This article provides strategies for improving parent information sessions and engaging parents in the support of their children's (including children with disabilities) education. Strategies include using parent-friendly teaching materials, scheduling meetings for family convenience, maintaining a comfortable atmosphere, and providing…

This article discusses using "PEPSI", a screening and programming method that evaluates the physical, emotional, philosophical, social, and intellectual levels of development in children with disabilities. The steps in the PEPSI screening process are described and a case study is provided. A chart depicting indicators in teaching respect for self…

This article describes video-based vocabulary lessons that were used with 10 fourth-grade students with learning disabilities. The video programs were used as an "anchor" or "situation" for creating a realistic context for learning. Vocabulary was enriched by providing contextual information, introducing new vocabulary words, reviewing target…

This article provides strategies that early childhood special educators can use to incorporate the learning of specific skills into a variety of developmentally appropriate play activities for children with disabilities. The development of individualized education programs that incorporate play as a framework for intervention is discussed. (CR)

This article examines the provision of effective services for students with emotional or behavioral disorders and recommends a broad spectrum of individualized interventions. A theoretical framework is provided and specific components to be included in an effective behavior change plan are described. A sample individualized education program is…

This article provides guidelines for designing effective instructional games for all students, including students with disabilities or other special learning needs. The benefits of instructional games, including student motivation and the ability of games to facilitate individualized instruction, are discussed. Sample instructional games,…

Internet sites that address career exploration, college selection, college financial aid sources, and job search resources (including listings of teaching positions and newspaper employment ads from major cities) for individuals seeking careers in special education are listed and described. (CR)

Advertisements for used cars can be an aid in teaching adolescents with mild disabilities reading, writing, vocabulary, and study skills. A lesson is presented that teaches students how to interpret the abbreviations and vocabulary associated with used car advertisements, to develop car ads, and to role play the appropriate way of responding to an…

This article describes LEARN, a five-step plan to help students with disabilities succeed on tests. The steps include listen for hints, clues, and important information; examine notes, books, and papers; apply study and memory strategies; review every night; and nail the test. The benefits to using this approach are reviewed. (CR)

This article describes a campaign to improve reading instruction called "Learning to Read, Reading to Learn." Tips are offered for parents on ways to help their child become a better reader, and the names, addresses, and telephone numbers of 38 experts in reading instruction who are willing to assist schools with their reading instruction…

The Individual Student Planning Team Process is presented as a method for planning effective educational programs for all students in inclusive classrooms. The process involves identifying student educational strengths and needs, determining which needs can be met through general education activities, supporting individual student programs in…

This article suggests strategies to make classroom curricula adaptive, flexible, and challenging to all students, including those with disabilities. Descriptions of eight sample learning activities illustrate the multiple adaptations possible. Principles such as the importance of the team approach, peer involvement, development of functional…

This article offers a systematically organized series of questions to identify funding sources for assistive technology for students with disabilities. A decision tree links the questions with funding sources. (DB)

Guidelines for including ventilator-dependent children in school are offered, based on experience with six such students at a New York State school. Guidelines stress adherence to the medical management plan, the school-family partnership, roles of the social worker and psychologist, orientation, transportation, classroom issues, and steps toward…

An instructional prereading using American Sign Language (ASL) was effective in improving the ability of 7 prelingually deaf children (ages 11 and 12) to understand and retell a story after reading it in print. A six-step procedure for using the ASL technique is explained. Other applications of the technique and its appropriateness for public…