Table of Contents
About This Book ix
About the Authors x
Acknowledgments xi
Introduction 1
PART ONE: UNDERSTANDING DISABILITIES
1 Different Disabilities, Common Goals 7
2 What Are the Different Disabilities, and How Are They Classified? 15
3 Specifics About Specific Disabilities 27
4 Specific Learning Disabilities and a Response to Intervention Approach 51
PART TWO: PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSESSMENTS
5 Evaluating Children's Difficulties: What, Why, and How? 63
6 Introduction to Assessment: What's It All About? 73
7 The Assessment of Intelligence 89
8 Evaluation of Academic and Processing Problems 111
9 Assessment of Emotional Difficulties and Behavioral Problems 123
10 Executive Functions: What They Are, Why They're Important, and How They're Assessed 133
11 A Sample Assessment and Psychological Report 143
PART THREE: GUIDELINES FOR SUCCESSFUL INTERVENTIONS
12 Interventions and Supports to Address Executive Function Problems 153
13 Interventions to Boost Self-Esteem, Social Competence, and Social Skills 167
14 Interventions to Improve Behavior and Discipline 177
15 Guidelines for Boosting Homework, Studying, and Organizational Skills 193
PART FOUR: PLANNING FOR SUCCESS AND MONITORING CHANGE
16 The IEP and Beyond: Tips for Successful Parent-Teacher Collaboration 205
17 Transitions: Moving, Changing Schools, or Transitioning from Elementary to Secondary School 219
PART FIVE: LAWS AND REGULATIONS RELATED TO SPECIAL EDUCATION
18 An Overview of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004 229
19 504 Plans: An Alternative to Special Education Placement 245
20 A Comparison of IDEA 2004 and Section 504, and a Brief Look at No Child Left Behind 259
References 267
Appendix A: Educational Acronyms and What They Mean 271
Appendix B: Checklists for Child Problems 287
Appendix C: Sample 504 Plan 303
Appendix D: House Rules, Classroom Rules, and Positive Behavior Chart 313
Appendix E: Procedural Safeguards 317
Appendix F: Sample Response-to-Intervention (RTI) Materials 327
Appendix G: State Departments of Special Education 337
Appendix H: Helpful Web Sites for Parents and Teachers 347
Index 359