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Showing posts from December, 2012

Parents Sue School District Over 7-year-old Daughter’s Death :: California Business Litigation Blog

Parents Sue School District Over 7-year-old Daughter’s Death :: California Business Litigation Blog

Solitary Confinement? Parents concerned over school's use of "Isolation Booth" - YouTube

Solitary Confinement? Parents concerned over school's use of "Isolation Booth" - YouTube

R-7 board urges Congress to stop budget cuts

R-7 board urges Congress to stop budget cuts

Spokane Nominated as Blue Ribbon School – HometownDailyNews.com

Spokane Nominated as Blue Ribbon School – HometownDailyNews.com

Kate Casas: Rural and Urban Education Needs Not That Different After All

Kate Casas: Rural and Urban Education Needs Not That Different After All

Diagnostic Checklist Form E-2 and Research Questionnaire Form E-3 | Autism Research Institute

Diagnostic Checklist Form E-2 and Research Questionnaire Form E-3 | Autism Research Institute ARI's Diagnostic Checklist, Form E-2, was developed by Dr. Bernard Rimland to diagnose children with Kanner's syndrome, which is also known as 'classical autism.' Many parents and professionals have also used the E-2 checklist to assist in the diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The responses on Form E-2 are entered into a computer which calculates a diagnostic score. The score along with its interpretation is sent to the person or agency submitting the checklist. In addition, a file number is assigned to each child for data recording and analysis, and to ensure confidentiality. There is no charge for this service.

Life on the Other Side of the Wall: An Open Letter to the Media

Life on the Other Side of the Wall: An Open Letter to the Media An Open Letter to the Media “Asperger Syndrome”— That’s what I saw on the news headline in bright, bold red letters on Friday. If I didn’t already know what it was because I have it I probably would have been afraid of it. In the article that followed the autism spectrum wasn’t properly explained and to the uninformed, the only thing to gather was that all things autism were dangerous.   What is being left out of the conversation is that those were Asperger’s, and other autism spectrum disorders, are far more likely to be a victim of a crime than the one committing it. And often times the person on the spectrum  will not  speak up about it because of communication issues. What is also being left out of the conversation is perhaps the most important line about the autism spectrum and that is, “If you’ve met one person with autism you’ve only met one person with autism.” It is dangerous and irresponsible to generalize

Teacher accused of improperly strapping autistic child; faces firing - South Florida Sun-Sentinel.com

Teacher accused of improperly strapping autistic child; faces firing - South Florida Sun-Sentinel.com

Educational Leadership:The Inclusive School:Sometimes Separate Is Better

Educational Leadership:The Inclusive School:Sometimes Separate Is Better

"I Am Adam Lanza’s Psychiatrist": A Response From the Mental Health Trenches to "I Am Adam Lanza’s Mother" | xoJane

"I Am Adam Lanza’s Psychiatrist": A Response From the Mental Health Trenches to "I Am Adam Lanza’s Mother" | xoJane

Recent Tragedies Not Related to Autism | International Coalition for Autism and All Abilities

Recent Tragedies Not Related to Autism | International Coalition for Autism and All Abilities

Sibling Caregivers Find Responsibilities A Struggle

http://www.disabilityscoop.com/2012/12/05/sibling-caregivers-struggle/16899/ My children would not be facing this is the school district had done their job.  Not only did they rob my son of a future, but they forced his sisters to be responsible for him after I am gone. About half of adult siblings of those with developmental disabilities either are or plan to be the primary caregiver for their brother or sister, but many are unprepared for the responsibility, a new survey finds. The national  poll  released Wednesday indicates that among adult siblings of those with a disability, 23 percent are currently serving as primary caregivers while 1 in 3 expect to take on that role in the future. And many are finding the experience to be daunting, fraught with emotional and financial challenges and little support. The survey conducted by the market research firm Ipsos on behalf of Easter Seals solicited feedback from 351 brothers and sisters of people with developmental disabilities

Parent Observations v. Student Confidentiality

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http://www.wrightslaw.com/info/priv.confid.observe.htm Parent Observations v. Student Confidentiality by Pete Wright and Pam Wright Print this page " Do I have a right to observe the class before agreeing (or not agreeing) to a placement for my child? The special ed director said I cannot observe the class because of  confidentiality issues with the other children. " Pete says: I have represented kids with disabilities since 1978. In all these years, I have never had an instance where a school denied a parent, or the parent's private sector expert, the opportunity to observe a potential placement. The school board attorneys with whom I have worked over the years have always permitted observations by parents and the parent's outside experts. When a school administrator takes this position, it creates an appearance of two things (both bad): (1) that the program is clearly not appropriate and the parent will quickly discover this, and (2) that the school is

How Do They Sleep At Night?

How Do They Sleep At Night Sometimes I sit and relive the past four years.  I think of all of the tears, anger, frustration, fear, anxiety, and hurt that my family has gone through.  Then I think of all of the other families that are going through the same thing.  Their lives being destroyed while they sit back and helplessly watch it happen. One thing always comes to mind.  How do the people that are paid with my tax dollars sleep at night?  How can they destroy the life and future of another human being and then take their paycheck?  How can they hug their children while they are destroying the lives of other children?  I was raised in the 60s and the 70s.  My parents were strict and taught us to be honest, caring, and loving human beings.  We were taught that you never progress in life without hard work, integrity, honor, and respect.  You never hurt others or lie.  I wonder what the parents our of teachers, principals, superintendents, legislators, and school board official

Are Teachers Required to Provide All Accommodations & Modifications Listed in the Child's IEP?

This is my dear to me because my son's psychologist stated that my son needed one-on-one help with multiplication and division because he couldn't do either in the 10th grade.  Because of his dysgraphia he should be allowed to use a calculator in other areas of math that he understood.  The Autism Coordinator for the district said that they would just give him a calculator for all math. I stated that is not what the psychologist said and the AC said that was my interpretation. http://www.wrightslaw.com/advoc/ltrs/accoms.mods.kelly.htm Give Calculators or Teach Math Skills? You asked about using calculators on a math test.   Children must learn math skills - calculators are tools but they are not a substitute for the need to learn math skills. Children must learn (memorize) the times tables up to 12 X 12 = 144. This means repetition, repetition, repetition, over and over, using flash cards, multi-sensory approaches, hands on. The child must master the times tables so their

Complaint: Students with disabilities restrained or isolated at Prince William school - The Washington Post

Complaint: Students with disabilities restrained or isolated at Prince William school - The Washington Post

GPA standards for teachers increase | The Columbia Daily Tribune - Columbia, Missouri

GPA standards for teachers increase | The Columbia Daily Tribune - Columbia, Missouri

Which Congressman Is Blocking Bill That Would Protect Kids with Autism? - ABC News

Which Congressman Is Blocking Bill That Would Protect Kids with Autism? - ABC News "Chairman Kline believes state officials and school leaders are best equipped to determine appropriate policies that should be in place to protect students and to hold those who violate those policies accountable," said Alexandra Haynes Sollberger, the communications director for the House Committee on Education and the Workforce. "For this reason, the committee has not scheduled any action on seclusion and restraint legislation at this time."
When I filed my child complaint with DESE I complained that the district would not put my son's evaluation scores in the IEP and they would not allow me put them in my parent concerns.  DESE found in favor of the district.  I just read the following on their website from one of their webinars.  How can they state what is mandatory and then deny it in a child complaint? 21. Apparently some attorneys are recommending that evaluation findings and/or specific baselines not be included in IEP's, but from a compliance standpoint, is that recommended or even permissible?   Answer: It is required to have a summary of the most recent evaluation/reevaluation results and changes in the current functioning in the child.  We recommend they include it somewhere in the IEP.  Most people put it in the present level but the requirement is that it is in the IEP.

Race to the Top District Grants: Five Local Applicants, No Local Finalists « KC Education Enterprise

Race to the Top District Grants: Five Local Applicants, No Local Finalists « KC Education Enterprise

Webcast: Moving from Awareness to Action in Bullying Prevention: Training Resources for the Field

Webcast: Moving from Awareness to Action in Bullying Prevention: Training Resources for the Field

Asperger’s gone, dyslexia stays in first change to psychiatric manual in almost 20 years - The Washington Post

Asperger’s gone, dyslexia stays in first change to psychiatric manual in almost 20 years - The Washington Post One reason for the change is that some states and school systems don’t provide services for children and adults with Asperger’s, or provide fewer services than those given an autism diagnosis, she said.