Monthly Archives: February 2016

February Special Needs Article Links

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Welcome to the February article links and resources. These are articles that I  tweeted during the month of February on special needs and developmental disability topics. I tweet articles and links everyday.

  1. Video games: A new therapeutic frontier for cerebral palsy– The Globe and Mail
  2. In case of emergency: ID bands offer extra protection for people with disabilities– Record Eagle
  3. 5 special things you might not know about autism– Autism Parenting Magazine
  4. Lego reveals first ever toy figure in a wheelchair– Independent
  5. Parents are the best advocates for children with sensory processing disorder– The Sensory Spectrum
  6. Trying to explain sensory processing disorder– Attachment Mummy
  7. How to design a calming room for kids with autism– autism.baydakh
  8. 5 reasons to read the autism book everyone’s talking about– parents.com
  9. 10 key reasons why autism unemployment so high– Autism Worlds- Eye Blog
  10. How to help your Aspie learn social skills: the 6 P’s to social skills coaching for parents– Autism Parenting Magazine
  11. Promises every special educator should make to their student’s parents– Think Inclusive.
  12. Bill requiring cameras in special education classrooms get mixed emotions-WSLS
  13. Scientist discover a link between epilepsy and autism for the first time– Daily Mail
  14. 10 rules for being an autism mom-Bloggy Mom
  15. 12 year old girl creates app inspired by sister on autism spectrum-ABCNews
  16. Why recognizing dyslexia in children at school can be difficult-KQED
  17. 24 tips for parenting a child with sensory processing disorder-Crystal & Co.
  18. Orlando hospital pilots ER program to help kids with autism-Bay News 9
  19. 5 things you must know about dating someone with sensory processing disorder-Health Medicine Network
  20. What it’s like to live with autism as an adult– Good housekeeping

 

Resources On Meditation

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Meditation is said to have been around for over 5,000 years. Meditation serves the purpose of caring for the mind, body and spirit. It is the experience of relaxing the body, quieting the mind and awakening the spirit.

Steps:
  1. Find a comfortable place to sit.
  2. Slowly close your eyes.
  3. Take a deep breath
  4. Focus on the sensation of the air moving in and out of your lungs
  5. Start slow- commit to 10 minutes a day
  6. Give thanks.

The following are helpful articles on meditation:

7 Ways Meditation can Actually Change the Brain
Meditation 101: Techniques, Benefits and Beginner’s How To
Easy and Relaxing Meditation
Mayo Clinic
How to meditate
Meditation for Beginners
WebMD
Wikipedia
 The Quieter You Become, The More You Can Hear

The following are great video’s on meditation by the Honest Guys. This site includes video’s that are guided. If you prefer meditation in silence, they also have great video’s with different types of background sounds:

 

Dysgraphia

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Dysgraphia is a learning disability disorder that may affect handwriting, spelling and the ability to put thoughts onto paper.

Causes

May be part of the following diagnosis:

  • Sequencing Problems
  • Attention Deficit Hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
  • Visual process weakness
Symptoms
  • An awkward pencil grip
  • Difficulty organizing thoughts on paper
  • Unable to finish words on paper
  • May become tired quickly from writing
  • Lack of punctuation and capitalization
  • Avoids writing

The following resources include information on causes, symptoms and treatment:

Attitude Magazine

Davidson Institute

IDonline

National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NIDS)

Smart Kids

Understood

Wikipedia

Wrightslaw

Articles Relating to Dysgraphia

Accommodations modifications for students with handwriting problems

Dysgraphia: When Writing Hurts

Dysgraphia in Children: Essentials Parents Should Know

How to assist a student with Dysgraphia in the classroom

Transition Planning

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IDEA Regulations and Transition Services

The term “transition services” means a coordinated set of activities for a child with a disability that:

  • Is designed to be within a results-oriented process, that is focused on improving the academic and functional achievement of the child with the disability to facilitate the child’s movement from school to post-school activities, including postsecondary education, vocational education, integrated employment (including supported employment), continuing and adult education, adult services, independent living, or community participation
  • Is based on the individual child’s needs, taking into account the child’s strengths, preferences, and interest.
  • Includes instruction , related services, community experiences, the development of employment and other post-school adult living objectives, and if appropriate, acquisition of daily living skills and functional vocational evaluations.
What is the Transition Process?

The transition process is designed to help students with disabilities move smoothly from school to adult life.

Resources on Transition Planning

Center for Parent Information and Resources– Webpage includes information on IDEA’s requirement on transition and how to include the student in the transition process.

Disability’s.gov’s Guide to Student Transition Planning– Topical links on secondary education and transition, transitioning to adult health care and options for life after high school.

National Association of Special Education Teachers– Great webpage on a variety of topics relating to transition planning including, overview of transition services, types of services covered, recordkeeping, employment planning, travel training, assistive technology and residential placement options.

National Parent Center on Transition and Employment– Website includes information on middle and high school transitioning planning including, IDEA, IEP, college planning and several worksheets on preparing for employment and transition planning.

Understood– article on understanding the transition process.

WrightsLaw– This page contains loads of information on transitioning planning including articles on IEP and transition planning, legal requirement for transition components of the IEP and IDEA 2004.

Angelman Syndrome

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ANGLEMAN SYNDROME

Angelman Syndrome is a genetic disorder that affects the nervous system.
Symptoms
  • developmental delay
  • intellectual disability
  • epilepsy
  • microcephaly
  • short attention span
  • happy demeanor
  • hyperactivity
  • hand-flapping
Associated Behaviors
  • tongue thrusting
  • feeding problems during infancy
  • sensitivity to heat
  • frequent drooling
  • attraction to water
Prevalence

Angelman Syndrome  is  a rare disorder and affects 1 in 12,000 to 20,000 a year. Equally to less than 200,000 case a year. Affects all ethnicities and sexes equally.

History

English pediatrician, Dr. Harry Angleman first described Angelman syndrome when he observed 3 children who had similar features including unusual happiness, developmental delays and similar facial disorders. He originally called it the “Happy Puppet Syndrome” based in a 17th century Italian painting by Gian Francesco Coroto.

Causes

In most cases, a gene located on chromosome 15 is generally missing or damaged, in some cases, the individual may have 2 copies of the paternal chromosome 15.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis may include the following:

  • blood test
  • parental DNA pattern
  • missing chromosome testing
  • gene mutation
Treatment

Treatment for Angel Syndrome may include:

  • anti-seizure medication
  • physical therapy
  • communication therapy
  • behavior therapy
Medical Sites

Boston Children’s Hospital

Genetics Home Reference

Mayo Clinic

Medicine Net

Wikipedia

Organizations

Angelman Syndrome Foundation– The mission is to advance the awareness and treatment of Angelman Syndrome through education, information and research.

Foundation for Angelman Syndrome Therapeutics– FAST is an all volunteer organization of families and professionals dedicated to finding a cure for Angelman Syndrome and related disorders.