This handbook discusses early childhood special education (ECSE), with particular focus on evidence-based practices. Coverage spans core intervention areas in ECSE, such as literacy, motor skills, and social development as well as diverse contexts for services, including speech-language pathology, physical therapy, and pediatrics. Contributors offer strategies for planning, implementing, modifying, and adapting interventions to help young learners extend their benefits into the higher grades. Concluding chapters emphasize the importance of research in driving evidence-based practices (EBP). Topics featured in the Handbook include: Family-centered practices in early childhood intervention. The application of Response to Intervention (RtI) in young children with identified disabilities. Motor skills acquisition for young children with disabilities. Implementing evidence-based practices in ECSE classrooms. · Cultural, ethnic, and linguistic implications for ECSE. The Handbook of Early Childhood Special Education is a must-have resource for researchers, professors, upper-level undergraduate and graduate students, clinicians, and practitioners across such disciplines as child and school psychology, early childhood education, clinical social work, speech and physical therapy, developmental psychology, behavior therapy, and public health.

DEC Recommended Practices guides the development and implementation of an effective early intervention/early childhood special education program by fully integrating research evidence with the everyday truths faced by people who live and work with children with disabilities.

This book is designed to provide guidance on effective practices that are related to better outcomes for young children with disabilities, their families, and the personnel who serve them. Practices were identified through focus groups of stakeholders: practitioners, personnel trainers, researchers, administrators, and family members. These practices were integrated with those found from an extensive review of the literature. The resulting practices underwent a field validation. After an introductory chapter, chapters are provided that list recommended practices in the following areas: (1) assessment; (2) child-focused interventions; (3) family-based interventions; (4) interdisciplinary models; (5) technology applications; (6) polices, procedures, and systems change; and (7) personnel preparation. Each of these chapters begins with an introductory statement written by the research strand chair and includes the organizing principles or key features that serve as the foundation of each strand. Also included are definitions of terms that are specific to the strand. A listing of the recommended practices follows. Chapters 9 and 10 discuss methods and activities used to produce the recommended practices and provide applications to illustrate ways the practices can be used in the field. Appendices include information on applicable federal laws and resources and position papers. (Chapters include references.) (CR)

Featuring the application of evidence-based strategies, ecological and family-based approaches, effective learning, and the use of responsive cultural/linguistic practices, Early Childhood Education (0-8 Years): Strategies for Positive Outcomes, prepares students for all the professional knowledge and skill competencies they need to promote optimal development in infant and toddlers (0-3), preschoolers (3-5), and primary-aged (6-8) children with special needs. Using real-life case studies to illustrate recommended practices, the book clearly presents disability characteristics, assessment practices, and easy-to-implement interventions for inclusive and special education settings, while giving students all the resources they need to master and apply the material. Highlights of This First Edition: Prepares students with ALL the professional knowledge and skill competencies necessary to promote optimal development in children with special needs from birth through 8 years old. Highlights intervention techniques from special education, speech-language pathology, occupational/physical therapy, and the fields of vision and hearing impairments. Uses a real-life case study in each chapter to illustrate recommended practices and strategies. Examines the legal, philosophical, and instructional tenets of the field of Early Childhood Special Education in detail, including IDEA 2004. Features how to use evidence-based practices and strategies that maximize communicative, cognitive/literacy, fine and gross motor, adaptive, and social-emotional development in infants and toddlers, preschoolers, and primary-aged children.

Essential Elements in Early Intervention is a complete sourcebooks and guide for early interventionists, teachers of students with visual impairments, and other professionals who work with young children with visual impairments, dual sensory impairments, and multiple disabilities. It includes comprehensive information on vision and hearing examinations, functional vision and hearing assessments, and effective methods of providing early intervention services. The new edition includes expanded, updated information on federal special education legislation, best practices in early intervention, evidence-based outcomes, and the role of the early interventionist, as well as strategies for working with families and educational teams successfully.