Fact: Schools are punishing kids with disabilities at higher rates than other students.

Now the U.S. Department of Education is doing something about it. They’ve provided guidance for schools to make discipline fairer and decrease suspensions and expulsions:

Read how the new guidelines affect your child - here - http://www.ncld.org/ld-insights/blogs/government-gives-new-guidance-on-school-discipline-but-what-about-students-with-disabilities?utm_source=ldaction_jan_23_2014&utm_medium=email&utm_content=text&utm_campaign=ldaction

Get advice from a mother whose child was labeled as “disruptive” here - http://www.ncld.org/learning-disability-resources/special-needs-stories/parent-stories/african-american-mother-be-wary-disruptive-label?utm_source=ldaction_jan_23_2014&utm_medium=email&utm_content=text&utm_campaign=ldaction

Fact: President Obama signed the federal budget, but the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is still not fully funded.

Money isn’t everything, but schools need the right resources so they can provide special education services. To help you understand the stakes, we’ve put together a brief update about which education programs got funded and which didn’t here - http://www.ncld.org/ld-insights/blogs/budget-update-idea-not-fully-funded-but-special-ed-research-increases?utm_source=ldaction_jan_23_2014&utm_medium=email&utm_content=text&utm_campaign=ldaction

At the end of the month, President Obama gives his state of the Union. Among the many things needed to be discussed, one vital issue is that the President should promise to fully fund IDEA in the next 10 years and the National Center for Learning Disabilities is asking Congress to sign a letter urging him to do so.

Awareness of the needs of students with learning and attention issues is growing—for proof, check out the new Congressional resolution on dyslexia here http://www.ncld.org/learning-disability-resources/ld-in-the-news?utm_source=ldaction_jan_23_2014&utm_medium=email&utm_content=text&utm_campaign=ldaction

It’s time to turn that awareness into real gains for our kids.

GET INVOLVED!  HELP OUR CHILDREN! Click here:  http://www.ncld.org/disability-advocacy??utm_source=ldaction_jan_23_2014&utm_medium=email&utm_content=text&utm_campaign=ldaction

Early Intervention with ABA

There has never been a more accurate mantra in the field of developmental disability: “Early diagnosis leads to timely intervention…timely intervention leads to better outcome.”  We know that children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) demonstrate signs of the disorder even before the age of nine months.  However, the average child with ASD is not diagnosed with the condition until the age of six.  As a result of this delay, there are several years of lost opportunity. This is especially important because the years from birth to three are so crucial in a child’s life. So what’s the best way to implement early intervention strategies?

Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy is considered by many researchers and clinicians to be the most effective evidence-based treatment approach for children with ASD. According to the U.S. Surgeon General, thirty years of research on the ABA approach have shown very positive outcomes when it is used as an early intervention tool for ASD. Studies show about 50% of children with autism who were treated with the ABA approach before the age of four had significant increases in IQ, verbal ability, and social functioning.

ABA teaches communication, social, and motor behaviors in addition to reasoning skills and self-help skills that are useful to promote independent living.  ABA treatment specializes in teaching behaviors to children with ASD who may otherwise not learn on their own as other children would.

The ABA approach can be used by a parent, counselor, or certified behavior analyst EVERYWHERE! It aims to help children with autism lead more independent and socially active lives. Research shows that this positive outcome is more common for children who have received early intervention, when the brain is critically developing during the preschool years.

As a parent or educator working with a child with Autism obtaining the necessary training to implement effective ABA treatment can be difficult juggling a home and work schedule. So, Special Learning is bringing the convenience of online training to you! Our ABA Online Training Program provides comprehensive training in the methods if ABA implementation, so you can start helping your child TODAY! Visit www.special-learning.com/aba_online_training for more information or to register for one of our upcoming courses!

Take the first steps in securing a brighter and more successful live for your child today!

I found as a parent the joy and importance of creating pleasant moments within the everyday things we do.  Did you ever experience simple activities turning into extremely unpleasant experiences?    Standing in line, sitting at dinner, visiting family and friends, or going to a park, etc. could become so stressful. 

I found these helpful hints to be “rule of thumb”:

One, leave at the height of fun and that way everyone is coasting on a good sensory cloud, no one is tired, and most prepared to be organized and listen well.  Don’t spend that extra hour, more is not necessarily better.  You don’t have to do everything in one day.  This rule was such a friend to me with my children as well as children I had the pleasure to work with.  I experienced children with and array of sensitivities, ADD behaviors, developmental delays, and all sorts of “typical developing” personalities and behaviors. They all do better when organized, calm, happy, and alert. 

Secondly, I found having a bag of “tools” whenever I left the house was so helpful with my own children especially when sitting at a restaurant, waiting in line, or even taking a ride in a car.  Children’s singing tapes/CDs (now you can tell how long I have been a parent!) are awesome and so much fun for all, visual and proprioceptive fidget activities that don’t have small parts to lose, coloring, even stretchy gummy action figures.  What does your child enjoy or need most: visual, oral, proprioceptive, or tactile sensory input?   I knew some children that loved puzzles so bring along puzzles.  In some cases something more active works better (however not over stimulating).  Books are fabulous too!

Weighted blankets, a favorite snuggle toy, are great in the car for the ride home. 

A little preparation goes a long way.

I really enjoyed it so much, I miss having small children every single day. 

Think a little like a child, it’s a wonderful state of being!

To find out more about Susan Donohoe and her products Kozie Clothes visit her website here www.kozieclothes.com