The field of special needs education is well established, and although it continues to develop in exciting and controversial ways, involving some of education's leading thinkers, many people feel it is lacking a coherent theoretical analysis of its own. Students and practitioners, looking for some solid theory to reinforce their own study or practice, commonly have to 'borrow' from other disciplines, such as psychology and sociology, since there has been no attempt to provide a theoretical foundation for the special needs community. This book does exactly that, bringing together contributions from key names in the field from UK and beyond. The book will establish itself as an essential text for students and teachers, as well as all those involved in special needs across the social sciences.
`This book provides a succinct overview of SEN policy and is likely to be a useful resource for those undertaking accredited courses related to SEN and inclusion′ - SENCO Update ′The combination of the theoretical and practical aspects of special educational needs makes this book a valuable resource for practitioners and should enable them to develop reflective and insightful practice.′ - Michael Shevlin, Trinity College Dublin, TES Extra Special Needs `This is a comprehensive and thorough overview of the Special Educational Needs (SEN) landscape as it is in the UK today. The book is very clearly aimed at specialists in the field, and Michael Farrell incorporates developments that are sometimes ignored - emotional intelligence for example. There is a nice touch in that each chapter concludes with ′thinking points′. I could see that the book could make a sound basis for a training course on SEN, based around these. The book is highly readable though I expect it is more likely to be used as a reference text, or, as I suggested above, as a basis for training. However it is used, it is invaluable as an up to date assessment of SEN in 2004 and highly recommended to anyone working, or planning to work in this field′ - Nurtuting Potential `Essential reading for every SENCO, in fact, for everyone involved in special educational needs. By examining the background to key areas the book gives teachers, managers and advisers the depth of understanding that is necessary to make informed choices about what constitutes the most effective practice′ - Dr Tony Lingard, Head of Learning Support, Cambourne Science and Community College `With its scope and depth of coverage, this book provides a useful resource through combining background information, theory and practice as well as the tools for further research for both novice and experienced practitioner′ - Ms Lyn Hurst, Headteacher This book provides a `route map′ for special education. Through examining related disciplines, which illuminate the field, it considers how special education can be better understood. The author views issues in special education within the wider disciplines of history, sociology, law, politics, ethics, economics, medicine and psychology. He looks at the national, local and school frameworks in which special education operates, and shows how provision for pupils with special educational needs is influenced by structures, procedures and practices at national, local and school levels. Features include: } the ethics of preventing disability } ′lesson′s history } identifying value in sociological perspectives } psychological and other Models of teaching } aspects of the National Framework } aspects of the Local Framework } the School SEN Policy } the Curriculum and School Organization This book is essential reading for teachers, headteachers, Special Educational Needs co-ordinators and all those who have an interest in special education and managing inclusion.
Brings together in one volume the perspectives of teachers, practitioners, researchers and important external bodies such as the LEA, and national organisations like the RNIB. Part of the New Millennium Series which takes stock of education now and predicts the shape of likely developments. The book asks leading authorities on Special Educational Needs to probe the issues currently topping the agenda, and to predict what will happen in SEN for the forseeable future. Useful for those working and training to work in special schools and mainstream schools.
'What a terrific resource: comprehensive and current, this Handbook is a vital acquisition for all involved in special education programs. Dr Farrell writes clearly and with a practical flair ... Highly recommended.' – Michael Arthur-Kelly PhD, Associate Professor and Director, Special Education Centre, University of Newcastle, Australia This acclaimed, bestselling and comprehensive guide, now in a fully updated fourth edition, is an essential reference book for anyone involved with special education. All entries have been reviewed to reflect current practice and the book is enriched with extra resources, including references to useful Internet sites. Focusing on current educational frameworks in the United Kingdom and the United States of America, the author has gathered into one A to Z volume a wide range of information essential to good practice in mainstream and special schools. A thematic index helps the reader plot a course through topics of interest. The broad themes and areas covered are: basic terms, ideas and values venues relating to special education, and school organisation roles and responsibilities individual differences among learners with disabilities and disorders curriculum and assessment, resources and technology pedagogy and classroom organisation therapy and care. Presented in a handy quick reference format The Special Education Handbook also provides a coherent account of the complexities of special education, combining a wealth of practical guidance with the latest research findings. This clear and concise Handbook is indispensable for all those involved in special education, including teachers, teaching assistants, parents, administrators and others.
This book traces the major stages of thinking in the development of inclusive education. It provides overviews of the main theoretical influences: the medico-psychological model; sociological positions; curriculum studies; school effectiveness; and the impact upon policy and practice of the Disability Movement. Positioned and discussed in their historical contexts the book provides a synopsis and critique of the last 50 years, including the introduction of the term "Special Educational Needs," the practice of integration, and the present processes of inclusive education. The unique features of this book include personal reflections by a number of people who are considered to have had major influence in the
Drawing on the work of innovative educators, this edited volume shows how adopting a solutions focused approach can offer new constructive ways forward for special education. Diverse international contributors from both the world of special education and solutions focused thinking, offer ways to rethink special education and to focus on what can be done rather than what can't. Each chapter offers insights into how solutions focused thinking can reframe special education and the tangible results for children, families and schools. Chapters on teaching and learning, behaviour support, human resources, school leadership and family and community show how a solutions focused approach can be transformative for all aspects of special and inclusive education.
In the second edition of this text, the authors critically examine the intellectual foundations of special education and consider the consequences on their influence for professional and popular thinking about learning difficulties.
The purpose of this book is to explore the phenomenon of transition as it relates to the field of special education within the Nordic countries of Norway, Sweden, Denmark and Finland. First, the authors investigate transition in the field of special education with respect to historical developments and the shifting prominence of diverse guiding theories. Second, we examine the process of transition in a wide range of special education contexts, including transitions from home to school, school to work, and across other contexts and types of support. The target audience for the book includes authors and researchers in academic and government research institutions, professionals working in special education and related fields, as well as students at graduate and doctoral levels. There are 16 chapters with contributions from the editors and 15 other international authors: Jorun Buli-Holmberg, David L. Cameron, Camilla Brørup Dyssegaard, Niels Egelund, Astrid Birgitte Eggen, Britta Hannus-Gullmets, Camilla Herlofsen, Maryann Jortveit, Velibor Bobo Kova?, Ingrid Lund, Johan Malmqvist, David Mitchell, Sven Nilsen, Heidi Omdal, Kristina Ström, Ragnar Thygesen, and Anne Dorthe Tveit.
A unique cross-disciplinary critique of the foundations of Special Education. Covers legal, conceptual, medical, pharmacological, neuropsychological, social, behavioural, cognitive, psychotherapeutic, psycholinguistic, technological and pedagogical foundations Provides examples of how each foundation provides insights or practical contributions to special education generally, and to specific disabilities and disorders in particular Delivers information across all major types of disorder/disability in a single volume, creating a must-have reference for anyone involved in special education training, research or teaching
This third edition continues to guide students through the challenging field of special educational needs and disability, offering essential support as they develop a critical and up-to-date understanding of the practical challenges and opportunities concerning inclusion.
'This is a most worthwhile book which contributes significantly to the general body of knowledge on managing pupils with special education needs. I found it interesting and informative. Schools cannot but benefit from the book's scope, and from insights into the many and varied aspects on SEN provision' - REACH `A particular strength of the book is the way in which individual chapters provided "self-contained" material which lends itself for use in school-based staff development activities. The book includes a lot of information that SENCOs, inclusion managers and members of school leadership teams should find useful' - SENCO Update `The strongest point about this book is that it gives a good overview of the history of special educational needs policy in this country, including recent development on inclusion' - TES Extra Special Needs 'It is a very practical account and should be a handbook for any newly appointed SENCO... [while] for experienced SENCOs and organisations where inclusion is not an issue, this book is a reminder of good practice' - Special Written from a practitioner's perspective, this book shows schools how to effectively implement and manage an inclusive school environment. Drawing from their experience in a range of schools, the authors highlight the problems encountered by professionals in both primary and secondary school settings and offer practical solutions and advice. The book offers guidance on: the role of the SENCO as a teacher and manager; government policy and legislation; self-evaluation, good practice and monitoring; how to relate SEN to school targets and development plans. Primary and secondary school teachers, headteachers, student teachers, SENCOs, LEA Advisers and professionals involved in the management of Special Educational Needs in schools will find the practical support offered in this book invaluable.
