Sharing Perspectives for Educating Young Children with Disabilities: Developing Family and Professional Partnerships

This important book is an exploration of the ways parents, teachers and academics view the development and schooling of young children with disabilities. It offers an in-depth examination of the common and critical issues that emerge as children and their families first enter the school system, navigate the educational landscape and learn to advocate for their rights. Each chapter of the book presents a parent’s perspective of significant issues, followed by a teacher’s perspective. From their stories, numerous themes are identified and connected to the academic literature. The experiences shared and the literature reviewed address the challenges, successes and opportunities for increased understanding that emerge as parents and educators work together toward a common goal. Sharing Perspectives for Educating Young Children with Disabilities is essential reading for all pre-service and in-service early childhood and special education professionals and parents engaging in the process of listening carefully to others with the aim of supporting the education of young children.

Nancy Sall, Ed.D., Assistant Professor, Department of Special Education at Hunter College, City University of New York, USA. Nancy previously was a faculty lecturer at Teachers College, Columbia University. She has worked on numerous federally funded research projects on the communication and social development of children with significant disabilities.

Catherine Hall Rikhye, Ed.D., Special Education Curriculum Consultant, NYC Public Schools, USA. Cathy was a faculty lecturer at Teachers College, Columbia University, and Associate Professor of Special Education at Hunter College and Dominican College in NY. She created and directed the Office of Inclusive Education, NYC Department of Education.

Darnell Carr Newsum, MBA., Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Consultant, SPARK/Boston Children’s Hospital, USA. Darnell is the parent of two children with Autism and a parent advocate, serving on the boards of two schools in New York City. She speaks at colleges and organizations about issues impacting families of children with autism.

Samreen Hoda, M.A., Assessment Editor, Curriculum Associates iReady, USA. Samreen designs large-scale early literacy assessments while incorporating cultural and linguistic responsiveness. She taught students with autism and other developmental disabilities in New York City Public Schools where she also served as a mentor and supervisor for novice teachers.