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Special Education in Contemporary Society
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Special Education in Contemporary Society
An Introduction to Exceptionality

Eighth Edition
Available with:
Learning platform
January 2025 | 616 pages | SAGE Publications, Inc
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Special Education in Contemporary Society: An Introduction to Exceptionality offers a comprehensive, engaging, and readable introduction to the dynamic field of special education. Grounded in the latest research, it reflects current educational standards and equips students with the knowledge, skills, attitudes, and beliefs needed to create inclusive learning environments that empower all students to reach their full potential. Authors Richard M. Gargiulo and Emily C. Bouck encourage a deep awareness and understanding of the “human” side of special education, offering insightful perspectives into the lives of exceptional students, their families, and the dedicated teachers who support them. The Eighth Edition of this text has been updated with new information on specific disabilities and challenges, issues of diversity and equity within special education, and the latest statistics and research that are a hallmark of this book.
 
Part 1 Foundations of Special Education
 
1 Special Education in Context
Definitions and Terminology

 
Categories and Labels

 
Prevalence of Children and Young Adults With Disabilities

 
A Brief History of the Development of Special Education

 
Professionals Who Work With Individuals With Exceptionalities

 
Cooperative Teaching

 
Universal Design for Learning

 
Exceptionality Across the Life Span

 
Chapter in Review

 
Study Questions

 
Key Terms

 
Learning Activities

 
Reflecting on Standards

 
 
2 Policies, Practices, and Programs
Litigation and Legislation Affecting Special Education

 
Educational Reform: Standards-Based Education

 
Civil Rights Legislation

 
Identification and Assessment of Individual Differences

 
Referral and Assessment for Special Education

 
Designing Individualized Instructional Programs

 
Service Delivery Options: Where a Special Education Is Provided

 
Chapter in Review

 
Study Questions

 
Key Terms

 
Learning Activities

 
Reflecting on Standards

 
 
3 Cultural and Linguistic Diversity and Exceptionality
Cultural Diversity: The Changing Face of a Nation

 
Multicultural Education, Bilingual Education, and Student Diversity

 
Disproportionate Representation of Minority Students in Special Education Programs

 
Issues in Assessing Students From Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Groups

 
Educational Programming for Students With Exceptionalities Who Are Culturally and Linguistically Diverse

 
Chapter in Review

 
Study Questions

 
Key Terms

 
Learning Activities

 
Reflecting on Standards

 
 
4 Parents, Families, and Exceptionality
Parent–Professional Relationships: Changing Roles

 
A Family Systems Approach

 
The Effects of a Child’s Disability on Parents and the Family

 
Working With Families Who Are Culturally and Linguistically Diverse

 
Suggestions for Facilitating Family and Professional Partnerships

 
Chapter in Review

 
Study Questions

 
Key Terms

 
Learning Activities

 
Reflecting on Standards

 
 
5 Assistive Technology
Technology in Education

 
History and Legislation of Assistive Technology

 
Assistive Technology Decision-Making

 
Assistive Technology Categorization

 
Devices and Tools

 
Issues With Assistive Technology

 
Chapter in Review

 
Study Questions

 
Key Terms

 
Learning Activities

 
Reflecting on Standards

 
Organizations Concerned With Assistive Technology

 
 
Part 2 A Study of Individuals With Exceptionalities
 
6 Individuals With Intellectual Disability
Prevalence of Intellectual Disability

 
A Brief History of the Field

 
Identifying Intellectual Ability and Adaptive Behavior

 
Etiology of Intellectual Disability

 
Educational Considerations

 
Inclusive Education Experience

 
Strategies for Inclusive Classrooms

 
Working With Parents and Families

 
Advice for Making Inclusion and Collaboration Work

 
Technology and Individuals With Intellectual Disability

 
Intellectual Disability Across a Life Span

 
Trends, Issues, and Controversies

 
Chapter in Review

 
Study Questions

 
Key Terms

 
Learning Activities

 
Reflecting on Standards

 
Organizations Concerned With Intellectual Disability

 
 
7 Individuals With Learning Disabilities
Prevalence of Learning Disabilities

 
A Brief History of the Field

 
Defining Learning Disabilities

 
Etiology of Learning Disabilities

 
Characteristics of Individuals With Learning Disabilities

 
Assessment of Learning Disabilities

 
Educational Considerations

 
Technology and Individuals With Learning Disabilities

 
Learning Disabilities Across a Life Span

 
Trends, Issues, and Controversies

 
Chapter in Review

 
Study Questions

 
Key Terms

 
Learning Activities

 
Organizations Concerned With Learning Disabilities

 
Reflecting on Standards

 
 
8 Individuals With Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
Prevalence of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

 
A Brief History of the Field

 
Identifying Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

 
Etiology of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

 
Educational Considerations

 
Technology and Individuals With Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

 
Adolescents and Adults With Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

 
Issues of Diversity

 
Chapter in Review

 
Study Questions

 
Key Terms

 
Learning Activities

 
Organizations Concerned With Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

 
Reflecting on Standards

 
 
9 Individuals With Emotional and Behavioral Disorders
Prevalence of Emotional and Behavioral Disorders

 
A Brief History of the Field

 
Identifying Individuals With Emotional and Behavioral Disorder

 
Etiology of Emotional and Behavioral Disorders

 
Prevention of Emotional and Behavioral Disorders

 
Educational Considerations

 
Technology and Individuals With Emotional and Behavioral Disorders

 
Emotional and Behavior Disorders Across a Life Span

 
Trends, Issues, and Controversies

 
Chapter in Review

 
Study Questions

 
Key Terms

 
Learning Activities

 
Organizations Concerned With Emotional and Behavioral Disorders

 
Reflecting on Standards

 
 
10 Individuals With Autism Spectrum Disorder
Prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorder

 
A Brief History of the Field

 
Identifying Individuals With Autism Spectrum Disorder

 
Etiology of Autism Spectrum Disorder

 
Educational Considerations

 
Technology and Individuals With Autism Spectrum Disorder

 
Autism Spectrum Disorder Across a Life Span

 
Trends, Issues, and Controversies

 
Chapter in Review

 
Study Questions

 
Key Terms

 
Learning Activities

 
Organizations Concerned With Autism Spectrum Disorder

 
Reflecting on Standards

 

Supplements

Instructor Resources
For additional information, custom options, or to request a personalized walkthrough of these resources, please contact your sales representative.

LMS cartridge included with this title for use in Blackboard, Canvas, Brightspace by Desire2Learn (D2L), and Moodle

The LMS cartridge makes it easy to import this title’s instructor resources into your learning management system (LMS). These resources include:
  • Test banks
  • Editable chapter-specific PowerPoint® slides
  • Lecture notes
  • All tables and figures from the textbook
Don't use an LMS platform?

You can still access the online resources for this title via the password-protected Instructor Resource Site.
Student Resources

This is an excellent introduction to special education text. It does a thorough job of defining and describing each disability area.

Linda Lind
Iowa State University

A comprehensive and great introduction to the world of special education.

Brian Littleton
Mott Community College

Comprehensive and insightful approach to special education.

Jill Merritt
Gannon University

It's easy to read. Love the student support website.

Teresa Gardner
Jacksonville State University
Key features
NEW TO THIS EDITION:
  • The new edition is available in Sage Vantage, an intuitive learning platform that integrates quality Sage textbook content with assignable multimedia activities and auto-graded assessments to drive student engagement and ensure accountability. Unparalleled in its ease of use and built for dynamic teaching and learning, Vantage offers customizable LMS integration and best-in-class support.
    • Flashcards and note-taking tools help students better prepare for class.
    • NEW! Audiobook Player allows students to listen to text content, boosting comprehension and retention. It offers flexible, on-the-go access, engaging both reluctant readers and auditory learners, improving the overall reading experience.
    • The Offline Reading option in the Student Dashboard offers greater accessibility to Vantage’s reading content, regardless of where students are or how strong their internet connection may be.
  • Learning Objectives at the beginning of each chapter better align with chapter content and the Chapter in Review sections at the end of each chapter.
  • Each chapter utilizes the latest Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) initial-level special educator preparation standards.
  • All chapters in Part II: A Study of Individuals with Exceptionalities have been thoroughly edited for consistent format and structure.
  • Updated terminology and images offer more contemporary discussion and views of children and classrooms.
  • Chapter 3 has an updated and expanded discussion of culture, with particular attention to intersectionality as well as emergent bilingual students.
  • Chapter 7 has a new section on instructional approaches, with information on explicit instruction.
  • Chapter 10 provides new information on the impact of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) on families and under-diagnosis in females.
  • Chapter 13 has additional information on deaf-blindness.
  • A glossary of key terms in Spanish is available in the text and on the companion website.
  • Updated or new tables and figures illustrate the most current information.
  • References have been revised and updated to reflect the most current thinking in the field.
KEY FEATURES:
  • The text is organized into two distinct parts to offer students a truly comprehensive and humane understanding of exceptionality:
    • In Part I, readers are provided a strong foundational perspective on broad topics that affect all individuals with an exceptionality.
    • In Part II, the authors engage students with thorough examinations of individual exceptionalities and discuss historical, personal, and educational details of each exceptionality as it affects a person across the lifespan.
  • Chapter-opening vignettes in the categorical chapters, primarily written by parents of children with disabilities, offer personal stories on the exceptionality studied in a specific chapter. Through these vignettes, students gain a firsthand, vivid account of these parents, their fears and frustrations, their accomplishments and triumphs, and the issues they face on a daily basis.
  • Strategies for Effective Teaching and Learning boxes provide instructional strategies, tips, techniques, and other ideas for the classroom.
  • The Insight feature contains relevant information that adds depth and insight to particular discussion topics.
  • The First Person feature adds a human touch to the information students are learning. These stories, written by or about individuals with exceptionalities, provide an up close and personal encounter with children, adults, and families.
  • The Making Inclusion Work feature highlights special and general educators offering candid perspectives and practical advice about providing services to students with special needs in inclusive settings.
  • A chapter-specific Spotlight on Technology feature illustrates the value of technology for individuals with exceptionalities. Each chapter concludes with study questions designed to help students focus on key chapter content and gauge their understanding of the material.
  • A series of learning activities brings the content to life, many asking students to engage in a wide variety of meaningful and worthwhile tasks.
  • A list of professional organizations and associations to contact is provided to those seeking additional information about a topic of particular interest.

Sample Materials & Chapters

Chapters 1 and 2

Vantage Reference: 
Special Education in Contemporary Society-Vantage Learning Platform

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