This article describes a simple, concrete and engaging model for teaching self-determination skills (such as self-awareness, goal-setting, choice-making, problem solving and self-monitoring) to early elementary students. The model was designed to increase appropriate behaviors, academic performance and positive self-concept in students with and…

Personal, idiosyncratic, geographical, and social-economic parameters are presented as a framework for understanding parental perceptions of mental retardation in Cali, Colombia. Three stages of special education development are described that define the history of the Colombian case: from a history of neglecting children with disabilities, to…

In recent years, great emphasis has been placed on providing all students access to the general education curriculum (e.g., Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, No Child Left Behind Act). Given the diversity found among today's student population, both general and special education teachers struggle to find methodologies that enhance the…

Words can be powerful tools to engage students with disabilities in self-determined behaviors. When teachers are cognizant of their choice of words and manner of interaction, they can empower students to develop a sense of who they are, what they are capable of doing, and why they behave the way they do. This article explores how everyday…

Recent legislation has pushed reform efforts to new heights. Students with disabilities now have higher standards, which include participation in high stakes testing. This article explains one elementary teacher's approach to math education and preparing all students to be successful on standardized tests. Details of how she gives all learners…

As aberrant behavior is often recognized as the number one form of communication, it becomes imperative that as parents, teachers, and educators we must address and systematically teach or provide all children with an effective means of communication. While many augmentative and alternative communication systems such as manual sign language and…

Cochlear implants can provide partial hearing to individuals with substantial hearing loss. Because of improvements in early identification and intervention, more children with cochlear implants will be included in elementary school general education classrooms. Thus, general education teachers should be prepared for teaching children with…

Inclusive education is here to stay. However, teachers remain fearful of their ability to deliver and assess curriculum and related activities for a diverse population of students. Current literature suggests that effective classroom planning includes four activities: a focus on planning to prompt and sustain student on-task behavior; an…

Daily communication journals are a powerful tool to promote communication development in children with severe disabilities. Each page of the daily journal features three parts: a print or braille label, a recording device, and a tangible symbol. Children should participate in both the preparation of the daily journal and its review, thus gaining…

In order for gifted/learning disabled (GT/LD) students to effectively gain access to enriched and accelerated instruction, they often need to have appropriate adaptations and accommodations. Teachers, parents, and students have strong opinions and beliefs that influence which, if any, adaptations and accommodations they believe to be appropriate.…

The author describes how the language of labels and her own cultural biases affect how she approaches teaching her students with disabilities. The author examines how the mythopoetic narratives of our past force us to examine the underlying assumptions of our culture that are expressed within our language and how understanding our own linguistic…

The purpose of this article is to awaken the reader to the possibilities which exist when working on Person-Centered Planning and the individual with intellectual disabilities, specifically, Down syndrome. Although Person-Centered Planning has been in existence for more than two decades, it is viewed in a new way through the experiences documented…

The MotivAider[R] is a small electronic device that can be set to vibrate at different times to remind people to manage their behavior. The MotivAider[R] can help keep students focused on a task, reduce "nagging" from a teacher, and eliminate the need for constant reminders to the student to stay engaged. This article includes several examples of…