Complete Guide to Special Education

Linda Wilmshurst, PhD, ABPP, is in private practice and teaches graduate students online at Capella University. She has previously taught in graduate programs and practiced internationally. Linda is a Diplomate in Clinical Psychology, American Board of Professional Psychology, and is a licensed clinical and school psychologist in Florida.Alan W. Brue, PhD, NCSP, teaches graduate students online at Capella University, is employed as a school psychologist, and works as an educational consultant. A Nationally Certified School Psychologist (NCSP), he has served students, teachers, and parents in several school districts in the Atlanta metro area.

"The Complete Guide to Special Education is a valuable resource for teachers or parents who suspect their student or child may have a disability due to academic or behavioral struggles in school: it covers the intervention process (RTI), how to read and understand evaluations, the different disability categories under IDEA, and how to work through the IEP process in partnership with a school. This book is an understandable yet comprehensive resource on how to work collaboratively to meet the special educational needs of a child. It will be a valuable addition to any library."—Scott R. Smith, EdD, former Special Education Director

• SECTION 1: UNDERSTANDING DISABILITIES Chapter 1: Teachers and Parents: Common Interests and Goals Chapter 2: Disabilities Defined and Explained Chapter 3: Specifics about Specific Disabilities Chapter 4: Using Response to Intervention to Identify a Specific Learning Disability SECTION II: PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSESSMENTS Chapter 5: Evaluation of Students’ Difficulties: The What, Why, and How? Chapter 6: Introduction to Assessment: What’s it all about? Chapter 7: The Assessment of Intelligence Chapter 8: Evaluation of Academic and Processing Problems Chapter 9: Assessment of Emotional Difficulties and Behavioral Problems Using Rating Scales and Classroom Observation Chapter 10: Executive Functions Chapter 11: A Sample Psychological Report SECTION III: GUIDELINES FOR SUCCESSFUL INTERVENTIONS Chapter 12: Interventions and Supports to Address Problems of Executive Functions Chapter 13: Interventions to Boost Self Esteem, Social Competence, and Social Skills Chapter 14: Behavior Modification in School and at Home Chapter 15: Developing A Child’s Personal Skills for Academic Success SECTION IV: PLANNING FOR SUCCESS AND MONITORING CHANGE Chapter 16: The Individualized Education Program (IEP) and the Importance of Teacher-Parent Collaboration Chapter 17: Transitions: Important Information on Moving, Changing Schools, or Transitioning between Levels SECTION V: SPECIAL EDUCATION LAWS AND REGULATIONS Chapter 18: A Review of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004 (IDEA 2004) Chapter 19: A 504 Plan vs. Special Education Eligibility and Placement Chapter 20: A Comparison of IDEA 2004 and Section 504, and an Overview of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA)