Special Need In The Early Years

SPECIAL NEED IN THE EARLY YEARS: SNAPSHOTS OF PRACTICE. Edited by Sheila Wolfendale. (Routledge/Falmer, 14.99, 020 7583 9855).

Reviewed by Collette Drifte, special needs consultant

This is not a long book, but it is one that could not be read straight through. It is a compilation of contributions from authors who are early years practitioners and whose educational establishments are considered to be models of good practice. Their special needs experience covers a variety of settings and conditions, including a hospital setting, provision by a specified local education authority and a special needs nursery, hearing impediments, communication difficulties and Down's syndrome.

The book is divided into clearly defined sections and chapters, so the professional with an interest in any particular field can immediately access the relevant chapter. All the contributions are well presented and interesting, but must be given the courtesy of time and concentration, rather than a quick skim at lunchtime. They offer valuable information and ideas that can be copied or adapted for use.

The format of the book, by its nature, is not consistent - different authors have different styles - and occasionally it looks like masses of text, but it is a book worth reading if you are interested in one of the particular issues it addresses.