1st Edition

Looking into Special Education A synthesis of key themes and concepts

By Michael Farrell Copyright 2014
    160 Pages 1 B/W Illustrations
    by Routledge

    160 Pages 1 B/W Illustrations
    by Routledge

    Contemporary and stimulating, Looking into Special Education provides an engaging overview of the key areas of special education, with each chapter providing valuable insight into the nature and practice of special education today. Aiding understanding and acting as a framework for further study, thought and practice, this innovative new book concerns a wide range of disabilities and disorders and is international in scope.

    Chapters discuss:

    • The historical dimensions of special education
    • How to engage with the structural frameworks (legal and definitional issues) of special education today
    • The philosophical foundations of special education, including positivism
    • Criticisms of special education and a consideration of future trends
    • The fundamentals of evidence-based practice and how professional judgement is used
    • The benefits of multi-professional collaboration
    • Organisational issues of mainstreaming and special schooling.

    Including further reading material and ‘concluding thinking points’ at the end of each thought-provoking chapter, Looking into Special Education will be of particular use to professionals and students of special education and related fields looking to enrich their understanding and practice.

    1. Looking back: An historical dimension  2. Looking structurally: Legal and definitional frameworks  3. Looking philosophically: Action, challenging orthodoxy, and changing attitudes  4. Looking critically: Negative views of special education and responses  5. Looking evidentially: Evidence-based practice and professional judgement  6. Looking collectively: Multi-professional collaboration  7. Looking organisationally: Mainstreaming and special education  Conclusion

    Biography

    Michael Farrell is a widely published private special education consultant.