The Early Intervention Dictionary: A Multidisciplinary Guide to Terminology [Paperback]

Jeanine G. Coleman (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1890627054 | ISBN-13: 978-1890627058 | Publication Date: March 1999 | Edition: 2nd

From Acidosis to Zygote, The Early Intervention Dictionary defines hundreds of medical, therapeutic, and educational terms commonly used in the early intervention field. This new edition reflects changes in the field: new research, educational approaches, and treatments, as well as brand-new terminology. The disciplines covered include: Pediatric medicine; Child development; Physical and occupational therapy; Speech therapy and language therapy; Audiology; Counselling; Child life; Social work; Education of the hearing and visually impaired; Early childhood general and special education.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Federal legislation is increasingly mandating that a full range of specialized services be made available to all infants and preschoolers with special needs. These early intervention programs generally involve a team of medical, educational, and psychological specialists who work with the youngsters and their families to maximize each child's potential. Because early intervention is a developing field involving a variety of disciplines, each with its own vocabulary and perspective, this dictionary--the first of its kind in comprehensiveness and scope--is particularly valuable. Entries are arranged alphabetically and include useful explanations for acronyms and abbreviations, generic and brand-name drugs, and medical and psychological tests and scales. This scholarly yet accessible source is highly recommended for parenting and education collections.
- Linda Cullum, Lake Superior State Univ. Lib., Sault Ste. Marie, Mich.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Booklist

Laws in every state now mandate early intervention for children who are developmentally delayed, physically disabled, or at risk. This reference tool defines terminology used by professionals who treat children with developmental or environmental problems from birth through age three. The perspectives of medicine, psychology, and education are represented in the entries. The intended audience includes professionals from such specialties as speech therapy and physical therapy as well as parents of children with special needs. Students should also find it a useful source. The compiler, a practitioner in early intervention, selected entries from current literature and from discussion with other experts.

More than 2,000 words are defined in nontechnical language, and pronunciation is given when necessary. Cross-references and contrasting terms are also indicated. Precisely stated and up-to-date information is given in such entries as at-risk, intelligence, and autism. Augmentative communication and the confusing array of special-education laws are clarified. Other features include appendixes with growth, conversion, and Apgar charts; nutritional guidelines; and an immunization schedule.

While most special-education books provide glossaries, this appears to be the first American dictionary on the subject. Phillip Williams' Glossary of Special Education (1988) is a more general treatment of the entire field of special education and has a British slant.

This new dictionary is flawed. Such obvious terms as abdomen, abdominal, antibiotic, anesthesia, and jumping are defined while other terms that seem pertinent to early intervention practice are not found. Some examples of these omissions are apperception testing, arousal level, cross-laterality, dizygotic twins, lisp, lalling, fragilitas ossium, left-right progression, figure-ground distraction, and a number of such standard tests as the Arthur Performance Scale, Yale Developmental Examination, and Bender Visual Motor Gestalt Test. Some prefixes are given, such as labi-/labico meaning "lip," when it might have been helpful to apply them to a specific term such as labialism, a speech defect presenting a tendency to use W rather than R.

These omissions nothwithstanding, this novel tool should be acquired by professional, academic, and public library collections. Because of its uniqueness and the importance of its subject, the Board hopes that an improved version will be forthcoming. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 410 pages
• Publisher: Woodbine House; 2nd edition (March 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1890627054
• ISBN-13: 978-1890627058
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.6 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,398,646 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Must-Have for New Parents of Children with Special Needs, January 16, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: The Early Intervention Dictionary: A Multidisciplinary Guide to Terminology (Paperback)

This book was our trusted guide and friend through the first years of our child's life. We took this book with us to every new medical and therapeutic appointment, and it enabled us to quickly become knowledgable about our son's condition. I give this book as a special gift to welcome new "exceptional" families to our circle.

Highly recommended.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Highly recommended as a user-friendly reference., March 5, 2007

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Early Intervention Dictionary: A Multidisciplinary Guide to Terminology (Paperback)

Written by Jeanine G. Coleman, M. Ed., The Early Intervention Dictionary: A Multidisciplinary Guide to Terminology is the updated third edition of a straightforward, practical definitive reference for medical professionals and parents alike. Each entry consists of a brief (from one sentence to one full paragraph) definition of a medical or scientific term concerning medical and development issues, features, and abnormalities present in infants and children. The Early Intervention Dictionary is accessible to readers of all backgrounds, and covers everything from "abrachia" (congenital absence of arms) to "Zero Reject" (The principle that no child with a disability should be refused a free, appropriate education if other children the same age are being served). Highly recommended as a user-friendly reference.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent reference, February 17, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: The Early Intervention Dictionary: A Multidisciplinary Guide to Terminology (Paperback)

This book is an excellent reference tool. As a student seeking certification in early intervention, I find this book to be extremely helpful. This book will guide you through termonology and provide you with a wealth of information.