1) Breakthrough reveals unexpected world of girl with autism
For most of her 13 years, Carly Fleischman's severe autism has prevented her from communicating, and experts said she likely had moderate to severe mental impairments. But after a therapist taught her to use symbols on a computer keyboard, Carly was suddenly able to communicate for the first time, revealing a hidden life that even her parents had not imagined. "We were stunned," said Carly's father, Arthur Fleischmann. "We realized inside was an articulate, intelligent, emotive person that we had never met." ABC News (02/19)
2) Appeals court says NCLB trumps IDEA
NCLB's standardized-testing requirements supersede provisions contained in the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act that call for individualized education for children with disabilities, a federal appeals court ruled unanimously. However, the panel said the two Illinois districts that filed the lawsuit against the federal Department of Education could continue pursuing that aspect of their case that challenges the costs of implementing NCLB's testing requirements. Education Week (02/14)
3) Response to Intervention sparks parent backlash
Response to Intervention is irritating some parents, who say it's taking too long for districts to test students for obvious learning disabilities. "We feel like we are chasing our tails here," said Jereme Goshorn, whose third-grade daughter Tylor has been assigned to specialists without any testing for what Goshorn believes is a learning disorder. "It's obvious there's something wrong." Washington Post, The (12/31)
4) Study: Autism social-skills training ineffective
Programs to teach social skills to children with autism are largely ineffective and result in little change outside the classroom, according to an Indiana University meta-analysis of 55 published research studies, which appears in this month's Journal of Remedial and Special Education. Although outcomes for such training were poor overall, programs in normal classroom settings were more likely to result in positive changes than those in pull-out settings. ScienceDaily (06/26)
5) Infants treated early for autism overcoming symptoms
Joshua Huffman was one of several dozen infants diagnosed with autism as part of a groundbreaking study. Now, three years later, after intensive and early therapy, Joshua puts together puzzles with ease, plays around with his older brother and speaks clearly. Sun (Baltimore), The (free registration) (07/21)
6) 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. Wall Street Journal, The (subscription required) (08/16)
7) Study: Dyslexia causes brain to use wrong side for reading
People with dyslexia try to use the right side of their brains to read, according to a new brain-mapping study by New Zealand psychologist Karen Waldie. Her research indicates the brain is flexible and also supports that dyslexia is a neurological condition. New Zealand Herald, The (04/24)
8) Gender may mask symptoms in girls with undiagnosed autism
Even with two brothers with autism and her mother's hunch that something was wrong, Kaede Sakai's own autism wasn't easily diagnosed. Girls with autism are more concerned with pleasing adults, controlling their anger and interacting with peers, says Brenda Myles, who specializes in girls with autism. ABC News (01/23)
9) Teen's new book about life with autism offers insights
Diagnosed with autism at age 3, Tito Rajarshi Mukhopadhyay was not expected to communicate, but his chemist mother developed new methods to help him express himself. Now, at 19, he has written a new book -- his third -- about the sensory experience of autism. Washington Post, The (02/14)
10) Report: 41 states fail to meet IDEA requirements
Four out of five U.S. states are falling short of Individuals with Disabilities Education Act requirements, the U.S. Education Department says. The first-ever federal report cards found nine states were in full compliance: Alaska, Connecticut, Hawaii, Michigan, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia and Wyoming. Easing the transition from school to college or the work force was a common trouble spot. San Diego Union-Tribune (06/20)
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