Parents have a real opportunity to influence their child's education through participation in the Committee on the Handicapped process which includes referral, evaluation, Individualized Education Program (IEP) planning and review. Specific guidelines for parent participation in this process are discussed, including parent/teacher conferences,…

As teachers encounter a wider variety of children and families than ever before, dealing with all the differences can be demanding. This book provides a collection of 45 readings reflecting the strong, continuing current of thoughtful work on teaching young children in a diverse society to help teachers and prospective teachers respond to the…

Two rural Ojibwe mothers whose young children received early childhood at-risk services were interviewed about their life circumstances and experiences with service delivery. Major interview themes that emerged included positive experiences and successes with early childhood special education services, and rural and cultural obstacles to the…

Designed for parents, this brochure uses a car-trip analogy to describe special education services for students with disabilities. It addresses: (1) child find; (2) initial evaluation and eligibility determination; (3) categories of students who receive special education services and related services; (4) creating a home file to organize…

Teacher-parent collaborative consultation can be useful in planning appropriate vocational programs for adolescents with disabilities. Such consultation can involve informing parents of vocational opportunities, planning vocational assessment and collecting vocational information, developing vocational components of individualized education plans,…

Examines the use of consultation and school-based multidisciplinary team conferences in the delivery of educational and psychological services for mainstreamed handicapped children. Step-by-step illustrations of problem solving in a consultative relationship are extended to team problem solving. Reviews research that supports these practices. (GLR)

Five strategies to support young adults with disabilities who are making the transition into adulthood include (1) encouraging parents to have early expectations for community life; (2) helping parents realize the importance of their role; (3) helping parents honor their children's choices; (4) involving social support networks; and (5) addressing…

Examines ways of using collaboration to address the needs of young children with disabilities through Individualized Family Service Plans. Discusses collaborating among professionals and parents; identifying existing routines within the family and professional setting; developing family and child goals through listening, incorporating goals with…

A study evaluated 10 textbooks related to working with families of students with disabilities that may be used in special-education teacher-preparation programs. Results indicate variability among the textbooks regarding the representation of culturally diverse populations and fluctuation in cultural-diversity content across textbooks. (Author/CR)

Since the passage of the 1975 Education for All Handicapped Children Act and the 1986 PL99-457 amendment, many children aged birth to 3 years with special health care needs are enrolled in early intervention programs. Educators working in early intervention services often need to respond to and manage seizure activity and medical emergencies for…

The presence of HIV-positive children in preschool and day care programs is becoming more widespread as medical research discovers new drugs to combat the disease. This paper examines one child's experience in his first 3 years of school in the Bronx, New York. The paper begins with a description of how teachers are becoming more aware of children…

This compilation of essays and resources focuses on acceptance of children with disabilities and cooperation between parents and early intervention specialists. The compilation includes the following items written by Jan Spiegle-Mariska (sometimes cited as Jan Mariska): "Building Effective Parent/Professional Partnerships"; "What…

The manual presents intervention strategies designed by Project MEDIA (Middle and Elementary Direct Instruction Alternatives) to aid the transition of both nonhandicapped and mainstreamed handicapped students from elementary (K-5) to middle (6-8) school. The manual is divided into six sections with topics of specific problem areas alphabetized…

This paper provides a brief review of the issues regarding families in early intervention programs for handicapped children and proposes the assessment of family needs as a first step in designing family-focused interventions. While traditional approaches to early intervention tend to be exclusively child-focused, professionals are encouraged to…

Intended for parents of children with disabilities, this guide offers guidance for writing letters to the professionals involved in a child's special education. Basic information about the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) precedes a flow chart breakdown of the 10 steps in the special education process under IDEA. Suggestions for…