On Special Education and Disability Challenges

Posted on 07/27/2011 @ 01:12 PM

Many children have special needs, temporarily or throughout their lives. Others at risk can avoid permanent disability if helped early. Information and support – online, by phone and in the community – can help parents guide children through these challenges and find peace of mind. Unfortunately, many parents who notice something might be wrong with their child do not know how or where to find help. If we put knowledge at parents’ fingertips, they can assess their children and obtain helpful information if there’s reason to be concerned.

Report finds Progress, Problems for Students with Learning Disabilities

Nirvi Shah writing for Education Week's blog, On Special Education, talks about a new report from the National Center for Learning Disabilities that says too few students with learning disabilities graduate from high school, and some racial and ethnic groups are still disproportionately represented in LD programs. Early intervention strategies, however, appear to be reducing the overall number of students who are identified as having a learning disability.

What the Americans with Disabilities Act Means in Early Education

In recognition of the 21st anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, Paul Nyhan from Thrive by Five Washington wrote about new disability issues emerging in early education. For example, the ranks of families raising a child diagnosed with autism and other disabilities appears to be rising, and that means more families are likely looking for child care, preschools and pre-kindergarten classrooms that can accommodate their children’s special needs.

Children's Movement of Florida 2011 Legislative Agenda: Special Needs Screening

One of the Children's Movement of Florida's Legislative Agenda items for this past legislative session was Developmental Screening, Diagnosis and Treatment for Children with Special Needs. Read the research and find out what you can do to help a child with special needs or a disability.