-A classic text offering the only comprehensive survey of the research in this field. -Provides explanations of why the development of blind children may differ from that of sighted children. -Offers insight into the effect of vision on development more generally, and more specifically on the development of language and certain aspects of social cognition. -A new introduction from Miguel Perez-Pereira highlights the current context for the work, its impact as well as the latest research and tensions in the field.

This book focuses on the early acquisition of signed languages and the later development of reading by children who use signed languages. It represents the first collection of research papers focused solely on the acquisition of various signed languages by very young children--all of whom are acquiring signed languages natively, from deaf parents. It is also the first collection to investigate the possible relationships between the acquisition of signed language and reading development in school-aged children. The underlying questions addressed by the chapters are how visual-gestural languages develop and whether and how visual languages can serve the foundation for learning a second visual representation of language, namely, reading.
"Language Acquisition by Eye" is divided into two parts, anchored in the toddler phase and the school-pupil phase. The central focus of Part I is on the earliest stages of signed language acquisition. The chapters in this part address important questions as to what "babytalk" looks like in signed language and the effect it has on babies' attention, what early babbling looks like in signed language, what babies' earliest signs look like, how parents talk to their babies in signed language to ensure that their babies "see" what's being said, and what the earliest sentences in signed languages tell us about the acquisition of grammar. With contrasting research paradigms, these chapters all show the degree to which parents and babies are highly sensitive to one another's communicative interactions in subtle and complex ways. Such observations cannot be made for spoken language acquisition because speech does not require that the parent and child look at each other during communication whereas signed language does.
Part II focuses on the relationship between signed language acquisition and reading development in children who are deaf. All of these chapters report original research that investigates and uncovers a positive relationship between the acquisition and knowledge of signed language and the development of reading skills and as a result, represents a historical first in reading research. This section discusses how current theory applies to the case of deaf children's reading and presents new data that illuminates reading theory. Using a variety of research paradigms, each chapter finds a positive rather than a negative correlation between signed language knowledge and usage, and the development of reading skill. These chapters are sure to provide the foundation for new directions in reading research.

First Published in 1999. The majority of pupils who are deaf or hearing impaired are educated in mainstream classes. This means that mainstream teachers will not only come into contact with these pupils, but will have the responsibility for teaching them. There is a wide range of pupils covered by the title of the book: some deaf pupils will wear hearing aids, some will have a fluctuating hearing loss, and others will prefer to communicate using sign language. If this book succeeds in giving mainstream teachers, learning support assistants and others who may meet deaf and hearing impaired pupils in school a greater understanding not only of the difficulties which these pupils may face but also of the contribution which they can make to the school then it will have fulfilled its aim.

Constructing the (M)other is a collection of personal narratives about motherhood in the context of a society in which disability holds a stigmatized position. From multiple vantage points, these autoethnographies reveal how ableist beliefs about disability are institutionally upheld and reified. Collectively they seek to call attention to a patriarchal surveillance of mothering, challenge the trope of the good mother, and dismantle the constructed hierarchy of acceptable children. The stories contained in this volume are counter-narratives of resistance-they are the devices through which mothers push back. Rejecting notions of the otherness of their children, in these essays, mothers negotiate their identities and claim access to the category of normative motherhood. Readers are likely to experience dissonance, have their assumptions about disability challenged, and find their parameters of normalcy transformed.

Constructing the (M)other is a collection of personal narratives about motherhood in the context of a society in which disability holds a stigmatized position. From multiple vantage points, these autoethnographies reveal how ableist beliefs about disability are institutionally upheld and reified. Collectively they seek to call attention to a patriarchal surveillance of mothering, challenge the trope of the good mother, and dismantle the constructed hierarchy of acceptable children. The stories contained in this volume are counter-narratives of resistance-they are the devices through which mothers push back. Rejecting notions of the otherness of their children, in these essays, mothers negotiate their identities and claim access to the category of normative motherhood. Readers are likely to experience dissonance, have their assumptions about disability challenged, and find their parameters of normalcy transformed.

There is a robust body of knowledge suggesting that early language and literacy experiences significantly impact on future academic achievement. However, relatively little has been written with respect to the early literacy development and experiences of deaf children. In Early Literacy Development in Deaf Children, Connie Mayer and Beverly J. Trezek adress this need by providing an in-depth exploration of how young deaf children learn to read and write, identifying the foundational knowledge, abilities, and skills that are fundamental to this process. They supply an overview of the latest research and present a model of early literacy development to guide their discussion on topics such as teaching reading and writing, curriculum and interventions, bilingualism, and assessment. Throughout, they describe the ways in which young learners with hearing loss are similar to, or different from, their hearing age peers and the consequent implications for research and practice. Their discussion is wide-reaching, as they focus on children from various cultural and linguistic backgrounds, those with additional disabilities and hearing losses ranging from mild to profound, andt those using a range of communication modalities and amplification technologies, including cochlear implants. As advancements in hearing technologies have heightened both the emphasis on literacy development in the early years and the importance of these years in the ultimate development of age-appropriate reading and reading outcomes, this timely text addresses a topic that has thus far eluded the field.

The way in which education is provided for deaf children is changing, as are the demands made on teachers, both in special settings and in mainstream schools. This book offers a comprehensive account of recent research and current issues in educational policy, psychology, linguistics and audiology, as they relate to the education of the deaf and includes detailed information about further reading. It should be of interest to student teachers and teachers of the deaf, teachers in mainstream schools, academics working in the area of deafness and disability, audiologists and cochlear implant teams, parents of deaf children, and members of the deaf community.

This book outlines effective IEP practice for pupils who exhibit emotional and behavioural difficulties (EBD) and explores the purpose and effectiveness of IEPs by addressing the following issues: How can pupil behaviour be viewed holistically if targets are narrow and written in purely behaviourist terms? How can IEPs for EBD be designed so that parental involvement and pupil responsibility is fostered? Are IEPs effective in identifying the training needs of teachers for meeting non-curricular targets (Self esteem, self control, personal monitoring and organization, social behaviour, etc.)? How can outside agencies work collaboratively with school staff to support the meeting of agreed targets? What systems within school need to be developed to ensure that response to IEPs are monitored by all concerned from subject teachers, to mid-day supervisors?

This is an accessible book about working with people who have challenging behaviours for professionals, parents, and carers. The focus and emphasis is on the practicalities, including what makes good practice, how to handle challenging situations, what makes good incident management procedures, and how to coordinate staff so that they work well together.

Staff from a variety of disciplines provide accounts of their work and the editor's commentary and summary highlights issues of practice, technique, and theory from the accounts.

Mental health and well-being are becoming increasingly important areas of focus in education, yet schools often find themselves lacking the tools, time and resources to tackle the issues. Mental health support is frequently seen as an additional responsibility of the school setting, rather than a core aspect of it. This practical, fully accessible book provides straightforward guidance and low-budget strategies to help school settings get mental health support right. With a focus on the well-being of both students and staff, chapters focus on techniques to develop self-esteem, manage behaviour and build positive relationships at all levels. Key features include: low-cost and easy-to-implement strategies suitable for the busy classroom environment, as well as whole school approaches downloadable activities and planning sheets based on cognitive behavioural therapy techniques a focus on building strong foundations based on mental health basics Refreshingly honest and conscious of the realities of the school environment, this book is a crucial tool for anybody working within education.

A cornucopia of ideas, strategies, and concepts that will apply to virtually any situation! The authors address sensory, communication, and physical and social-emotional issues by increasing desired behaviors and decreasing unwanted behaviors. You will also learn how to build sensory diets into everyday activities; use antecedent control; teach students to self-regulate; deal with self-injurious behaviors, physical or verbal aggression, toilet training, obsessive-compulsive behavior, and fixations; deal with crisis/stress/data management, data management, and much more. Whatever problems you face, you'll find helpful solutions to them in this book. This book should be on every teacher's and parent's bookshelf. Great reference source! Helpful sections include: Impact of Autism Characteristics What Does Communication Have to do With Behavior? Sensory Issues and Behavior Social Skills and Social/Emotional Issues Structuring the Environment for Success Increasing Desired Behaviors Decreasing Unwanted Behaviors Crisis Management and Other Special Problems Discipline Procedures and Behavior Intervention Plans Stress Management

Many Early Years settings are taking in children for longer periods and at a younger age. However, their day-to-day practice has not necessarily changed and instead leads to the 'management' of behaviour, rather than investigating why the behaviour is taking place. Through a combination of practice, theory and reflection, leading Early Years education consultant Penny Tassoni explores children's behaviour from a child-centred point of view. In doing so, she shows how, over time, children learn to be with others and the strategies that adults can use to positively support this development. Understanding Children's Behaviour is a practical handbook that is accessible and adaptable for Early Years practitioners looking to support children's behaviour by focusing on their personal and social skills. It includes a useful A-Z problem-solving section about dealing with unwanted behaviours for analysis and to guide practice.

The Confident Minds Curriculum provides a simple and practical approach to culture change in schools, health care settings and organisations working with young people. Refraining from focusing solely on young people's growth, the curriculum provides logical and practical support to the people and systems in their environment to enable and maximise growth for positive and connected communities. Crucial mindsets for healthy relationships, empathy, compassion, problem-solving, emotional intelligence and well-being are broken down into bite-size, teachable chunks. All blend together exquisitely to help people look at themselves and others with confidence, gratitude and compassion. Easily applied to individuals, targeted groups and whole classes to meet the social emotional learning (SEL) or well-being curriculum, this book provides a guiding light for young people and their supporters to develop what is necessary for socially and emotionally intelligent environments. Aimed primarily at the middle years (8-14), it is easily adaptable for younger and older students. Through role plays, discussions, journaling and practical activities each new mindset is divided into several lessons that teach individual learning components of new ways of thinking, feeling and behaving. The Confident Minds Curriculum will appeal to teachers, educators and health professionals searching for a whole school or organisational approach to social emotional learning, well-being, compassion and personal growth. It is also an essential resource for homes where parents and carers can help further develop life skills that build character and optimism so their family can approach life with greater confidence.

This book chronicles the experiences of ten autistic self-advocates who use rapid prompting method and facilitated communication. Their narratives document the complexities that autistic individuals navigate when choosing to use a highly controversial, alternative form of communication in educational and community Settings. Using letter boards and keyboards to write their chapters, the authors describe powerful stories in the context of aiming for disability rights. The book concludes by presenting research-based educational practices that schools and colleges enact to support students who use alternative forms of communication.

In times of increasing pressure on schools and teachers, it is essential that teachers are equipped to understand the emotional and relational factors in learning and teaching. Vulnerable and disaffected children need understanding and nurture rather than reactive management, which can easily exacerbate their difficulties, leaving them unheard and defensive, and even undermine teacher confidence and effectiveness. Understanding, Nurturing and Working Effectively with Vulnerable Children in Schools offers a comprehensive and accessible exploration of the difficulties faced by teachers and schools from at-risk and disaffected children, including repeated trauma and insecure attachment patterns. The book describes how a thoughtful 'relationship-based' approach can both alleviate such difficulties and offer a second chance attachment experience, enabling students to discover it might be safe to let down their all consuming defences a little; thus freeing them to begin to learn. It offers: practical suggestions in note form - making them easy to use, refer to and assimilate; numerous case examples and teacher friendly theoretical background material; a wealth of ideas for ways forward, including differentiated responses to children in the light of their particular patterns, developmental stages and unmet needs. Written from extensive professional experience, this is an essential handbook and resource book for trainers, schools, teachers and school staff, and also for educational psychologists and those in children's services working with vulnerable children in pre and primary schools, as well as those in special schools and units.

There is no doubt about the importance of assessment: it defines what students regard as important, how they spend their time and how they come to see themselves - it is a necessary part of helping them to learn.
This text provides background research on different aspects of assessment. Its purpose is to help lecturers to refresh their approach to the assessment of student learning.
It explores the nature of both conventional assessment such as essays and projects and less widely used approaches such as self and peer assessment. There are also chapters devoted to the use of IT, the role of external examiners and the introduction of different forms of assessment.
With guidelines, suggestions, examples of practice and activities, this book will become a springboard for action, discussion and even more active learning.

The Day the Sky Fell In is a therapeutic story about letting go of worries and emotional baggage. When a determined girl climbs a difficult path up a cliff, the sky rains down mystery objects on her which she catches and carries with her. Her journey becomes more and more difficult and when she arrives at the top of the cliff she is too weighed down to slide down to the sea, the very place she wants to get to. By letting go of things she doesn't really need, the girl feels lighter and is able to follow her valued direction. This beautifully illustrated storybook will appeal to all children, and can be used by practitioners, educators and parents as a tool to discuss with children what we value as important in life and how we can let go of things we don't need, such as unhealthy or unhelpful feelings, thoughts or behaviours. This story can be purchased alongside six other storybooks as part of a set (ISBN: 9781138556478), as well as in a set alongside the guidebook Nurturing Emotional Resilience in Vulnerable Children and Young People and six other storybooks (9781138556454). The guidebook outlines ways to use these beautifully told and visually appealing stories to nurture emotional resilience with children and will be invaluable tools for anyone working to build emotional resilience with children and young people.

The Girl who Collected Her Own Echo is a therapeutic story about finding friendship. In the story, a little girl lives by herself and loves to sing. One day whilst she is singing in a mysterious cave, she thinks that her echo must be the sound of other children singing, but she is too shy to approach them. When she meets a boy who loved hearing her sing but was too shy to approach her, she realises that they were both lonely and they can sing together as friends. This story can be purchased alongside six other storybooks as part of a set (ISBN: 9781138556478), as well as in a set alongside the guidebook Nurturing Emotional Resilience in Vulnerable Children and Young People and six other storybooks (9781138556454). The guidebook outlines ways to use these beautifully told and visually appealing stories to nurture emotional resilience with children and will be invaluable tools for anyone working to build emotional resilience with children and young people.

ADHD is the most commonly diagnosed childhood behavioral disorder. Moreover, many students receiving special education assistance are reported to have ADHD. Children with ADHD may experience significant school adjustment difficulties and achievement problems. Problem behaviors associated with attention deficits and hyperactivity often have a negative impact on the classroom, and, therefore, may compromise the learning environment for many, if not all, students. There is a critical need for school professionals to identify, assess, and treat students with ADHD.

Identifying, Assessing, and Treating ADHD at School brings science to practice, providing school professionals invaluable information to meet the needs of children with ADHD. This volume, designed as a practical, easy-to-use reference for school psychologists and other mental health and educational professionals:

• Explains why school psychologists and their colleagues need to be prepared and able to identify and serve students with ADHD.
• Identifies the prevalence, influences, and associated conditions.
• Provides a review of screening, referral, and diagnostic assessment processes.
• Offers guidance on conducting psychoeducational assessments.
• Reviews evidence-based treatments.
• Offers practical guidance on setting up programs that address individual and classroom issues.

School psychologists and other education and mental health professionals will find Identifying, Assessing, and Treating ADHD at School an exceptional resource in working to enhance the mental health and academic development of students.

"Different minds learn differently," writes Dr. Mel Levine, one of the best-known learning experts and pediatricians in America today. Some students are strong in certain areas and some are strong in others, but no one is equally capable in all. Yet most schools still cling to a one-size-fits-all education philosophy. As a result, many children struggle because their learning patterns don't fit the way they are being taught.

In his #1 New York Times bestseller A Mind at a Time, Dr. Levine shows parents and those who care for children how to identify these individual learning patterns, explaining how they can strengthen a child's abilities and either bypass or help overcome the child's weaknesses, producing positive results instead of repeated frustration and failure.

Consistent progress can result when we understand that not every child can do equally well in every type of learning and begin to pay more attention to individual learning patterns -- and individual minds -- so that we can maximize children's success and gratification in life. In A Mind at a Time Dr. Levine shows us how.

Recent legislation - the 1981 and 1993 Education Acts - have emphasized the need for parents to work as partners with professionals in the assessment of children's special educational needs. This book explores that notion of partnership and subjects it to critical scrutiny. It describes the assessment process from both the parental and professional standpoints, looking in particular at the parent-professional relationship and the barriers that might inhibit effective partnerships between parents and professionals. The child's viewpoint is equally important, and later chapters examine children's own accounts of the assessment process.

Recent legislation - the 1981 and 1993 Education Acts - have emphasized the need for parents to work as partners with professionals in the assessment of children's special educational needs. This book explores that notion of partnership and subjects it to critical scrutiny. It describes the assessment process from both the parental and professional standpoints, looking in particular at the parent-professional relationship and the barriers that might inhibit effective partnerships between parents and professionals. The child's viewpoint is equally important, and later chapters examine children's own accounts of the assessment process.

Creative Response Activities for Children on the Spectrum is a clear, comprehensive and intuitive guide that offers a wide selection of hands-on interventions to be used in any therapeutic or educational setting with children who are 'on the spectrum'. From drawing and writing poetry to skiing and skateboarding, this book describes these and many other creative activities geared towards children with autistic features, attention deficits, hyperactivity, paediatric bipolar disorder and other related conditions. This new resource provides an innovative blend of theory and illustrative case examples designed to help therapists and educators assess children's needs, formulate therapeutic and aesthetic interventions, and analyze creative outcomes.