With its comprehensive coverage of instruction and intervention practices in natural environments, this is the essential methods textbook for preservice educators and therapists preparing to work with young children who have disabilities. Focusing on children from birth to age 5, this text gives future professionals a wealth of specific, practical knowledge on a range of critical procedures for working with children effectively. Preservice practitioners will benefit from the features that set this book apart from other early intervention texts, including: in-depth, practical information on assessing and intervening with children who have severe disabilities and autism; clear, explicit guidance on the actual methods professionals should use when working with children; an integrated, non-categorical approach that weaves together information across disabilities, developmental domains, and ages; guidelines on how to use naturalistic and systematic instruction together; and a strong focus throughout the book on cultural competence. Students will find this text accessible and easy to use: each chapter starts with a bulleted list of focus points; ends with a concise, helpful summary and challenging study questions; and includes realistic examples that illustrate the suggested techniques and strategies. These reader-friendly features also make this book a useful resource for professional development with in-service interventionists and educators, who can use the practical information and ideas to inform their work with young children. Growing from the authors' original work in the successful Early Intervention in Natural Environments: Methods and Procedures, this book will prepare future educators and therapists to work successfully with young children who have disabilities. This book contains the following chapters: (1) Perspectives, Policies, and Practices (Linda McCormick); (2) Professional and Family Partnerships (Linda McCormick); (3) Assessment and Planning: The IFSP and the IEP (Linda McCormick); (4) Naturalistic Curriculum Model (Mary Jo Noonan); (5) Planning and Evaluation/Monitoring (Linda McCormick); (6) Instructional Procedures (Mary Jo Noonan) (7) Designing Culturally Relevant Instruction (Mary Jo Noonan); (8) Procedures for Children with Autism (Mary Jo Noonan); (9) Interventions in Natural Environments (Linda McCormick); (10) Procedures for Challenging Behavior (Mary Jo Noonan); (11) Group Instruction (Mary Jo Noonan); (12) Interventions to Promote Peer Interaction (Linda McCormick); (13) Environmental Arrangements to Promote Independence (Mary Jo Noonan); and (14) Transitions (Linda McCormick).