As an illustration of cases where existing programs and facilities do not meet individual special needs, the article traces the chronology of a behavior disordered male from special class placement in elementary school through his eventual incarceration in the Nebraska penal system. (JW)

The Aural Habilitation Program of Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario (Canada) provides weekly, individualized aural habilitation sessions for parents of young children with hearing impairments and offers guidance in creating a listening, learning environment in the home. Strategies for developing parents' skills and confidence are described.…

The process of curriculum differentiation for students with special needs at a primary school in Great Britain is described, focusing on educational values, planning, role of the special education teacher in ensuring that the needs of all children are being met, individualized programs, and curriculum assessment. (JDD)

The Academic Mentoring Program of Henry Clay High School in Lexington, Kentucky, is an honors-level independent study program that allows students to pursue an idea beyond regular classroom opportunities. Students pursue their independent projects with the help of mentors from appropriate fields of study, and they are also taught critical and…

Thirty-nine individuals with developmental disabilities received individualized rehabilitation programs based on client choice and implemented in client-approved home/community environments, and received training in residential, leisure, and personal skills. The intervention resulted in improved self-awareness, self-confidence, independence, and…

After four years of planning under Part H of Public Law 99-457, data reveal that the early intervention program is behind schedule, with Individualized Family Service Plans (IFSP) not in place in all states. However, 5 of the first 10 states in their fourth year of official Part H participation are assuring full implementation of IFSPs. (Author/DB)

Twenty parents whose handicapped children were receiving early intervention services were encouraged to participate in formal education and training on individualized family service planning (IFSP). A significantly greater number of present level of development statements were included in IFSP documents of participating parents. Increased numbers…

Critical elements and best practices in school-to-work transition programs for disabled youth are identified. Noted are local factors, individual student choice, shared resources, vocational rehabilitation counselors in the schools, and school-business linkages. Best practices include individualized transition planning, community-based…

An adolescent female with multiple handicaps and severely disruptive behavior participated in a functional assessment linked directly to specific revisions in her school curriculum. The assessment and intervention produced substantial and durable reductions in the student's longstanding and severe behavior problems. (Author/JDD)

This article outlines principles of a needs-based approach to the inclusion of students with emotional and behavioral disorders and describes implications for inclusion in three areas: (1) provision of services; (2) curriculum; and (3) behavior management. The article also addresses the responsible limits of inclusion from a needs-based…

This case study chronicles the use of two educational planning tools, COACH (Choosing Outcomes and Accommodations for Children) and VISTA (Vermont Interdependent Services Team Approach) for a 4-year-old with Down syndrome who attends a general education preschool. The decision-making process and follow-up interviews are described, illustrating the…

Researchers and practitioners have emphasized the importance of teaching self-determination skills to students with disabilities for more than a decade. One major barrier to teaching self-determination in recent years has been teachers' not knowing how to focus on reading, writing, and mathematics and simultaneously teach self-determination…

Academic accommodations are intended to increase access to education for students with disabilities. Although the concept seems simple, implementation is challenging because of the ambiguous wording of some accommodations. This article reviews confusing aspects of frequently encountered accommodations. Research-based guidelines for writing…

The aim of this study was to gather information on the tools used by special education teachers for the assessment of severely intellectually disabled students (SID), preparing an individual education plan, and about the methodology used for monitoring their learning progress. The survey included all Finnish special education teachers working with…

"Bloom where you are planted" is sage advice that parents have passed down through the ages to their children. It is especially wise counsel for the military child who faces new environments on a regular basis. But in today's complicated, fast-moving world, filled with choices, opportunities, and myriad pathways from which students with…