Proliferation of Early Intervention Seen for Special Needs Children -- The Directory for Exceptional Children now in 14th edition.

An explosion of early diagnosis programs for special-needs youth is one of the trends reflected in the 14th edition of The Directory for Exceptional Children, published this week. Were seeing more programs devoted to earlier diagnosis and treatment," said Daniel McKeever, senior editor for Porter Sargent Publishers Inc., publishers of the Directory since 1954. And many established programs are continually dropping their intake age."

Proliferation of Early Intervention Seen
for Special Needs Children -- The Directory for Exceptional Children now in 14th edition.

BOSTON – An explosion of early diagnosis programs for special-needs youth is one of the trends reflected in the 14th edition of The Directory for Exceptional Children, published this week.
Were seeing more programs devoted to earlier diagnosis and treatment," said Daniel McKeever, senior editor for Porter Sargent Publishers Inc., publishers of the Directory since 1954. And many established programs are continually dropping their intake age."
McKeever and his staff collect data from more than 2500 public and private schools, hospital programs, treatment facilities and clinics nationwide. The programs are sent detailed questionnaires about patient conditions, demographics, therapy, curriculum, and financial details. The results are edited and compiled for the Directory, and ordered into 15 chapters referenced by type of program, populations served, and geography.
Other trends McKeever observes since the previous edition of the Directory include more recognized disabilities, continually evolving terminology, and a commitment by special-needs programs to keep programs accessible, despite spiraling costs.
The Directory for Exceptional Children costs $75, and is available from most major booksellers, and libraries, or by contacting the publisher directly at 800-342-7470 or www.portersargent.com

– 30 –