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