Families, Infants, and Young Children at Risk: Pathways to Best Practice

The clearest, most comprehensive text available on the neurological and psycho-social development of children from birth to 8, this cutting-edge book will be the cornerstone of every early interventionist's education. Essential for preservice professionals across multiple disciplines—and for inservice practitioners in search of a reference they can trust— this textbook helps readers fully understand child development, address the complex needs of children with disabilities and their families, and skillfully connect the latest clinical knowledge with everyday practice.

Illustrated with dozens of engaging and instructive photos, this text helps future professionals in education, medicine, and related clinical fields

• meet state requirements for training in early childhood special education with complete coverage of the birth–8 period
• understand the full range of issues—medical, psychosocial, cultural, developmental, and educational—affecting child development
• ensure strong partnerships with professionals and families by learning about other disciplines and understanding the challenges parents face
• address social-emotional factors at every stage of a child's early development
• discover how clinical issues affect children in educational settings after the critical transition to school
• develop sensitivity to diverse family needs through eye-opening vignettes and child-family studies

With this accessible core textbook and professional reference, early interventionists will be ready to work effectively with children who have or are at risk for developmental delays—and pool their knowledge and resources with professionals across disciplines to ensure the best outcomes for children and families.

In addition to her work as Professor of Education, Dr. Ensher is Coordinator of two master's degree programs in the School of Education at Syracuse University: Early Childhood Special Education and the Inclusive Program on Severe Disabilities. She received her doctorate in special education from Boston University in 1971. Prior to receiving her doctoral degree, she taught for 3 years in Hanover, New Hampshire, and Quincy, Massachusetts. She later assumed a position on the faculty at the Pennsylvania State University in State College prior to taking a position on the faculty at Syracuse University.

For many years, Dr. Ensher has been actively involved in teaching, writing and research, and community service related to families and young children who are at risk and have developmental disabilities. At Syracuse University, she teaches courses at the undergraduate and graduate levels about methods and curriculum in early childhood special education, families of young children with special needs, the assessment of infants and young children, and the theoretical foundations of early childhood special education. She has extensive experience in clinical work with infants, young children, and their families and continues to train graduate students in this area of expertise. She has authored play-based assessments for infants and toddlers, most recently Partners in Play: Assessing Infants and Toddlers in Natural Contexts (Thomson/Delmar Learning, 2007). In addition, Dr. Ensher co-authored with Dr. David Clark the first and second editions of Newborns at Risk: Medical Care and Psychoeducational Intervention (Aspen Publishers, 1986, 1994).

Dr. Ensher is a single mother of two daughters adopted from Calcutta, India-Kimberly and Lindsey.

Dr. Clark is a pediatrician and neonatologist who trained at North Carolina Memorial Hospital, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and completed a Neonatology Fellowship at Rainbow Babies and Children's Hospital, Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio, and State University of New York, Upstate Medical Center in Syracuse. Dr. Clark's certifications include Diplomate, American Board of Pediatrics; the American Board of Pediatrics, SubBoard of Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine; and the Neonatal Resuscitation Program, Regional Instructor.

Dr. Clark is a member of 25 professional societies, including the American Academy of Pediatrics-Fellow, Section on Perinatal Pediatrics, Section of Gastroenterology and Nutrition, Section on Transport Medicine, and Critical Care Section; the Society of Pediatric Research; American College of Nutrition; American Pediatric Society; and the New York Academy of Sciences.

Dr. Clark's curriculum vitae includes a total of 103 peer-reviewed publications; four books; more than 200 abstracts; and numerous invited chapters, reviews, and presentations.

Dr. Clark is the father of three daughters and a grandfather of five, including William David (WD), who tragically died at the age of 4 years during Hurricane Katrina.

The late Nan Songer was a graduate of Syracuse University, where she received an undergraduate degree in music education and in 1998 earned a graduate degree in early childhood special education. She taught in the Solvay School District in Solvay, New York, for 5 years and was a home visitor for many years as part of the FIRST LOOK project, a project dedicated to serving young children with behavioral and social emotional challenges and their families.

Ms. Songer had five children, two of whom received special education services during both their preschool and school-age years. She served on several disabilities-related community boards and was appointed as the chairperson of the New York State Interagency Coordinating Council by Governor Mario Cuomo, where she served from 1990–1992. As an adjunct faculty member, she taught graduate courses related to guiding children with challenging behaviors.

Ms. Songer's areas of expertise were children with challenging behaviors, working collaboratively with families, understanding the importance of observation during assessment, and using sensory strategies in early childhood settings.