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Special Education in Contemporary Society
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Special Education in Contemporary Society
An Introduction to Exceptionality

Eighth Edition


January 2025 | 648 pages | SAGE Publications, Inc
Special Education in Contemporary Society: An Introduction to Exceptionalityoffers a comprehensive, engaging, and readable introduction to the dynamic field of special education. Grounded in research and updated to reflect the most current thinking and standards of the field, this book provides students with the knowledge, skills, attitudes, and beliefs that are crucial to constructing learning environments that allow all students to reach their full potential. Authors Richard M. Gargiulo and Emily C. Bouck encourage a deep awareness and understanding of the “human” side of special education, providing students with a look into the lives of exceptional students and their families, as well as the teachers that work with exceptional persons throughout their lives. The Eighth Edition of this text has been updated with new information on specific disabilities and challenges, issues of diversity and equity within special education, and the latest statistics and research that are a hallmark of this book.
 
Part 1 Foundations of Special Education
 
1 Special Education in Context
Definitions and Terminology

 
Categories and Labels

 
Prevalence of Children and Young Adults With Disabilities

 
A Brief History of the Development of Special Education

 
Professionals Who Work With Individuals With Exceptionalities

 
Cooperative Teaching

 
Universal Design for Learning

 
Exceptionality Across the Life Span

 
Chapter in Review

 
Study Questions

 
Key Terms

 
Learning Activities

 
Reflecting on Standards

 
 
2 Policies, Practices, and Programs
Litigation and Legislation Affecting Special Education

 
Educational Reform: Standards-Based Education

 
Civil Rights Legislation

 
Identification and Assessment of Individual Differences

 
Referral and Assessment for Special Education

 
Designing Individualized Instructional Programs

 
Service Delivery Options: Where a Special Education Is Provided

 
Chapter in Review

 
Study Questions

 
Key Terms

 
Learning Activities

 
Reflecting on Standards

 
 
3 Cultural and Linguistic Diversity and Exceptionality
Cultural Diversity: The Changing Face of a Nation

 
Multicultural Education, Bilingual Education, and Student Diversity

 
Disproportionate Representation of Minority Students in Special Education Programs

 
Issues in Assessing Students From Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Groups

 
Educational Programming for Students With Exceptionalities Who Are Culturally and Linguistically Diverse

 
Chapter in Review

 
Study Questions

 
Key Terms

 
Learning Activities

 
Reflecting on Standards

 
 
4 Parents, Families, and Exceptionality
Parent–Professional Relationships: Changing Roles

 
A Family Systems Approach

 
The Effects of a Child’s Disability on Parents and the Family

 
Working With Families Who Are Culturally and Linguistically Diverse

 
Suggestions for Facilitating Family and Professional Partnerships

 
Chapter in Review

 
Study Questions

 
Key Terms

 
Learning Activities

 
Reflecting on Standards

 
 
5 Assistive Technology
Technology in Education

 
History and Legislation of Assistive Technology

 
Assistive Technology Decision-Making

 
Assistive Technology Categorization

 
Devices and Tools

 
Issues With Assistive Technology

 
Chapter in Review

 
Study Questions

 
Key Terms

 
Learning Activities

 
Reflecting on Standards

 
Organizations Concerned With Assistive Technology

 
 
Part 2 A Study of Individuals With Exceptionalities
 
6 Individuals With Intellectual Disability
Prevalence of Intellectual Disability

 
A Brief History of the Field

 
Identifying Intellectual Ability and Adaptive Behavior

 
Etiology of Intellectual Disability

 
Educational Considerations

 
Inclusive Education Experience

 
Strategies for Inclusive Classrooms

 
Working With Parents and Families

 
Advice for Making Inclusion and Collaboration Work

 
Technology and Individuals With Intellectual Disability

 
Intellectual Disability Across a Life Span

 
Trends, Issues, and Controversies

 
Chapter in Review

 
Study Questions

 
Key Terms

 
Learning Activities

 
Reflecting on Standards

 
Organizations Concerned With Intellectual Disability

 
 
7 Individuals With Learning Disabilities
Prevalence of Learning Disabilities

 
A Brief History of the Field

 
Defining Learning Disabilities

 
Etiology of Learning Disabilities

 
Characteristics of Individuals With Learning Disabilities

 
Assessment of Learning Disabilities

 
Educational Considerations

 
Technology and Individuals With Learning Disabilities

 
Learning Disabilities Across a Life Span

 
Trends, Issues, and Controversies

 
Chapter in Review

 
Study Questions

 
Key Terms

 
Learning Activities

 
Organizations Concerned With Learning Disabilities

 
Reflecting on Standards

 
 
8 Individuals With Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
Prevalence of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

 
A Brief History of the Field

 
Identifying Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

 
Etiology of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

 
Educational Considerations

 
Technology and Individuals With Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

 
Adolescents and Adults With Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

 
Issues of Diversity

 
Chapter in Review

 
Study Questions

 
Key Terms

 
Learning Activities

 
Organizations Concerned With Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

 
Reflecting on Standards

 
 
9 Individuals With Emotional and Behavioral Disorders
Prevalence of Emotional and Behavioral Disorders

 
A Brief History of the Field

 
Identifying Individuals With Emotional and Behavioral Disorder

 
Etiology of Emotional and Behavioral Disorders

 
Prevention of Emotional and Behavioral Disorders

 
Educational Considerations

 
Technology and Individuals With Emotional and Behavioral Disorders

 
Emotional and Behavior Disorders Across a Life Span

 
Trends, Issues, and Controversies

 
Chapter in Review

 
Study Questions

 
Key Terms

 
Learning Activities

 
Organizations Concerned With Emotional and Behavioral Disorders

 
Reflecting on Standards

 
 
10 Individuals With Autism Spectrum Disorder
Prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorder

 
A Brief History of the Field

 
Identifying Individuals With Autism Spectrum Disorder

 
Etiology of Autism Spectrum Disorder

 
Educational Considerations

 
Technology and Individuals With Autism Spectrum Disorder

 
Autism Spectrum Disorder Across a Life Span

 
Trends, Issues, and Controversies

 
Chapter in Review

 
Study Questions

 
Key Terms

 
Learning Activities

 
Organizations Concerned With Autism Spectrum Disorder

 
Reflecting on Standards

 

For instructors