The efficacy of Early Intervention practices is well documented in literature. The field of Early Childhood Special Education focuses on the child in the natural context of the family and community. Through collaboration with service providers, the goal is to reduce the effects of developmental disabilities and/or prevent future learning difficulties later in life. Free, appropriate public education for young children with disabilities, ages three to six years, is mandated through the Education for All Handicapped Children Act Amendments of 1986 (PL 99-457) 1986. In addition, services for infants and toddlers with developmental delay and their families are typically provided through the state. A variety of sources for parents of young children and the professionals who work with them follows.

Books Published by Houghton Mifflin Company

• Hunt, N., & Marshall, K. (1999). Exceptional Children and Youth (2^nd ed.). New York: Houghton Mifflin Company, - Chapter 2.
• Kirk, S.A., Gallagher, J.J. & Anastasiow, N.J. (2000). Educating Exceptional Children(9^th ed.). New York: Houghton Mifflin Company - Chapter 3.
• Lerner, J. (2000). Learning disabilities: Theories, Diagnosis, and Teaching Strategies. New York: Houghton Mifflin Company, - Chapter 8.
• Ysseldyke, J.E., Algozzine, B. & Thurlow, M.L. (2000). Critical issues in special education (3^rd ed.). New York: Houghton Mifflin Company, - Chapter 8.

Books Published by Other Companies

• Allen, K. E., & Schwartz, I. S. (1996). The exceptional child: Inclusion in early childhood education. Albany, NY: Delmar.
• Bailey, D. B., & Wolery, M. (1992). Teaching infants and preschoolers with disabilities (2^nd ed.). New York, NY: Merrill.
• Bricker, D. (1998). An activity-based approach to early intervention. Baltimore, MD: Brookes.
• Cook, R. E., Tessier, A., & Klein, M. D. (2000). Adapting early childhood curricula for children in inclusive settings (5^th ed.). Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Merrill.
• Derman-Sparks, L., & the A.B.C. Task Force. (1989). Anti-bias curriculum: Tools for empowering young children. Washington, DC: National Association for the Education of Young Children.
• Guralnick, M. J. (1997). The effectiveness of early intervention. Baltimore, MD: Brookes.
• Hanson, M. J. & Lynch, E. W. (1995). Early intervention: Implementing child and family services for infants and toddlers who are at risk or disabled (2^nd ed.). Austin, TX: Pro-Ed.
• Howard, V. F., Williams, B. F., Port, P. D., & Lepper, C. (1997). Very young children with special needs: A formative approach for the 21st century. Columbus, OH: Merrill.
• Lynch. E. W., & Hanson, J. J. (1002). Developing cross-cultural competence: A guide for working with young children and their families. Baltimore: Paul H. Brookes.
• McLean, M., Bailey, D. B., & Wolery, M. (1996). Assessing infants and preschoolers with special needs (2^nd ed.). Columbus, OH: Merrill.
• Noonan, M. J. & McCormick, L. (1993). Early intervention in natural environments: Methods and procedures. Pacific Grove, CA: Brooks/Cole Publishing Co.
• Odom, S. L., & McLean, M. E. (1996). Early intervention/Early Childhood special education: Recommended practices. Austin, TX: Pro-Ed.
• Pueschel, S., Scola, P. S., Weidenman, L., & Bernier, J. (1995). The specialchild: A sourcebook for parents and children with developmental disabilities (2^nd ed.). Baltimore, MD: Brookes.
• Umansky, W., & Hooper, S. R. (1998). Young children with special needs (3^rd ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Merrill/Prentice Hall.

Journals

• Child Development
• Exceptional Children
• Infants and Young Children
• Journal of Early Intervention
• Topics in Early Childhood Special Education
• Young Children

Web site Resources

• Division for Early Childhood (DEC) -- http://www.dec-sped.org/
• ERIC Documents -- http://ericec.org/faqs.html
• National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) - http://www.naeyc.org
• Zero to Three: National center for infants, toddlers, and families -- http://www.zerotothree.org/site_map.html

Online Resource Documents

• Beyond transition: Ensuring continuity of early childhood services -- http://www.ed.gov/databases/ERIC_Digests/ed345867.html
• Developmentally Appropriate Practice: What does research tell us - http://www.ed.gov/databases/ERIC_Digests/ed413106.html
• Early transitions for children and families: Transitions from infant/toddler services to preschool education -- http://ericec.org/digests/e581.html
• Effective practices for preparing young children with disabilities for school -- http://ericec.org/digests/e519.html
• How can families choose early childhood programs that encourage family involvement? - http://www.ed.gov/offices/OERI/ECI/digests/98may.html
• Integrating children with disabilities into preschool -- http://www.ed.gov/databases/ERIC_Digests/ed369581.html
• Language and literacy environments in preschool -- http://www.ed.gov/databases/ERIC_Digests/ed426818.html
• My special start: A guide for parents in the NICU -- http://www.vort.com/profneo.htm#182
• Parent's guide to accessing programs for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers with disabilities -- http://www.nichcy.org/pubs/parent/pa2txt.htm
• Premature infants (Family Village) -- http://www.familyvillage.wisc.edu/lib_prem.htm