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The decades-long assault on principles of special education--some knowingly, such as the regular education initiative, and some unknowingly, such as certain presumptions and practices of full inclusion--have consequences that may negatively affect the future of the field. Protracted criticisms on the character, role, and legitimacy of traditional special education and its related policies and practices have, in some ways, weakened its identity. It is conceivable that special education, as a robust and independent educational component is being threatened. Factors leading to this conclusion are discussed as well as a call for recognition of policy implications and needed research to guide policy development.

Professional literature related to Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) has increasingly focused on identifying interventions and strategies most likely to lead to successful outcomes. However, there is a paucity of research documenting the basic foundational structure and supports that are needed to promote successful classroom experiences and outcomes. Specifically, literature does not clearly define the basic educational elements that are needed for all students with an ASD diagnosis. Related to this void, this study reports educational practitioners' recommendations for foundational elements for four groups of elementary-age learners with ASD who differed in age and severity of disability. Participants offered recommendations for supports and program resources that fell within nine categories. Results are discussed relative to the extant literature along with implications for preservice teacher preparation, educators' professional development, and elemental programming for learners with ASD.

For this study, we collected classroom behavioral data for three children with autism relative to daily meteorological conditions. Meteorological data, including barometric pressure, humidity, outdoor temperature, and moon illumination, were obtained from the National Weather Service. Relationships between children's individual target behaviors and meteorological conditions were evaluated via scatterplots. Results revealed independence between children's behavior and meteorological conditions. Study results are discussed along with implications for professional practice. (Contains 2 figures and 1 table.)

Children and youth with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and other developmental delays frequently experience deficits in functional communication. Identifying and using suitable communication enhancement and augmentative and alternative communication supports is essential to achievement of positive outcomes for these learners. This article discusses the use of the Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS), a commonly used and utilitarian AAC system for children and youth who lack sufficient functional communication skills. Particular attention is given to practitioners' use of this promising tool.

In spite of recent education reform and reorganization efforts requiring the use of research-based methods, the fundamental elements of an effective program for children and youth with emotional and behavioral disorders (EBD) have not been succinctly identified. This article presents the essential features of programs for students with EBD. Program elements include (a) qualified and committed professionals, (b) utilitarian environmental supports, (c) effective behavior management plans, (d) valid social skill and social interpretation training and social interaction programs, (e) proven academic support systems, (f) strong parent- and family-involvement programs, (g) coordinated community support mechanisms, and (h) ongoing evaluation of essential program components and student outcomes and progress. A justification for the program and a comparison of the proposed program with existing models is included in the discussion. (Contains 1 figure.)

Objective data provide overwhelming evidence that children and youth with emotional and behavioral disorders (EBD) are underidentified and underserved. This was the central argument in our November 2007 Forum article to which Harry, Hart, Klingner, Cramer, and Sturges responded. In this rejoinder, we continue to assert the dramatic need to offer appropriate educational services to all children with EBD independent of their personal identity and characteristics. Although we identify areas of agreement with Harry et al., we challenge many of their assertions related to our article and continue to affirm that underservice of learners with EBD is the greatest challenge.

The impact of speculative, capricious, and unreliable information on the current state of autism knowledge is difficult to judge. Notwithstanding this concession, variable and often incorrect information illustrates a significant lack of understanding about autism spectrum disorder (ASD) issues and challenges, as well as significant disagreement about which treatments and interventions bode best for persons identified with autism-related disabilities. Undeniably, parents and families, professionals, policy makers, and the general public are being stymied by a lack of reliable information regarding the utility and suitability of purported treatments and interventions for learners with ASD. Moreover, the lack of practical information and well-designed guidelines that professionals and families can use to identify the most suitable, effective, and utilitarian methods from among the countless available interventions and treatments that portend the best outcomes for learners with ASD only serves to intensify and further polarize variable opinions and perspectives concerning autism. Within the context of these circumstances, this article explores themes and concerns that are linked to identifying and adopting the most effective, practical, and cost-efficient practices and strategies for children and youth with ASD. Basic elements that form the foundation of an effective program for learners identified with ASD are suggested for facilitating widescale program improvements.

By definition children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) experience difficulty understanding and using language. Accordingly, visual and picture-based strategies such as the Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) show promise in ameliorating speech and language deficits. This study reports the results of a multiple baseline across participants investigating the implementation of the PECS with three preschool children with characteristics of ASD. The first four phases of PECS were taught to the participants: basic picture exchange, increasing distance use of PECS, discriminating among a variety of pictures, and communicating in sentences composed of pictures. Relative to the impact of PECS's implementation in providing the participants with a functional communication system, word approximations, and intelligible word and phrase use, results indicated that two of the three participants mastered PECS. However, participants did not significantly increase in use of word approximations and intelligible words.

Despite variable interpretations of the meaning and nature of specific effective practice methods and research-supported strategies, such approaches are generally considered essential for children and youth with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). Indeed, there is general consensus that only by qualified professionals using effective methods in an approved fashion will optimal student outcomes be achieved. Related to this need, this article presents perspectives of stakeholders connected to use of effective practices with children and youth diagnosed with ASD. A parent, educational practitioner, and program administrator each share their unique perspectives on the subject of effective practice methods for learners with ASD.

Data suggest that students with emotional and behavioral disorders (EBD) are underidentified and underserved for a variety of reasons. In response to this problem, the authors identify misinformation and provide evidence-based information regarding prevalence; discuss the role of stigma and exclusion from the EBD category and appropriate responses to them; identify and refute negative attitudes toward special education, especially for students with EBD; examine the evidence for false identification; and suggest how research on identification of EBD might be done. Conclusions and recommendations are provided.

Self-management for students with autism is important both as a management tool and as a means to enhance students' quality of life by empowering them to control their own behavior. This article reports the results of an examination of the efficacy of self-management for increasing appropriate behavior of children and youth with autism. Single-subject research using self-management of students with autism as an intervention was synthesized and the impact was analyzed across intervention and participants' characteristics using the percentage of non-overlapping data (PND) metric. Average PND values suggest that self-management interventions are an effective treatment for increasing the frequency of appropriate behavior of students with autism. Implications for further research extending the use and understanding of self-management procedures for students diagnosed with autism are discussed.

The past several years have been witness to a variety of education reform and reorganization efforts, including for students with disabilities. Prominent among these restructuring efforts have been initiatives that require educators to adopt practices that are supported by research. Noteworthy examples of this trend include the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 and other calls for use of effective practice methods by educators and others who are connected with students with disabilities. Although this is a daunting challenge for any group of students, the process of identifying and consistently and correctly using effective practice methods has been especially demanding for professionals who work with children and youth with autism spectrum disorders. This article discusses issues and factors that relate to identifying and using effective practices with students with autism-related disorders. Recommended effective practice methods are also provided.

Inclusion of students with disabilities, including children and youth diagnosed with emotional and behavioral disorders, has been a prominent and contentious issue for decades. Yet, in spite of the extraordinary attention given this topic, there has been a general absence of empirically sound research to guide policy and practice. This article discusses four research-oriented themes relative to inclusion of students with Emotional and Behavioral Disorders (EBD) in general education settings: (a) the appropriateness and relevancy of current inclusion measurement targets; (b) the extent to which inclusion is a clearly identified and independent treatment variable; (c) the extent to which inclusion research has sufficient external validity to give it generalization value; and (d) the social validity value of research connected to inclusion of students with EBD.

The No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act is potentially the most significant educational initiative to have been enacted in decades. Among the salient elements of this initiative are requirements that all students have qualified teachers and be given the opportunity to attend highquality schools. The NCLB legislation also requires that states raise academic achievement levels for all students, including those with disabilities. Linked to these components and related issues, this article discusses the major components of the NCLB along with implications and recommendations for educators.

Few studies on augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) systems have addressed the potential for such systems to impact word utterances in children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). The Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) is an AAC system designed specifically to minimize difficulties with communication skills experienced by individuals with ASD. The current study examined the role of PECS in improving the number of words spoken, increasing the complexity and length of phrases, and decreasing the non-word vocalizations of three young children with ASD and developmental delays (DD) with related characteristics. Participants were taught Phases 1-4 of PECS (i.e., picture exchange, increased distance, picture discrimination, and sentence construction). The results indicated that PECS was mastered rapidly by the participants and word utterances increased in number of words and complexity of grammar.

The CEC Research Award recognizes researchers for the significant contributions they have made to special education. We believe that the members of this distinguished group have much to share with our readers. We have invited each of them to contribute an article, addressing their perspectives on special education research and practices. Richard Simpson was awarded the Research Award in 2002. This article by Simpson presents his motivations for entering the field and what he has learned from his work with children and youth with autism spectrum disorders; selected representative references are also provided.

This article discusses the need to connect research and policy in the education of children and youth with autism spectrum disorders. It considers issues related to selecting and implementing use of research and evidence-based practices and the need for appropriately trained educational professionals. (Contains references.) (Author/DB)

A study examined the effectiveness of the Power Card Strategy in teaching sportsmanship skills to a 10-year-old girl with autism. The strategy incorporates special interests to teach and reinforce academic, behavior, and social skills. The strategy was effective in teaching sportsmanship skills and the behavioral generalized across multiple settings. (Contains references.) (CR)

A study assessed the utility of a social story intervention to improve the lunchtime eating behaviors of an adolescent with Asperger syndrome. The social story program resulted in a decrease in the number of food and drink skills and an increase in the frequency of appropriate mouth-wiping during school lunch. (Contains references.) (Author/CR)

Describes manifestations and diagnosis of Asperger Syndrome (AS). Outlines areas to be addressed in planning educational programs for children with AS: learning style, behavioral patterns, learning strategies, environmental predictability, and behavior-emotion regulation. (Contains 25 references.) (SK)

This article discusses issues related to the use of applied behavior analysis (ABA) with students who have autism-related disabilities. These include: implementation forms, outcome expectations, exclusive versus selective use of ABA, time-related considerations, and personnel requirements for effective ABA implementation, evaluation, and communication. (Contains references.) (Author/DB)

Visual supports were used to help two boys with autism of elementary school age to transition from one activity to another. A significant decrease in the latency between the time the students were given instructions and the time they began the next activity occurred when the visual supports were used. (Contains references.) (Author/CR)

Results are reported of an analysis of Wechsler IQ scores of 37 children (ages 3-14) with Asperger syndrome. Data revealed cognitive patterns dissimilar to those of children with other autism related disorders and similar to many typically developing and achieving individuals.. Findings are discussed in reference to identification and intervention issues. (Contains references.) (Author/CR)

A survey of 133 teachers and related service professionals working with students with autism, found that they believed students with mild autism were far more appropriate for participation in district-wide testing. Even though respondents identified minimally necessary accommodations, they were relatively conservative in what they were willing to recommend. (Contains references.) (CR)

This commentary reviews previous articles that discuss major educational approaches for young children with autism. Controversy related to the exclusive and extensive use of applied behavior analysis and discrete trial training is discussed. The need for guidelines to assist in assessing the suitability of various interventions for individual situations is emphasized. (CR)

A study examined the role of functional analysis as the basis for development of behavior management programs for three preschool boys with developmental disabilities. The maintaining factors for all three boys were relatively easily identified during formal functional analysis assessment and effective intervention programs were designed and implemented. (CR)