Learners with Mild Disabilities: A Characteristics Approach

Résumé

A primary text for use in high-prevalence courses in special education programs.

A critical look at four high-prevalence mild disabilities as seen from several unique perspectives.

Learners with Mild Disabilities focuses on four high-prevalence disorders: mild intellectual disabilities, learning disabilities, emotional/behavioral disorders, and ADHD. The text also considers the Autism Spectrum Disorders, such as HFA and Asperger's Syndrome, in addition to other mild conditions such as communication disorders.

This text looks first at the concept of disability from conventional categorical perspectives, and then shifts to focusing on learners from the perspective of alternative, non-categorical frameworks. It describes students with disabilities and related conditions with respect to a variety of individual strengths and needs, considering their cognitive, perceptual, language, academic learning, and social/emotional characteristics. The reader is encouraged to apply these conceptual frameworks through the analysis of numerous vignettes and extended case studies that are drawn from the experiences of real children and teachers throughout the text. Using this non-categorical framework best prepares special educators for the complex job of providing effective services to the full and unique spectrum of students with mild disabilities.

Contenu

Preface

UNIT I SETTING THE STAGE

Chapter 1 Perspectives on Disability

Meet Clarence

Studying High-Prevalence Disabilities

Mild Does Not Mean Not Serious

The Power of Language

Labeling, Classifying, and Identifying

To Classify or Not to Classify

Additional Thoughts on Labeling

The Historical Context of Disability

Early History of Disability

The Middle Ages, Renaissance and the Enlightenment

Disability Services in the United States (1800-1950)

Eugenics in Europe and the United States

The Testing Movement in Europe and the United States

Serving Children Identified as Having Disabilities

Disabilities in the United States from 1950 to the Present

Legislative and Legal Supports

Overview of the IDEA Principles

History of Rights Won in United States Courts

Trends in History

Summary

Ed Murphy: A Case Study

Chapter 2 Issues in Assessment and Identification
Meet Jeffrey

Assessment and Evaluation Requirements in IDEA

Purposes of Assessment of Students with Special Educational Needs

Types of Assessment Instruments and Techniques

Norm-Referenced Assessment

Criterion-Referenced and Curriculum-Based Assessment

Performance Assessment

Portfolio Assessment

Functional Behavioral Assessment

Reporting on Student Progress: Grading

Best Practices in Assessment of Children and Youth with Disabilities

Issues in Identification

Categories as Social Constructions

Are Non-categorical Models of Service an Alternative?

Response to Intervention: A Non-Categorical Strategy for Assessment and Identification

A Prevention Framework as Support

Summary

Sharon: A Case Study

Chapter 3 Issues in Instruction and Placement

Meet Enrico

Curriculum and Learners with Mild Disabilities

Alternatives to Instructional Accommodations

Instructional Strategies to Enhance Curricular Access

Explicit Teaching

Peer Tutoring

Cooperative Learning

Cognitive Strategies

Positive Behavioral Supports

Instruction and Individualized Education Program Planning

Alternative Curricula and Assessments

IDEA 2004 and the Location of Services

Least Restrictive Environment (LRE)

Models of Service Commonly Used for Students with Mild Disabilities

Inclusion: A Continuing Issue in Special Education

Summary

Angie: A Case Study

UNIT II WHO ARE THE LEARNERS WITH MILD DISABILITIES?

Chapter 4 Learners with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

Meet Caroline

Naming this Group of Learners

Historical Foundations of Intellectual Disabilities

Development of the Definition of Intellectual Disabilities in the United States

IDEA Definition of Intellectual Disabilities

Additional Perspectives on Defining Intellectual Disabilities

The New Generation of Other AAIDD/AAMR Definitions

Developmental Disabilities and Delay

An Alternative Definition with an Instructional Perspective

Levels of Severity

Educational Terminology

Supports and Intensity of Support Needs

Prevalence of Intellectual Disabilities

Conditions Associated with Risk of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

Biomedical Risk Factors

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