Special Education

The social lives of children with emotional and behavioral disorders in self-contained classrooms: A descriptive analysis. Exceptional Children , 69 (3), 333-348. Panecek, L. J., & Dunlap, G.

Luanne J. Panecek, Children's Board of Hillsborough County, Tampa, FL, and Glen Dunlap, University of South Florida, review a study to examine the social lives of children with emotional and behavioral disorders whose education occurred in segregated self-contained elementary classrooms. They conducted detailed interviews with two groups: one in self-contained settings and a comparison group in general education classrooms. The findings indicate that the children with E/BD had little opportunity to engage in integrated school activities and that children and adults who were part of their special education environment dominated their social networks in school. In contrast, the social networks of the same children in their homes and neighborhoods were similar in size and composition to the networks of the general education children. In addition, children with E/BD identified their important friends as being from their home networks, whereas the general education children's important friends came from school. There are implications for placement decisions and educational practice as well as further research.

A New Look at ADHD (Video) by Russell A. Barkley

This video provides an accessible introduction to Dr. Barkley's influential theory of the nature and origins of ADHD. The program brings to life the conceptual framework delineated in Dr. Barkley's book ADHD and the Nature of Self-Control . The companion manual reviews and amplifies key ideas and contains helpful suggestions for further reading. The package also includes a leader's guide, providing tips on the optimal use of the video with a variety of audiences. 39 minutes. Cost is $95.00.

To order call 1-888-232-7733 or email service @ cec.sped.org and ask for #S5402  

Article: Arranging the Classroom With an Eye (and Ear) to Students With ADHD by Eric Carbone, Teaching Exceptional Children , (34) 2, Nov/Dec 2001, pp. 72-81.

This article describes how educators can physically alter a general education classroom in ways to support the strengths of children with ADHD. The article is organized by characteristic or difficulty, such as hyperactivity; general strategies; and then structural supports. It includes diagrams, checklists, and examples. This will be a nice addition to your "tool box" of ideas for interventions for students with attentional needs.

National Association of School Psychologists. (2002). School psychologists: providing mental health services to improve the lives and learning of children and youth. Retrieved May 24, 2002, from http://www.nasponline.org/advocacy/mhbrochure.html.

This new brochure is an excellent source of information regarding the role of the school psychologist. It covers mental health issues, types of support, and why the school environment is a good service delivery environment. It also details the training of school psychologists and their ability to link mental health issues to learning. It lists prevention, intervention and treatment strategies as well as diagnostics, assessments, consultation, case management, advocacy and research.

You may access this brochure online via http://www.nasponline.org/advocacy/mhbrochure.html or you may order up to 50 copies free from NASP at www.naspcenter.org. Click on "Free Publications".

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Carroll, S. (1998). Medical management of behavior and emotional problems in children and adolescents: A primer for educators. Retrieved May 17, 2002, from http://www.naspcenter.org/adol_meds.html.

This article provides a short but informative summary of the major categories of psychotropic medications that are being used with children and adolescents. It reviews stimulants, antidepressants, Neurolyptics, and Anticonvulsants. It provides an excellent list of what a teacher can do and their role as part of the team. There is also a very good list of resources at the end of the article.

Osher, D. M., Quinn, M. M., & Hanley, T. V. (March 2002). Children and youth with serious emotional disturbance: A national agenda for success. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 11(1), 1-11.

This editorial sets the frame for a special issue of this journal dedicated to the National Agenda for Achieving Better Results for Children and Youth with Serious Emotional Disturbance, which was finalized in 1994. It reviews the development of the agenda, the organization of the national agenda, results (how the agenda translates into improved practice) for students, family members, educators and policy makers and next steps. There are 10 separate papers related to this topic. I will be highlighting several of these articles each month through this web page.

Article: Strategies to Work with Students with Oppositional Defiant Disorder by Wendy Woolsey-Terrazas and Janice A. Chavez, CEC Today, Volume 8, No. 7

Many teachers are "pulling their hair out" wondering if they will survive another day with a student with oppositional defiant disorder (ODD). Unfortunately, teachers will face an increasing number of students with ODD and conduct disorders in our schools. This article includes many strategies for dealing with these students. The authors review some teacher behaviors that may add to power struggles in the classroom as well as techniques that will diminish power struggles. They also outline a Power Struggle Reduction Plan to prevent confrontations with students with ODD.

Article: Creating Communities of Support: The Missing Link in Dealing with Student Behavior Problems and Reducing Violence in Schools by Vern Jones from Lewis and Clark College, Beyond Behavior, Vol. 11, Issue 2, pp. 15-19.

This article suggests that developing a caring and supportive community within the school and classroom should be the most basic underlying feature of any program aimed at turning the tide of increased student violence, student misbehavior, and apathy.

COMMISSION ON EXCELLENCE IN SPECIAL EDUCATION: President Bush has established the President's Commission on Excellence in Special Education. They are hosting several meetings across the country over the next few months. For more information about the meetings, which will cover the Effectiveness of Special Education, go to the Commission's web site at: http://www.ed.gov/inits/
commissionsboards/whspecialeducation/meetings.html.

You will also find a transcript from the Commission's first meeting, which was held on January 15th in Washington, D.C. The Commission is ordered to report its findings and recommendations by no later than July 1, 2002. This is a great opportunity to provide feedback to the Commission on the positive impact of special education and systems of care.

Rethinking Special Education for a New Century, a report released by the Fordham Foundation in May 2001. 

This is a collection of 14 papers by various authors that examines current special education practices. This report challenges the reader to "rethink" special education. This document may play an important role in the reauthorization discussions that will occur over the next few months.

www.fordham-foundation.org

Report of the Surgeon General's Conference on Children's Mental Health: A Nation Action Agenda

 September 2000, published by the Department of Health and Human Services. This report contains valuable information and direction for communities who are building their strategic plans. There is specific language related to the role of schools in the Action Steps in Goal 2 and 3.

www.surgeongeneral.gov/cmh/default.htm or 301-443-4513

New Book -Teaching and Working with Children Who Have Emotional and Behavioral Challenges by Quinn, Osher, Warger, Hanley, Bader, and Hoffman. Published by Sopris West, 2000.

This is an 83-page guidebook directed to teachers. It has practical information on fostering a positive learning environment, instituting a sound classroom management system, school-based supports, and support and resources available to teachers. It contains over 20 tables of useful information prepared in a concise format, such as IDEA Continuum of Alternative Placements or Techniques for communicating respect.

www.sopriswest.com

Council for Children with Behavior Disorders--Web Site www.ccbd.net

This is a web site full of resources. This organization is a division of the Council for Exceptional Children. It specifically addresses the needs of children with emotional and behavioral disorders. It has a variety of publications, many of which are available on line. There are many helpful links to other web sites with additional or related information. There are message boards to exchange information with peers, as well as advocacy information. Take a look!

www.ccbd.net

Have A Question?

Contact the Technical Assistance Partnership's Education Resource Specialist, Sandy Keenan, at skeenan@air.org