In this interview, disabilities activist and commissioner of the Alternative Baseball Organization (ABO) Taylor Duncan relates his life as a student with autism and other special needs. He goes into stigmas that he had to overcome in school as he tried to participate in regular baseball activities. Encouraged by a coach to not give up and pursue…

Although it is true that good planning does not always lead to a good life, it is equally true that supporting people to have a full, rich life does not happen without good planning. In the past 12 years, the author's organization has supported over 125 people to live in their own homes, control their own funding, direct their own supports,…

The author reviews the background of mainstreaming and least restrictive environment placement for handicapped children, cites problems with the implementation of the concept, and suggests a cooperative approach. He asserts that the learning environment should be modified by focusing on the following factors: modification of content and materials,…

The article examines the roles of special educators in providing a variety of support services in mainstream settings including as support facilitator, specialist, professional peer collaborator, as part of a mainstream/teacher assistance team, and in cooperative teaching. (DB)

Suggests a team approach for effectively and efficiently providing services for postsecondary students with disabilities. Reviews various teaming concepts and presents a framework for a postsecondary disability problem-solving team. (Author/JOW)

This article on professional roles in early intervention introduces the concept of expanding roles to include collaborative reflective inquiry within communities of practice as one way to reform professional practices. It suggests that reflection within communities of practice extends the understanding of individual professionals but also holds…

Similarities and differences between least restrictive environment (LRE) and collaboration are considered. It is suggested that both LRE and collaboration are essential to achieving appropriate education for students with disabilities, but the potential of LRE and collaboration has not yet been fully realized. (SW)

This article focuses on early intervention implementation concerns and recommendations for addressing the needs of the wide range of infants and toddlers with disabilities and families to be served. It describes providing services in natural environments, as well as the issues of personnel preparation and models of service delivery. (Contains…

Recent federal regulations implementing Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Education for All Handicapped Children Act (P.L. 94-142) have not dealt adequately with reliable identification of the handicapped child. (SB)

The article examines specific challenges to special education during the 1990's and stresses (1) sharing the responsibility for quality instruction among teachers, researchers, teacher educators, administrators, support personnel, and policymakers and (2) making optimum use of the tools of modern technology. (DB)

In this interview, Dr. Richard Van Acker discusses federal requirements for functional behavioral assessments (FBAs) and the teamwork involved in conducting an FBA. Various components of FBAs and the approximate time required are outlined and examples are provided of structured data collection for use in the FBA. (CR)

Calls for a team approach to meeting the vocational needs of handicapped learners. Emphasizes the need for a multi-disciplinary approach to vocational programing. Specifies the competencies necessary to facilitate a team effort and provides an example of a cooperative approach to the individualized education programs. (Editor/CT)

The effects of New Hampshire's guardianship law on other disciplines in dealings with disabled persons are examined. Transdisciplinary efforts to promote more normalizing methods of protection are noted, and the bias underlying many service systems (that disabled persons do not have a right to make wrong choices) is exposed. A multi-layered…

The booklet summarizes recommendations of the New Jersey Education Study Commission regarding program options, the role and functions of the child study team in the local setting, teacher training, and special education funding. Recommendations for program options focus on a categorical system based on educational needs: (1) general education…

The article traces the background and history of occupational therapy and special education as they relate to the birth to three-year-old population, focusing on the meeting of the two professions and the development of mutual respect and partnership out of initial resentment and misunderstanding. (Author/JDD)