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Challenging behaviour is a problematic issue for students with intellectual disability, including those in special education settings. While there is a need to address challenging behaviour in thes...

BACKGROUND: Within the context of the Special Interest Research Group (SIRG) on Persons with Profound Intellectual and Multiple Disabilities (PIMD), researchers often discuss the methodological problems and challenges they are confronted with. The aim of the current article was to give an overview of these challenges. METHODS: The challenges are centred on six topics. These reflect the main components of a study's design: (a) participant demarcation, (b) participant recruitment, (c) data collection and instruments, (d) data analysis, (e) ethics/including the "voice" of persons with PIMD and (f) theoretical models. RESULTS: Next, to describing the specific challenges, possible solutions and pathways to address them are discussed. These are illustrated by recent studies by the authors and other researchers in the field. CONCLUSIONS: The current contribution wants to stimulate further discussion and exchange of ideas, and the development of creative research techniques. ispartof: JOURNAL OF APPLIED RESEARCH IN INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES vol:34 issue:1 pages:250-262 ispartof: location:England status: published

The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of robot-mediated interventions on improvement of social communications and interactions for individuals with autism spectrum disorder. It identified the variables related to social skills that were measured in the reviewed studies. A systematic review of contemporary peer-reviewed studies published from 2010 to 2019 inclusive was conducted. PsychInfo and Scopus were the databases used to identify the studies. The majority of the reviewed papers demonstrated that the robot-mediated intervention was effective in enhancing social skills in individuals with ASD. Eye contact was the variable most examined to determine the effectiveness of the interventions. Most of the robots were humanoid and operated under a Wizard of Oz autonomous mode and acted predominantly as behavior-eliciting agents. In line with previous studies, robot-mediated interventions were generally effective in improving social skill; however, there was some variability within the individuals with eye contact, joint attention, and imitation being the variables most measured. Areas considered for future research include maintenance and generalization phases with the intervention as well as matching the individuals’ needs to the features of the robots used.

Q Is the use of textual prompts, coupled with delayed performance feedback, an effective intervention approach to teach young adults on the autism spectrum to use social niceties during work-relate...

This paper describes a collaborative approach to professional learning that has provided an opportunity for refreshed practices and growth in capacity in schools supporting students with various learning needs in several schools that are part of the Association of Independent Schools in the Australian Capital Territory. An action research approach to professional learning for school staff was facilitated with the participating schools in 2018/2019, centred on the Nationally Consistent Collection of Data on School Students with Disability.

The aim of this study was to explore the potential association between (i) the technology features of the applied cognitive technology (ACT) used to support employment-related outcomes for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and (ii) the cognitive functions. The WHO International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) was used to categorize the cognitive functions. The researchers of the 41 papers included in previous meta-analyses on the same topic were invited to participate in the study. An online survey was conducted. Correspondence analysis was employed to analyze the aforementioned association. Attention, memory, and higher-level cognitive functions were primarily associated with the majority of the ACT’s technology features. The results demonstrated a main distinct cluster including these three dominant cognitive functions and predominantly all the “output” categories of technology features. Another smaller but distinct cluster including mental function of sequencing complex movements and “touch screen/touchpad” category of technology features was also demonstrated. In line with previous studies, the largest proportion of ACTs have been used to assist primarily the aforementioned three cognitive functions. The new classification of ACT’s technology features based on cognitive function in this study can promote a common language and shared understanding for the prescription of technology.

Australian public education systems have developed policies since the 1980s and 1990s which have placed a major focus on inclusive educational practices. Despite this progress, Australia has witnessed the growth of parallel and sometimes competing systems of support for students with additional learning needs. It is helpful to view these approaches across one unified continuum of assistance for students. At one end of the continuum there are special schools which provide intensive and specialized learning support, coming within the traditional definition of “special education.” At the other end of the continuum is the full inclusion of students within regular classrooms, complemented by appropriate personalized learning supports. The inclusive approach is based on a philosophical platform that emphasizes the role of the local school in providing for the needs of all students in its community, regardless of diverse needs or disability. A unified view of educational provisions needs to consider the entire range of approaches from full inclusion through to specialized and alternative models of educational services and support, guided by one simple question: What is best for this learner? Principles such as universal design for learning (UDL) lead to an argument for a focus on individual needs and parental empowerment and choice, rather than an outdated dichotomous or settings-based model of educational support. By focusing attention on learning needs through the lens of curriculum, instruction, and contextual supports, the central goal of maximized outcomes for individual students can be realized.

For infants and young children who are identified as deaf or hard of hearing (DHH), best practice principles indicate the provision of family-centered early intervention (FCEI). However, factors such as geographical inaccessibility and workforce shortages can limit families’ access to FCEI in their local area. One strategy for overcoming these barriers is telepractice—a method of connecting families and practitioners using synchronous, two-way audiovisual technologies. This study compared the self-assessed use of family-centered practices by a group of practitioners delivering FCEI through telepractice with that of a similar group delivering FCEI in-person. A sample of 38 practitioners (15 telepractice and 23 in-person) from two early intervention programs for children who are DHH completed a self-assessment tool: the Measures of Processes of Care for Service Providers. Results indicated that there were no significant differences between telepractice and in-person sessions with regard to practitioners’ self-assessment of their use of family-centered practices.

The aim of this study was to extend a recently published meta-analysis that explored the impact of technology use to support employment-related outcomes for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities by focusing on the impact of types of technology and work settings. A further analysis of the same single-subject experimental design studies conducted from 2004 to 2016 was undertaken in this study. Percentage of non-overlapping data (PND) scores measuring the intervention effect was used and compared across types of technology and work settings. The relationships between the types of technology and the presence of universal design features were also examined. Findings revealed significant differences in the effects of the technology use between (a) pictorial prompts and (1) auditory prompting devices, (2) desktop and laptop computers, and (3) palmtops, and (b) real and simulated work setting. Significant relationships between the presence of universal design features and types of technology were also found. Devices using pictorial prompts had a lower frequency of universal design features present while the video-assisted training, palmtops, and desktop and laptop computers group had significantly greater frequency of the use of universal design features. Overall, the effect of the use of technology seemed to differ when viewed by type of technology or by work setting. Further research is required regarding (1) technology use to promote employment-related outcomes in real work settings, (2) the effect of more sophisticated types of technology in real work settings, and (3) the features incorporated into the technology.

This study aims to deliver a school‐based mode of training for in‐service teachers of students with ASD in Hong Kong. The training is delivered following the phases of implementation science, namely, exploration, installation, and implementation. The project team used the theory of mind approach, which enables teachers to engage with students with ASD and to focus on recognizing and reacting to emotions. Participants in this study included four educators from a teacher education institution, three expert teachers, and 19 in‐service teacher trainees. The most salient responses came from trainees who were provided with the opportunity to apply learned skills in their own classrooms immediately and to share the knowledge and skills in dealing with students with ASD in the post‐conference meetings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study sought to describe and classify the support activities provided by all itinerant teachers for students who are deaf or hard of hearing (DHH) in regular schools in the Australian Capital ...

Theories of learning and engagement in persons with profound intellectual and multiple disability (PIMD) are essential as a basis for empirical investigations into the effectiveness or otherwise of educational and other interventions. In this paper, a selected descriptive analysis of observational data on the social and communicative experiences of a sample of eight school students aged between 5 and 13 with profound intellectual and multiple disability is reported. The observed frequency of various socio-communicative phenomena as well as potential relationships amongst social groupings and communication indicators in two types of school settings are outlined. These results inform a concluding discussion of theoretical perspectives on the nature of inputs to, and responses indicative of learning in this population of individuals with high and complex support needs.

Telepractice—specifically, the use of high-speed internet and interactive videoconferencing technology to deliver real-time audio and video communications between the family and the practitioner—is gaining acceptance as an alternative means of providing family-centered early intervention to families of children who are deaf and hard of hearing. This study examined whether caregivers’ reported perceptions of self-efficacy and involvement differed when early intervention was delivered in-person and through telepractice. The Scale of Parental Involvement and Self-Efficacy (SPISE) was used to evaluate perceptions of two groups of caregivers: one that received early intervention in-person (n = 100) and a group who received services through telepractice (n = 41). Results indicated that mode of delivery of services was not related to caregivers’ perceptions of their self-efficacy or involvement. Further analysis revealed that although certain caregiver or child characteristics did influence some aspects of caregivers’ beliefs about their self-efficacy or involvement, the effect of those variables was similar across both modes of delivery.

BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to identify, extract, summarize and list the features of applied cognitive technology used to support employment-related outcomes for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. METHOD Thematic analysis was employed on a published research base of 41 studies obtained through a larger scoping review of the literature on the same topic. RESULTS The thematic analysis identified 109 technology features categorized into 14 main categories of features, which were grouped into three over-arching categories, Output, Input and General Features. The majority of the studies comprised "Output" features with "Audio" features being the most frequent category. Studies using more sophisticated technology incorporated a wider range of features and a larger number of references. CONCLUSIONS Further investigation regarding the association of specific technology features with the enhancement of various cognitive functions will assist the decision making and technology selection process.

High-quality early childhood education is a vital experience for young children with and without disabilities. Social and communication experiences in the context of play represent a core curriculum that sets a foundation for later learning and participation. Using a new self-report instrument, this article describes data collected in a large-scale professional learning project in NSW, Australia, that aimed to support early childhood teachers, paraprofessionals and other personnel who directly work with young children, including individuals who present or are at risk of challenging behaviours. Using a case application model of remote and direct coaching support and intervention centred on the input of expert practitioners, the reports of participants were collected before and after a series of three sequential workshops with embedded action research processes for participants. The program was designed to increase social and communicative exchanges and reduce the likelihood of challenging behaviour...

Writing SMART Goals has recently become an integral part of the landscape of teacher professional learning in Australian schools, including both teacher professional development and performance management in classroom practices. This paper discusses the origins of SMART Goals and the diverse terms and definitions associated with such goal setting. Anecdotal evidence suggests that for some teachers, writing personal, professional or teaching and learning goals may be a daunting task. For school leadership teams, these goals often are the basis for operationalising school improvement over time. We make a case for clarity with SMART Goals within the context of each school, as interpreted and supported by school principals and leadership teams working with their staff. This paper concludes with some tentative suggestions for school leaders intended to improve SMART Goals, and teacher professional learning, over time. We hope this clarification and our suggestions support writing more effective learnin...

Functional Behavioural Assessment (FBA) is identified as a research-based approach used in many Western schools to support student behaviour. This study aimed to assist Thai classroom teachers by providing a professional development and learning programme in FBA to develop an effective and efficient process to address behaviour problems and allow students to reach their educational potential. Classroom teachers participated in the professional learning programme in FBA. Various data sources including staff interviews, rating scales, observational time samples and descriptive notes were utilised. In the investigation the majority of teachers included FBA practice in their classrooms during the study and employed more positive and preventative approaches to deal with the students. This study confirmed that the opportunity to learn and practice skills during professional development was essential in supporting teachers in the task of improving student outcomes.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study is to update and extend an original meta-analysis which included papers published up to and including 2003 and investigated the impact of technology use on employment-related outcomes for people with intellectual and developmental disability. METHODS: Following on from the original meta-analysis, this study is a meta-analysis of pertinent single-subject experimental design studies conducted from 2004 to 2016 and employs the same metric methods as the original contribution. RESULTS: The results are generally consistent with those of the original meta-analysis, namely, applied cognitive technology effectively supports employment-related outcomes for people with intellectual and developmental disability. Nevertheless, significant differences in the intervention effects were found (a) between groups of individuals with varying levels of disability, and (b) between interventions utilizing technology with and without universal design features. CONCLUSIONS: In line with the original contribution, applied cognitive technology seems to support people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to better achieve employment-related outcomes. More research is needed though to explore the impact of different types of technology on employment-related outcomes.

Thailand is aiming to improve special education practices, and inclusive education has been introduced and mandated by national laws in the past few years. However, inclusive practices are challenging for many Thai teachers and schools. Many teachers are unprepared to support students with diverse needs and to deal with behavior problems. To successfully support such students, teachers need to apply systematic and effective approaches. Functional behavioral assessment (FBA) is one such approach that may assist teachers in general classrooms. As FBA is a relatively new practice in Thailand, a contextualized approach is required. This article discusses several essential components in FBA implementation processes that need to be considered as well as an example of a research project that involved training Thai teachers in the use of FBA.

The aim of this review was to critically synthesize barriers and facilitators to the use of AAC systems by children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and their communication partners. Qualitative data related to barriers and facilitators were synthesized from 42 studies located using a systematic search. A diverse range of studies was examined in order to identify the span of barriers and facilitators reported in the literature. Included studies comprised quasi-experimental, non-experimental, and qualitative study designs. The full range of unaided, low-tech aided, and high-tech aided AAC systems were reported across the included studies. The critical synthesis identified 5 themes to which barriers and facilitators are related: (a) Intervention Services and Service Providers, (b) AAC Systems and Technologies (c), Communication Partners of Children with ASD, (d) Parents of Children with ASD, and (e) Children with ASD. The findings suggest that barriers and facilitators to the use of AAC vary across individuals, AAC modalities, and environments. By identifying barriers and facilitators to the use of AAC experienced by children with ASD and their communication partners, service providers might be better equipped to support these children and their communication partners. Clinical implications and future research directions are discussed.

Best practice in understanding and caring for people with advanced Alzheimer’s disease presents extraordinary challenges. Their severe and deteriorating cognitive impairments are such that carers find progressive difficulty in authentically ascertaining and responding to interests, preferences, and needs. Deep assessment, a novel multifaceted framework drawn from research into the experiences of others with severe cognitive impairments, has potential to empower carers and other support professionals to develop an enhanced understanding of people with advanced Alzheimer’s disease and so deliver better calibrated care in attempts to maximize quality of life. Deep assessment uses a combination of techniques, namely, Behaviour State Observation, Triangulated Proxy Reporting, and Startle Reflex Modulation Measurement, to deliver a comprehensive and deep assessment of the inner states (awareness, preferences, likes, and dislikes) of people who cannot reliably self-report. This paper explains deep assessment and its current applications. It then suggests how it can be applied to people with advanced Alzheimer’s disease to develop others’ understanding of their inner states and to help improve their quality of life. An illustrative hypothetical vignette is used to amplify this framework. We discuss the potential utility and efficacy of this technique for this population and we also propose other human conditions that may benefit from research using a deep assessment approach.

The Lyford model of classroom management was first published as the centrepiece of an Australian undergraduate classroom management textbook in 2011. It was conceptualised and developed by the text authors, drawing on a qualitative analysis of their professional experiences, knowledge, beliefs and understandings. Consequently additional data were sought to test the legitimacy and rigour of the model. Each year the first author has called for “Reflections from the field”: short stories written by practicing teachers explaining what they understood their theoretical and practical approaches to classroom management were in their various teaching contexts. Over six years 54 stories have been gathered and progressively analyzed using a qualitative grounded theory approach. This very rich and growing source of data has consistently delivered substantial evidence supporting the authenticity and utility of the model. The model has “stood the test of time” in that it continues to both accommodate and embrace the evolving positions of the authors, and also of a growing number of exemplary practicing teachers. This paper commences with an introduction into the authors’ views on classroom management as a context for then describing and explaining the Lyford model, and the grounded theoretical process by which it comes to be. The continuing data source: the positions put by a growing number of practicing classroom teachers; is then described, followed by a brief explanation of the continuing grounded theoretical process of analysis. To illuminate this analysis, extracts are included from selected “Reflections from the Field”, with analytic breadth coming from a diversity of smaller extracts, and scope coming from one full Reflection. The authors then discuss various points of interest emerging from this continuing analysis, including suggestions to academic peers around teaching classroom management, and suggestions to their preservice and early service colleagues around doing classroom management.

In educational systems, schools, and classrooms, the interface among professional learning approaches and the translation and sustained uptake of research-led inclusive practices needs systematic and sustained attention. A range of variables exist with respect to the complexity of adopting leading, evidence-led practices in actual classroom and school settings. These may include teacher effects, diverse student needs, and limited opportunity for the meaningful analysis of relevant research to practice literature. Similarly, in the larger context of educational systems and processes of change, inhibitors and facilitators are encountered when introducing and sustaining innovative professional learning and changed practices in typical diverse schools. An aspirational model of professional learning for inclusive practices that is informed by the tenets of modern implementation science and cross-cultural perspectives will assist in defining future directions in this area from both an empirical and a heuristic perspective.

This paper provides a descriptive narrative on some recent research processes and outcomes in general classrooms in Australia that include students with multiple and severe disability. A mentor-model approach to professional development for the teaching staff was employed and this paper outlines what happened, along with some of the specific needs and goals of the participating students and teaching personnel. Although the results were quite variable, a number of interesting findings relating to teacher effects and the limited role of peers in enhancing interactions with students with such complex needs are identified and discussed.

Left-handers comprise about 10% of the Australian population. In Australia and elsewhere, there has been a history of discrimination against left-handedness, expressed in a variety of ways. Although negative attitudes to left-handedness have become less common in recent times, researchers have not investigated the extent to which left-handedness is now acknowledged or encouraged in Australian schools, or whether left-handed students have to overcome difficulties due to their handedness. This study investigated the handwriting experiences of 10 primary school students and the opinions of 11 primary school teachers on handwriting and on left-handed writers. The left-handed students identified a range of issues including the need for specialized writing equipment, writing speed and neatness. The teachers also mentioned these issues along with legibility and writing instruction. The results are discussed in terms of guidance on writing instruction and the place of writing in an increasingly digitized world.

Objective: This paper describes four case studies of communication support for students with multiple and severe disability (MSD) in special school classrooms that used a mentor-model approach to the professional development of educational staff.Methods: A range of observational and report instruments was used to measure student changes in communicative involvement and the views of teaching staff that engaged with them.Results: Four case studies of the contextual features, student needs and specific support strategies utilized in this study in four special school classrooms highlight the challenges that are faced by teaching staff in improving and maintaining student communication outcomes, and the reasons for these challenges.Conclusions: The mentor-model approach to professional development for educators working with students with MSD holds promise as a general framework for intervention. Despite the inherent variability in student outcomes and the practical limitations in practice, educators re...

The aim of the present study was to explore speech-language pathologists’ (SLPs) perceptions and experiences of factors influencing the implementation of communication interventions for students with multiple and severe disabilities. Eight SLPs in New South Wales, Australia, participated in individual interviews and a focus group. Interview transcripts were scrutinized using thematic analysis. Transcripts were coded into categories, which were then grouped to yield themes. Participants identified a broad range of themes, including SLPs’ experience and skills, professional development, and collaboration with teachers and families; as well as home and school contexts, the role of government departments, and broader societal factors. These complex influences suggest that systemic supports may be required at multiple levels in order to increase the likelihood of effective implementation of communication interventions for students with multiple and severe disabilities.

The education of school students with profound intellectual and multiple disabilities presents diverse challenges to practitioners, families and policymakers. These challenges are philosophically and ethically complex, and impact curriculum, assessment and pedagogy. Given the international ascendancy of both the UNESCO Policy Guidelines on inclusion in education and the principles of inclusion for people with disabilities with respect to human services policy and practice, the authors build on their previous work to advocate for renewed debate about the nature of school education for these students, and put forward four pathways to inform this debate.

It is generally assumed that preschool teachers play a crucial daily role in the inclusion of young children with a disability in education settings. In many countries, however, there are little available data to inform such a view. Part of a larger project with 528 preschool teachers from northern Thailand, the aim of the study reported here was to examine Thai preschool teachers' views of inclusive education for young Thai children with disabilities. Twenty preschool teachers with a range of attitudes to the inclusion of young children with a disability were interviewed about their views and five themes developed from the interview analysis. Those themes were the current situation, teachers' knowledge and expertise, teachers' attitude towards inclusion and disability, collaboration, and challenges for future inclusion.

Objective: To propose startle reflex modulation (SRM) as an objective measure of emotions of children with profound multiple disabilities (PMD). Knowledge about emotion states of children with PMD is crucial to their individualised care and support. Proxy reporting, observational and physiological measures of emotion are reported in the literature. Despite advances in this science, the rigour of the findings and methods are contested. In this article, we introduce SRM; a neurophysiological measure untried with children with PMD, despite its well-known sensitivity to even subtle changes in affective processing without depending on explicit responses.Results: We propose a research agenda that aims to deliver a more comprehensive and accurate profile of the inner states of these children, based upon previous research undertaken using SRM.Conclusion: It is suggested that this objective measure has potential to provide useful information about the inner emotional states of children with PMD.

This paper explains and demonstrates the early application of collaborative stretching: a new and practical technique for enhancing the quality of lives of people in care – particularly those who have severe cognitive impairments. An introduction explains severe cognitive impairment and the notion of quality of life. This is followed by an explanation of the nature of, theory behind, and the key steps of collaborative stretching. An illustrative vignette is then presented to demonstrate its application, utility, and value in one care setting. The paper concludes with a discussion around advancing a research agenda for this technique, and its potential implications for care service managers.

Positive changes to pre-service teacher education programmes (PSTEPs), driven in part by changing worldwide policy frameworks around inclusion, are occurring, albeit slowly. After briefly reviewing international trends and key policy and legislation platforms in New Zealand and Australia, this paper explores some of the challenges in enhancing PSTEPs to take on more inclusive perspectives and content. Examples of innovative changes in one programme in New Zealand and one in Australia are then described and discussed, particularly around how these changes seek to address these challenges. Some key facilitators for enhancing PSTEPs are put forward, namely positioning and embedding policy and practice in national and international contexts; embracing practices; working with the broader education faculty around the integration of course structures and content; listening to the views of practicing teachers; exploring pre-service teachers’ values, beliefs, attitudes, knowledge and concerns about engaging with a...

Multi-grade primary classroom contexts provide opportunities to address the different needs of diverse learners through differentiating instruction. This mixed-methods study is a smaller component of a larger study undertaken in Australia, with other elements reported elsewhere. The study used ecobehavioural assessment to examine the relationships between observed classroom environments, teacher instruction, and behavioural responses of gifted readers, typically developing readers, and students with reading difficulties during literacy lessons in New South Wales (NSW) regional schools. Semi-structured interviews provided observed teachers' perceptions of their classroom instruction. The observation results indicated some key relationships between teacher instruction, student learning responses, and classroom learning contexts or ecologies. While the interviews identified some teacher perceived differentiated instruction for students with different reading needs, both methodological approaches produced evidence of some use of research-based differentiated practices for students with different learning needs.

The aim of this study was to explore teachers' perceptions and experiences of supports and obstacles to engaging students with multiple and severe disabilities (MSD) in communicative interactions at school. Eleven teachers of students with MSD participated in two in-depth interviews. Interview transcripts were analysed for narrative structure and content themes. Inter-coder reliability for coding of content themes was 87.5%. Participants identified a broad range of factors, including: characteristics of individual students, attitudes, perceptions and beliefs of teachers and other staff, class structure, staffing, opportunities for collegiality, resources, funding, infrastructure, collaboration with speech-language pathologists, appropriate communication education for teachers, the role of government departments, and broader societal factors. The findings suggest that there are complex contextual influences on the communicative interactions of students with MSD. While inadequate systemic supports appear to contribute to low frequencies of communication, systemic factors can be structured so that students participate in activities and have opportunities for communication. Further research is required with teachers of students with MSD to substantiate these findings.

This review provides a summary and appraisal commentary on the treatment review by Nicole C. Groskreutz, Allen Karsina, Caio F. Miguel, & Mark P. Groskreutz (2010). Using complex auditory–visual samples to produce emergent relations in children with autism. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 43, 131–136.Source of funding and disclosure of interests: No funding sources or conflicts of interests were noted by the authors for this study.

In this article, the authors report on an individualized professional learning activity, based on the principles described by Gersten and colleagues, implemented by two academics with three teachers without special education qualifications teaching students with severe and multiple disabilities. The professional learning consisted of consultation based around observation of classroom practice (live or by video recording) focusing on the use of strategies to increase the number of opportunities for communication offered to students. Analysis of video recordings of targeted activities over baseline and intervention sessions demonstrated an increase in the opportunities teachers offered, with larger effects in two of the classes.

For some time, special education has been plagued by shortages of qualified teaching staff and by high turnover rates for these staff. While several factors—external, employment and personal—are largely responsible for this situation, the research demonstrates that the initial professional experiences of early career teachers are closely associated with their longevity in the field. This paper reviews the literature on mentoring support for beginning teachers, mentoring models and the use of information technologies in mentoring support. The paper concludes with recommendations for methods of support for Australian early career special-education teachers.

Purpose. Visual supports are widely used and generally regarded as an effective resource for intervention with individuals who function on the autism spectrum. More cross-contextual research into their efficacy is required.Method and outcomes. In this article, we selectively review the research literature around visual supports based on an original conceptual model that highlights their contribution in the interpersonal social and communicative milieu of classrooms, homes and other daily living contexts. Attention is drawn to a range of practical and research issues and challenges in the use of visual supports as well as evidence of their effectiveness in enhancing participation, learning and social membership in this population.Conclusions. Areas for further research relating to the introduction and use of visual supports with the autism spectrum disorder population are identified.

The needs of students with profound and multiple disabilities (PMD) have received more attention in the educational research and best practice literature over the past decade, especially in relation to the importance of maximising their social and communicative engagement. However, perhaps as a function of their low incidence rate and resultant difficulties in obtaining research funding, there appears to be little in the way of a coherent vision for research in the international literature. In this paper we argue the need for a systematic programme of research into the nature of learning processes and outcomes for members of this group. Several issues emerge from a review of selected literature and from some recent observational data and descriptive case studies collected in special and inclusive classrooms. First, there is the importance of identifying ways of better understanding the complex experiences of members of this population, with particular attention to the ongoing contribution of behaviour state assessment as a means of measuring individual alertness and responsiveness. We argue that improved uptake of this approach will do much to advance our knowledge of life quality for this population and assist in more fully evaluating the effectiveness of educational interventions. Second, we explore the potential of social and communicative engagement in a variety of settings as a means of enhancing learning and participation in this group. We suggest that interpersonal variables are the key to improvements in educational support for this vulnerable group. Potential directions in research and practice are explored.

Educational policies for students with a disability in Australia, the USA, the UK and in most western countries stipulate that inclusive placement should be an option available to parents. This article examines three principal drivers of inclusion: social justice principles, legislation, and research findings, and considers the extent to which each of these has impacted on inclusive policy and practice. The article considers the research base for inclusion, and examines the extent to which the policy and practice of inclusion is supported by evidence. It concludes with some suggestions for a research agenda that focuses on the particular contextual challenges and complexities faced in Australasian school settings, whilst recognising international directions in the identification of evidence‐based practices.

The challenge to define and refine evidence-based practice in the education of students with profound and multiple disabilities has emerged as an important focus of research and discussion over the past decade. In this paper, a model of educational ecologies serving members of this group is introduced as a means of linking individual abilities, human contexts and the wider research and practice agenda in this field. Two particular themes that are addressed are the important contribution of behavior state assessment and recognition of the interdependence of social and communicative factors in educational settings. Implications of this model are evaluated in terms of future priorities in staff development, inclusive practices in curriculum and instructional practices as well as broader quality of life considerations.

This paper provides a review of several critical issues and directions for research and practice, centred on children with multiple and severe disability, with special attention to the recent study of individual behaviour states as a measure of arousal and involvement. It notes several areas for future research and discusses educational interventions designed to improve the engagement of children, focusing on the central role of early intervention and human ecologies in supporting the achievement of positive educational outcomes for this population.