Discusses the Regular Education Initiative used to introduce students with mild mental retardation into classes with their peers for academic purposes. Seeks to provide unique alternatives and suggestions for the inclusion of students with mental retardation into groups with their peers. Offers a primary prevention model focusing on group…

This guide was developed to help people meet the challenge of developing early childhood programs that are inclusive of all children, regardless of disability. The manual was written in the spirit of a quilting book, in its recognition of the importance of the quiltmaker's (and the program developer's) own adaptations, creativity, and inspiration.…

This brief (half page) official position statement of the Division for Early Childhood (DEC) of the Council for Exceptional Children addresses the issue of inclusion. The right to inclusion is seen to be the right of all children to participate actively in natural settings within their communities. DEC supports full access to health, social…

Overviews background of the movement toward full inclusion of special education students into regular classrooms, including legal issues and successful educational practices. Suggests that full inclusion does not benefit all students and that inclusion should be one of several alternatives to meeting students' educational needs. Of approximately…

Examines the educational policies and recent legislation concerning special education students in countries belonging to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). The OECD consists mostly of Western industrialized nations and Japan. Includes an overview of programs and resources, as well as several tables of statistical…

This study looks at Canadian families' efforts to begin an inclusive life for their children with disabilities--and for society--"right off the bat," in the child care arena. It examines quality child care situations that welcome children with disabilities. It explores needed reform of public policy and programs to build on those…

A survey of 312 teachers and families of students with severe disabilities in California, Colorado, Kentucky, Utah, and Virginia was designed to measure the extent of implementation of 12 educational "best practices" and the level of demonstration of 7 student outcome variables. The educational practices included: integration into school and…

This descriptive study formulates a comprehensive picture of the structure, educational practices, and associated positive student outcomes of integrated programs for students with severe disabilities across a variety of California communities. Three of the seven participating programs represented the full inclusion model of integration…

This monograph addresses the issue of full inclusion of children and youth with severe intellectual disabilities and whether this form of social and academic integration is consistent with the direction of present school reform policies. The first section examines the implications of current efforts in educational reform. A case study illustrates…

Reviews the provisions of the Americans With Disabilities Act as they apply to children in child care centers. Defines disability and inclusion, and specifies requirements when including special needs children into the daily life of the facility. Reviews guidelines for deciding if a child belongs in a particular program. (DLH)

Describes historical attitudes about the education of children with developmental delays by classifying the trends into four time periods: (1) forget and hide; (2) screen and segregate; (3) identify and help; and (4) include and support. Provides contemporary information about early childhood inclusion in the least restrictive environment…

Examined social realities of high-functioning autistic children mainstreamed in public school classrooms. Distinguished positive and negative actions and stances displayed by others. Found autistic children to be cognizant of and distressed by neglect, rejection, derision, and scorn. Reactions included oblivion, immediate behavior responses, and…

Provides guidelines for teachers in inclusive classrooms to help children with disabilities learn language and communication skills during everyday activities and routines. Key elements described include collaboration among team members, collecting naturalistic assessment data, developing activity-based objects, preparing an activity matrix, and…

Maintains that economic pressure and military incursions supported by the United States have resulted in draconian cuts in special education services in Nicaragua. Prior to 1979, special education was extremely expensive. A UNICEF program, financed by the Swedish government, provides limited but effective support. (MJP)

The book contains 19 papers from the journal, "Focus on Exceptional Children," that discuss new perspectives and practices in educating students with mild disabilities. The first half of the book is titled "New Perspectives" and includes the following articles: "Beyond the Regular Education Initiative/Inclusion and the Resource Room Controversy"…