The topics listed are individual websites that can be accessed by members of The National Association of Special Education Teachers (NASET). If you are not a member of NASET, you can join today.

Members of NASET, please login (member login and password) to have full access to all the information and other websites links, in our database.

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Occupational Therapy-Glossary

Occupational Therapist-Role and Responsibilities

• What is an occupational therapist: Occupational therapists are not, as many people think, nurses. Their profession aims at helping people live as comfortably as possible in their own personal space. Occupational therapy is therefore the use of self-care and work to increase independent function and prevent disability. Such people can work in lots of different places and not just the hospital. They coordinate the work of doctors, nurses, psychiatrists and others but there’s still a basic difference between their profession and that one of the nurse.
• Good overview from the American Occupational Therapy Association: Occupational therapy is skilled treatment that helps individuals achieve independence in all facets of their lives. It gives people the "skills for the job of living" necessary for independent and satisfying lives.
• Overview of role and responsibilities: Occupational therapists are health professionals trained to assist people to overcome various limitations in order to live more independent lives. People may need assistance due to injury or illness, psychological or emotional difficulties, developmental delay or the effects of aging. Occupational therapists work in many different environments including schools, nursing homes, hospitals and workplaces. Their goal is to maximise skills for living which enhance personal productivity, well-being and quality of life.  

Occupational Therapy Screening Checklist (PDF)

Orthopedic Impairments

Other Health Impairments

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Parent Teacher Conferences-Preparation and Effective Approach 

• How to make parent teacher conferences work: This site teaches parents how they can get the most out of a parent-teacher conference.  Topics covered are how to prepare before the meeting, questions to ask during the meeting and what action plan to create for your child based on the feedback received from the teacher. 
• How to become an ace at managing parent conferences: This site reviews the parent-teacher conference and how to conduct them successfully to make this event a positive experience. It addresses how to prevent struggles against principals, parents, coworkers and students. 
• This site discusses prior, during and after strategies that parents may use when preparing for and going to a parent-teacher conference: Parent-teacher conferences are an opportunity to establish better communication between parents and teachers. Since children are different at home and in school, both the parent and the teacher gain in understanding the child and can, therefore, be more effective in helping him or her. The teacher may be very surprised to learn that what she thought was a humorous way of dealing with the child was actually making the child feel belittled. The parent may learn that the teacher feels the child is not giving school his best effort. The teacher may learn that the child is distracted because the family is going through a difficult time. Of course, many parents are pleasantly surprised to hear how much better behaved the child is in school than at home.  

Parent’s Rights in the Special Education Process 

• Helping Parents and Advocates Improve Educational Results for Children with Disabilities: This site aims to inform and educate families and advocates about the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act of 1997 and promising practices.
• This site offers information on a multitude of topics relating to special education. It reviews IDEA, No Child Left Behind and research based information on effective based educational practices.  Specific articles relating to parents rights in the special education process are included as well. 
• A Parent's Guide: this example from NY State offers an example of parent's rights in the entire special education process.  
• A Parent's Guide to Special Education: from the The Federation for Children with Special Needs is a nonprofit organization based on the philosophy of parents helping parents. Founded in 1974 as a coalition of twelve disability and parent organizations, today the Federation is an independent advocacy organization committed to quality education and health care for all, and to protecting the rights of children. (Massachusetts) 
• A Parent's Guide to Special Education: Connecticut-Pdf 
• A Parent's Guide to Special Education: Missouri 
• A Parent's Guide to Special Education and Realted Services: Provides an overview of how a child becomes eligible for special education and related services, parent's rights and the schools rights and responsibilities.  

Parent Training and Information Centers 

• Parent Training and Information Centers and Community Parent Resource Centers: Parent centers serve families of children and young adults from birth to age 22 with all disabilities: physical, cognitive, emotional, and learning. They help families obtain appropriate education and services for their children with disabilities; work to improve education results for all children; train and inform parents and professionals on a variety of topics; resolve problems between families and schools or other agencies; and connect children with disabilities to community resources that address their needs.  
• A Parent Training and Information Center—or PTI—: a terrific information resource for parents of children with disabilities. Every state has at least one PTI. As you can probably guess from their name, their purpose is to provide parents with information and training. 

Parenting a Child with Special Needs 

• EP Magazine: This site provides information, support, ideas, encouragement & outreach for parents and families of children with disabilities, and the professionals who work with them. 
• Kids Needs:  This site provides access to comprehensive information and resources for children with special needs. Visitors can find professional opinions on important topics, read about public health policy initiatives and learn about local, statewide and national advocacy efforts on behalf of children with special needs and their families. 
• Special Needs Practical Support: This site helps parents develop clear communication skills, a powerful knowledge of special education law, and provides parents with successful inclusion strategies.  Information about how parents can get a free and appropriate education for their disabled child comes from professional advocates and special needs experts. 

Pervasive Developmental Disorders (PDD)

Preparation for Participation at the District’s Eligibility, CSE, or IEP Meeting

Psychological Terminology

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