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Book: Strategies for Inclusion: A Handbook for Physical Educators
Author: Lauren J. Lieberman & Cathy Houston-Wilson
Publishing Company:
(2002)
Pages:
272
Price: $26.00

 

Children with disabilities have been included in physical education classes since the passing of Public Law 94-142, the Education for All Handicapped Children Act, which is currently known as Public Law105-17, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, Amendments of 1997. By law, children with disabilities need to receive physical education and in cases where regular physical education does not meet the needs of the individual, adapted physical education needs to be provided.

The purpose of this book provides information about legislation, strategies to use with individuals with disabilities, and assessment tools. Individuals who can benefit from the use of this book are physical educators, adapted physical educators, regular classroom teachers, pre-professional college students, recreational therapists, and parents. The use of this book would not be limited to only the groups listed. Anyone interested in teaching physical activities to individuals with disabilities would greatly benefit from this book.

Including references, the length of the book is two hundred forty-nine pages. The book is written in a manner which allows the reader to understand the information and apply the information in different settings with different individuals. As previously stated, anyone interested in working with individuals with disabilities would not have difficulty applying the information because of the user friendly manner in which it is written.

The content of the book is covered in two parts. Part one of the book deals with understanding inclusion. Topics in this part include defining inclusion, preparing for inclusion, planning for success, adapting the curriculum to fit special needs, and creating an atmosphere for achievement. Part two includes Strategies for Inclusion. Topics covered in Part two include basic skills, sports skills and teamwork, health and physical fitness, and recreation and life skills. The purpose of book is achieved by providing the reader with knowledge of why (legislation), who (individuals with disabilities), and how (strategies).

Readers will find the Appendix information to be extremely useful. In appendix A, definitions are presented in manner which children can easily understand. Appendix B contains information about peer tutor training programs. Disability Awareness Activities are found in Appendix C. An evaluation of swimming skills is included in Appendix D as an aquatics checklist. Appendix E, Organizations in Adapted Physical Education and Disability Sport is helpful along with information in Appendix F on Equipment Companies. Other information includes included in Appendix G and H are additional resources and the State Directors of Special Education.

Strategies for Inclusion is a valuable resource for learning to teach and work with individuals with disabilities. I would give this book a rating of 5.

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