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Parental Guilt and Kids with Special Needs A brief article by a Canadian social worker on the psychological and emotional adjustment parents must make as they adapt to the realization that their child’s development will not follow the normal developmental curve and will require special services to adapt and overcome. Readers are welcome to print the article or use it in a newsletter. ++++++++++ Life Success for Children with Learning Disabilities Learning Disabilities researchers at the Frostig Center in Pasadena, California have identified key factors that contribute to success. They are: Understanding and nurturing these factors can aid in a child’s development and ability to overcome LD. This web site features a Guide for Parents that describes each of the six success attributes, makes recommendations on how to develop them in children, and includes tips on how to recognize if a child possesses any of these important characteristics. A Guide for Teachers offers assistance to teachers, activities, and resources for students with LD. ++++++++++ The Juvenile Law Center Fights for Reversal of Delinquency Adjudication of Child with Autism Spectrum Disability
JLC is working to overturn the delinquency adjudication of an 11-year-old with a neurological disability, Asperger’s Syndrome. JLC attorneys filed a brief in the case in the Superior Court of Pennsylvania in August. The boy’s classroom conduct, a manifestation of his disability, was the subject of 14 offenses brought in two delinquency petitions that were filed at his school district’s urging. The link above will take you to a link to the 29 page amicus brief filed by the JLC.
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New Report Advises that Obese Children be Screened for ADHD A report in the International Journal of Easting Disorders has found that nearly 60% of the children being treated for obesity in an Israeli hospital had symptoms of ADHD, significantly higher than the proportion in the general population for the same school age group. The study’s authors recommend that every obese child be screened to ADHD. ++++++++++ Resource Site: National Association of Parents with Children in Special Education (NAPCSE) Information on children with disabilities, special education law, resources for parents, information for parents, and experts in the field answer special education questions. ++++++++++ Learn the Signs. Act Early The National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities presents an Internet page for parents. Information here will help parents recognize a delay in childhood development which could be a sign of a developmental problem, particularly autism. Includes developmental milestones from 3 months of 5 years, fact sheets about screening, autism, cerebral palsy, vision loss, mental retardation, hearing loss, and ADHD. ++++++++++ EDJJ Publications
This link is to the publications section of the National Center on Education, Disability and Juvenile Justice and a substantial list of publications that will be of value to anyone who stands at the nexus of these fields. ++++++++++ Parents and Teens Finally Agree on Something: ADHD Treatment Works In the National Mental Health Association’s recent ADHD teen and parent survey says families with teenagers diagnosed with ADHD strongly believe that treating the condition can lead to significant improvements in school and at home. Roughly two-thirds of parents and their teen children credit treatment with contributing to better grades in school, higher self-esteem, improved social relationships and enhanced participation in extracurricular activities. ++++++++++ Abuse and Neglect of Children and Adults With Developmental Disabilities
A Web Course for Health Professionals and Other Professionals Serving People with Developmental Disabilities. The course consists of 13 self-paced instructional modules which address the complexity of issues that surface when abuse or neglect of children or adults with developmental disabilities is suspected. Each module includes learning objectives, self-study questions, references, resources, and links to relevant websites. Continuing education credits are available. Cost per person is $195 or on a descending scale for groups. ++++++++++ Testing Your Child and Teen for Learning Disabilities
An educational psychologist has written a book and produced a video to teach parents about the limitations of school-based evaluations and services, strategies for IEP meetings, developing goals and objectives, and ways to reduce the “misery index” for a learning disabled child. The video is 30 minutes long, the book is 44 pages. Both available at the site. ++++++++++ British Police Fight ADHD
Police in east Lancashire, UK, have launched an initiative to help children with attention deficit disorders avoid the risk of getting involved in crime. Community safety officers have spearheaded a multi-agency project to ensure children with ADHD are identified at an early stage and receive professional treatment. ++++++++++ GAO Report: Special Education – Children with Autism
This newly released report from the Government Accounting Office finds: The number of children diagnosed with autism served under IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act) has increased by more than 500 percent in the past decade. It is estimated than more than 1.5 million Americans live with some form of autism, including more than 100,000 children served under IDEA. Intervention at an early age is a key feature of successful approaches to educating children with autism. Characteristics of ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorders) are generally present by age 3 and include deficits in social interaction, deficits in verbal and nonverbal communication, and repetitive behaviors or interests. Often children with ASD have unusual responses to sensory stimulation.
The number of children diagnosed with autism served under IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act) has increased by more than 500 percent in the past decade. This is an unusually readable GAO report. 38 page pdf file. ++++++++++ Education Issue Brief – Improving Special Education for Children with Disabilities in Foster Care
Children in foster care can suffer in all kinds of ways. Their success in school is no exception. As a result of experiences both prior to and during foster care, children are at high risk for educational failure. From this report: A recent Washington State study found that a youth’s foster care status alone is associated with a 7-8 percentile-point gap in standardized test scores. Overall, they score 16-20 points lower on standardized achievement tests than other children. 24 page pdf file. Educating Children in Foster Care - From the National Conference of State Legislatures, another article on the same topic. A brief overview with some background about the academic performance of children in foster care and a description of what researchers have identified as major systemic obstacles to their academic success. 10 pages. ++++++++++ Youth with Disabilities in the Juvenile Justice System: Prevention and Intervention Strategies
The National Center on Secondary Education and Transition (NCSET) presents this Issue Brief which provides information on solutions based on restorative justice and wrap-around services, models and strategies for transition planning for youth with disabilities in the juvenile justice system. The National Center on Secondary Education and Transition (NCSET) presents this Issue Brief which provides . ++++++++++ Year 2004 Tax Benefits for Parents of Children with Learning Disabilities -- Brief summary of the most significant tax benefits for families with a child with a severe learning disability. ADHD, other physical, mental or emotional impairment may qualify. ++++++++++ ADHD and the Criminal Justice System: Spinning out of Control
The first book to be written about how ADHD interacts with the criminal justice system at all levels. Author, Patrick Hurley, was a deputy sheriff for 17 years and a probation/parole officer for five years His co-author, Robert Eme, PhD, is professor of psychology at Argosy University Schaumburg Illinois Campus and an advisor to the Illinois Department of Corrections. The cost of the book is $12.50 +$4 s/h when ordered directly from the author. For more information, to read an excerpt for the book and how to order, click on the link above. ++++++++++ Free Parenting Tools
The Discovery Tool and Referral System, available for use on the Internet, consists of a series of age-specific questions that parents and others can employ to quickly identify a variety of learning, communication, motor skill, and behavioral problems that may have been overlooked. According to the Center for the Improvement of Child Caring, close to 75% of the 3 million children under age 5 who have disabilities and other special needs are not being identified and treated before entering school. Parents and adult caregivers can use these tools to help identify whether a young child may have special needs that require professional education and to connect with a range of professionals, resources and education materials. The CICC has also launched a free electronic newsletter, Effective Parenting, on how to raise healthier, more confident children. To sign up go to http://www.ciccparenting.org/ and click on “Add me.” ++++++++++ Students Take Adderall to Boost Test Scores
Adderall, a drug prescribed for ADHD, is being used by high school and college students to boost their ability to take tests. They describe the effects as increasing their ability to stay sharp and alert and increasing their ability to concentrate. Even students who don’t want to use the drug feel they have to in order to compete effectively in the classroom. ++++++++++ COPAA – Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates
COPAA is an organization of attorneys, advocates, and parents established to improve the quality and quantity of legal assistance to parents of children with disabilities. The site includes resources, email discussion lists, tools and information of effective advocacy, conference and training, and special education policy and implementation. ++++++++++ Foster Youth with Disabilities
Two monographs from Oregon Health & Science University, classified as “awareness documents for parents, professionals and youth,” examine the issues of foster youth with disabilities and in special education. Both are pdf files. ++++++++++ National Resource Center on AD/HD Library
At the NRC web site access to a collection of resources on attention-deficit/
hyperactivity disorder and related topics is available. The collection includes books and articles for professionals, educators, parents, and individuals with AD/HD. This is a good one to bookmark. ++++++++++ Indiana Supreme Court Decision Requires Judges to Determine Child’s Competency
If children are determined to be incapable of understanding and assisting in their defense, they will have to be treated at county expense until they can understand. The Supreme Court decision arose from appeals in four cases that originated in Marion County Juvenile Court, In each case, children from the ages of 10 to 13 were charged with crimes that would be felonies if committed by adults. The charges included sexual battery, child molesting, arson and burglary. In each case, the child accused in the crime was mentally ill and mentally retarded. Judge James Payne ordered psychiatric evaluations and the children were found incompetent to undergo proceedings. They were turned over to the state department of mental health and state officials challenged Payne’s decision. ++++++++++ Child Trends Databank Reports
ADHD -- In 2002, one out of every 10 males ages three to 17 were reported to have been diagnosed with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder by a doctor or other health professional. Learning Disabilities -- In 2002, 10% of boys and 6% of girls ages three to 17 were identified by a school official or a health professional as having a learning disability. ++++++++++ Addressing the Needs of Youth with Disabilities in the Juvenile Justice System: The Current State of Knowledge
This report from the Urban Institute “summarizes and assesses the state of knowledge about children and youth with disabilities who are at risk of delinquency and involvement in, or who have already entered, the juvenile justice system, This is a long report, 124 pages, so I suggest you begin with the Executive Summary, which is the third page in the report and comes before the Table of Contents, to see if you want to download the complete report. Appendices B (internet resources) and D (case studies and illustrations) are useful and interesting.
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