"The Early Intervention Dictionary: A Multidisciplinary Guide to Terminology is a great reference tool. Author Jeanine Coleman, MEd, has created a book that defines more than 4,000 medical, therapeutic and educational terms commonly used by the various professionals that are involved in the early intervention field.
Newly expanded and updated, The Early Intervention Dictionary, which won a Bronze Medal in the Reference category in the 2007 Independent Publisher Book Awards, aims to help families and professionals successfully collaborate and understand each others'terminology. It's also useful for anyone looking for clear definitions of words related to the care and development of young children. However, many of the terms in this dictionary apply to age groups that are no longer in need of early intervention services.
The book clarifies many of the more frequently used terms and provides a starting point in the search for more in-depth information. It also provides readers with a better foundation for understanding the early intervention process. Many of the terms in the book are user-friendly it was as if the author asked herself, How could I explain this without using complicated words? She has done this!
In addition to bringing together professionals of various disciplines, Coleman helps the committed early intervention practitioner acquire the information necessary to provide compassionate and effective early intervention services.
This latest edition includes more than 400 new entries, plus hundreds of existing terms that have been updated to reflect changes in the field. Expanded subject areas include "Autism Spectrum Disorders," "Mental Illness and Neurological Issues," "Sensory Integration Dysfunction," and "Transitioning from Early Intervention to Special Education."
In the "Notes to the Reader" section, the author points out a number of noteworthy features.
For example, the book includes the known causes of certain medical and developmental conditions and the entries that describe behavior emergence and skill acquisition include the appropriate age at which these events are likely to occur.
At the end of some listings is a note that refers the reader to additional information under different terms or other entries that contain information on related topics. The author also notes opposities or contrasts of terms and listsd additional formal and informal names of conditions, supplies, and agencies."
-ADVANCE for Speech-Language Pathologists & Audiologists, October 15, 2007
"Early intervention is the educational services and supports provided to families with children, birth to age three, with developmental delays. Early intervention (EI) is a family affair. Successful intervention relies, in part, on communication and collaboration between the family and their EI service providers. The provider is skilled and knowledgeable about child development and a variety of therapies. The family brings their expertise--an in-depth knowledge of their child and his or her diagnosis ('-gnosis-a suffix meaning knowledge,' page 70).
Enter the Early Intervention Dictionary, now in its third edition, with more than 4,000 definitions, ranging from abdominal to zero-reject ('the principle that no child with a disability should be refused a free, appropriate, public education,' page 444). The author, an EI program director in California, has written this dictionary as a tool for both providers and parents so that everyone can literally be on the same page, speak the same language and work together, so children with disabilities or risk factors for developmental delays receive the services they need to be as successful as possible."
-Federation for Children with Special Needs, Newsline, Winter 2007
"The Early Intervention Dictionary--an excellent resource made even better! The 3rd edition adds new terminology to reflect updates in practice, and continues to provide easy-to-understand explanations useful for parents and the variety of professionals who interact with young children with special needs. I love the inclusion of acronyms in the dictionary--it helps make sense of the 'alphabet soup' abbreviations so commonly used in early intervention."
-Cindy Oser, R.N., M.S
Director, ZERO TO THREE Western Office
"The Early Intervention Dictionary is one of the most practical resources to include in your library. It is a comprehensive listing of the terms, words, and phrases one is likely to encounter in reports, textbooks, journal articles, and reference books. You will find what you are looking for and the definitions are easy to understand. It's a definite must-have resource for families and professionals."
-Sarah A. Mulligan, M.Ed., CAE
Executive Director
Division for Early Childhood of the Council for Exceptional Children
