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

~ (Author), Alan J. Brightman (Author), Jan B. Blacher (Author), Louis J. Heifetz (Author), Stephen P. Hinshaw (Author), Diane M. Murphy (Author), Jan Blacher (Author)

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

Product Description

Now in its third 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.

Updated with even more practical teaching tips than in previous editions and an expanded section on behavior problem management, this friendly, parent-oriented book covers toilet training, play, self-help skills, information skills, advanced living skills, and more. In addition to helpful features such as sample activities, case examples, skills inventories, and cartoon illustrations, this easy-to-use sourcebook contains a new chapter devoted to computers that offers advice on using technology to enhance children's learning.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 383 pages
• Publisher: Brookes Publishing Company; 3rd edition (January 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1557662681
• ISBN-13: 978-1557662682
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #793,901 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

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

By A Customer

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!

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

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

By A Customer

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!

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Resource!, April 14, 2002

By	"cchen83" (San Francisco, California United States) - See all my reviews

This book is great. Not only does each chapter breaks down into specific steps on how to teach everyday skills like toilet training, homecare skills (dressing, feeding) as well as behaviour management - it contains advice and charts on how to monitor and assess improvement in a systematic way. Also explains the use of rewards for motivation etc.

No doubt one of the most comprehensive and useful books I have bought. Has helped me construct a program to help my dyspraxic son establish a routine and confidence performing everyday skills consistently.

Recommended purchase!