Explicit instruction is a high-leverage practice for special education and is associated with improved learning for students with disabilities (Hughes et al., 2019). The high-leverage practices are 22 critical practices in special education that are effective for improving outcomes for a broad range of students with and at risk for disabilities…

Dyslexia refers to a persistent difficulty specific to word reading and spelling. Dyslexia may lead to difficulties in text reading fluency, reading comprehension, and written expression, which in turn may impact learning across curricular content areas and contribute to social-emotional challenges. This research advisory provides an overview of…

Sometimes, despite the most perfectly delivered writing lesson implemented with fidelity, students with emotional and behavioral disorders (EBD) do not make the progress expected by teachers or themselves. In these instances, teachers may individualize and differentiate for students with EBD not making adequate progress by purposefully…

This article provides an overview of wearable technology devices that measure physiological markers associated with stress and their use with children and youth. Tips for teachers and educational team members regarding their use are provided.

Students with specific learning disabilities (SLDs) sometimes experience anger, which can negatively affect their academic performance and social relationships if not managed properly. Prevention and intervention programs are beneficial in addressing this issue. Bibliotherapy is an effective method for anger management and is categorized into…

Despite substantial comorbidity of sensory dysfunction and autism spectrum disorder (ASD), there are few evidence-based sensory interventions for educators to implement in their classrooms. Nonetheless, recent research has found that early childhood educators are frequently implementing sensory strategies in the classroom despite this lack of…

A functional behavior assessment is an evidence-based process that identifies the function of challenging behaviors in order for educators to develop behavior intervention plans for students with disabilities. All behaviors are under stimulus control and research indicates that behaviors typically serve four functions: tangible, escape, attention,…

Students with ASD frequently experience anxiety disorders as a co-occurring condition (Kent and Simonoff in Anxiety Child Adolesc Autism Spectr Disord. https://doi.org/10.1016/b978-0-12-805122-1.00002-8, 2017). Symptoms related to anxiety disorders affect students with ASD in a variety of domains, including academic performance, inclusion…

I'm a special educator whose classroom was next door to the homeroom of my hard of hearing son. I had him as one of my students for special education literacy three times a week. I was fortunate to have the professional background, personal knowledge, and treasured relationships with colleagues -- all of which helped me navigate the experience of…

Limited emotional and behavioral disorders (EBD)-focused intervention mixed methods research (MMR) has been published, particularly in top-tier EBD journals (i.e., "Behavior Disorders" and "Journal of Emotional and Behavioral Disorders"). The lack of published MMR creates what could be perceived as a Catch-22 situation wherein…

Self-determination is a predictor of positive in- and post-school outcomes, including access to general education, competitive employment, and community participation. Emerging research has focused on promoting self-determination for all students given alignments with college and career readiness frameworks and equity-based education. However, it…

A primary challenge encountered by students with disabilities in mathematics relates to their inherent limitations in working memory capacities. Memory-strengthening strategies are helpful to students who need to improve mathematics retention. This article discusses enhancing mathematics learning outcomes for students with disabilities in rural…

A majority of students with emotional and behavioral disorders (EBD), particularly those served in alternative educational settings, have a history of trauma exposure before placement. Evidence-based interventions such as Check-In/Check-Out (CICO) may be more effective for these students if the interventions are systematically adapted to include…

Building proficiency with fraction arithmetic poses a consistent challenge for students with learning difficulties or disabilities in mathematics. This article illustrates how teachers can use the number line model to support struggling learners in making sense of fraction arithmetic. Number lines are a powerful tool that can be used to help…

Teacher-Student Relationships (TSRs) contribute to a wide range of positive outcomes for K-12 students. However, many practitioners struggle to build positive relationships with students with challenging behaviors. In this article, we describe how TSR interventions can be structured using an established and common framework: Multi-Tiered Systems…