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This book provides an overview of systematic instructional strategies and is written in a format so that teachers and other service providers can immediately put the information to use. It specifically focuses upon systematic instruction for individuals with disabilities (school age and adults) and is generic across age groups as well as disability labels. The book focuses on improving instructional practices for students and adults with disabilities. Practitioners may understand the importance of placing individuals in different settings (e.g., inclusive classrooms, supported employment sites) but not understand how to improve their skills once they are in that setting. This book is intended to give teachers and other service providers the instructional skills for improving the skills of the individuals that they are serving. The most unique feature of the text is that it is written specifically for practitioners in the field (teachers and adult service providers) as well as those in training rather than being written for other academics. An advantage of this book is that those preparing teachers and others can easily use it in methods courses as it covers instructional methodology that is seldom covered in detail in most texts. College instructors will find the book a good choice for their classes based upon: the consistent format throughout the book; the "readability" of the book for students; the comprehensive coverage of systematic instruction; and the direct applicability to applied settings. Others providing instruction, supervision, and training to direct service providers will find this book useful, such as those working in schools as well as those in transition and adult service settings.

This text is a clear and current description of the instructional strategies that can be immediately applied across age groups and disability labels. An evidence-based instructional methodology is provided, which has proved to be effective in teaching skills to students and adults with disabilities. Signature topics include: (1) a community-referenced functional curriculum; (2) how to assess and analyze skills; (3) teaching skills; (4) functional academics; (5) teaching employment skills; (6) functional skills in community; (7) functional skills in residential settings; (8) teaching social skills; (9) self-determination and self-advocacy skills; and (10) self-management skills. Each chapter includes Key Point Questions, Windows to the World Case Studies, Best Practice Recommendations, Future Research Issues, Discussion Questions, and School and Community-based Activity Suggestions to illustrate, extend and clarify a systematic approach to improving the functional skills of individuals with disabilities. These features allow the reader to explore and apply effective instructional strategies across domains such as employment, community, residential as well as the skills necessary to enjoy recreation and leisure opportunities. The most unique feature is that it is written specifically for practitioners in the field, not for academics. The format, readability, and detailed description of instructional methodology make it a valued resource for instructors responsible for improving the skills of learners with disabilities. A foreword, a preface, an author index, and a subject index are included.