This market-leading text provides educators with the most current information about the many facets of mental retardation and intellectual disabilities from a life-cycle perspective. The authors provide comprehensive yet concise coverage of all relevant content and also show relationships between theory and practice, decode the terminology used in the field and relate these terms and concepts to the reality of the classroom, the world of work, and the life of the community.

I. BASIC CONCEPTS.
1. Historical Perspectives.

Historical Overview. Emergence and Early Disillusionment of a Field: 1700-1890. Facilities-Based Orientation: 1890-1960. Services-Based Orientation: 1960-1985. Supports-Based Orientation: 1985-Present. Final Reflections.

2. Terminology and Definition.

Mental Retardation in Context. Terminology. Disablism and Mental Retardation. Defining Mental Retardation. Contemporary Definitional Perspectives. Operationalizing Definitional Perspectives. Incidence and Prevalence. Final Considerations.

3. Assessment of Mental Retardation.

Theories of Intelligence. Assessment of Intelligence. Theories of Adaptive Behavior. Assessment of Adaptive Behavior.

4. Individual Rights and Legal Issues.

The Context for Securing Individual's Rights. Legal Precedents of Individual Rights. Institutional Rights. Community Rights. Issues That Span a Lifetime. Persisting Problems. Final Thoughts.

II. BIOLOGY, PSYCHOLOGY, AND SOCIOLOGY OF MENTAL RETARDATION.
5. Biological Sources of Mental Retardation and Efforts for Prevention.

Terminology. Genetic Disorders. Genetic Transmission. Chromosomal Deviations. Cranial Malformations. Other Congenital Factors. Prematurity andPerinatal Concerns. Postnatal Biological Concerns. Prevention. Ethical Issues. Final Thoughts.

6. Psychosocial Aspects of Mental Retardation.

Individual Aspects. Environmental Aspects. Interventions.

7. Characteristics of Individuals with Milder Forms of Mental Retardation.

Characteristics of Milder Retardation. Demographic Characteristics. Motivational and Sociobehavioral Characteristics. Learning Characteristics. Speech and Language Characteristics. Physical Health Characteristics. Educational Characteristics.

8. Characteristics of Persons with Severe Mental Retardation.

Characteristics of Severe Mental Retardation. Behavioral Characteristics. Communication Characteristics. Physical and Emotional Health Characteristics. Educational Concerns. Appropriate Outcomes. Supports.

III. PROGRAMMING AND INTERVENTION ISSUES ACROSS THE LIFESPAN.
9. Infancy and Early Childhood.

Rationale for Early Childhood and Special Education. Legislation Affecting Early Childhood Special Education Programs. DEC-Recommended Practices. Measures of Early Childhood Development. Issues in Early Childhood Assessment. Programming for Young Children. Curriculum. Family Involvement. Transition.

10. School Years: Educational Programming.

Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA). Educational Environment Options. Assessment and Program Planning. Programming for School-Age Learners.

11. Transitional Years: Preparing for Adulthood.

Basic Concepts of Transition. Transition Education. Transition Planning. Vocational Preparation.

12. Adult Years: Life in the Community.

Adult Development. Patterns of Residential and Community Living. Adjusting to Life in the Community. Issues of the Adult Years.

IV. FUTURE ISSUES.
13. Family Considerations.

Organization of the Family. Family Functioning. Issues in Family Living.

14. Assistive Technology Applications.

Definition of Assistive Technology. Benefits of Assistive Technology. Policies and Legalities Surrounding Assistive Technology. Barriers of Assistive Technology. Modifications.
Appendix.
Glossary.