This Week's Special-Needs News and Views
Your second chance at all of the special-needs news stories, articles, and blog posts featured as "Today's News" in the past week. Updated daily. (Looking for older stories? Check the topic folders.)
Top 50 Mommybloggers To Help You With Your New Baby
List Medicine Technology Web includes nine special-needs mommybloggers (including yours truly). (11/12/09)
List Medicine Technology Web includes nine special-needs mommybloggers (including yours truly). (11/12/09)
New brain findings on dyslexic children
From Science Blog: "Recent scientific studies suggest that children with developmental dyslexia -- a neurological disorder affecting reading and spelling skills in 5 to 10 percent of school aged children -- have difficulties separating relevant auditory information from competing noise." (11/12/09)
From Science Blog: "Recent scientific studies suggest that children with developmental dyslexia -- a neurological disorder affecting reading and spelling skills in 5 to 10 percent of school aged children -- have difficulties separating relevant auditory information from competing noise." (11/12/09)
Genetically Enhanced: We Can Make a Difference! Let's Help CDC!
From Genetically Enhanced: "I have (what I believe is) an amazing opportunity for families who have a child with Down syndrome. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has agreed to let me compile detailed feedback on their Ds Website from parents, and they will use that feedback as they work to re-create the Website!" (11/12/09)
From Genetically Enhanced: "I have (what I believe is) an amazing opportunity for families who have a child with Down syndrome. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has agreed to let me compile detailed feedback on their Ds Website from parents, and they will use that feedback as they work to re-create the Website!" (11/12/09)
REMOVE the "How Retarded Are You Quiz" Off Facebook
From LBRB: "Believe it or not, there is a application/quiz on Facebook called 'How Retarded Are You?' Luckily there is also a movement to have this removed from Facebook, with the simple mission statement." (11/12/09)
From LBRB: "Believe it or not, there is a application/quiz on Facebook called 'How Retarded Are You?' Luckily there is also a movement to have this removed from Facebook, with the simple mission statement." (11/12/09)
Help! My Child is in a Class with a PA Kid...
From Peanut Allergy Kid: "I received the following question from a reader. I am posting it because I want to encourage those of you who have children in school that there are other non-PA parents who truly do want to keep our kids safe!" (11/12/09)
From Peanut Allergy Kid: "I received the following question from a reader. I am posting it because I want to encourage those of you who have children in school that there are other non-PA parents who truly do want to keep our kids safe!" (11/12/09)
What NOT to Say or Do: Special Needs Living: Toddler Daily Buzz
From CafeMom: "What NOT to Say or Do to a Parent of a Special Needs Child" (11/12/09)
From CafeMom: "What NOT to Say or Do to a Parent of a Special Needs Child" (11/12/09)
Researcher: "Don't be too quick to lump Asperger's with autism"
From Disability News: "Autism expert Simon Baron-Cohen writes in the New York Times that experts should move cautiously on the proposal to remove Asperger's syndrome from the 'Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.' He says such a move could have wide-reaching consequences for people and their families, as well as for insurers." (11/11/09)
From Disability News: "Autism expert Simon Baron-Cohen writes in the New York Times that experts should move cautiously on the proposal to remove Asperger's syndrome from the 'Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.' He says such a move could have wide-reaching consequences for people and their families, as well as for insurers." (11/11/09)
Children with autism show slower pupil responses
From Science Blog: "University of Missouri researchers have developed a pupil response test that is 92.5 percent accurate in separating children with autism from those with typical development. In the study, MU scientists found that children with autism have slower pupil responses to light change." (11/11/09)
From Science Blog: "University of Missouri researchers have developed a pupil response test that is 92.5 percent accurate in separating children with autism from those with typical development. In the study, MU scientists found that children with autism have slower pupil responses to light change." (11/11/09)
Editorial: A culturally rich autism
From Disability News: "An editorial in the [Toronto] Globe and Mail says removing the term 'Asperger's' from the [DSM] would cause a 'lamentable' loss of identity for many. The editorial says Asperger's syndrome, with its combination of intelligence and social awkwardness, has received more attention in recent years as it has become popularized in books, television, and movies." (11/11/09)
From Disability News: "An editorial in the [Toronto] Globe and Mail says removing the term 'Asperger's' from the [DSM] would cause a 'lamentable' loss of identity for many. The editorial says Asperger's syndrome, with its combination of intelligence and social awkwardness, has received more attention in recent years as it has become popularized in books, television, and movies." (11/11/09)
Autism: Insult du jour?
From Disability News: "A French politician's recent use of the word 'autism' to criticize other political leaders has drawn attention to the transformation of the term into a fashionable insult." (11/11/09)
From Disability News: "A French politician's recent use of the word 'autism' to criticize other political leaders has drawn attention to the transformation of the term into a fashionable insult." (11/11/09)
Magic Could Be Trick To Pinpointing Autism
From Disability Scoop: "The key to identifying kids with and without autism may be in magic, a group of neurologists suspects. And yes, they're referring to the type of magic where a guy pulls a rabbit from his empty top hat or slices a girl in half before putting her back together." (11/11/09)
From Disability Scoop: "The key to identifying kids with and without autism may be in magic, a group of neurologists suspects. And yes, they're referring to the type of magic where a guy pulls a rabbit from his empty top hat or slices a girl in half before putting her back together." (11/11/09)
Stem Cells Show Promise In Treating Cerebral Palsy
From Disability Scoop: "At 9-months-old, cerebral palsy left Chloe Levine unable to crawl and with a permanently clenched right fist. Three years later, however, the girl has full use of her limbs and functions much like any other child her age thanks to an infusion of her own stem cells." (11/11/09)
From Disability Scoop: "At 9-months-old, cerebral palsy left Chloe Levine unable to crawl and with a permanently clenched right fist. Three years later, however, the girl has full use of her limbs and functions much like any other child her age thanks to an infusion of her own stem cells." (11/11/09)
Down Syndrome Terminations May Be Double Reported Rate
From Disability Scoop: "Women who learn prenatally that they are carrying a child with Down syndrome may be having abortions in twice the numbers officially reported, a British registry ... suggests. The disparity in record keeping is due to the fact that many British doctors call the terminations 'social' abortions rather than specifying that a DS diagnosis is behind the decision." (11/11/09)
From Disability Scoop: "Women who learn prenatally that they are carrying a child with Down syndrome may be having abortions in twice the numbers officially reported, a British registry ... suggests. The disparity in record keeping is due to the fact that many British doctors call the terminations 'social' abortions rather than specifying that a DS diagnosis is behind the decision." (11/11/09)
Father drops court battle to keep baby alive
From CNN: "Ultimately the father agreed with the mother and the hospital that the best thing for the baby was for 'his time (in intensive care) to end in a planned way, with the administration of a large dose of sedative, the removal of the ventilation tube and his consequent death,' the judge said." (11/11/09)
From CNN: "Ultimately the father agreed with the mother and the hospital that the best thing for the baby was for 'his time (in intensive care) to end in a planned way, with the administration of a large dose of sedative, the removal of the ventilation tube and his consequent death,' the judge said." (11/11/09)
News Flash! Special-Needs Parenting Is Stressful!
Researchers say the amount of stress hormone in moms of kids with autism is "consistent with people experiencing chronic stress, such as soldiers in combat." (11/11/09)
Researchers say the amount of stress hormone in moms of kids with autism is "consistent with people experiencing chronic stress, such as soldiers in combat." (11/11/09)
Judge Denies Mom's Bid To Exempt Girl From Vaccine Requirement
From Disability Scoop: "A federal judge has ruled against a West Virginia mom who wanted her daughter to be excused from school vaccination requirements due to fears about autism." (11/11/09)
From Disability Scoop: "A federal judge has ruled against a West Virginia mom who wanted her daughter to be excused from school vaccination requirements due to fears about autism." (11/11/09)
Op-ed: ‘Our most vulnerable people deserve a full chance in life’
From Disability News: "Writing in the Kansas City Star, Lisa Cannady says Kansans like her son Pierce must endure years on waiting lists before they can get the government services they're entitled to receive." (11/11/09)
From Disability News: "Writing in the Kansas City Star, Lisa Cannady says Kansans like her son Pierce must endure years on waiting lists before they can get the government services they're entitled to receive." (11/11/09)
8 Tips for a Safe & Savory Thanksgiving!
From Allergy Moms: Tips on handling holidays when your child has food allergies. (11/11/09)
From Allergy Moms: Tips on handling holidays when your child has food allergies. (11/11/09)
Texas students with disabilities face broad use of restraints
From Disability News: "State data shows that Texas educators forcibly pinned down students with disabilities more than 18,000 times in the last school year, sometimes causing injury. A handful of districts reported more than 40 incidents of restraint per every 100 students with disabilities during the 2007-2008 school year." (11/11/09)
From Disability News: "State data shows that Texas educators forcibly pinned down students with disabilities more than 18,000 times in the last school year, sometimes causing injury. A handful of districts reported more than 40 incidents of restraint per every 100 students with disabilities during the 2007-2008 school year." (11/11/09)
Gluten Free Snack Options
Over the past year my teen sons and I have tried a variety of gluten free and/or gluten free casein free (GFCF) snacks which were either purchased, received through a twitter party or a blog giveaway. The following is a brief review of each, covering the hits and misses of snacks and treats.
Over the past year my teen sons and I have tried a variety of gluten free and/or gluten free casein free (GFCF) snacks which were either purchased, received through a twitter party or a blog giveaway. The following is a brief review of each, covering the hits and misses of snacks and treats.
Geneticist Highlights Limitations of Prenatal Testing
From About.com Down Syndrome: "Research found that expectant parents who received a prenatal diagnosis felt that their doctors gave them inaccurate and incomplete information about Down syndrome, and other research has shown that many physicians are uncomfortable and unprepared providing this information." (11/10/09)
From About.com Down Syndrome: "Research found that expectant parents who received a prenatal diagnosis felt that their doctors gave them inaccurate and incomplete information about Down syndrome, and other research has shown that many physicians are uncomfortable and unprepared providing this information." (11/10/09)
Children with Autism More Likely to Have Handwriting Problems
From Newswise: "The research found that half of the children with autism earned less than 80 percent of the total possible points on the handwriting assessment, compared to only one child in the group without autism." (11/10/09)
From Newswise: "The research found that half of the children with autism earned less than 80 percent of the total possible points on the handwriting assessment, compared to only one child in the group without autism." (11/10/09)
Watch for kidney stones in kids with abdominal pain
From Reuters: "Doctors, and their parents, should consider kidney stones in kids with recurrent abdominal pain, especially those who have a history of such stones in the family, even if painful and blood urination is absent." (11/10/09)
From Reuters: "Doctors, and their parents, should consider kidney stones in kids with recurrent abdominal pain, especially those who have a history of such stones in the family, even if painful and blood urination is absent." (11/10/09)
Physical Restraint of a Medically Fragile Child
From Wrightslaw: "My 6 year old grandson has ASD, Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis, and Hypermobility Syndrome. He is prone to fractures and in danger of re-fracturing the same bone over and over. He was physically restrained at school and received numerous bruises." (11/10/09)
From Wrightslaw: "My 6 year old grandson has ASD, Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis, and Hypermobility Syndrome. He is prone to fractures and in danger of re-fracturing the same bone over and over. He was physically restrained at school and received numerous bruises." (11/10/09)
My Child Was Diagnosed with Celiac Disease -- Now What?
From Be Free for Me: "Learning about celiac disease and how to eliminate gluten can be very challenging for both the child and family, especially in the beginning. Start slow and take it one day at a time!" (11/10/09)
From Be Free for Me: "Learning about celiac disease and how to eliminate gluten can be very challenging for both the child and family, especially in the beginning. Start slow and take it one day at a time!" (11/10/09)
Novel "Chameleon" Portrays Teenager's Experience With SAD
From About.com Social Anxiety Disorder: "Fifteen-year-old Jordan Taylor Brown knows what it is like to suffer with social anxiety disorder (SAD). Having suffered with the disorder since she was a toddler, Brown has written a fictional account based on her experience with the disorder." (11/10/09)
From About.com Social Anxiety Disorder: "Fifteen-year-old Jordan Taylor Brown knows what it is like to suffer with social anxiety disorder (SAD). Having suffered with the disorder since she was a toddler, Brown has written a fictional account based on her experience with the disorder." (11/10/09)
H1N1 (Swine Flu) Information for Dental Offices and Dental Patients
From About.com Dentistry: "If you are concerned about your upcoming dental appointment, and are wondering what your dentist is doing to prevent the spread of H1N1 in the dental office, here are some of the guidelines the CDC prepared for dental offices to consider adapting into their practice during this obviously stressful time." (11/10/09)
From About.com Dentistry: "If you are concerned about your upcoming dental appointment, and are wondering what your dentist is doing to prevent the spread of H1N1 in the dental office, here are some of the guidelines the CDC prepared for dental offices to consider adapting into their practice during this obviously stressful time." (11/10/09)
Gluten-free gingerbread
A recipe from Gluten-Free Girl and the Chef. (11/10/09)
A recipe from Gluten-Free Girl and the Chef. (11/10/09)
Teach Math Skills to Children with Language Processing Deficits
From About.com LD: "Children with language processing deficits have difficulty with understanding spoken language, completing language based tasks in school, and with the ability to retain information in long-term memory for later recall and use. They may also have difficulty with math concepts and problem solving." (11/9/09)
From About.com LD: "Children with language processing deficits have difficulty with understanding spoken language, completing language based tasks in school, and with the ability to retain information in long-term memory for later recall and use. They may also have difficulty with math concepts and problem solving." (11/9/09)
Modeling a Positive Attitude about School
From Suite 101: "Parents who encourage and model positive opinions about education can teach kids to manage school stress and enjoy the experience." (11/9/09)
From Suite 101: "Parents who encourage and model positive opinions about education can teach kids to manage school stress and enjoy the experience." (11/9/09)
For Young Boys with Cancer, A Possible Option to Preserve Fertility
From Newswise: "From infants up to younger adolescents, at-risk boys can have a tiny portion of their testis removed and frozen for their potential future use. Researchers are also using part of the tissue to investigate ways to help the immature cells in the testes to develop into useable sperm." (11/9/09)
From Newswise: "From infants up to younger adolescents, at-risk boys can have a tiny portion of their testis removed and frozen for their potential future use. Researchers are also using part of the tissue to investigate ways to help the immature cells in the testes to develop into useable sperm." (11/9/09)
4,000 Percent Increase in Pediatric Bipolar Disorder
From About.com Bipolar: "Whether the figure is fourfold, 600 percent or 4,000 percent, bipolar disorder is being diagnosed with significantly more frequency in children. However, these numbers are painting a colorless, two-dimensional perspective on the reality of childhood onset bipolar disorder." (11/9/09)
From About.com Bipolar: "Whether the figure is fourfold, 600 percent or 4,000 percent, bipolar disorder is being diagnosed with significantly more frequency in children. However, these numbers are painting a colorless, two-dimensional perspective on the reality of childhood onset bipolar disorder." (11/9/09)
Should Asperger Syndrome Be Considered an Autism Spectrum Disorder?
Take a poll on the About.com Autism site. (11/9/09)
Take a poll on the About.com Autism site. (11/9/09)
Marlee Matlin #1 on Google Trends
From About.com Deafness: "This much publicity for Marlee Matlin could help the deaf and hard of hearing community in the effort to get HR 3101 passed in Congress, because she is now the National Association of the Deaf (NAD) spokesperson for accessible broadband services and Internet media." (11/9/09)
From About.com Deafness: "This much publicity for Marlee Matlin could help the deaf and hard of hearing community in the effort to get HR 3101 passed in Congress, because she is now the National Association of the Deaf (NAD) spokesperson for accessible broadband services and Internet media." (11/9/09)
Top 10 Ways Doctors can Annoy Patients
From Musings of a Distractible Mind: "You may not realize it, but we have a special class in medical school dedicated solely to the ways to annoy and embarrass our patients. It's an art, really." (11/9/09)
From Musings of a Distractible Mind: "You may not realize it, but we have a special class in medical school dedicated solely to the ways to annoy and embarrass our patients. It's an art, really." (11/9/09)
Diagnosis, Determinism and the DSM V
From Estee Klar: "Until autism and many issues are no longer viewed as problems to be solved, but rather atypicalities that require our understanding and providing for, we will forever find ourselves spinning on the hamster's wheel." (11/9/09)
From Estee Klar: "Until autism and many issues are no longer viewed as problems to be solved, but rather atypicalities that require our understanding and providing for, we will forever find ourselves spinning on the hamster's wheel." (11/9/09)
Be aware that off-field problems can affect athletes on the field
From Norwich Bulletin: "Too often we assume that a child who is an exceptional or even average athlete on the field can't possibly have academic problems or other social issues off it." (11/9/09)
From Norwich Bulletin: "Too often we assume that a child who is an exceptional or even average athlete on the field can't possibly have academic problems or other social issues off it." (11/9/09)
Visually impaired gamer sues Sony Online
From JFActivist: "Refusal to implement or facilitate changes to make online games more accessible violates Americans with Disabilities Act, suit claims." (11/8/09)
From JFActivist: "Refusal to implement or facilitate changes to make online games more accessible violates Americans with Disabilities Act, suit claims." (11/8/09)
Victory! Court Protects Teacher-Advocate-Whistleblower
From JFActivist: "The 9th Circuit held that a teacher that complains to her administrators and files a complaint with the US Department of Education Office for Civil Rights for violations of the students' rights is protected from harassment and retaliation under both Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act." (11/8/09)
From JFActivist: "The 9th Circuit held that a teacher that complains to her administrators and files a complaint with the US Department of Education Office for Civil Rights for violations of the students' rights is protected from harassment and retaliation under both Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act." (11/8/09)
1 in 10 People With Disabilities Have been Victims of a Hate Crime
From JFActivist: "Leonard Cheshire Disability included question on disability-related crime after high-profile incidents in which disabled people had been targeted." (11/8/09)
From JFActivist: "Leonard Cheshire Disability included question on disability-related crime after high-profile incidents in which disabled people had been targeted." (11/8/09)
Guiding the ADHD Child to Clean His Room
From Suite 101: "Schedules and Strategies to Help Attention Deficit Organization." (11/7/09)
From Suite 101: "Schedules and Strategies to Help Attention Deficit Organization." (11/7/09)
Columnist: ‘Hateful’ language can spur violence against disabled
From Disability News: "When did people with disabilities cease to matter in the battle against bigotry?" (11/7/09)
From Disability News: "When did people with disabilities cease to matter in the battle against bigotry?" (11/7/09)
How One Kid Dealt with Mental Illness
From MomLogic: "'You're only as sick as your secrets.' So goes one of the opening lines of a new documentary aimed at exposing and eliminating the stigma against mental illness. 'No Kidding, Me Too!' was produced by "Sopranos" star Joey Pantoliano." (11/7/09)
From MomLogic: "'You're only as sick as your secrets.' So goes one of the opening lines of a new documentary aimed at exposing and eliminating the stigma against mental illness. 'No Kidding, Me Too!' was produced by "Sopranos" star Joey Pantoliano." (11/7/09)
Why Won't My Son's School Give Me Details of Inappropriate Behavior?
From Empowering Parents: "At my next meeting with the school, I am going to ask if there are any more incidents, I would like 'the who, what, when, where, and how.' It determines the how, when, where, and who I talk to about my child." (11/6/09)
From Empowering Parents: "At my next meeting with the school, I am going to ask if there are any more incidents, I would like 'the who, what, when, where, and how.' It determines the how, when, where, and who I talk to about my child." (11/6/09)
Questions that hurt, comments that help
From 5 Minutes for Special Needs: "You're sitting there minding your own business when BAM, some friend, relative or stranger asks you a question about your child that levels you. These questions would not be in the 'well meaning' category." (11/6/09)
From 5 Minutes for Special Needs: "You're sitting there minding your own business when BAM, some friend, relative or stranger asks you a question about your child that levels you. These questions would not be in the 'well meaning' category." (11/6/09)
Orthoses, Braces, and Splints
From Teaching Learners with Multiple Special Needs: "Eventually, if not from the first day of your special education career, you will come in contact with braces, splints and orthoses. You will be expected to apply and remove them, monitor skin integrity and teach others to do all of these things." (11/6/09)
From Teaching Learners with Multiple Special Needs: "Eventually, if not from the first day of your special education career, you will come in contact with braces, splints and orthoses. You will be expected to apply and remove them, monitor skin integrity and teach others to do all of these things." (11/6/09)
Asthma Not Determined by Genetics Alone
From Newswise: "While progress has been made in identifying genes associated with asthma, the disease is complex, and its development is likely dependent upon both genetics and environmental exposures, according to a leading expert presenting at the annual meeting of the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology." (11/6/09)
From Newswise: "While progress has been made in identifying genes associated with asthma, the disease is complex, and its development is likely dependent upon both genetics and environmental exposures, according to a leading expert presenting at the annual meeting of the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology." (11/6/09)
Got Choices?
From About.com Special Education: "At the same time I was thinking about the success that one of my students has been experiencing. I realized that part of his success was he was getting to make some choices. ... I realized that for each of my students, I need to be thinking about how I build some choice into each kid's programs." (11/6/09)
From About.com Special Education: "At the same time I was thinking about the success that one of my students has been experiencing. I realized that part of his success was he was getting to make some choices. ... I realized that for each of my students, I need to be thinking about how I build some choice into each kid's programs." (11/6/09)
Woman shatters stereotypes about Down syndrome
From Disability News: "Nineteen-year-old Abby Loy, who has Down syndrome, is a high school graduate and community college student, and has lobbied Congress. She has been touring her region in recent weeks to give oral presentations about Down syndrome to government and education groups, saying the disorder has not stopped her from living a happy life." (11/6/09)
From Disability News: "Nineteen-year-old Abby Loy, who has Down syndrome, is a high school graduate and community college student, and has lobbied Congress. She has been touring her region in recent weeks to give oral presentations about Down syndrome to government and education groups, saying the disorder has not stopped her from living a happy life." (11/6/09)
Top Ten Ways to Annoy Your Doctor
From Musings of a Distractible MInd: "Some suggestions for disgruntled patients (or grutled ones, for that matter) to make their doctor%u2019s day much worse." (11/6/09)
From Musings of a Distractible MInd: "Some suggestions for disgruntled patients (or grutled ones, for that matter) to make their doctor%u2019s day much worse." (11/6/09)