Special Education: Contemporary Perspectives for School Professionals

by Marilyn Friend

This is the eBook of the printed book and may not include any media, website access codes, or print supplements that may come packaged with the bound book.

 

Real teachers, real families and students, and real classrooms bring the field of Special Education to life.

 

Special Contemporary Perspectives for School Professionals, Fourth Edition, provides a multi-dimensional view of the field of special education. The most current information and research available provides structure and predictability for novices to the field of special education in today’s educational world. Because special education is made up of real children and real professionals, the author helps to put a “face” on the field to enliven and authenticate the information. Each chapter features stories of individuals with disabilities from the parents of children with disabilities and from professionals who work in the field. Readers of this truly exceptional text will come away with the best understanding of the expectations for educators and students, and learn how critical concepts translate into educational practices.

Genres: Education, Nonfiction, Teaching, Disability, Textbooks, School

640 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 20, 2004

Reviews

[Natalie Kral · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is probably the first time in my life that I have read a textbook in its entirety.

The concepts were laid out clearly and it got me PUMPED to start my SPED Master’s program.

**edit: dropped out of my SPED master’s program 😬

[Amanda K · Rating 5 out of 5]

This textbook provides a comprehensive overview of the exceptionalities protected under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Using the definitions listed in IDEA, Friend thoroughly explains the cognitive, emotional/social, and physical characteristics of each exceptionality and provides information regarding prevalence, assessment, academic supports, parent perspectives, and transition plans for each. Friend advocates against the deficit mindset which has pervaded cultural thought and emphasizes the importance of assessing the individual for their specific strengths and abilities.

Overall, this textbook is an excellent introduction to Special Education in America.

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is okay. It has some really good information, but it needs some updating in the areas of Autism. The problem is that some areas is special education is ever evolving and once it’s put in print, it’s already out of date. The other issue is the misrepresentation and under-diagnosing of females isn’t addressed. 🤷🏻‍♀️

[William Hume · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book for a class I took recently and I have to say that I learned a LOT from it. I felt it was very comprehensive, with lots of new, current information on the conditions that may cause learning disabilities and the treatments or therapies that are engaged to help with those conditions. This book provides and excellent overview.

[Trish Paulson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this! I read it for my Exceptionality class last semester and found it to be enlightening.

[Chris Garth · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a text book that I had to read for a class that as it turns out I didnt have to take.

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my textbook for a graduate level course on exceptional students. It's a good book in the sense that it gives you a solid overview of most disabilities as well as current legislation that affects educators as well as the students that they are responsible for teaching. It's not the most recent edition, so it doesn't have the most up-to-date NCLB info, but it's still quite helpful and I plan to keep it around as a resource.

[Mahitab Mahmoud · Rating 5 out of 5]

Marilyn Friend’s Special Education is such an informative and enlightening book. It really helps better understand students with disabilities, inclusive classrooms, and the role teachers play in supporting all learners. I also think it’s a great resource for anyone preparing for the Special Education certification exam because it explains important concepts clearly and connects them to real classroom practice.

[Syd · Rating 2 out of 5]

There were some good case studies and the chapter on autism was fairly up to date.

[Erin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

good

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Useful and informative.