Inclusive education is a worldwide movement aiming to create one education system that values all children—to devise a classroom that welcomes all children irrespective of disability, community background, sexuality, ethnic background etc. The current conceptualization of Children with Special Needs has replaced the negative labels of the past which called disabled children as lame, crippled, less fortunate or mentally retarded. The modern concept consider such children as unique whose uniqueness may be noticed in one or the other dimensions—vision, hearing, communication, adaptive behaviour, etc. Researches are being conducted across the world so that inclusive education can be made more adequate and thereby prove more useful. The present book is a complete treatise on inclusive education with particular emphasis on children with special needs. It seeks to find out how information/findings from researches on inclusion can be employed to influence inclusive practices in classrooms in a positive way. It provides useful tips and strategies to those who need to know as to why, whom and how to include children with special needs in regular classroom activities. The facts and findings stated in this book in the form of tables, pictures, boxes and small but separate sections will prove comprehensible inputs for school reforms and reorganizations to achieve full inclusion. A detailed bibliography has been included in the book to enable the inquisitive readers to pursue the subject further. The students and research scholars of Education will find this book highly useful. In addition, the planners, administrators, functionaries of Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan and social workers will consider it extremely informative.

Table of Contents:
1. Children with Special Needs The Concept of Children with Special Needs Types of Children with Special Needs 2. Educational Programmes for Children with Special Needs—A Historical Perspective Superstition Segregation The Movement Towards Integration 3. Inclusive Education Inclusion—A Worldwide Movement The Concept of Inclusion/Inclusive Education/ Inclusive School What is Not Inclusion? Traditional Approach and Inclusive Approach Integrated Education and Inclusive Education 4. Justification of Inclusive Education Educational Perspectives Sociological Point of View Economic Perspectives Humanitarian Point of View Democratic Point of View Legal Provisions The Benefits of Inclusion 5. Innovative Practices in Inclusive Settings Peer Tutoring Cooperative Learning Collaboration and Consultation Team Teaching Curriculum Adaptation Individualized Education Programme (IEP) 6. Barriers, Failures and Interventions Barriers to Inclusion Educational Failure of Special Needs Children Interventions 7. Creating and Maintaining Inclusive Schools Every School—An Inclusive School Provision of Adequate Staff Early Identification of Special Needs Children Assessment of Special Needs Children Establishing a School Philosophy Enrolment Drive and Measures for Retention Provision of Incentives Removal of Architectural Barriers Heterogeneous Grouping Provision of Facilities, Aids and Equipments Avoiding Psychological Separation Professional Development of Teachers Changing Hearts and Minds Accountability of Teachers Developing Friendship Positive Attitudes of Teachers Ensuring Quality Education Inclusion as an Integral Part of Duty Early Childhood Education and Care Adapting the Curriculum Encouraging Participatory Learning Making the Mainstream Sensitive and Adaptive Making the School Effective Enhancing the Efficiency of Teachers 8. Review of Selected Studies Bibliography Subject Index