Where the Action Is: Teaching Exceptional Children.

Presented are 40 readings and research reviews on special education services for handicapped and gifted children. Examined in an overview are aspects of special education such as approaches used in different countries, integration, labeling, team teaching, and remedial reading. The culturally different child is described in terms of deprivation, disadvantagement, programs, and disparities between urban and suburban schools. Areas reviewed in relation to learning disabilities encompass assessment, teacher effectiveness, the concept of perceptual deficit, and myths in remedial education. Speech and hearing problems are considered with readings on speech disorders and corrections, articulatory competency and reading readiness, and sociological/psychological factors associated with hearing loss. The gifted child is seen to benefit from identification by counselors, a broadened concept of giftedness, creative expression techniques, and program planning. Mental retardation is discussed in an overview and in relation to community expectation, use of theories of J. Piaget in a program for trainable retarded students, a work study program, and a job readiness check list. The visually impaired are featured in readings on play and intellectual development, self concept, management of young deaf blind children, approaches to teaching partially sighted children, and "learning through listening." Staff expectations, integrated classrooms, architectural barriers, readjustment of paraplegics to the community, and the need to feel human are the subjects of readings on the physically handicapped. Readings on emotionally disturbed children focus on history, the community, teacher competency, and a curriculum for disordered behavior. (MC)