Professional Documents
Culture Documents
CHAPTER 1 An Overview of Special Education (co-authored by Ronald L. Taylor, Stephen B. Richards,
and Megan L. Lyons) 1 ©Realistic
Reflections
CHAPTER 2 The Special Education Process: From Initial Identification to the Delivery of Services
(co-authored by Ronald L. Taylor, Stephen B. Richards, and Megan L. Lyons) 28
CHAPTER 3 School, Family, and Community Collaboration 55
Appendixes
TEXT APPENDIX: Sample Individualized Education Program A-1
ONLINE APPENDIX: Lesson Plans, Classroom Suggestions, and Instructional Resources
vii
Contents
Preface xiv
What Are Best Practices for Collaboration between What Are Best Practices for Collaboration
Schools and Families? 65 between Schools and Communities? 78
Increasing Student Involvement 66 Best Practices for Collaboration in Early Childhood 78
Increasing Family Involvement 67 Best Practices for Collaboration for Transition
Increasing Sibling Involvement 68 to Adult Living 79
What Are the Foundations of Learning Disabilities? 86 What Are the Foundations of Intellectual Disabilities? 128
A Brief History of Learning Disabilities 86 A Brief History of Intellectual Disabilities 128
Definitions of Learning Disabilities 88 Definitions of Intellectual Disabilities 129
Prevalence of Learning Disabilities 89 Prevalence of Intellectual Disabilities 132
What Are the Causes and Characteristics What Are the Causes and Characteristics of Intellectual
of Learning Disabilities? 90 Disabilities? 133
Causes of Learning Disabilities 90 Causes of Intellectual Disabilities 133
Characteristics of Students with Learning Disabilities 92 Characteristics of Students with Intellectual Disabilities 135
How Are Students with Learning How Are Students with Intellectual
Disabilities Identified? 97 Disabilities Identified? 139
Response to Intervention 98 Intelligence Testing 139
The Use of Standardized Testing 100 Adaptive Behavior Skills Assessment 140
Academic Skills Assessment 140
What and How Do I Teach Students
with Learning Disabilities? 101 What and How Do I Teach
Instructional Content 102 Students with Intellectual
Instructional Procedures 106 Disabilities? 141
Instructional
What Are Other Instructional Considerations for Content 141
Teaching Students with Learning Disabilities? 114 Instructional
The Instructional Environment 114 Procedures 147
Instructional Technology 117
ix
What Are Other Instructional Considerations for Teaching What Are Other Instructional Considerations for Teaching
Students with Intellectual Disabilities? 150 Students with Emotional or Behavioral Disorders? 191
The Instructional Environment 150 The Instructional Environment 192
Instructional Technology 154 Instructional Technology 194
What Are Some Considerations for the General Education What Are Some Considerations for the General Education
Teacher? 157 Teacher? 195
What Are the Foundations of Emotional and Behavioral What Are the Foundations of Communication
Disorders? 166 Disorders? 204
A Brief History of Emotional and Behavioral Disorders 166 A Brief History of Communication Disorders 204
Definitions of Emotional and Behavioral Disorders 167 Definitions of Communication Disorders 205
Classification of Individuals with Emotional or Behavioral Prevalence of Communication Disorders 209
Disorders 168
What Are the Causes and Characteristics
Prevalence of Emotional and Behavioral Disorders 169
of Communication Disorders? 210
What Are the Causes and Characteristics of Emotional Causes of Communication Disorders 210
and Behavioral Disorders? 170 Characteristics of Students with Communication Disorders 212
Causes of Emotional and Behavioral Disorders 171
How Are Students with Communication Disorders
Characteristics of Students with Emotional or Behavioral
Disorders 171 Identified? 216
Identification of Language Disorders 216
How Are Students with Emotional or Behavioral
Identification of Speech Disorders 218
Disorders Identified? 173
Evaluation of Students Who Are Linguistically Diverse 218
Observation 174
Behavior Rating Scales 174 What and How Do I Teach Students with Communication
Behavior Assessment Systems 175 Disorders? 220
Personality Inventories 175 Instructional Content 221
What and How Do I Teach Students with Emotional What Are Other Instructional Considerations for Teaching
or Behavioral Disorders? 176 Students with Communication Disorders? 226
Instructional Content 176 The Instructional Environment 226
x
How Are Students Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing
Identified? 250
CHAPTER 10 Students with Physical or Health
Disabilities 306
Identification of Newborns and Young Children Who Are
Deaf or Hard of Hearing 251
What Are the Foundations of Physical
Identification of School-Aged Students Who Are
and Health Disabilities? 308
Deaf or Hard of Hearing 251
A Brief History of Physical and Health Disabilities 308
Assessment of the Effect on Educational Performance 251
Definitions of Physical and Health Disabilities 309
What and How Do I Teach Students Who Are Deaf Prevalence of Physical and Health Disabilities 309
or Hard of Hearing? 252
Instructional Content 253
What Are the Causes and Characteristics of Physical
and Health Disabilities? 310
Instructional Procedures 256
Orthopedic Impairments 310
What Are Other Instructional Considerations for Teaching Other Health Impairments 313
Students Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing? 257 Traumatic Brain Injury 317
The Instructional Environment 257
Instructional Technology 260
How Are Students with Physical or Health Disabilities
Identified? 320
What Are Some Considerations for the General Education Identification of Orthopedic Impairments 321
Teacher? 264 Identification of Other Health Impairments 321
Identification of Traumatic Brain Injury 322
CHAPTER 9 Students Who Are Blind
What and How Do I Teach Students with Physical
or Have Low Vision 270
or Health Disabilities? 323
What Are the Foundations of Blindness and Low Instructional Content 323
Vision? 272 Instructional Procedures 325
A Brief History of Blindness and Low Vision 272 What Are Other Instructional Considerations for Teaching
Definitions of Blindness and Low Vision 274 Students with Physical or Health Disabilities? 329
Prevalence of Blindness and Low Vision 276 The Instructional Environment 329
What Are the Causes and Characteristics of Blindness Instructional Technology 330
and Low Vision? 276 What Are Some Considerations for the General Education
Causes of Blindness and Low Vision 276 Teacher? 334
Characteristics of Students Who Are Blind or Have Low
Vision 278
CHAPTER 11 Students with Autism Spectrum
How Are Students Who Are Blind or Have Low Vision Disorders 339
Identified? 281
Identification of Blindness or Low Vision in Infants What Are the Foundations of Autism
and Toddlers 282 Spectrum Disorders? 341
Identification of Blindness or Low Vision in School-Aged A Brief History of Autism Spectrum Disorders 341
Children 282 Definitions of Autism Spectrum Disorders 342
Comprehensive Assessment 283 Prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorders 344
What and How Do I Teach Students Who Are Blind What Are the Causes and Characteristics
or Have Low Vision? 286 of Autism Spectrum Disorders? 345
Instructional Content 286 Causes of Autism Spectrum
Instructional Procedures 292 Disorders 345
Characteristics of Autism
What Are Other Instructional Considerations for Teaching
Spectrum Disorders 347
Students Who Are Blind or Have Low Vision? 295
The Instructional Environment 295
Instructional Technology 298
©Thomas M Perkins/Shutterstock
xi
How Are Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders Classification of Individuals with Severe Disabilities 382
Identified? 352 Prevalence of Severe Disabilities 383
Early Screening 352
What Are the Causes and Characteristics of Severe
Diagnosis 352
Disabilities? 383
What and How Do I Teach Students with Autism Causes of Severe Disabilities 383
Spectrum Disorders? 354 Characteristics of Students with Severe Disabilities 384
Instructional Content 354
How Are Students with Severe Disabilities
Instructional Procedures 360
Identified? 388
What Are Other Instructional Considerations for Teaching Assessment Strategies for Identification 389
Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders? 365 Identification of Individuals with Deaf-Blindness 390
The Instructional Environment 366
What and How Do I Teach Students with Severe
Instructional Technology 369
Disabilities? 391
What Are Some Considerations for the General Education Instructional Content 391
Teacher? 371 Instructional Procedures 396
What Are Other Instructional Considerations for Teaching ONLINE APPENDIX: Lesson Plans, Classroom Suggestions,
and Instructional Resources
Students with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity
Disorder? 463 GLOSSARY G-1
The Instructional Environment 463
REFERENCES R-1
Instructional Technology 466
NAME INDEX I-1
What Are Some Considerations for the General
SUBJECT INDEX I-13
Education Teacher? 467
©Syracuse Newspapers/Li-Hua
Lan/The Image Works
xiii
Preface
We are excited to offer you the third edition of Exceptional Students: Preparing Teachers for
the 21st Century. The field of education has evolved into one that requires collaboration
among families, communities, and schools. Within schools, special and general educators
must collaborate to be effective and efficient in teaching and responding to the demands
of new standards, statewide assessments, and calls for education reform. In this third
edition of Exceptional Students: Preparing Teachers for the 21st Century, we have refined
and updated our content to reflect the role of the special educator while continuing to
address the role of the general educator in serving special populations.
The third edition includes updated references and photographs, changes to the con-
tent emphases and discussions to reflect current thought and practice, and additions/
deletions of tables and figures to also reflect current thought. The following section, New
Additions to the Third Edition, outlines more specifics. We would like to stress that this
text includes information from DSM-5, the latest from the AAIDD, and other important
publications and references that define and influence the field of special education. We
are grateful to the instructors and students who have given us their feedback on the text.
Their classroom experiences inspired suggested refinements that we incorporated
throughout the third edition.
xiv
Chapter 7: The content has been updated to reflect the changes in delivery of ser-
vices options.
Chapter 8: The characteristics information has been updated to reflect more recent
research. The environmental arrangements section has also been updated.
Chapter 9: Both the national agenda and expanded core curriculum information
includes more recent changes. The assessment section has been updated to include
current practice. The assistive technology section has been updated with outdated
material deleted.
Chapter 10: The Individualized Health Care plans section has been revised to
better reflect current practice.
Chapter 11: All of the foundation section has been rewritten to reflect changes
made in the DSM-5. Outdated tables also have been deleted to reflect these
changes. The practices section has been updated to reflect more emphasis on
accessing the general education curriculum. Instructional technology has been
updated and expanded.
Chapter 12: In general, the overall coverage in this chapter has been reduced to
better reflect reviewers’ preferences. The levels of support discussion has been
updated to reflect the new AAIDD publications. The table on various syndromes
has been deleted, and readers are referred to the National Institutes of Health
website for detailed information of medical conditions and syndromes. Accessing
the general education curriculum discussion has been revised and updated.
Information on alternative assessments has been minimized, as the procedures
vary from state to state.
Chapter 13: All prevalence and risk factors statistics have been updated to reflect
newer definitions and trends. Assessment tools have been updated. Information that
was duplicative has been removed. The skills in early literacy identified by the
National Early Literacy Panel (NELP), which have replaced the National Reading
Panel skills as the areas on which to focus with this age group, are discussed.
Chapter 14: The definition section and tables in the foundations section have
incorporated the changes made in the DSM-5. The instructional procedures sec-
tions have been updated.
Chapter 15: Schoolwide Enrichment Model (SEM) material has been added to
expand coverage of research on gifted and talented students. Bloom’s Taxonomy
has been updated to the newer revision.
alities that future teachers need to know to under- A Brief History of Learning Disabilities
Definitions of Learning Disabilities
Disabilities?
Instructional Content
stand their students and responsibilities, and the Prevalence of Learning Disabilities Types of Content Knowledge
Areas of Instructional Content
addressed are similar to those of other textbooks, How Are Students with Learning Disabilities
The Instructional Environment
Instructional Technology
Identified?
coverage of these topics is enhanced within each Response to Intervention What Are Some Considerations for the General
Education Teacher?
chapter of Exceptional Students, third edition.
The Use of Standardized Testing
xv
IN TRODUC IN G J USTIN
Justin is a 7-year-old boy who is cur- assignments. When Justin does do his responded favorably to the strategies,
rently in the second grade. His mother work, he loses interest part way through but Justin didn’t. At that point, Mr.
reports that she had a difficult preg- and usually does not finish it. When he Mayer worked directly with Justin for an
Coverage of practical information related to instructional content, instructional pro-
cedures, the instructional environment, and instructional technology has been expanded
from its traditional treatment so that each chapter provides equal amounts of founda-
tional and practical material. In addition, two topics crucial for future teachers to under-
stand in order to best support their students—collaboration and students at risk—are
stand-alone chapters.
xvi
These cases tie the chapter together, allow for contextual learning, and offer an instruc-
tor several additional topics for discussion. For example, in Chapter 8, the reader is
introduced to Allison, a student with a hearing loss. Later in the chapter, the reader
is asked whether Allison would be considered deaf or hard of hearing, what issues she
might have with her identity, and how her teacher might plan for accommodations
during literacy instruction.
As in the first and second editions, the emphasis on When selecting software, make sure: There are small increments between levels.
strategies serve as mini-guides for future teachers, giving It has a high degree of interactivity. to-understand icons.
PRACTICE
Self-Control. into writing. Graphic organizers have also been found to have large effects on compre-
hension of vocabulary and science content for secondary students with learning disabili-
ties (Dexter & Hughes, 2010; Dexter, Park, & Hughes, 2011). In a younger age version,
Classroom Example Mnemonic Strategy for Teaching Students to
Kidspiration, K–5 students can build graphic organizers by combining pictures, text, and
Classroom Examples spoken words to represent thoughts and information. In mathematics instruction, com-
Write a Friendly Letter
puter-aided instruction has been shown to be an effective tool (Salend, 2015). Students
who use appropriate technology persist longer, enjoy learning more, and make gains in
The third edition of Exceptional Students math performance. Instructional software for computation, time, money, measurement,
algebra, and word-problem solving is widely available. Students with poor organizational
continues to include classroom artifacts skills,
Purpose: memory
To aid studentsdeficits, oraillegible
in writing handwriting may benefit from using personal digital
friendly letter.
assistants (PDAs) to keep track of assignments, make to-do lists, take notes, cue them-
and sample handouts of real and relevant Population: Elementary
selves to perform a particular task with the alarm or paging system, access and remem-
LETTERber task sequences, or organize important information (Bauer & Ulrich, 2002; Klein-Ezell
student and teacher work. For example, I Ezell, 2008; Miller, 2009; Salend, 2015). A significant advantage of handheld PDAs is
Lead offtheir
with date and greeting.
portability and their universal use. Digital pens can record lectures allowing stu-
the text shares a sample Team-Teaching dents to go back to their notes later and fill in any missing information. Digital textbooks
Express my thoughts and ideas in the body.
(e-books) can help students succeed in content area classes.
plan, a Contingency Contract, and a Social Terminate with closing and my name.
The Selection of Technology
Story with picture cues to assist with wait- Take time to proofread.
Technology has great potential for improving performance of students with learning dis-
ing in line in the cafeteria. abilities on general education expectations (Maccini, Gagnon, & Hughes, 2002), but
Edit and revise if necessary.
teachers must take care to choose well-designed, time-efficient programs. They must also
Realize avoid using
that I am the letter
a good computers
writer. to simply keep students occupied without relating the com-
puter work to their educational needs. Assistive technology must be carefully matched to
Source:the needsbyofEllen
Provided the Karger
student and South
(1998), the environment inofwhich
Florida teacher thewith
students learning
learningwill take place
disabilities.
Practical Considerations for (Beigel, 2000; Bryant & Bryant, 2012).
With valuable instructional time limited, teachers should carefully select appropri-
the Classroom ate, time-efficient software that meets the needs of students and incorporates best prac-
tice in instructional design and curriculum (Bryant & Bryant, 2012). Several characteristics
of software that result in efficient use by students with learning disabilities are presented
Concluding each chapter, Practical Considerations for the Classroom: A Reference for Teach- in the Classroom and
Suggestions
capitalsfeature above. & Scruggs, 2014). It is effective because it is concrete and
(Mastropieri
meaningful What
and closely ties new information to students’ prior knowledge (Scruggs &
ers provides an at-a-glance practical summary the future teacher can take into
Mastropieri, the
2000). class-
Are Other Instructional
Mastropieri
Considerations for Teaching Students with Learning
and Scruggs (1991) presented the following “three Rs”
Disabilities? 119
room. Sections of the feature include What IDEA Says about the Specific of the Exceptionality,
keyword method:
Identification Tools, Characteristics, Indicators You Might See, Teaching Implications,1. Reconstruct the term or word to be learned into an
acoustically similar, already familiar, and easily pic-
JUSTIN REVISITED Are there some
Methodologies and Strategies to Try, Considerations for the General Classroom, and tured concrete term—select a keyword (to learn bar-
metacognitive or cognitive strategies that rister is a lawyer, the keyword selected is bear).
Collaboration. Again, understanding the principlesmight of help
planning, implementing, and2. Relate the keyword to the to-be-learned information
Justin learn better? If yes, in
delivering special education and related services is vital
whattoareas?
passing
If not,state
why dolicensure exams. in
you think these
an interactive picture, image, or sentence (e.g., the
interactive sentence to be pictured is “a bear pleading
a case in court”).
would not help him? 3. Retrieve the appropriate response: when asked what
the response is (what is a barrister?): first, think of
Coverage of Collaboration the keyword (“bear”); second, think back to the interactive picture and what was
happening in that picture (“a bear pleading a case”). Finally, give the desired
response (“a barrister is a lawyer”).
We strongly believe that helping our future teachers to be part of a Attribution collaborative team
Retraining. Students are more likely to use effective cognitive strategies
will result in a better educational experience for the exceptional student, the general
when they attribute their learning success to the use of these strategies (Meltzer & Mon-
tague, 2001). Many students with learning disabilities may need to be taught to do this.
education teacher, and the special education teacher. We have continued
attribution retraining
to devote
Successful attribution a requires first teaching students to make statements that
retraining
complete chapter to collaboration and have updated the section
A procedure to retrain an
individual’s attributions of on
reflect co-teaching
attributions of effort,inthen teaching them to attribute difficulties to ineffective
strategies, and finally, arranging for them to experience success with effective strategies
particular. The chapter provides an introduction to collaboration
include ability, effort, including its history
success or failure. Possible
attributions
(Ellis, Lenz, & Sabornie, 1987). Examples of positive self-statements that attribute suc-
cess to effort and not to luck include: “I succeeded on the spelling test because I used the
and key concepts and the roles of different team members. It also explores
task difficulty, and luck.
spelling strategybest prac-
I learned.” “I got an A on my science project because I started early and
tices in collaboration among schools and families, between school personnel, and
used my time effectively.” Examples of positive statements that attribute failure to inef-
fective strategies and not lack of ability include: “I failed the math text because I put off
between schools and communities. In addition, we’ve integrated issues of collaboration
studying until the last minute and I fell asleep. Next time I’ll start earlier.” “I didn’t do as
well as I could have on the test because I didn’t study for an essay test. Next time I’ll
in individual chapters where relevant. practice writing essay answers when I study” (Mastropieri & Scruggs, 2014).
and state- or districtwide assess- Emotional and relationships with others. May have fewer friends and less concepts and vocabulary, utilizing cooperative learning and peer tutoring, • Determining the curriculum
ments. Prereferral Assessment and Characteristics social status than peers. Possible behavioral problems include making strategic use of the native language by allowing students to • Developing accommodations
RTI Approaches: Possibly uses
depression, anxiety disorders, and antisocial personality disorder. organize their thoughts in their native language, providing sufficient time • Choosing procedures and
May also display learned helplessness. and opportunity for students to use oral language and writing in formal strategies
criterion-referenced testing, curricu- and informal contexts, and focusing on rich vocabulary words during • Planning the physical
lum-based assessment, and criterion- lessons to be used as vehicles for teaching literary concepts. Also environment
referenced measurement. Formal consider providing simplified, appealing, multisensory lectures; adapting • Planning for assistive
textbooks and assignments; and using supplementary materials. technology
Identification: Several sources are
used for identification. They may
Instructional Environment
include intelligence and achievement
tests, tests measuring process skills,
• Reduce congestion in high-traffic areas, make sure you can see all
students, make frequently used materials and supplies easily accessible,
and language and academic tests. ensure that all students can see whole class presentations.
The response to intervention • For preschool students, the environment should be structured and
approach may also be used. promote efficiency, accessibility, independence, and functionality. It
should also promote language and literacy development.
• For elementary and secondary students, the environment should be
organized to prevent “dead time.” Structure and routine are important.
Space should be available for individual work, large and small group work,
peer tutoring, and cooperative learning. Decrease possible distractions.
• Effective grouping options include one-to-one instruction, small group,
whole class, peer tutoring, and classwide peer tutoring.
Instructional Technology
• For preschool students, consider interactive software as well as other
technology typically used with older students.
• For elementary and secondary students, consider how the computer can
be used for drill and practice, tutoring, instructional games, research,
writing, and problem solving. Technology is available to help develop
reading, writing, math, and organizational skills.
• Keep family’s background and culture in mind when recommending
122 What Are Some Considerations for the General Education Teacher? 123
As part of our belief in including practical and relevant information for all future teach-
ers, we have included a chapter dedicated to at-risk children (Chapter 13). Regardless
of whether they receive services under Part C of IDEA, children at risk may be identi-
fied as needing services through Part B of IDEA. If identified early and addressed
appropriately, the learning challenges of some of these students can be remediated
without formal identification. This chapter enables future teachers to identify students
who may be at risk and provide them with the appropriate supports.
xviii
from diverse backgrounds when implementing assistive technology for students with
intellectual disabilities is discussed in Chapter 5 (Students with Intellectual Disabili-
ties); and the underidentification of culturally diverse gifted students is explored in
Chapter 15 (Students Who Are Gifted and Talented).
• Technology: Technology offers a range of support and learning opportunities for
students. With the explosive growth of technology tools, an understanding of how
and when to use these tools and their benefits should be discussed. Each chapter
in Parts Two–Four presents a section on relevant technologies useful in the instruc-
tion and support of students with special needs.
• Early Intervention and Transition: Like technology, early intervention and transition
issues vary by exceptionality. Coverage ranges from the importance of early inter-
vention with children diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder, to special tran-
sition support, such as for postsecondary education for students with learning
disabilities.
• Chapter Opening Outline: Each chapter begins with a chapter outline designed as
an advance organizer to prepare the reader for the content to come.
• Check Your Understanding: Concluding each major section are several questions
presented to check understanding of key ideas. This allows students to learn and
digest material in smaller chunks. By using this tool, students can work through
the material at their own pace, checking that they fully understand one concept
before moving to the next.
• Marginal Definitions of Key Terms: For easy reference, full definitions of key terms
are presented in the margin next to where they appear in the chapter. These
definitions are also available in the glossary at the end of the text.
• Chapter Summary: Key concepts are highlighted to reinforce an understanding of
the most important concepts and provide an effective tool for studying.
• Reflection Questions and Application Activities: Chapter-ending reflection questions
encourage debate, active learning, and reflection, along with application activities
that may involve field components and emphasize learning in real environments,
with real students and practitioners, and in schools and communities.
Supplemental Offerings
The third edition of Exceptional Students is accompanied by a wealth of teaching and
learning resources.
xix
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Acknowledgments
Just as it takes a team to educate students with The third edition of Exceptional Children would
exceptionalities, so it does to write a textbook. We not be possible without the feedback from instruc-
gratefully acknowledge the feedback, guidance, and tors and students who used the book in their class-
contributions offered by our expert consultants who rooms. We thank the reviewers who gave us their
helped ensure current and comprehensive coverage feedback for this revision.
in their areas of specialty; design consultants who
commented on the cover and interior designs; peer
reviewers who teach relevant college courses and Third Edition Peer Reviewers
were able to suggest how chapters or discussions
could be improved to best meet the way they teach Robin Brewer, University of Northern Colorado
and their students learn the course content; and Dana Kim Collier, Kilgore College
especially the reviewers of the new third edition. We
Sara Hawkins, Miami Dade College
also wish to thank Kalynn Hall for her research
assistance, and new chapter coauthors, Drs. Megan Arlene King-Berry, University of the District
Lyons, Mary-Kate Sableski, Lisa Finnegan, and of Columbia
Katie Miller. Cynthia Young, Covenant College
xxii
CHA PTE R 1
An Overview of
Special Education
© Realistic Reflections
C HA P TE R OUTLI NE
Who Are Exceptional Students? How Have Litigation and Legislation Affected
Special Education?
How Many Exceptional Students Are There? Early Court Cases
Early Legislation Affecting Special Education
What Are Special Education and
Related Services? Post–PL 94-142 Legislation
Current Legislation: Individuals with Disabilities
Special Education Education Act (PL 108-446)
Related Services
What Are Some Current and Future Issues
What Is the History of Special Education? in Special Education?
Early History Overrepresentation of Students from Culturally or
The 17th through 19th Centuries Linguistically Diverse Backgrounds
The 20th Century Education and Transition of Infants and Toddlers
Role of the General Education Teacher
T
his book is about teaching exceptional students—what both special education
and general education teachers, and other professionals, can do to educate stu-
dents with special needs to the most appropriate extent. It covers foundational
information on the history, definitions, prevalence, causes, characteristics, and identi-
fication of exceptional students that teachers need to understand in order to make
informed decisions for the classroom. Perhaps more importantly, in this book we dis-
cuss practical information regarding the instructional content, procedures, environ-
ment, and technology that teachers will use in their day-to-day activities. Teaching
exceptional students is a challenging, rewarding, and sometimes both a frustrating and
joyful endeavor. Through research and continued teaching, we are constantly discover-
ing more and more about the characteristics, capabilities, and educational needs of
exceptional students. Similarly, we have learned a great deal about the educational
approaches to use with students with special needs. However, we have also learned
that just as each student has individual characteristics, needs, and strengths and weak-
nesses, there is no single approach, theory, or philosophy that gives us all the answers
or will be relevant for all exceptional students. Current federal law requires that stu-
dents with disabilities be taught using scientifically based instruction. With this in
mind, the approaches, models, and techniques discussed in this text are supported by
research. We share this research-based information for you to use as you begin your
personal collection of approaches, models, and techniques to be implemented with
your students with different needs.
In this first chapter, we provide you with the foundational understanding you need
to explore the different categories of exceptionality and to effectively support and teach
students with exceptionalities. We first explain how exceptional students are defined
and how many exceptional students are being served in the schools. This leads to an
explanation of the meaning and intent of special education and related services. Next,
we provide an overview of the history of the treatment and education of individuals with
exceptionalities. We then discuss the litigation and legislation that define special educa-
tion today and that will, in many cases, outline your responsibilities in the classroom. We
conclude this chapter by introducing you to three issues in special education that we will
revisit throughout the text: (1) the overidentification of students from culturally and lin-
guistically diverse backgrounds in many categories of disability, (2) the need for early
intervention and transition of young children with disabilities, and (3) the important role
of the general education teacher.
Who Are Exceptional Students?
In the simplest terms, an exceptional student is one whose educational needs are not exceptional student A student
met by traditional educational programs so that a special education program is necessary. whose educational needs are
An exceptional student may have a disability, such as a learning disability, or a significant not met by traditional education
programs. An exceptional
gift or talent. Many terms are used in the field of special education, some that you prob- student can have a disability or
ably are familiar with and others that you might not be. Before we go any further, we will can have gifts and talents.
make a distinction between three important terms that are sometimes incorrectly used
interchangeably: impairment, disability, and handicap. impairment A loss or
abnormality of a psychological,
An impairment refers to a loss or abnormality of a psychological, physiological, or ana- physiological, or anatomical
tomical structure or function. For example, Devon, who had a diving accident and is para- structure or function.
lyzed below his waist, has an impairment. A disability is a limitation that is inherent in the
individual as a result of the impairment, whereas a handicap is caused when an individual disability A limitation that is
inherent in an individual as a
encounters a situation based on external factors. For example, Devon has a disability due to result of the impairment.
a lack of mobility caused by his paralysis. Devon would also have a handicap if he wanted to
enter a building that has stairs but no ramp for his wheelchair. A person with a disability does handicap A problem an
not have to have a handicap. In fact, it should be a goal to ensure that no person with a dis- individual encounters based on
external factors.
ability also has a handicap. For example, some universities, through their Office of Students
with Disabilities, make sure that the courses attended by students who use wheelchairs are
offered on the first floor of buildings in case the elevators break down. The Individuals with
Disabilities Education Act of 1990 (IDEA), an earlier version of the current federal law, first
recommended that the term disability replace the term handicap, which had been used in
previous legislation. To be consistent with the recommended terminology, we use the term
handicap when referring to legal information prior to 1990 and the term disability for informa-
tion after 1990. Today, the term disability is used primarily. Some believe that the terms
impairment and handicap are less preferable and in some way demeaning. Even the term dis-
ability has been challenged as appropriate but remains the term used in legislation.
Another recommendation made by IDEA was the use of “person-first” terminology
that emphasizes the individual first and then the disability. For example, prior to IDEA
an individual might be referred to as “a learning disabled student” or “an orthopedically
impaired child.” Now, the appropriate terminology is “a student with a learning disabil-
ity” and “a child with an orthopedic impairment.”
Students are defined as having a disability, and in need of special education, based on
criteria outlined in the most recent federal law, the Individuals with Disabilities Education
Improvement Act of 2004 that guides today’s special education
practices. This law is discussed in depth later in this chapter and
will be referred to throughout the text. IDEA identifies the follow-
ing specific types, labels, or categories of students who are consid-
ered as having a disability:
A child evaluated . . . as having mental retardation,* a hearing
impairment (including deafness), a speech or language impair-
ment, a visual impairment (including blindness), a serious emo-
tional disturbance (referred to . . . as “emotional disturbance”),*
an orthopedic impairment, autism, traumatic brain injury, an
other health impairment, a specific learning disability, deaf-blind-
ness, or multiple disabilities, and who by reason thereof, needs
special education and related services.
*Although IDEA uses the term mental retardation, we have chosen to use the
term intellectual disability in this text. Intellectual disability is considered a less
derogatory term by many parents and professionals. We will refer to mental
retardation when discussing it as an IDEA category and when referring to
historical information such as early research and court cases. Similarly, the term
emotional or behavioral disorder will be used in place of emotional disturbance
whenever appropriate as this term better reflects the nature of the category.
A person with a disability does not have to have a handicap.
Source: Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, 20 U.S.C. § 1400 (2004). © Realistic Reflections
Other disabilities
combineda (11.1%)
Other health
impairments (10.5%)
Specific learning
disabilities (43.6%)
Emotional
disturbance (7.3%)
Intellectual
disabilities (8.3%)
Speech or language
impairments (19.2%)
FIGURE 1.1 Percentage of students ages 6 through 21 served under IDEA, Part B, by disability category:
Fall 2007
a
“Other disabilities combined” includes autism (4.3%), deaf-blindness (less than 0.1%), developmental
delay (1.5%), hearing impairments (1.2%), multiple disabilities (2.2%), orthopedic impairments (1%),
traumatic brain injury (0.4%), and visual impairments (0.4%).
Note: Percentage was calculated by dividing the number of students ages 6 through 21 served under
IDEA, Part B, in the disability category by the total number of students ages 6 through 21 served under
IDEA, Part B, then multiplying the result by 100.
Source: “Thirtyfirst Annual Report to Congress on the Implementation of the Individuals with Disabilities
Education Act, Parts B and C. 2009.” Home. US Department of Education (ED), 28 Nov. 2012. Web.
21 Apr. 2017.
DISABILITYA 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007
All disabilities below 8.6 8.6 8.7 8.8 8.9 9.0 9.0 9.0 8.9 8.8
Autism 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.2 0.2 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.4
Deaf-blindness # # # # # # # # # #
Emotional disturbance 0.7 0.7 0.7 0.7 0.7 0.7 0.7 0.7 0.7 0.7
Hearing impairments 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1
Intellectual disabilities 0.9 0.9 0.9 0.9 0.9 0.9 0.8 0.8 0.8 0.7
Multiple disabilities 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2
Orthopedic impairments 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1
Other health impairments 0.3 0.4 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.8 0.9 0.9
Specific learning disabilities 4.4 4.4 4.4 4.3 4.3 4.3 4.2 4.1 4.0 3.9
Speech or language impairments 1.7 1.7 1.7 1.7 1.7 1.7 1.7 1.7 1.7 1.7
Visual impairments # # # # # # # # # #
#
Percentage was non-zero, but < 0.05 or less than 5/100 of 1%.
A
States’ use of the developmental delay category is optional for children ages 3 through 9 and is not applicable to children older than 9 years of age. Because the
category is optional and the table presents percentages that are based on the estimated U.S. resident population ages 6 through 21, the developmental delay
category is not included in this table.
Source: U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs, Data Analysis System (DANS), OMB #1820-0043: “Report of Children with Disabilities
Receiving Special Education Under Part B of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, as Amended,” 2007.
The increase in the other health impairment category may be largely attributed to some
states’ use of this category to provide services for students with attention deficit/hyper-
activity disorder, which itself is rapidly growing. The probable reason for the increase in
autism is that it was not considered as a disability area under federal law until 1990.
Substantial interest and awareness, as well as improved diagnostic procedures, have
resulted in more students being identified. The 2011 data (1.07% for OHI; 0.59% for
autism) indicated that this increase continued.
Interestingly, the category that showed the largest relative decrease between 1998
and 2007 was learning disabilities, which historically has been the fastest growing cate-
gory. One possible explanation for this decrease may be related to the corresponding
increase in the other health impairment and autism categories. In other words, many
students who may previously have been identified as having a learning disability might
now be identified as having autism or an attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder and are
being served under the other health impairment category. The 2011 data (3.43%) also
indicate that this trend is continuing. These data do not mean that fewer students are
receiving services in the categories that have shown decreases over time. In fact, the total
number of students receiving services in all disability categories increased over the 1998–
2007 period. Prevalence rates for specific categories are also related to gender and ethnic
background. For example, many more males are identified as having a learning disability,
autism, and AD/HD than females; and more African American students are identified as
having an intellectual disability or an emotional or behavior disorder than those in other
racial groups. These differences are discussed in depth in subsequent chapters that focus
on these specific exceptionalities.
Special Education
The reasons that a student’s educational needs are not being met in the usual educational
program can vary. These can include physical, sensory, health, or intellectual limitations;
emotional or psychological problems; learning problems; communication deficits; or
intellectual, academic, or creative gifts or talents. Special education is instruction spe- special education Instruction
cifically designed to meet the individual needs of these exceptional students. IDEA specifically designed to meet the
individual needs of an
defines special education as “specially designed instruction, at no cost to parents, to
exceptional student.
meet the unique needs of a child with a disability, including instruction conducted in the
classroom, in the home, in hospitals and institutions, and in other settings, and includes
instruction in physical education.”
Universal Design
What each of the above components of special education has in common is that they
universal design The concept encompass the concept of universal design emphasized in IDEA. Universal design is a
that environments, instruction, term borrowed from architecture that refers to the development of environments that are
and assessments should be accessible to everyone. For example, following the concept of universal design, a school
designed to be accessible to
all individuals.
would be designed so that it would maximize accessibility for everyone. In addition to
allowing easy entrance into the school for everyone, the application of universal design
would affect the design of the classrooms, bathrooms, and the kitchen.
IDEA indicates that universal design is the concept or philosophy that products and
services should be designed and delivered so that they can be used by individuals with
the widest range of capabilities. Although universal design is obvious in the physical
environment, it can also apply to instructional and assessment modifications. Teachers
can implement universal design by planning lessons that all students can access. Mand-
lawitz (2006) in her summary of the implications of universal design in IDEA noted:
With few exceptions, children with disabilities are expected to meet the same high academic
standards as children without disabilities using the general education curriculum. The dearth
of instructional materials and assessment tools that are accessible, valid, and appropriate for
use with children with a broad range of disabilities has made this goal more difficult. The
concept of universal design is incorporated throughout the amendments of the law. (p. 7)
Mandlawitz goes on to remind us that IDEA now allows states to use funding to sup-
port technology using universal design principles; encourages research toward how to
incorporate the principles in the development of curricula, instructional materials, and
assessment tools; and requires, where feasible, that assessments be developed and admin-
istered using these principles. Table 1.2 shows some elements of universal design and how
they can be applied in the classroom when designing tests and instructional materials.
In summary, two points regarding universal design are important. First, it is a phi-
losophy that should be the guiding force in developing educational programs. Second,
each of the four components of special education should be considered when developing
a program that reflects the concept of universal design. In other words, each component
should ensure that all students, with or without disabilities, have access to an appropri-
ate educational program.
Inclusive classroom population Design all classroom materials with the end user (diverse student population) in mind.
Precisely defined information Remember the information that you are trying to teach or test. Avoid irrelevant
materials that may be teaching or testing nontargeted behaviors or information.
Accessible, nonbiased materials Accessible, nonbiased materials are those that consider the diversity of all students
and do not present material that may be offensive or may give one group an
advantage over another.
Amenable to accommodations Even the best-designed tests and materials may need to be adjusted through
accommodations. Avoid language or diagrams that cannot be converted to Braille,
translated, or read aloud.
Simple, clear, and innovative procedures Tests and materials should be clear and understandable. Tests are invalid if students
cannot understand what the teacher expects. Students more clearly understand what
is expected if they receive frequent feedback.
Maximum readability and comprehensibility* Language should be clear, simple, and direct.
Maximum legibility Font size should be large and familiar enough for students with visual difficulties to
read. Overly enlarged text, however, may cause difficulty for some readers. For these
readers, staggered right margins, white space around text, sans serif fonts, and space
between lines increase legibility.
and without disabilities. In the latter situation, the special education teacher and other
specialists will collaborate with the general classroom teacher to plan and assist in
instruction.
The role of a special education teacher will vary based on the school and students’
needs. The second half of each chapter in Parts 2–4 includes specific information to help
prepare you to teach exceptional students. Whether you plan to be a special education
teacher or a general education teacher, you will need a strong foundation of the compo-
nents of special education to effectively plan and deliver your instruction.
Related Services
Related services are those activities or supports that enable a child with a disability to related services Those
receive a free, appropriate, public education, and to benefit from the special education activities or services that
enable a child with a disability
program. IDEA lists the following related services that a student might receive.
to receive a free, appropriate
• Transportation public education and to benefit
• Speech-language pathology and audiology services from the special education
program.
• Interpreting services
• Psychological services
• Physical and occupational therapy
• Recreation (including therapeutic recreation)
• Early identification and assessment
• Counseling services (including rehabilitation counseling)
• Orientation and mobility services
• Medical services for diagnostic or evaluation purposes
• School health services and school nurse services
• Social work services
• Parent counseling and training
Transportation
Special transportation is a related service provided to many students, often those with
more moderate to severe disabilities. If students cannot get to school, they cannot receive
an appropriate education. Particularly for students with physical disabilities, special
transportation that includes a wheelchair lift may be needed. Also, because some pro-
grams may include students from outside the school’s neighborhood, such as a special
class for all students who are deaf in a district, special transportation is needed because
the school attended is in a different location than the student’s neighborhood school.
Interpreting Services
Interpreters are related service personnel that can work with those whose hearing loss is
so severe that they cannot hear sufficiently to learn in the classroom. Generally, in this
case, the student uses sign language as the primary means of communication. Interpret-
ers usually accompany a student in all environments as needed, providing a bridge
between the student and others who may not use sign language.
Psychological Services
School psychologists are related services providers who are frequently involved in assess-
ment activities, especially those associated with the identification of students for eligibil-
ity for special education. In this capacity, they serve as data collectors and administer
individual assessments. For example, they may observe a student’s performance in a
classroom setting or administer intelligence and achievement tests. Psychologists may
also devise and implement behavioral interventions, and provide counseling as well as
other services as needed. Psychologists can assist teachers in many ways including how
to manage student behavior, how best to assess students, and by providing a source of
data for educational decision making.
Recreation
Some students with disabilities need related services for
special recreational opportunities and instruction. For
example, students who use wheelchairs may need an
adapted program to develop and maintain good physical
health and wellness. There are specialists who focus in
this area, but these services are also provided by a variety
of team members including teachers, parents, and com-
munity agencies (such as the YMCA). These services can
include assessment of recreation and leisure interests
and preferences, provision of therapeutic services (such
as therapeutic swimming/water activities), adaptation of
activities and equipment, and identification of recre-
ational resources and facilities.
Counseling Services
Counseling services might include academic counseling, emotional counseling, and
rehabilitation counseling. Rehabilitation counselors provide assessments of a student’s
career/vocational attitudes, abilities, and needs; vocational guidance and counseling;
training in career/vocational knowledge and skills; and identification of job sites and
placements. These specialists can be especially helpful to teachers, students, and families
in the transition from school to adult living.
I see increasing reason to believe that the view formed some time
back as to the origin of the Makonde bush is the correct one. I have
no doubt that it is not a natural product, but the result of human
occupation. Those parts of the high country where man—as a very
slight amount of practice enables the eye to perceive at once—has not
yet penetrated with axe and hoe, are still occupied by a splendid
timber forest quite able to sustain a comparison with our mixed
forests in Germany. But wherever man has once built his hut or tilled
his field, this horrible bush springs up. Every phase of this process
may be seen in the course of a couple of hours’ walk along the main
road. From the bush to right or left, one hears the sound of the axe—
not from one spot only, but from several directions at once. A few
steps further on, we can see what is taking place. The brush has been
cut down and piled up in heaps to the height of a yard or more,
between which the trunks of the large trees stand up like the last
pillars of a magnificent ruined building. These, too, present a
melancholy spectacle: the destructive Makonde have ringed them—
cut a broad strip of bark all round to ensure their dying off—and also
piled up pyramids of brush round them. Father and son, mother and
son-in-law, are chopping away perseveringly in the background—too
busy, almost, to look round at the white stranger, who usually excites
so much interest. If you pass by the same place a week later, the piles
of brushwood have disappeared and a thick layer of ashes has taken
the place of the green forest. The large trees stretch their
smouldering trunks and branches in dumb accusation to heaven—if
they have not already fallen and been more or less reduced to ashes,
perhaps only showing as a white stripe on the dark ground.
This work of destruction is carried out by the Makonde alike on the
virgin forest and on the bush which has sprung up on sites already
cultivated and deserted. In the second case they are saved the trouble
of burning the large trees, these being entirely absent in the
secondary bush.
After burning this piece of forest ground and loosening it with the
hoe, the native sows his corn and plants his vegetables. All over the
country, he goes in for bed-culture, which requires, and, in fact,
receives, the most careful attention. Weeds are nowhere tolerated in
the south of German East Africa. The crops may fail on the plains,
where droughts are frequent, but never on the plateau with its
abundant rains and heavy dews. Its fortunate inhabitants even have
the satisfaction of seeing the proud Wayao and Wamakua working
for them as labourers, driven by hunger to serve where they were
accustomed to rule.
But the light, sandy soil is soon exhausted, and would yield no
harvest the second year if cultivated twice running. This fact has
been familiar to the native for ages; consequently he provides in
time, and, while his crop is growing, prepares the next plot with axe
and firebrand. Next year he plants this with his various crops and
lets the first piece lie fallow. For a short time it remains waste and
desolate; then nature steps in to repair the destruction wrought by
man; a thousand new growths spring out of the exhausted soil, and
even the old stumps put forth fresh shoots. Next year the new growth
is up to one’s knees, and in a few years more it is that terrible,
impenetrable bush, which maintains its position till the black
occupier of the land has made the round of all the available sites and
come back to his starting point.
The Makonde are, body and soul, so to speak, one with this bush.
According to my Yao informants, indeed, their name means nothing
else but “bush people.” Their own tradition says that they have been
settled up here for a very long time, but to my surprise they laid great
stress on an original immigration. Their old homes were in the
south-east, near Mikindani and the mouth of the Rovuma, whence
their peaceful forefathers were driven by the continual raids of the
Sakalavas from Madagascar and the warlike Shirazis[47] of the coast,
to take refuge on the almost inaccessible plateau. I have studied
African ethnology for twenty years, but the fact that changes of
population in this apparently quiet and peaceable corner of the earth
could have been occasioned by outside enterprises taking place on
the high seas, was completely new to me. It is, no doubt, however,
correct.
The charming tribal legend of the Makonde—besides informing us
of other interesting matters—explains why they have to live in the
thickest of the bush and a long way from the edge of the plateau,
instead of making their permanent homes beside the purling brooks
and springs of the low country.
“The place where the tribe originated is Mahuta, on the southern
side of the plateau towards the Rovuma, where of old time there was
nothing but thick bush. Out of this bush came a man who never
washed himself or shaved his head, and who ate and drank but little.
He went out and made a human figure from the wood of a tree
growing in the open country, which he took home to his abode in the
bush and there set it upright. In the night this image came to life and
was a woman. The man and woman went down together to the
Rovuma to wash themselves. Here the woman gave birth to a still-
born child. They left that place and passed over the high land into the
valley of the Mbemkuru, where the woman had another child, which
was also born dead. Then they returned to the high bush country of
Mahuta, where the third child was born, which lived and grew up. In
course of time, the couple had many more children, and called
themselves Wamatanda. These were the ancestral stock of the
Makonde, also called Wamakonde,[48] i.e., aborigines. Their
forefather, the man from the bush, gave his children the command to
bury their dead upright, in memory of the mother of their race who
was cut out of wood and awoke to life when standing upright. He also
warned them against settling in the valleys and near large streams,
for sickness and death dwelt there. They were to make it a rule to
have their huts at least an hour’s walk from the nearest watering-
place; then their children would thrive and escape illness.”
The explanation of the name Makonde given by my informants is
somewhat different from that contained in the above legend, which I
extract from a little book (small, but packed with information), by
Pater Adams, entitled Lindi und sein Hinterland. Otherwise, my
results agree exactly with the statements of the legend. Washing?
Hapana—there is no such thing. Why should they do so? As it is, the
supply of water scarcely suffices for cooking and drinking; other
people do not wash, so why should the Makonde distinguish himself
by such needless eccentricity? As for shaving the head, the short,
woolly crop scarcely needs it,[49] so the second ancestral precept is
likewise easy enough to follow. Beyond this, however, there is
nothing ridiculous in the ancestor’s advice. I have obtained from
various local artists a fairly large number of figures carved in wood,
ranging from fifteen to twenty-three inches in height, and
representing women belonging to the great group of the Mavia,
Makonde, and Matambwe tribes. The carving is remarkably well
done and renders the female type with great accuracy, especially the
keloid ornamentation, to be described later on. As to the object and
meaning of their works the sculptors either could or (more probably)
would tell me nothing, and I was forced to content myself with the
scanty information vouchsafed by one man, who said that the figures
were merely intended to represent the nembo—the artificial
deformations of pelele, ear-discs, and keloids. The legend recorded
by Pater Adams places these figures in a new light. They must surely
be more than mere dolls; and we may even venture to assume that
they are—though the majority of present-day Makonde are probably
unaware of the fact—representations of the tribal ancestress.
The references in the legend to the descent from Mahuta to the
Rovuma, and to a journey across the highlands into the Mbekuru
valley, undoubtedly indicate the previous history of the tribe, the
travels of the ancestral pair typifying the migrations of their
descendants. The descent to the neighbouring Rovuma valley, with
its extraordinary fertility and great abundance of game, is intelligible
at a glance—but the crossing of the Lukuledi depression, the ascent
to the Rondo Plateau and the descent to the Mbemkuru, also lie
within the bounds of probability, for all these districts have exactly
the same character as the extreme south. Now, however, comes a
point of especial interest for our bacteriological age. The primitive
Makonde did not enjoy their lives in the marshy river-valleys.
Disease raged among them, and many died. It was only after they
had returned to their original home near Mahuta, that the health
conditions of these people improved. We are very apt to think of the
African as a stupid person whose ignorance of nature is only equalled
by his fear of it, and who looks on all mishaps as caused by evil
spirits and malignant natural powers. It is much more correct to
assume in this case that the people very early learnt to distinguish
districts infested with malaria from those where it is absent.
This knowledge is crystallized in the
ancestral warning against settling in the
valleys and near the great waters, the
dwelling-places of disease and death. At the
same time, for security against the hostile
Mavia south of the Rovuma, it was enacted
that every settlement must be not less than a
certain distance from the southern edge of the
plateau. Such in fact is their mode of life at the
present day. It is not such a bad one, and
certainly they are both safer and more
comfortable than the Makua, the recent
intruders from the south, who have made USUAL METHOD OF
good their footing on the western edge of the CLOSING HUT-DOOR
plateau, extending over a fairly wide belt of
country. Neither Makua nor Makonde show in their dwellings
anything of the size and comeliness of the Yao houses in the plain,
especially at Masasi, Chingulungulu and Zuza’s. Jumbe Chauro, a
Makonde hamlet not far from Newala, on the road to Mahuta, is the
most important settlement of the tribe I have yet seen, and has fairly
spacious huts. But how slovenly is their construction compared with
the palatial residences of the elephant-hunters living in the plain.
The roofs are still more untidy than in the general run of huts during
the dry season, the walls show here and there the scanty beginnings
or the lamentable remains of the mud plastering, and the interior is a
veritable dog-kennel; dirt, dust and disorder everywhere. A few huts
only show any attempt at division into rooms, and this consists
merely of very roughly-made bamboo partitions. In one point alone
have I noticed any indication of progress—in the method of fastening
the door. Houses all over the south are secured in a simple but
ingenious manner. The door consists of a set of stout pieces of wood
or bamboo, tied with bark-string to two cross-pieces, and moving in
two grooves round one of the door-posts, so as to open inwards. If
the owner wishes to leave home, he takes two logs as thick as a man’s
upper arm and about a yard long. One of these is placed obliquely
against the middle of the door from the inside, so as to form an angle
of from 60° to 75° with the ground. He then places the second piece
horizontally across the first, pressing it downward with all his might.
It is kept in place by two strong posts planted in the ground a few
inches inside the door. This fastening is absolutely safe, but of course
cannot be applied to both doors at once, otherwise how could the
owner leave or enter his house? I have not yet succeeded in finding
out how the back door is fastened.