This text presents a comprehensive survey of professional research practice, and trends in special education. Coverage concentrates on children with disabilities as children first, going beyond discussion of characteristics of disabilities to talk about characteristics of children.

Foundations for understanding special education: keys to special edcuation; planning and providing special education services; special education in a culturally and linguistically diverse society. Students with exceptional educational needs: students with mental retardation; students with learning disabilities; students with emotional and behavioural disorders; students with communication disorders; students who are deaf or hard-of-hearing; students who are blind or who have low vision; students with physical and health impairments; students with severe disabilities; gifted and talented students. Family and lifespan issues: working with parents and families; early childhood special education; transitions to adulthood.