Steps to Independence: Teaching Everyday Skills to Children with Special Needs [Paperback]

Bruce L. Baker (Author), Alan J. Brightman (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1557666970 | ISBN-13: 978-1557666970 | Publication Date: January 2004 | Edition: 4th

Now in its fourth edition, this step-by-step guide to teaching everyday skills to children with special needs has been a popular resource for more than 20 years. Steps to Independence stems from the authors' belief that that parents are their children's first and most influential teachers. Based on years of work with parents, the book offers an easy-to-read, explicit program for teaching children with special needs the skills that will help them progress toward living as independently and happily as possible in the community.The strengths of the earlier editions-reader-friendly, well-organized, and stepwise presentations of potentially complicated subjects through illustrations, forms, and vignettes, and a touch of humor-are still reflected in the fourth edition. Section I cover the basics of teaching, while Section II address teaching skills in specific areas (get-ready skills, self-help skills, toilet-training, play skills, self-care skills, home-care skills, information skills). Section III breaks down the often difficult topic of dealing with behavior problems. Section IV addresses the "computer revolution" and the critical topic of partnering with teachers. The five appendices serve as reference guides for teaching specific skills.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Don't borrow this book. Buy it. You'll need it at your fingertips for years. -- Down Syndrome Association of Greater Cincinnati

Steps to Independence can help build a child's self-esteem and maturity. -- Down Syndrome News: The Newsletter of the National Down Syndrome Congress,

Steps to Independence is the kind of 'active reference' book that will spend little time gathering dust on the shelf. -- Down Syndrome Association of Greater Cincinnati --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

About the Author

Bruce L. Baker is Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of Californis, Los Angelse. Alan J. Brightman is Manager of the Worldwide Disability Solutions Group of Apple Computer, Inc., in Cupertino, California. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 359 pages
• Publisher: Brookes Publishing Company; 4th edition (January 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1557666970
• ISBN-13: 978-1557666970
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 7.1 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #250,950 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #17 in Books > Law > Specialties > Disability

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent resource!, March 14, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Steps to Independence: Teaching Everyday Skills to Children with Special Needs, Third Edition (Paperback)

No parent OR special education teacher should be without this book! Easy to read, and the content is excellent! Step-by-step approaches to teaching everyday skills to children with special needs, but would be just as valuable to ANY parent! After reading this book, I have found it easier to establish goals for my students and everyone is using the same approach to teaching everyday living skills (play, toileting, self-help, PLUS behavior management)! It is working fabulous! The students are learning more with less frustration! A must-have for your resource library!

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Resource for Parents and Professionals, March 28, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Steps to Independence: Teaching Everyday Skills to Children with Special Needs, Third Edition (Paperback)

I love this book. I have a son with Down syndrome and I use this book to help him achieve independent skills like toileting (great chapter!) and self-help skills. Also has a great section on behavior. Very comprehensive. I recommend buying a copy for yourself and your child's teacher/aide!

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Acquiring Skills for Life, October 12, 2006

By 

Virginia Allain "(retired librarian)" (Poinciana, FL) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Steps to Independence: Teaching Everyday Skills to Children with Special Needs (Paperback)

I've been looking for a book like this for quite some time. Here's what it covers:
Chapter 1: Setting Out
Chapter 2: Targeting a Skill
Chapter 3: Establishing Steps
Chapter 4: Picking Rewards
Chapter 5: Setting the Stage
Chapter 6: Teaching
Chapter 7: Observing Progress and Troubleshooting
Chapter 8: Get Ready Skills
Chapter 9: Self-Help Skills
Chapter 10: Toilet Training
Chapter 11: Play Skills
Chapter 12: Independent Living: Self-Care Skills
Chapter 13: Independent Living: Home-Care Skills
Chapter 14: Independent Living: Information Skills
Chapter 15: Plugging into the Personal Computer Revolution
Chapter 16: Behavior Problems
Chapter 17: Initiating a Behavior Management Program
Appendix A: Get Ready Skills
Appendix B: Self-Help Skills Inventory
Appendix C: Self-Help Skills Programs
Appendix D: Play Skills Programs
Appendix E: Information Skills Programs
Index