Whose Special Need?: Some Perceptions of Special Educational Needs

′This sharp little book pulls no punches with its opponents (real or perceived) across the ideological battleground of special education - which if nothing else makes for a refreshing read′ - Child Language Teaching and Therapy

This is a book which does not dodge the issues. It encourages the reader to reflect on special educational needs from a political/ecological perspective and in doing so informs and stimulates′ - Pastoral Care

This book is designed for teachers in ordinary and special schools and student teachers. It presents a number of perspectives on special needs, coming from a range of professionals and others, and shows that ′special needs′ is a complex and multifaceted concept which cannot easily be described. Readers are encouraged to develop their own perspectives in the light of the views presented here.

The contributors consider: legal definitions of special education; the medical model; psychological assessment; individual and family therapies; speech therapy; sociological perspectives; self-advocacy and the curriculum; teachers′ views of special schools; and parents′ views.

This unique book presents a problematic concept in an accessible manner, and encourages personal reflection on practice.