The trusted core disability textbook gets a comprehensive update in this second edition, now thoroughly revised to include all the critical topics today's professionals need to know about as they work with people who have intellectual and developmental disabilities. Brought to you by a new team of world-renowned experts and contributors, this volume fully prepares future educators, social workers, researchers, and clinicians to provide the best services and supports to children and adults across the life span. Tomorrow's professionals will discover what to do and how to do it as they prepare for their important work, and they'll refer to this user-friendly compendium year after year for information, insights, and answers. A cornerstone text for any course focused on intellectual and developmental disabilities—and an essential reference for every in-service professional's library.

THE IDEAL CORE TEXT FOR INTELLECTUAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITY COURSES:
• Broad and deep, with thorough, up-to-date information on intervention, education, family roles, health issues, specific disabilities, and much more
• Life span–focused, with topics ranging from genetics and development to issues related to aging
• Multidisciplinary, blending research and personal experiences of more than 70 esteemed authors from diverse fields
• Immediately applicable, presenting both the facts and practical, real-world advice on meeting the individual needs of people with disabilities
• Student friendly, with learning objectives, instructive case stories, stimulating questions for reflection, and key Internet resources

WHAT’S NEW: New co-editors and contributors * New and extensively updated chapters on critical topics, including AAC and technology, autism spectrum disorder, advocacy and self-advocacy, communication challenges, family issues, human development and genetics, legal and ethical considerations, and psychopharmacology

SELECTED TOPICS COVERED: assessment and diagnosis * behavior and mental health * brain plasticity * cerebral palsy * decision making and consent * Down syndrome * early development and intervention * education * employment * epilepsy * fetal alcohol spectrum disorder * fragile X syndrome * gender issues in developmental disabilities * international human rights * nutritional considerations * parenting * physical health * service systems and approaches * transition from school to adult life