Many teachers of students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are familiar with traditional preference assessment methodologies to identify high-preferred items. Traditional preference assessments are valuable; however, they may not be appropriate when identifying preferences for some educational activities and instructional contexts. The…

Classrooms are increasingly more diverse, and student success can be enhanced through family engagement, especially for culturally and linguistically diverse (CLD) students with disabilities. Too often teachers are stymied by how to engage CLD families of children with disabilities. Common practices of parent involvement are ineffective and fail…

Academic expectations are often antecedents for various types of inappropriate classroom behavior for students with challenging behavior. Effective interventions for managing these behaviors must involve techniques that combat academic refusal. Addressing the underlying issues of resistance or refusal to perform academically in school using…

The U.S. Department of Education (2000) reported that approximately 80% of students identified with learning disabilities (LD) received half of their instruction within the general education classroom setting. Therefore, it is important that general education teachers implement teaching strategies and practices that meet the distinct educational…

The number of students who are English language learners (ELL) is increasing significantly across the United States. As this number increases, so does the number of students who are ELL and being identified as having disabilities. The intersection of English language instruction and special education is an emerging field of scholarship, and it is…

Schools have embraced the need for true collaboration among general and special educators. Many believe that if educators with varying areas of expertise and frames of reference are able to come together and collaborate on a daily basis in the same classroom, all students will benefit more: socially, behaviorally, and perhaps most important,…

Offers guidelines for enhancing science instruction for students with disabilities by adapting, implementing, and assessing an activities-based approach. This approach features a structured learning cycle, emphasis on the relationship of science to students' lives, experiential learning, interdisciplinary themes, cooperative learning groups,…

Discusses the challenges of sexuality education for students with specific learning disabilities and reviews the content of a program designed to teach human sexuality to this population. The critical role of parents/families is discussed, a course outline is provided, and a list of possible resources is given. (Author/CR)

The article describes a cooperative learning activity to help mildly handicapped students learn specific study strategies. The activity involves silent reading followed by small group discussion, generation of questions, answering the questions, and use of the student-generated questions on a follow-up exam. (DB)

This article provides an overview of how an emergent literacy perspective may serve as a framework for better understanding the reading and writing behaviors of young children with learning disabilities. Specific intervention techniques are given to help teachers provide rich, meaningful emergent literacy opportunities in the classroom. (Contains…

This article describes procedures for developing and operating a classroom company, to integrate the study of money and business management into the daily curriculum. The article covers planning, organizing, writing learning contracts, integrating company activities into the curriculum, creating company product ideas, defining company officer…

This article suggests using drama activities to teach target vocabulary words to students with limited vocabulary development. It presents specific drama activities to implement when introducing new vocabulary, conducting guided practice, facilitating cooperative learning groups, and assigning independent practice. Suggestions are also offered for…

Classroom modifications used successfully by teachers of mainstreamed students with handicaps are described. General guidelines for dealing with daily assignments and activities are outlined, followed by specific guidelines concerning worksheets, textbook/end of chapter questions, study guides, notetaking, tests, and grading. (JDD)

This article provides step-by-step guidelines for developing a mentoring program for students with disabilities. The benefits of mentoring, role of the mentor, mentor screening, and program development are discussed. Suggested mentor and student activities are outlined, including communication, reading, leisure, and academic activities. (Contains…

This article describes all the steps and materials necessary to organize and conduct a handwriting club that provides direct instruction in handwriting combined with sensory integration activities. Typical club session format, sample activities, the promotion of social skills, handwriting strategies, and external stimulants are discussed.…