1Research-Based Practices

in Developmental Disabilities

Introduction and Scope of Textbook

Howard P. Parette and George R. Peterson-Karlan

1

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Summary

This chapter presents a brief rationale for the topical approach used in the text-book, coupled with clarifying defi nitions of research-based and emerging best practices. The scope of the textbook is then presented, with descriptive overviews of each chapter. A standards chart provides readers with a broad overview of spe-cifi c standards approved by the Division on Developmental Disabilities in April 2005, which are addressed in the chapters.

Learning Outcomes

After reading this chapter, you should be able to:

• Defi ne best practices.• Defi ne research-based practices.• Understand the organizational framework for the textbook.

Outline of Context

In the fi rst edition of this textbook (Hilton & Ringlaben, 1998), the term best practices was defi ned as “those overriding practices that direct service provision to individuals with de-velopmental disabilities” (p. 1). The Division on Developmental Disabilities (DDD) of the Council for Exceptional Children has expended considerable effort on developing and dis-seminating these practices to current and future practitioners in the fi eld (see, e.g., Special Conference, Best Practices for Practitioners, in the September 2005, issue of Education and Training in Developmental Disabilities).

In recent years, however, greater emphasis has been placed on the role of research in documenting what should be deemed to be best practice in the fi eld. In fact, the Individu-als with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004 authorized greater emphasis on competitive grants for research related to services provided to children with disabilities and to the outcomes/effectiveness of those services (20 U.S.C. § 175). This legislation also created the National Center for Educational Research, which has multiple responsibilities to identify, develop, and support use of research-based practices in service delivery to children with disabilities (U.S. Department of Education, 2005). With such legislated emphases on the role of research in special education service delivery (see the foreword in this textbook for a perspective), practitioners are expected to use best practices that have a research basis and to begin to document the effectiveness of their own practices in service delivery settings (i.e., evidence-based practice) (Odom, Brantlinger, Gersten, Horner, Thompson, & Harris, 2005).

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The sections of this volume address research-based and current best practices, as discussed previously, and are organized around broad themes within the fi eld of developmental disabilities. Each chapter addresses specifi c standards approved by the Division on Developmental Disabilities in April 2005 (see Table 1.1). The content of each chapter is supplemented by a variety of instructor support materials in the Research-Based Practices in Developmental Disabilities Instructor’s Manual.

Section 1, Foundations of Developmental Disabilities, begins with an authori-tative and comprehensive review of historical and legal issues that affect the fi eld of developmental disabilities by James R. Thompson and Michael L. Wehmeyer (chap-ter 2). This review is complemented by the refl ections of J. David Smith (chapter 3), pertaining to personal and cultural meanings of developmental disabilities. Readers should fi nd both chapters to be of particular relevance, given the current understand-ing of developmental disabilities as it has evolved.

In section 2, Development and Characteristics of Learners, Tom E. C. Smith presents a broad overview of issues related to defi nitions of developmental disabili-ties, as well as a discussion of trends that are supportive of more-generic, functional classifi cation groupings for these individuals (chapter 4). To address the substantive increase in interest in the fi eld of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) in recent years, Brenda Smith Myles, Anastasia Hubbard, Kristin Muellner, and Alison Simonelli provide a cogent overview of ASD, models for assessment, interventions, and edu-cational trends in the United States (chapter 5). Following this chapter, Michael L. Wehmeyer, James E. Martin, and Deanna J. Sands provide an opportunity to exam-ine current thinking regarding the practice of self-determination by persons with developmental disabilities, supported by recommendations emerging in the fi eld for promoting self-determination (chapter 6).

The next section, Individual and Learning Differences, presents two perspec-tives that emphasize the relationship of culture to the education of students with developmental disabilities. Scott Sparks (chapter 7) shares a broad cultural perspective, with emphasis on the broader facets of diversity (i.e., training needs for professionals, working with families, and cross-cultural adoptions) within special education versus a focus on ethnic issues among students and families from culturally and linguisti-cally diverse backgrounds. Sparks then presents an insightful examination of more- specifi c cultural considerations that are needed for effective educational decision making and subsequent interventions with children with developmental disabilities and their families from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. Howard P. Parette, Mary Blake Huer, and George R. Peterson-Karlan (chapter 8) examine cul-tural infl uences that come into play when working with persons with developmental disabilities and their families, particularly emphasizing three components related to culture and their impact on service delivery: (a) patterns of acculturation (individual change), (b) particular parameters within school systems, and (c) recently recognized generational differences.

Section 4, Instructional Planning and Implementation, offers six contribu-tions. Barbara G. Gartin and Nikki L. Murdick (chapter 9) describe the role of differentiated instruction (i.e., content, process, and product) and its relationship to evidence-based instructional planning. The importance of assistive technology (AT) “consideration” is then explored by George R. Peterson-Karlan and Howard P. Parette (chapter 10) in relation to the practice of technology integration into the curriculum. Earle Knowlton (chapter 11) discusses the underlying intent of legal requirements related to planning for the instruction of students with developmental disabilities and examines longitudinal planning, or “big picture” considerations, as a foundation for all planning. Debra L. Shelden and Margaret P. Hutchins (chapter 12) provide a concise overview of the process of implementing long-term planning by developing a “personalized curriculum” for learners with developmental disabilities,

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TABL

E 1.

1CE

C Kn

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and

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Spe

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s W

ith

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lopm

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DDD

Stan

dard

Chap

ters

23

45

67

89

1011

1213

1415

1617

1819

2021

2223

2425

2627

2829

Prin

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Fou

ndat

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and

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wit

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.

XX

XX

XX

X

DD1K

2 Co

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of p

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men

t and

ser

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men

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XX

XX

DD1K

3 H

isto

rica

l fou

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XX

X

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4 Tr

ends

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fi eld

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XX

XX

XX

XX

XX

XX

XX

XX

XX

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5 Th

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avio

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s of

indi

-vi

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s w

ith

deve

lopm

enta

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abili

ties

.X

X

Prin

cipl

e 2:

Dev

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men

t and

ch

arac

teri

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edic

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XX

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5 Co

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(con

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TABL

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1 (C

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1213

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2021

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exua

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em

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one that includes person-centered planning processes, a long-term vision, a variety of assessments to identify educational priorities, and decision making about short-term and long-term priorities. John J. Wheeler and David Dean Richey (chapter 13) emphasize positive behavior support strategies in the curriculum, with an emphasis on the theoretical framework of positive behavior supports and their application to learners with developmental disabilities. Dennis D. Munk and Toni Van Laarhoven (chapter 14) discuss other aspects of instructional planning by providing a concise review of research on grouping arrangements and delivery of instruction to students with developmental disabilities.

Section 5, Learning Environments and Social Interactions, discusses two im-portant facets of research-based and emerging best practices. Mary Ann Demchak (chapter 15) explores the importance of social relationships and friendships, with par-ticular emphasis on minimizing the negative infl uence of adults, facilitating positive attitudes, use of peer buddy programs, extracurricular and non-instructional activity involvement, participation in conversations, and friendship circles. Dianne Zager, James Brown, Pamela H. Stenhjem, and Arthur Maloney (chapter 16) advocate for the importance of considering the nature of individual students and their vocational preferences in transition planning, devoting attention to self-determination, the role of assistive technology, independent living, and service learning.

In section 6, Communication, Ann R. Beck (chapter 17) reviews the research on children’s attitudes toward and their subsequent impact on the communication needs of peers with developmental disabilities. Additional sections address interven-tion strategies for altering attitudes and review the characteristics of beginning com-municators and strategies for intervention. Julia B. Stoner (chapter 18) focuses on communication skills and strategies for working with children who have ASD and provides classroom recommendations for development of prelinguistic skills, lan-guage comprehension, language production, language use, transitions, and commu-nication with families.

In section 7, Assessment, Christine A. Macfarlane (chapter 19) discusses the legal obligations of local education agencies regarding children who enter school or who transition from an early-intervention program. Special emphasis is placed on team-driven and collaborative processes that include parents, with references to legal authority. Dave L. Edyburn (chapter 20) provides an introduction to theoretical and practical issues associated with measuring assistive technology outcomes in educa-tion, particularly the application of principles and practices for professionals work-ing with students with developmental disabilities. Colleen E. Klein-Ezell, Randy LaRusso, and Dan Ezell (chapter 21) discuss the role of alternate assessment in the context of legislative mandates to ensure that all students participate and are counted in district- and statewide assessment results. The authors stress the role of Mak-ing Action Plans (MAPS) as tools to facilitate the process of collecting information about students to determine effective ways to plan for their futures. Jeffrey P. Bakken (chapter 22) provides an insightful discussion of how teachers of students with devel-opmental disabilities can incorporate a cadre of data-based techniques and decision-making principles into their daily routines to measure how students are performing on content, skills, and behaviors.

In section 8, Professional and Ethical Practice, Ravic P. Ringlaben and Kimberly Griffi th (chapter 23) examine the effect of multiple environmental assumptions, biases, stereotypes, and service delivery philosophy on the development of positive and negative attitudes toward persons with developmental disabilities. Strategies that promote positive attitudes are presented.

In section 9, Schools and Community Involvement, Ann P. Turnbull, H. R. Turnbull, Jean A. Summers, and Denise Poston (chapter 24) provide a review of family-related disability policy in the United States, emphasizing that such policies

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support caregiving efforts and enhance the quality of life for all families. The authors discuss strategies in fi ve areas: disability-related support, physical/material well-being, parenting, emotional well-being, and family interaction. Anna Lou Pickett (chapter 25) addresses a range of issues related to the role of paraeducators in the education of chil-dren with developmental disabilities. Specifi c issues include historical factors contribut-ing to the employment of teacher aides, teacher and principal supervisory roles of these professionals, paraeducator instructional and direct service roles, and administrator responsibilities in developing policies, standards, and systems that affect paraprofes-sionals. Darlene E. Perner and Gordon L. Porter (chapter 26) describe the importance of establishing a vision and a set of values for inclusive education, and present two models (i.e., support teacher and multilevel instructional approach) that provide sup-port to classroom teachers. In chapter 27, Darlene E. Perner examines the crucial role played by administrators and teachers charged with the responsibility of implement-ing inclusive education. Emphasis is placed on approaches that develop and maintain inclusive school practices.

Garnett J. Smith, Patricia J. Edelen-Smith, and Robert A. Stodden (chapter 28) describe a fi eld-based and well-researched operational strategic-planning process that initiates, installs, and supports the creation of transdisciplinary (TD) learning organi-zation teams. The authors identify six factors that are crucial to core transformational change in special education and community support systems. Finally, Jack J. Hourcade (chapter 29) discusses professional collaboration—both direct and indirect—along with potential barriers to the effectiveness of this approach (i.e., focus on the present versus the future, resistance to change, lack of administrative support, lack of knowl-edge and skills, and lack of perseverance).

The Division on Developmental Disabilities of the Council for Exceptional Children hopes that readers fi nd this text to be a valuable tool in increasing their awareness and knowledge of current issues in the fi eld. It is also anticipated that the textbook will help current and future practitioners to better understand educational practices that are deemed effective in working with children with developmental dis-abilities and their families.

Acknowledgments

This project was undertaken as a service to the Division on Developmental Dis-abilities (DDD) and to current and future practitioners. It was designed to update the fi rst edition of the textbook Best and Promising Practices in Developmental Dis-abilities, published in 1998, as substantive changes have occurred in the fi eld since that fi rst edition was released. We express our appreciation to all the authors who have contributed to this volume—all experts in the fi eld—for their commitment of time and for their professionalism in bringing this project to completion. Although DDD has underwritten the cost of publishing this textbook, all proceeds from its sale are returned to DDD. Authors have not been compensated for their contributions other than receiving the satisfaction of having made a substantive contribution to the knowledge base of the discipline and thus positively affecting the quality of services provided to children with developmental disabilities and their families nationally.

We wish to thank Dr. Tina Dyches and Dr. Ravic Ringlaben for their early involvement in the project and the assistance that they provided in soliciting propos-als for the textbook. We also extend our appreciation to Amanda Giltner for edito-rial assistance in organizing the vast number of fi les submitted and for coordinating

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correspondence with contributors during the fi nal stage of the textbook preparation process. We also acknowledge the support of the DDD board of directors for the intensive effort that went into the completion of this textbook within the targeted time frame.

GlossaryBest practices—Those overriding practices that direct service provision to individuals with devel-

opmental disabilities.Evidence-based practice—Best practices that have a research basis and that have been documented

to be effective in service delivery settings.Research-based practice—Best practices that have a research basis.

ReferencesHilton, A., & Ringlaben, R. (Eds.). (1998). Best and promising practices in developmental disabilities.

Austin, TX: PRO-ED.Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004, 118 Stat. 2647. (2004).Odom, S. L., Brantlinger, E., Gersten, R., Horner, R. H., Thompson, B., & Harris, K. R. (2005).

Research in special education: Scientifi c methods and evidenced-based practices. Exceptional children, 71, 137–148.

U.S. Department of Education. (2005). National Center for Educational Research. Retrieved January 11, 2006, from http://www.ed.gov/about/offi ces/list/ies/ncer/index.html

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