Focus on Special Educational Needs explores the characteristics of effective classroom instruction for language learners aged 5–18 with special educational needs. It guides teachers and other educational practitioners to combine their perspectives in providing balanced, coordinated, cohesive, and comprehensive approaches. The authors present a framework for developing inclusive learning environments which are culturally and linguistically responsive, based on strengths-based perspectives. Research studies and examples from the classroom illustrate collaborative practice in action. Additional online resources at www.oup.com/elt/teacher/fosen Cristina Sánchez-López is a teacher educator in Chicago at the Illinois Resource Center, Multilingual Cultural Classroom, and Paridad Education Consulting. Theresa Young is a speech-language pathologist and educator in private practice in Parry Sound, Ontario. ‘This excellent book provides detailed guidance for educating language learners with special educational needs, based on a thorough review of classroom research. The authors advocate approaches which build upon all the assets learners bring to the classroom, and integrate these with decades of best practices in second language development and special education. This will be a welcome resource to graduate students and practicing teachers alike.’ Dr Nadeen T. Ruiz, School of Education, University of California at Davis

This fully revised and updated edition takes into account current changes in educational policy to provide the reader with comprehensive information about understanding and working with young children with special needs.

Demonstrates how the fields of special education and inclusive education have evolved philosophically and technically over the past 30 years.

Understanding and engaging critically with the field of special educational needs and disability (SEND) is a difficult task. However, the new edition of this bestselling book continues to help students contextualize SEND in relation to historical, ideological and political developments as well as support them in developing a critical understanding of the complexities associated with inclusion. Completely up to date with recent legislation such as the SEND Code of Practice (2014) there are case studies, reflections and activities which will help students question practice they have seen and experienced. Covering the 0-25 age range this book is suitable for all those working with children and young people across education, health and social work.

The contributors focus on particular areas of special educational need, arguing that effective educational provision can be enhanced with reference to the particular problems experienced by children. Set in the context of a generic understanding of special education, this timely book addresses commonly-raised questions: what is the condition and how can I recognise it? why does it occur? what sort of educational, personal, and social consequences are there associated with it? are there any specialist skills and resources which I should know about? what are the implications for educational provision, teacher support, curricular access, assessment and classroom management? This popular book has been fully revised to provide a comprehensive overview of special needs provision. A such it is the key text on special needs in the '90s.

This key text provides essential tools for understanding legislation, policy, provision and practice for children in the early years, particularly young children with special educational needs and disability (SEND). Based on extensive research and the four areas of need as defined in the Special Educational Needs and Disability Code of Practice: 0 to 25 Years (DfE, 2015), the book charts the development of young children and their growing constructions of learning, communication, language, motor movement and emotion. Providing material that translates into practice in a straightforward and practical way, this text is packed full of personal accounts and case studies, enabling readers to appreciate what the experience of SEND in the early years means for families and professionals, and also to learn more about how they might understand and respond appropriately to a child’s needs. Understanding Special Educational Needs and Disability in the Early Years will be of interest to students studying Early Years courses, families, SENDCOs, teachers and other staff supporting young children with a range of special educational needs and disabilities.