Exceptional Child Education Resources (ECER)

Exceptional Child Education Resources (ECER) Database

What is ECER?
Exceptional Child Education Resources (ECER) is the world’s most comprehensive database of resources in special education, gifted education, and related services.

A product of the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC), ECER contains more than 90,000 citations and abstracts of print and nonprint materials on the development and education of people of all ages who have disabilities or those who are gifted.

ECER covers all types of exceptionalities, including giftedness; talent (artistic giftedness); creativity; physical disabilities; hearing and visual impairments; mental retardation and developmental disabilities; learning disabilities; behavior disorders and emotional disturbances; mental disorders; autism; speech and communication disorders; chronic illnesses (medically fragile); special health problems (e.g., eating disorders, cancer, AIDS); child abuse and neglect; and children "at risk" due to disabilities, physical or psychological problems, minority/ethnic status, or family or environmental factors. ECER also covers resources in all areas of related services (including services provided by audiologists, speech therapists, occupational therapists, physical therapists, and educational psychologists).

ECER dates from 1966 to present, and is updated monthly.

Is the ECER Database Like the ERIC Database?
The ECER database is compatible with the ERIC database. ECER and ERIC use the same cataloging, indexing, and abstracting rules and authorities. And ECER descriptors are taken from the Thesaurus of ERIC Descriptors, which allows similar strategies in searching the two databases.

Approximately half of the database records that go into ECER also appear in ERIC. This overlap applies primarily to unpublished documents (curriculum and teaching guides, reports, etc.) and articles in core special educational journals.

What Are the Differences Between ECER and ERIC?
ECER provides more comprehensive coverage of published books, journal articles, and nonprint materials. References retrieved in the ERIC database can be excluded from ECER searches to avoid duplication.

How Can I Access the ECER Database?
Access to ECER is through subscription with CEC.

ECER is also sold on CD-ROM through Ovid Technologies, Inc, which also offers online searching if you have an online subscription agreement with Ovid.
How to get a copy of the ECER database on CD-ROM

CEC Home Page
Foundation for Exceptional Children Home Page