Classroom Research for Young Children with Disabilities

Abstract

During the past 30 years, substantial research activity generated a great deal of knowledge about teaching young children with disabilities in classrooms. This research was conducted by a large number of investigators interested in different topics and issues related to development, learning, and—importantly but less frequently—instruction. Retrospectively, our own research endeavors and experiences were guided implicitly and explicitly by five assumptions about how to approach important social issues and problems: (a) draw on findings from other areas of research, (b) use rigorous experimental methods, (c) rely on systematic replications to understand the applicability and limitations of findings, (d) be alert to serendipitous findings and the feedback from others, and (e) attend to trends and shifts in perspectives, but follow the data when drawing suggestions about practice.