evaluation in the area of special educational needs carried out by teachers in ordinary and special schools. Contributors discuss their experiences of the problems and possibilities of teacher research and provide advice on information-gathering, analysis and writing up. The findings presented address both whole-school matters, such as the use of support staff in ordinary schools, and the development of an assessment policy in a special school, and a range of current issues, such as partnership with parents and the teaching of children with emotional and behavioural difficulties. It is of interest to all teachers and tutors involved in research-based courses, students in primary and secondary initial teacher training, teachers on in-service courses, support staff for special educational needs.

First published in 1951. This book examines the challenges and difficulties that schools may face when it comes to the teaching of children with special needs. The author explores the argument that any challenges can be eliminated by the expenditure of more money, or whether these challenges cannot be solved merely by increased expenditure and a well-directed administrative effort to provide teachers, classrooms and materials.

First published in 1987. Most non-handicapped children entering school are prepared for the school curriculum in that they have acquired, incidentally, a range of skills that are needed for school-type attainments (reading, numbers, etc.). However, by definition mentally handicapped children make slower progress and do not learn so easily in this indirect fashion. This book is a manual presenting a programme which sets specific objectives and methods by which mentally handicapped children can be taught the basic prerequisites of school success. Implicit in this intention is the assumption that many such children can and should be admitted to ordinary schools. A linked assumption is that parents and non-specialist teachers will therefore need practical guidance in this area. The book will also be of value to teachers in special schools for the handicapped because it focuses on the difficult-to-teach basic prerequisites of school attainments. Each chapter contains: 'ceiling' objectives; an outline summary of step-by-step objectives; an assessment-for-teaching checklist; background teaching activities; general teaching rules; and specific teaching procedures for each stage.

First published in 1997. This book examines recent and contemporary trends in training teachers in special educational needs. It views initial teacher education and subsequent professional development as part of a continuum in which significant opportunities exist for innovation. It presents a series of chapters in support of this optimistic stance which provide practical examples of effective ways of working, written by authors who have direct experience in the field. For student teachers, tutors, lecturers and school-based mentors in both general subjects and SEN.

First published in 1988. With the Education Reform Act 1988 firmly in place and impacting upon the education of children and young people with Special Educational Needs, this book examines the issues that arose from its implementation. It aims to promote debate as well as providing a record of the achievements in practice, policy and provision in Britain since the Warnock Committee reported. The challenges which remain or have been created since the introduction of the Education Act 1981 are also discussed.

First published in 1978. Reading for Slow Learners is a practical guide for teachers, defining the objectives of the reading curriculum, identifying important aspects of teaching method and suggesting various approaches. This title will also be of interest to parents of children with learning difficulties.

First published in 1999. This book offers clear, practical advice and guidance on how to encourage and support children who have special educational needs without losing sight of the needs of the rest of the class. The focus is on children with a wide variety of special educational needs including emotional and behavioural difficulties, visual or hearing impairments, speech and language difficulties and autistic spectrum disorders. By looking closely at the key features of each difficulty, the authors show how to plan for these pupils and includes proven strategies.

First published in 1994. This book is a practical guide for those involved in the daily care, education and development of people with learning disabilities and additional behavioural and emotional disturbances. It will assist professional helpers in understanding the nature of an individual's difficulties and in developing interventions aimed at alleviating them.

First published in 1993. Any political system must respond to the needs of its' peoples and the European Community was no exception. This book, an all-round guide to the education of pupils with special educational needs in Europe, examines the policy and practice of special education in what were the twelve EC countries. The process of integrating pupils with special educational needs into mainstream schooling was an educational priority in the practice of many EC countries. The means of achieving this aim are reviewed, as well as an evaluation of the progress in different national educational contexts.

First published in 1981. Based on a three-year study of children moving into special ESN-M education in an English city in the mid-1970s, this book questions the whole concept of mild educational subnormality by examining the criteria according to which professionals make decisions to place children within this stigmatised category. It suggests that the beliefs that the professionals hold about the behavioural, family and class characteristics of the children help to determine their judgements, and that these beliefs are related to their own position within the social structure.

First published in 1994. The authors of this book aim to make recent developments in psychological research accessible to teachers of pupils with profound and multiple learning difficulties. The authors present their own and related research in the areas of assessment, curriculum, and teaching techniques, taking care to point out the range, relevance and limitations of findings in the context of pupils with PMLDs. As this is an area of acute training need, the book will meet a real need for a broad current perspective on good practice. The needs of pupils at primary and secondary levels are considered and case studies are used to exemplify some of the challenges and approaches discussed.

First published in 1985. Information technology can offer huge benefits to the disabled. It can help many disabled people to overcome barriers of time and space and to a much greater extent it can help them to overcome barriers of communication. In that way new information technology offers opportunities to neutralise the worst effects of many kinds of disablement. This book reviews the possibilities of using information technology in the education of the disabled. Commencing with an assessment of the learning problems faced by disabled people, it goes on to look at the scope of information technology and how it has been used for the education of students of all ages, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. A penultimate section considers most of the contentious issues that faced users of technology, whilst the conclusion devotes itself to the immediate and longer-term future, suggesting possible future trends and the consequent problems that may arise.

Originally published in 1989. Drawing on extensive teaching and research experience, Bernadette Walsh provides a practical approach to teaching pupils with language learning difficulties in the secondary school. Many of these pupils enter secondary school believing themselves to be failures in all areas because of their inability to express themselves in words. Walsh emphasises that learning difficulties of this sort often stem from emotional problems and can only be overcome by establishing warm teacher-pupil relationships based on trust and mutual acceptance and fostered by the spoken language. The book is based around the teacher's diary which Bernadette Walsh kept as a daily record of her work in the classroom. This vivid and immediate account lends weight to her argument that only an arts-based curriculum involving poetry, story, drama, dance, art, and - above all - talk, can help the development of children with special educational needs. Student teachers will find this text a compelling and realistic introduction to a challenging area of their future profession.

First published in 1995. This book responds to the multiplying demands for support and training for teachers of integrated classes in mainstream schools. Such support through school-based development initiatives enhances teachers' abilities to meet the emotional, behavioural and learning needs of their pupils. This volume aims to assist school staff to further their efforts in curriculum content and delivery, teacher-pupil and classroom relationships and parent involvement.

* Advises counselors in a positive way and aims to change the lives of students with learning disabilities by preparing them for college in an effective, concrete way * The first part is an overview of learning disabilities as they apply to the role of the elementary school counselor * The second part of the book is a step-by-step program for creating counselor-led groups for elementary school students with learning disabilities

* Advises counselors in a positive way and aims to change the lives of students with learning disabilities by preparing them for college in an effective, concrete way * The first part is an overview of learning disabilities as they apply to the role of the elementary school counselor * The second part of the book is a step-by-step program for creating counselor-led groups for elementary school students with learning disabilities

First published in 1985. The field of mental handicap is a broad one encompassing the interests of many professional groups. As a result, there is a need periodically to present wide-ranging reviews of advances in the field. This is the central aim of this volume. Two chapters focus on the cognitive domain, and are especially pertinent in view of the recent release of the new Kaufman Assessment Battery for Children which uses Das's theoretical position as its foundation. Another contribution reviews the area of non-speech communication with those with special needs, a subject of much current interest and controversy. Other chapters focus on major issues such as maladaptive behaviour and deinstitionalization and use of new technology. The book is thus likely to be relevant to all those with an interest in advances in mental handicap research.

Lesson Study has been developed and used in Japan for over a century and is increasingly used in the Far East, USA and now in Europe. Lesson Study: Making a Difference to Teaching Pupils with Learning Difficulties shows how this powerful model of professional learning has been integrated with the principles of inclusive practice by classroom teachers in the challenging area of teaching pupils in the spectrum from Moderate Learning Difficulties (MLD) to low attainment. The book illustrates how Lesson Study has been practiced and explores the optimal conditions in schools for its effective use. Essential reading for trainee and practicing teachers with an interest in how professional practice can enhance reflective practice as a means of school improvement and innovation for all pupils.

This practical resource explores the benefits of therapeutic trampolining on children and young people with special educational needs. It supports practitioners as they introduce the trampoline into their own therapeutic settings. Trampolining is known to improve balance, co-ordination and motor skills; it can improve bone density and benefit the lymphatic and cardiovascular systems. It has even shown to encourage communication in children with autism and PMLD. This book draws on the author's extensive experience of delivering both the British Gymnastics Trampoline Proficiency Award scheme as well as the Rebound Therapy trampolining programme. The book also explores the practical side on how to set up and deliver trampolining as a therapy in schools, clubs or in the home. Photocopiable material includes: Lesson equipment, such as schemes of work, lesson plans adapted for varying needs and a trampoline rules poster. Tools for offering therapeutic trampolining sessions such as sequencing cards, communication cards, Risk Assessment, an individual education plan and a communication placemat. All the necessary forms to ensure a safe trampolining environment for all participants, including screening forms, referral and assessment forms and relevant policies. A business plan for after school provision, advertising leaflet and service level agreement. This is an invaluable resource for anybody looking to explore therapeutic trampolining as a way of enhancing the physical and emotional wellbeing of children and young people with special educational needs.

Originally published in 1991. The introduction of the National Curriculum has presented many challenges for those concerned with the education of children and young people. One of the questions has been how to guarantee access to the National Curriculum for individuals with special educational needs. This book seeks to illustrate how this could be achieved in the case of those pupils with severe learning difficulties (SLD). In doing so the book offers principles and examples of practice, aiming to be relevant to the education of all pupils with special educational needs (SEN).

This workbook provides hands-on activities, strategies, planning sheets and progress trackers for use with children with selective mutism at home, at school and in the wider community. Written by selective mutism expert Maggie Johnson and parent coach Junhua Reitman, the workbook includes first-hand accounts of how children can overcome SM successfully using the activities and strategies described in this book. Activities are organised around the daily routines of school and family life, and each activity is broken into a progression of small steps with appropriate strategies and an accompanying record sheet to track progress. Activities include: Using the toilet at school Attending social gatherings Organising a successful playdate Initiating conversation Talking in the classroom Eating with peers. This workbook is essential reading for parents, professionals and anyone who is looking for a toolkit for selective mutism. It also provides a useful extension to The Selective Mutism Resource Manual, second edition, focusing on the 'how' to compliment the manual's 'what' and 'why'. Small steps really do lead to big changes but taking the first step can be the most difficult. This book helps you make that first step.

Every child should have access to an education that works. The Quest for a Meaningful Special Education follows the educational journeys of nine students with a language-based learning disability (LBLD) who, through a combination of parental advocacy and luck, were removed from a debilitating learning situation and enrolled in a school designed to address their particular learning needs. In the process of following their journeys, the book explores the role of cultures within and outside the school and examines some of the ways that the construction of special education has affected student learning. In the context of the ongoing national conversation about student academic success, high school dropout rates, the disproportionate number of prison inmates with learning disabilities, the costs of educating students, and the controversy over the placement of minorities in special education, The Quest For a Meaningful Special Education is a timely book that will add a new perspective to current debates

• Focused on practical teaching strategies. • Based on extensive experience and research. • Considers the many ways in which diverse learners can succeed in science. • Helps staff to understand the best approaches and research evidence so that they have the confidence to teach it. • Teachers’ notes provide additional guidance, as well as suggestions on how to adapt the material in specialist settings.