In this issue you will Find Topics On:
- Autism
- Behavior Management
- Dropout Issues
- Early Intervention
- IEP
- Juvenile Issues
- Parent Teacher Partnerships
- Participation Requests
- Substance Abuse
- Transition Services
- Universal Design
Autism
NICHCY Resources for Autism Awareness
Autism Spectrum Disorders Fact Sheet.
https://nichcy.org/disability/specific/autism
https://nichcy.org/espanol/discapacidades/especificas/autismo
Therapies for children with autism spectrum disorders: Review of the research.
This guide describes research about the possible benefits and negative side effects of therapies for children who are between 2 and 12 years old and have an ASD. It was created to help parents and caregivers talk with their doctor, school administrator, social worker, and health insurance representative about programs and therapies.
English version: https://tinyurl.com/cp4j52k
En Español: https://tinyurl.com/cf4st8n
Preventing and dealing with autism behavior problems.
This help guide article provides valuable insights into how the behavior of a child with autism can be analyzed for its underlying messages about things that are important to the child.
https://helpguide.org/harvard/autism_revolution.htm
You might be an autism parent if …
Sometimes you just need to communicate with others who understand your challenges. A Twitter party with the hashtag #youmightbeanautismparentif offers a little snapshot of the inner lives of families who love someone with autism.
https://www.friendshipcircle.org/blog/2013/02/06/take-two-you-might-be-an-autism-parent-if/
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IEP Headquarters. The National Center for Learning Disabilities has created an IEP Headquarters on LD.org – a new section of its site that brings all of its IEP content (checklists, personal stories, videos, the new “IEP Roadmap” infographic, and more) together in one convenient place.
Don’t forget about the special factors when developing IEPs. There are 5 special factors to consider when writing or revising a student’s IEP: Is behavior an issue? Is the student limited English proficient? Could the student benefit from assistive technology? from Braille instruction? And there’s more. The school’s responsibilities when scheduling an IEP meeting.
Educators, share your thoughts on parent-teacher partnerships. Dr. Tracy Mueller is conducting a survey study about special educator preparation for building parent-teacher partnerships (specifically conflict prevention and dispute resolution). This survey should take no more than 5-10 minutes to complete. Please go to the link below and please forward this to any other educators you know. https://unco.us.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_cTQ1xtFEQpSgpc9
Resources for Autism Awareness
Age appropriate transition assessment toolkit, 3rd Edition. New from the National Secondary Transition Technical Assistance Center, this document helps educators work with students to develop postsecondary goals for the transition component of the IEP, make instructional programming decisions, and include information in the present level of performance related to a student’s interests, preferences, and needs in the IEP. https://nsttac.org/sites/default/files/assets/toolkits/ageAppTrans/AgeAppropriateTransitionAssessmentToolkit2013.pdf |
Behavior Management
Challenging behavior? Positive solutions for families.
This four-page brochure gives parents with 8 practical tips they can use when their young children exhibit challenging behavior. Each tip includes a brief explanation and an example of how parents might use the specific approach with their own family in everyday life.
English version: https://tinyurl.com/cruacsx
En Español: https://tinyurl.com/dyb9s8h
Dropout Issues
Building a Grad Nation: Progress and Challenge in Ending the High School Dropout Epidemic (February 2013)
Report
https://www.americaspromise.org/our-work/grad-nation/building-a-grad-nation.aspx
“Building a Grad Nation: Progress and Challenge in Ending the High School Dropout Epidemic,” from the Alliance for Excellent Education, America’s Promise Alliance, Civic Enterprises, and the Everyone Graduates Center at Johns Hopkins University, was released at the third annual “Building a Grad Nation” Summit, and reports that the U.S. is on track to meet the national Grad Nation goal of a 90% high school graduation rate by the Class of 2020. The national high school graduation rate has increased 6.5 percentage points since 2001, to 78.2%, with an average growth of 1.25 points each year from 2006 to 2010.
Early Intervention
Videos that show typical and atypical development.
If pictures speak louder than 1000 words, you’ll appreciate these videos comparing typical and atypical development at 2 months, 4 months, and 6 months. There’s also a video for parents called Is My Baby Okay?, and it’s available in English, Spanish, and Chinese.
https://pathways.org/lower-left-nav/pathways-videos/typical-atypical-development-comparisons-videos
Challenging behavior in young children: What’s developmentally appropriate and what’s a concern?
This brief from Early Head Start provides tips and strategies for understanding and managing challenging behavior in very young children.
https://www.ehsnrc.org/PDFfiles/TA10.pdf
Resources for Autism Awareness
ECTA Center’s Topic Page on Autism.
The Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center’s topic pages are a great place to find resources. Their Autism page offers information on early identification of ASD in young children, elements of effective programs, personnel preparation to serve young children with ASD, resources for families, and more.
https://www.ectacenter.org/topics/autism/autism.asp
IEP
All about the IEP.
Explore this section of our website to find answers to your IEP questions. Who’s on the IEP team? What’s in an IEP? What happens at IEP meetings? Can a member of the team be excused from attending an IEP meeting?
https://nichcy.org/schoolage/iep
Parent’s guide to developing your child’s IEP.
One of our most popular publications! It’s also available in Spanish.
https://nichcy.org/premium-publications/pa12
The IEP process needs you!
This guide is written for parents to help them prepare for and participate in the writing of their child’s IEP.
English version: https://sped.lausd.net/sepg2s/parents/iepprocess/iepprocesguide_eng.pdf
En Español: https://sped.lausd.net/sepg2s/parents/iepprocess/iepprocessguide_sp.pdf
Wrightslaw resources for IEP season.
Wrightslaw game plan: SMART IEPs.
https://www.wrightslaw.com/info/iep.goals.plan.htm
When the IEP services are not delivered.
https://www.wrightslaw.com/info/iep.replace.services.crabtree.htm
Can parents demand a member of the IEP team be excluded?
https://www.wrightslaw.com/blog/?p=147
IEP Headquarters.
The National Center for Learning Disabilities has created an IEP Headquarters on LD.org – a new section of its site that brings all of its IEP content (checklists, personal stories, videos, the new “IEP Roadmap” infographic, and more) together in one convenient place.
Don’t forget about the special factors when developing IEPs.
There are 5 special factors to consider when writing or revising a student’s IEP: Is behavior an issue? Is the student limited English proficient? Could the student benefit from assistive technology? from Braille instruction? And there’s more.
https://nichcy.org/schoolage/iep/meetings/special-factors
The school’s responsibilities when scheduling an IEP meeting.
What must the school do before convening an IEP meeting?
https://nichcy.org/schoolage/iep/meetings/scheduling
Juvenile Issues
Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Releases Survey Data on Juveniles in Residential Placement (March 2013)
Survey Data
https://www.icpsr.umich.edu/icpsrweb/NACJD/studies/34304
The Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP), through the National Archive of Criminal Justice Data, has released the Survey of Youth in Residential Placement (SYRP) 2003. SYRP collects data from youth in the juvenile justice system ages 10-20. The survey asked youth about their backgrounds, offense histories, experiences in the confinement facility, their use of alcohol and drugs, their medical needs and the services they received, and any experiences of victimization in placement.
Parent Teacher Partnerships
Educators, share your thoughts on parent-teacher partnerships.
Dr. Tracy Mueller is conducting a survey study about special educator preparation for building parent-teacher partnerships (specifically conflict prevention and dispute resolution). This survey should take no more than 5-10 minutes to complete. Please go to the link below and please forward this to any other educators you know.
https://unco.us.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_cTQ1xtFEQpSgpc9
Participation Requests
Learning Disabilities Association of America Call for Proposals
https://tinyurl.com/cl9pjcl
Learning Disabilities Association of America (LDA) is seeking proposals for the 2014 Conference to be held in Anaheim, CA, February 19-22, 2014, from anyone wishing to present a paper, conduct a workshop, provide an informational session, or make a formal presentation. LDA values sessions that present current and best practices, including basic information about the nature of learning disabilities as well as innovative approaches to advocacy, assessment, intervention, and instruction. A new strand for the 2014 LDA Conference is Correctional Education and Justice System. Deadline for submissions: May 15, 2013.
Southwest Conference on Disability Call for Papers
https://cdd.unm.edu/swconf/
The 2013 Southwest Conference on Disability Call For Papers is now open. The conference will be held October 8-11, 2013, in Albuquerque NM during the forty-first International Balloon Fiesta, and is accepting proposals on the following themes: The Rehabilitation Act at 40: Promises Kept, Promises Still to Keep; Assistive Technology: Opening the Door for People with Disabilities; When the Community, Business and Government Collaborate, People with Disabilities Work!; Access to Health for Women with Disabilities; and Brain Injury: A Family Affair Across the Lifespan. The deadline for proposals is May 28, 2013.
Call For Applications: The HSC Foundation’s Advocates in Disability Award
https://www.hscfoundation.org/2013ADA.php
The HSC Foundation is seeking applicants for the 2013 Advocates in Disability Award (ADA). The Advocates in Disability Award goes to a young person with a disability between the ages of 14-26, who is dedicated to positively affecting the lives of individuals with disabilities and their families in the United States. The program also supports an innovative project developed by the award recipient that serves and empowers individuals with disabilities. The recipient will be awarded $3,000 in recognition of past disability advocacy and will receive up to an additional $7,000 in funding support for a proposed project.
DCDT International Conference Seeks Presentations
https://www.dcdt.org/
The Division on Career Development and Transition (DCDT) has announced its Call for Presentations for their 17th International Conference. The conference will be held November 14-16, 2013, in Williamsburg VA. Deadline for submissions is April 12, 2013.
Education and Health Care Transition
https://education.ufl.edu/education-healthcare-transition
The University of Florida’s College of Education offers an online Graduate Certificate program for graduate students or professionals in education, medicine, nursing, social work, law, public health, public policy, or work in other education or health-related areas. The program teaches skills for integrating education and health care transitions and building expertise in this emerging discipline.
Mansfield Hall Program and Residence for Young Adults Attending College and Transitioning to Independence
https://www.mansfieldhall.org/
Mansfield Hall is a comprehensive, individualized program and residence in Burlington, Vermont, that supports young adults attending college and transitioning to independence. They serve students who have learning disabilities, mild autism, Asperger’s syndrome, nonverbal learning disabilities, ADHD, executive functioning impairments, or other students with unique characteristics that may pose challenges in the transition to college life. Their goal is to provide skills training in all areas of adaptive functioning so students can flourish academically, socially, vocationally, and emotionally.
U.S. Department of Education Seeks Input on PROMISE Competitive Grant Program
https://www2.ed.gov/about/inits/ed/promise/index.html
The U.S. Department of Education seeks input on a new competitive grant program, Promoting Readiness of Minors in Supplemental Security Income (PROMISE). The purpose of this program is to fund model demonstration projects in states to promote improved outcomes for children who receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and their families. Under this program, projects must form strong and effective partnerships among state agencies responsible for programs that play a key role in providing services to child SSI recipients and their families and provide coordinated services and supports designed to improve the education and employment outcomes of child SSI recipients and their families.
Substance Abuse
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s Cool Tools (2013)
Tools
https://archive.samhsa.gov/
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) provides an online list of “Cool Tool” resources for people who use mental health services, and service providers and helpers. Tools include a list of common medication side effects, tips on starting difficult conversations with your mental health service provider, a Wellness and Recovery Activities Journal and Planner, and checklists with questions to ask about medications, alternative medicine, and a current or new provider or program.
Transition Services
NCWD/Youth Releases Policy Brief on Using Individualized Learning Plans to Increase College and Career Readiness (February 2013)
Brief
https://www.ncwd-youth.info/ilp/produce-college-and-career-ready-high-school-graduates
The National Collaborative on Workforce and Disability for Youth (NCWD/Youth) has released a policy brief, “Using Individualized Learning Plans to Produce College and Career Ready High School Graduates,” which summarizes findings and recommendations from a multi-year individualized learning plans (ILP) research and demonstration project funded by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy. ILPs are increasingly used by states and school districts to support youth in becoming college and career ready. An ILP is both a document and a process that students use – with support from school counselors, teachers, and families – to define their career goals and postsecondary plans in order to inform the students’ decisions about their courses and activities throughout high school. The policy brief highlights key findings from the ILP studies, which examined whether and how ILPs may be considered a promising strategy for developing college and career readiness and whether and how students with disabilities are participating in ILPs.
Universal Design
National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) Publishes Brief on Universal Design for Learning Featuring NCWD/Youth (March 2013)
Brief
https://www.nassp.org/Content/158/prr_mar13_web2.pdf
NASSP released a research brief co-written by The National Collaborative on Workforce and Disability for Youth (NCWD/Youth) and featuring NCWD/Youth research. The brief, “Universal Design for Learning: Strategies Principals Can Employ in Their Schools,” recommends using the inclusive learning strategy known as universal design for learning (UDL) to reach a broader diversity of students. UDL promotes a framework that makes course instruction, materials, and content accessible and engaging for students of all learning styles by offering multiple, flexible ways for students to receive information and demonstrate their skills. The brief details the UDL model, recommendations to assist all students, and additional strategies that can benefit students with disabilities. Available in pdf (1.03 MB, 6 pp).
