Professional Books — Review

From Chaos to Control
Understanding and Responding to the Behaviors of Students with Exceptionalities

by Fred L. Johnson and Alan L. Edmunds
The Althouse Press, 2006
ISBN 0-920354-62-9
$32.95, 227 pp, softcover, adult
www.edu.uwo.ca/althousepress

From Chaos to Control outlines how educators and parents can avoid the triggers of typical and atypical behaviours amongst exceptional students. Readers will also learn intervention strategies to promote consistent, effective discipline and student self-regulation. Johnson and Edmunds summarize a number of student exceptionalities, explain how these students’ special needs are identified, and describe how educators can help these youngsters to cope with the demands of school without losing “control.” Most interesting is the authors’ outline of the historical background of ADHD, and the special needs of students with attention deficits. The authors also show how to do behavioural assessments, and how to then develop effective intervention plans.

They also argue for a strong link between school and home, as they explain why any behaviour plan must be implemented in both locales if it is to be successful. The “Wow, This Stuff Really Works!” chapter outlines specific tools which a teacher can draw on in the classroom in order to provide an environment conducive to learning. The conclusion of the book is also especially helpful because it includes a reference list of the latest North American research on special education for further investigation. This book would be a useful reference for beginning teachers, people who work in the field of special education, and parents of students with behavioural challenges.

Reviewed by Mary Shaughnessy

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