This article examines assessment practices for young children with disabilities and establishes how videotaping can effectively supplement traditional methods. It shows how teachers can use videotaping to involve parents in the process of monitoring the objectives in Individualized Education Programs and to increase parent awareness of their…

This article presents an interview with a mother using a new mobility curriculum with her 4-year-old daughter with cerebral palsy. The physical supports or prompts used in the MOVE curriculum are designed to facilitate the use of mobility skills, not to replace them. An overview of the curriculum is provided. (Contains references.) (CR)

This article highlights Project Adventure, an adventure-based curriculum that teaches students social skills, teamwork, and conflict resolution. It describes how Project Adventure works, what effect it has on students with behavior disorders, and practical steps for teachers to follow as they introduce their students to this social-skills…

This article discusses the results of a case study that investigated the effectiveness of an auditory prompting system, using earphones and a cassette, to improve on-task job performance of an adult with mild mental retardation. Guidelines for working with adults and student to improve job and task performance are provided. (Contains references.)…

This article discusses the difficulty with which children with social disabilities establish and maintain friendships, as well as the significance of this difficulty within the school setting. Practical classroom strategies are illustrated, as well as interventions that target select social-skills deficits frequently encountered by students with…

A case study is described that examines the experience of a seventh-grader with learning disabilities in written expression and his use of word prediction and speech feedback software during journal writing. Results indicate instruction and instructional feedback play a critical role in student success, regardless of the availability of…

This article discusses home/family factors related to the development of emergent literacy skills in preschool-age children and presents the Home Literacy Inventory for assessing children's non-print activities, reading activities, writing activities, and current reading and writing abilities. How the information can be used to develop…

This article argues that if professionals categorize parents as "in denial," unaccepting, or difficult, professionals may lose the chance to understand and learn from the parents. Recommendations are provided for rethinking denial and working with parents, including supporting parents' hopes and dreams for their child, suspending judgment, and…

This article describes the Let's Play Project model, which uses play as the outcome for families and children with disabilities. The model is family-centered, play-focused, and uses assistive technology in the facilitation of play and development. Six assistive technology categories that are used are explained with examples of low-tech…

This article reviews resources that offer personal insights and lessons from families of children with disabilities. Five books are reviewed that offer perspectives from fathers and mothers on raising and coping with a child with a disability, along with three Web sites for families of children with disabilities or premature infants. (CR)

This article reviews the evidence for balanced literacy instruction in the elementary years. The case is made that the balanced instructional model is particularly appropriate and beneficial for students who have initial difficulties in learning to read and write. Key features of successful reading instruction programs are described. (Contains…

This article describes several techniques for structuring storybook reading interactions to best promote emergent literacy development for young children with disabilities. Techniques are presented for increasing the appeal and interactive nature of shared storybook reading and ways to promote children's awareness of naturally occurring literacy…

This article describes a way to provide systematic connections between mathematics and science for students with disabilities through hands-on lessons, word problems, and opportunities for problem-solving. Sample units are presented that integrate science and mathematics at the K-8 level and explore interrelationships among multiplication and…

A study investigated how phonemic-awareness research and intervention knowledge was successfully translated for teacher implementation in two kindergarten classes (n=27) over three years. Research-validated strategies were first identified, the research was translated into teacher friendly materials/procedures, teachers participated in choosing…

This article explores ways that teachers can build competence in students who have difficulties in communicating with others, rather than focus on their deficits. Tips include ways to interpret body language, encourage group membership, ways to influence student behavior, and ways to encourage communication and independent decision making by…