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International Perspectives for Young Children with Special Needs

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Common Characteristics and Unique Qualities in Preschool Programs

Part of the book series: Educating the Young Child ((EDYC,volume 5))

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Abstract

This chapter looks at how services for young children with special needs are being addressed from an international perspective of early childhood special education and provide an overview of influential international initiatives impacting special education services including the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Examples of changes resulting from such initiatives are described for China and Guatemala. Next, differences in cultural belief and value systems and how they influence policies and services related to children with special needs are discussed. Results from two international studies using the Association for Childhood Education International Global Guidelines Assessment are then described with a focus on services for young children with special needs. Implications for future policy decisions conclude the chapter.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Specialized Education Services Department, University of North Carolina, Greensboro, NC, USA

    Belinda Hardin

  2. National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan

    Hsuan-Fang Hung

  3. Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, OH, USA

    Mariana Mereoiu

Authors
  1. Belinda Hardin
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  2. Hsuan-Fang Hung
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  3. Mariana Mereoiu
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Belinda Hardin .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Professor Emerita, The University of Tex, One UTSA Circle, San Antonio, 78249, Texas, USA

    Sue Clark Wortham

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Hardin, B., Hung, HF., Mereoiu, M. (2013). International Perspectives for Young Children with Special Needs. In: Clark Wortham, S. (eds) Common Characteristics and Unique Qualities in Preschool Programs. Educating the Young Child, vol 5. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-4972-6_8

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