Mark Haddon, who wrote a best-selling novel about a boy with Asperger's syndrome, "The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time," has written his first TV drama. "Coming Down the Mountain" focuses on a young man's frustration with his brother, who has Down syndrome. The Independent (London)
Thursday, August 30, 2007
Best-selling author writes TV drama about Down syndrome
People who read this also read:
Aspergers Syndrome,
books,
Down Syndrome
Retired teachers return to fill in
With many U.S. districts short on certified teachers, some are asking retirees to return as substitutes. "There is truly a need for good substitute teachers," said Charlene Adams, who taught special education for 30 years before retiring, and now works as a substitute. The Washington Post
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Teachers/ Educators
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
Riding program helps children with disabilities gain confidence
A Southern California therapeutic riding program helps 600 children and adults with disabilities overcome fear and gain confidence in themselves, equine therapists say. "It's fun to see how much they brighten up when they're riding," said Ashley Anderson, a 15-year-old volunteer. "You see how much horses can change lives here." San Diego Union-Tribune
People who read this also read:
Special Education
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
First medication approved for children with schizophrenia
Risperdal, widely used by adults with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, has now been approved for teens with schizophrenia and preteens and teens with bipolar disorder. Schizophrenia is rare in younger teens, and until now there had been no approved medication for them. Orlando Sentinel (Fla.)/Associated Press , The New York Times/Reuters
People who read this also read:
Schizophrenia
N.Y. adds 17 schools to "persistently dangerous" list
A total 27 New York State schools, including a dozen for students with severe disabilities, are now considered "persistently dangerous" under NCLB. The other 49 U.S. states have together only listed 30 schools as "persistently dangerous," but the law allows each state to define the term. The New York Times
People who read this also read:
NCLB/ IDEIA 2004
Ultraviolet film allows girl freedom from protective gear
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAZsTWLtBOgjJr5w-Z8t3XYQ8A7Aw20JFxUjxdYAiDAccQ7JILUkb87QG5d6Xag_dY1V0ZG23s2VXohCq1QgLFSgW2pgYiik5Ggi_D3Zel-zVB8z5Y-Bno8dY0NFhLFE1fLLOt/s320/951-3M22AIMEE_embedded_prod_affiliate_4.jpg)
Thanks to a protective ultraviolet-blocking film that will be put up in her school, Aimee Milota will attend kindergarten this fall like any other 5-year-old. Aimee, who has a rare genetic condition called xeroderma pigmentosum, cannot naturally recover from ultraviolet sunlight and has had 22 tumors removed. The Sacramento Bee (Calif.)
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xeroderma pigmentosum
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
Organizers hope Paralympics will shift attitudes in China
As thousands of athletes with disabilities flood China for the Paralympics next summer, advocates hope the spotlight will help shift attitudes toward 83 million Chinese with disabilities who are often hidden from view. The Christian Science Monitor
People who read this also read:
Famous People with disabilities
NYC offers new options to students who fall behind
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjIAa9OHIL5VwzVDzWD6vJCDjrqSl13qVYGJP4Bh-eEUBGr7DwDHt6UqWN09wtrNtxJD3or_z-p6kd-FIwDzZSXfTkXrDLQ1qWsfqOW81LngqjCzm_a8K0UjtK6BfKJbeQx1II/s320/diploma190.jpg)
Nearly 70,000 New York City students -- almost a quarter of the city's high school students -- are years away from obtaining enough credits to graduate. The city has established special centers to help young adults avoid the stigma of sitting in class next to 14-year-olds. The New York Times
People who read this also read:
IDEIA 2004,
NCLB/ IDEIA 2004,
Special Education
Parents decry easy classes for students with disabilities
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGlHz5k9fN9QZqH2o4JnoxIsAquE8HwTxknKGwwe6dGBDlrp_DdaJcE4QDyDcV0qW1l1puj4-oBiX5OVjYFFxp3R_YQsOkNAIs4RWWaiSgqLkQJ3cABSV-5B5LYIlyg3ZFF4yU/s320/OB-AO603_EricCh_20070820171351.jpg)
MAKING THE GRADE
• The Issue: Some parents of students with learning disabilities say their children are graduating too easily.
• The Background: Federal laws raised school standards, but left loopholes. Increasingly, special-education students get special help to pass tests.
• The Problem: If schools game the system, those students move on without the skills they need.
People who read this also read:
IDEIA 2004,
NCLB/ IDEIA 2004,
Special Education
Thursday, August 16, 2007
Does RTI help or hinder?
As districts and states increasingly adapt "response to intervention" as a way to target young students before they fall behind, some educators and disability advocates worry it may delay services for some children with special needs. Parents can still demand a special-education assessment, but many are unaware of the rule. The Wall Street Journal
People who read this also read:
NCLB/ IDEIA 2004,
Response to Intervention,
Special Education
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
Restaurant chain's Autism Family Night helps stressed parents
Knowing that eating out was hard on her little brother with autism and their parents, 16-year-old Alexandra Abend helped 35 Massachusetts T.G.I. Friday's host an evening for children with autism. During the Autism Family Night, Alexandra's brother "had one of his episodes ... except no one was really looking at him and saying, 'What's wrong with your child? Why is he acting like that?' Instead, people asked, 'Are you okay? Do you need anything?' " TIME
People who read this also read:
Autism
Tips for teachers: How to establish your place in a new school
New teachers should find allies, avoid complainers and speak their mind from the start, says veteran National Board-certified teacher David Cohen. When disagreeing with other educators, express respectful disagreement to build credibility and a reputation for professionalism. Teacher Magazine
People who read this also read:
books,
Teachers/ Educators
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
Genetic discovery brings new insight into autism
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWM7W6Yp0_GoFXW0CB1nL2sYyCAx7FDpt4U9UFHG-JUsLUelK9UQFEVi8ESFq7lJ8fW1F4p5apXgT4U2-j5OKqgIkJ1zjyhyFdetckUz77us7C7ep46wKtpsrpH7lPwAnqk-53/s320/32865066.jpg)
Autism may be passed on from mother to child in much the same way as Down syndrome is, researchers say. "This is about the most exciting thing that has ever come along," said Portia Iversen, who established the Cure Autism Now Foundation. "This is a different lens in how we look at it. Their work sheds new light on autism." Newsday (Long Island, N.Y.)
People who read this also read:
Autism
Conflicting diagnoses often create conflict
When a doctor's diagnosis conflicts with school special-education evaluations, parents of children with special needs often feel they must push educators to ensure their child receives services. Fort Worth Star-Telegram (Texas)
How can parent-educator clashes be resolved?:
Washington Post columnist Jay Mathews looks at what can be learned from painful and personal clashes between educators and parents. In the first of a series, he considers parents who clashed with school leaders who dismissed a popular third-grade teacher. The Washington Post
How can parent-educator clashes be resolved?:
Washington Post columnist Jay Mathews looks at what can be learned from painful and personal clashes between educators and parents. In the first of a series, he considers parents who clashed with school leaders who dismissed a popular third-grade teacher. The Washington Post
People who read this also read:
NCLB/ IDEIA 2004,
Special Education
Social-networking site adds education component
A new site, StudyCurve.com, aims to help students network for study groups or connect with experts to answer questions. "It's something we're going to see more and more of, is this need to learn when you want to, when you need to and when you're on the move," e-learning analyst Claire Schooley said. "It's the direct opposite of sitting down and listening to somebody in a classroom." The Boston Globe/Associated Press
People who read this also read:
Technology in Education
School Recruiters Turn To 'Innovative Places'
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8B4P9MaJtfqhGrKXE1NiqO1taTT8sRTu6saXjgNQT0oTTeQekotQ7S0CKYjbejrnPLrq9cmgC5lVx6syFsQ1ULzwOa57SPVLNseZPSSh9OowRiFAaYUMpymBBQLymKfqdHt7I/s320/PH2007072201010.jpg)
The Filipino teachers are coveted by U.S. school systems, such as Prince George's. The county has 1,000 vacancies to fill by mid-August, and it recently hired a marketing firm and launched a Web site to boost recruitment.
"We're going to continue to look for teachers in innovative places," said Robert Gaskin, the system's recruitment officer. The Washington Post
I came to DC Public Schools the same way in October 2003. Now, after four years, I not only survived but thrived. Yes, tough times never last but tough people do. I wrote my reflections on my class website hoping that newbie teachers may learn something from my experience.
People who read this also read:
Filipino Teachers,
Teachers/ Educators
Friday, August 10, 2007
N.C. district revamps special education after parent complaints
As Chapel Hill-Carrboro schools revamp their special-education services, some are calling for more accountability, increased training and greater inclusion. "We've made progress, but the acceleration of the speed of the progress hasn't happened," said Jamezetta Bedford, the school board's chairwoman. The News & Observer (Raleigh, N.C.)
We badly need a special education revamp too here in DCPS ...I believe Chancellor Rhee has this in her transition plan.
People who read this also read:
Inclusion,
NCLB/ IDEIA 2004,
Special Education
Thursday, August 09, 2007
Study: Gene tied to ADHD may also help teens grow out of it
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc73eeRDADMcViFxfKWrh2Fns7jdOWIweVfELn3PMu_mFhS_PcF2UCWTiUp02YnDAlz95wM3pa2ukBc-5pQ49xM_F7R5UpjFFA0u3AuDak1R4IhzzA1xQVBKGkIQI8hyphenhyphenQmj-zz/s320/adhd_x220.jpg)
A gene that increases a child's risk of ADHD may also be responsible for helping children grow out of the disorder, according to a new National Institute of Mental Health study. Children with the gene variation had abnormal brain function at age 8 but normal activity by age 16. Technology Review
People who read this also read:
ADHD/ ADD,
Special Education,
Technology in Education
Wednesday, August 08, 2007
Wisconsin may require insurance companies to cover autism
Wisconsin's governor wants to add the state to 17 in the country that require health insurance plans to cover autism treatment. Many insurance companies don't cover autism under their plans because it is classified as an emotional disorder rather than a neurological one, leaving many on lengthy waiting lists for state services. Insurance Journal
People who read this also read:
Autism,
Special Education
Tuesday, August 07, 2007
Bullies, victims face increased mental-health risks
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPq7Fr7wcs6aUpB5cH9IQpQYEvn_FXe58QziAm3wnccRcHeA-PjVgfYF2O5_BCFmP9_9jTEaVGMWxhK-310XfQvvg2EkeVoJhBSb1tj9HmSbsQGdcSn_q8fJrPrVWkT1B3ThjK/s320/sectionL-490.jpg)
People who read this also read:
Special Education
Sunday, August 05, 2007
Children with disabilities learn to sail
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A Maryland sailing camp for students with learning disabilities, autism and ADHD gives children confidence, says Jim Muldoon, who watched his own son thrive in the water despite a learning disability. "This is a skill that you learn by feel, by intuition, by response and it's not something you have to read [in] a book or study," he said. The Washington Post
People who read this also read:
ADHD/ ADD,
Autism,
Special Education
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This list contains reviews of movies that I have viewed that profile autism or disabilities in general. Please let me know what I missed. Happy browsing!
- Change of Habit - House of Cards - Rain Man - Mercury Rising - The Boy Who Could Fly - I Am Sam - Benny and Joon - A Beautiful Mind - The Enigma of Kaspar Hauser - The Other Sister - As Good as It Gets - Shine - My Left Foot: The Story of Christy Brown - Sound and Fury - One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest - The Mighty - Simon Birch - Beyond Silence - Of Mice and Men - Matchstick Men - Nell - Lorenzo's Oil - Girl, Interrupted - ...First Do No Harm - My Sisters Keeper - Radio-The Boy Who Could Fly -Mercury Rising -Rain Man -House of Cards -Change of Habit -Being There -Down in the Delta -Forrest Gump -Relative Fear -Silent Fall -What's Eating Gilbert Grapes -When the Bough Breaks -The Wizard
- KIM PEEK
- HEATHER KUZMICH
- BRITTANY MAIER
- DANIEL TAMMET
- TY PENNINGTON
- FANTASIA
- JIM ABBOTT
- CHRIS BURKE
- TOM CRUISE
- PATTY DUKE
- JONNEL ENORME
- RENEE DUNALVO
- STEPHEN HAWKING
- CARLA DELA CRUZ
- HENRY HOLDEN
- MAGIC JOHNSON
- MARLEE MARTIN
- TERENCE PARKIN
- ITZAHK PERLMAN
- PATRICIA POLACCO
- CHRISTOPHER REEVE
- MARLA RUNYAN
- FRANKLIN ROOSEVELT
- MIKE UTLEY
- HEATHER WHITESTONE
Promethean Planet
![](http://runtime.widgetbox.com/syndication/track/6aa23557-ab7e-4515-a150-65fa0fb43862.gif)
DISCLAIMER
The following is the opinion of the writer and is not intended to malign any religion, ethnic group, club, organization, company, or individual. Any view or opinion represented in the blog comments are personal and is accredited to the respective commentor / visitor to this blog. This blogger reserves the right to moderate comment suitability in support of respecting racial, religious and political sensitivities, and in order to protect the rights of each commentor where available.