How can we help children with special needs become active learners? This book is a practical and accessible guide to teaching young children with special educational needs. At the heart of the book is the belief that the focus should be on the child as an active learner, rather than on their disability. This fully revised and updated edition takes into account current changes in educational policy to provide the reader with comprehensive information and understanding and working with young children with special needs. The author addresses key issues such as the nature and causes of specific disabilities, intervention and assessment, working with families, planning individualised objectives and instructional strategies. There are also new sections on emotional competence, early literacy concerns and discussions of the emotional implications of brain research. Case study examples and practical suggestions are included throughout. The book will be a valuable resource for all early years practitioners, primary teachers, student teachers and learning support assistants.