Week in Review - May 24, 2013

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WEEK IN REVIEW

NewNASETPublications and Articles of Interest in Special Education and Disabilities That Were Reported This Week

May 24, 2013 - Vol 9, Issue 21


 

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In This Issue

TRIVIA QUESTION OF THE WEEK

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Dear NASET News,

Welcome toNASET'sWEEK in REVIEWHere, we provide you with the latest publications fromNASETto read and or download, as well as some of the most interesting articles that have happened this week in the field of special education. We hope you enjoy this publication.  Feel free to send us articles for this publication or let us know your thoughts about theWEEK in REVIEWatnews@naset.org.Have a great weekend.

Sincerely,


NASETNews Team

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New This Week on NASET

Parent Teacher Conference Handout
May 2013

Grading Students with Special Needs

 

Introduction

One of the most difficult decisions for teachers working with children with special needs is grading students. This process presents a dilemma for all educators. If we use traditional competitive grading systems then students who try, participate, finish assignments but because of their disability fail tests will receive a failing grade when compared to their peers. This type of approach may lead to frustration, loss of motivation, parent frustration, and a "why bother attitude" on the part of the child. On the other hand, grading students solely on attitude, effort, accountability, responsibility etc., despite failing grades, may mislead both parents and students into setting unrealistic goals. Parents should also be made aware of the choices you have so they can understand the reasoning behind a grade or progress report. This PTCH provides parents with an explanation of the various grading options for children with special needs.

 

 

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NASET's HOW TO Series
May 2013
HOW TO Identify Behaviors That May Indicate High or Low Self Esteem

Adapted from the book, Creating Confident Children in the Classroom: The Use of Positive Restructuring.

Pierangelo/Giuliani: Research Press

Introduction

Self esteem is feeling good about yourself. Because it is a feeling, self esteem is expressed in the way that people behave. However, success is important for the growth of positive feelings about oneself. High self esteem will allow your students to keep failure situations in proper perspective. Whether or not a failure situation is perceived as a learning experience, or as a self punishment, depends on one's level of self esteem.

Children as well as adults will vary in the type of self esteem exhibited. We all feel more confident on some days than others. Feeling low self esteem from time to time is not a problem. However, a pattern of low self esteem should be observed in order for there to be a concern. Teachers can easily observe children's self esteem by seeing what they do and how they accomplish it.

 

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NASET's HOW TO Series
May 2013
HOW TO Design Your Resource Classroom or Self Contained Classroom/Special Education Classroom ( Classroom Options and Considerations)

 

Step I - Classroom Design-(Resource Room and Self Contained classroom only - Inclusion Class teachers proceed to Step II)

Setting up the physical structure of your classroom is a personal choice. However, some logical reasoning should be utilized when determining the layout of the room. In a resource room and self- contained special education classroom, there are several designs that you can consider:.....

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See NASET's Latest Job Listings

1 in 5 U.S. Kids Has a Mental Health Disorder: CDC

As many as one in five American children under the age of 17 has a diagnosable mental disorder in a given year, according to a new federal report. Released Thursday, the report represents the government's first comprehensive look at mental disorders in children. It focuses on diagnoses in six areas: attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), behavioral or conduct disorders, mood and anxiety disorders, autism spectrum disorders, substance abuse, and Tourette syndrome. The most common mental disorder among children aged 3 through 17 is ADHD. Nearly 7 percent -- about one in 15 children -- in that age group have a current diagnosis, according to the report from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. To read more,click here

Did You Know That....

Prior written notice is meant to give parents a full explanation of what the school system is proposing or refusing to do, so that parents have the opportunity to meet with school personnel, discuss what's proposed (or refused), provide input, and agree or disagree.

Kids With Autism May Perceive Movement More Quickly

Children with autism see simple movement much more quickly than other children, a small new study finds. This extreme sensitivity to motion may explain why some people with the developmental disorder are highly sensitive to noise and bright lights, and it may be linked to some of the complex social and behavioral problems associated with autism, the researchers said. "We think of autism as a social disorder because children with this condition often struggle with social interactions, but what we sometimes neglect is that almost everything we know about the world comes from our senses," study co-lead author Duje Tadin, an assistant professor of brain and cognitive sciences at the University of Rochester, in New York, said in a university news release. "Abnormalities in how a person sees or hears can have a profound effect on social communication." To read more,click here

Teen Bullies May Turn to Crime as Adults

Teen bullies are more likely to be criminals when they're adults, a new study finds. UT Dallas researchers analyzed several decades of data collected from more than 400 men in Britain. All of them had similar working-class backgrounds and most came from two-parent families. They were followed until they were in their mid-50s. Nearly half of the men who said they were bullies during their teen years engaged in some form of criminal activity -- such as theft, burglary and assault -- when they were adults, according to the study in a recent issue of the Journal of Youth and Adolescence. To read more,click here

Honor Society for Special Education Teachers

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NASET MEMBER'S BENEFIT -

Board Certification in Special Education Available to NASET Members

Through an agreement with The American Academy of Special Education Professionals(AASEP), NASET members now have the opportunity to achieve AASEP Board Certification in Special Education - (B.C.S.E.) at a reduced fee.  AASEP Board Certification in Special Education - (B.C.S.E.) is a voluntary choice on the part of the candidate. The candidate for Board Certification wishes to demonstrate a commitment to excellence to employers, peers, administrators, other professionals, and parents. From the standpoint of the Academy, board certification will demonstrate the highest professional competency in the area of special education. Board Certification in Special Educationestablishes a much needed standard for professionals, across disciplines, who work with exceptional children.

 

For more information on Board Certification in Special Education,click here

Swallowing Magnets Can Be Fatal for Children

Children who swallow high-powered magnets often need surgery and other invasive procedures to remove the objects, according to a new study. The researchers, from the Louisiana State University Health Center in New Orleans, found that more than 79 percent of children who swallowed very strong "neodymium magnets" required either surgery or an endoscopic procedure, in which a tube containing a camera is inserted into the digestive tract. Only 21 percent of these cases can be treated through observation or by pumping the stomach, they said. These magnets may appear harmless, but they are up to 20 times stronger than typical refrigerator magnets and are powerful enough to cause significant -- even fatal -- damage to the digestive tract. To read more,click here

NASET Sponsor - Penn State Online

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NASET Sponsor - Arkansas State University

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GEEO Travel Programs for Educators

Global Exploration for Educators Organization (GEEO) is a non-profit organization that runs summer professional development travel programs designed for teachers.

GEEO is offering 23 different travel programs for the summer of 2013: India/Nepal, Italy, Portugal/Spain, Amalfi Coast, Eastern Europe, Budapest to Istanbul, Uzbekistan, Vietnam, Comfort Thailand, Thailand/Laos, Cambodia, China, Comfort China, Russia/Mongolia/China, Turkey 15 day, Turkey 8-Day, Kenya/Tanzania, South Africa / Mozambique / Zimbabwe / Botswana, Morocco, Peru, Ecuador, The Galapagos Islands and Costa Rica. The registration deadline is June 1st, but space is limited and many programs will be full well before the deadline.

Educators have the option to earn graduate school credit and professional development credit while seeing the world. The trips are 8 to 24 days in length and are designed and discounted to be interesting and affordable for teachers. GEEO provides teachers educational materials and the structure to help them bring their experiences into the classroom. The trips are open to all nationalities of K-12 and university educators and administrators, as well as retired educators. Educators are also permitted to bring along a non-educator guest.

Detailed information about each trip, including itineraries, costs, travel dates, and more can be found atwww.geeo.org. GEEO can be reached 7 days a week, toll free at 1-877-600-0105 between 9AM-9PM EST

Latest Edition of Psychiatry's 'Bible' Launched Amid Controversy

As the American Psychiatric Association unveils the latest edition of what is considered the "bible" of modern psychiatry this weekend, the uproar over its many changes continues. "This is unprecedented, the amount of commentary and debate and criticism," said Dr. Jeffrey Lieberman, president-elect of the American Psychiatric Association (APA). "It's been an interesting phenomenon, but the evidence is what it is. You have to evaluate it and then make your own determination of how compelling it is, and what would be best clinical practice." The APA believes that changes made in this fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) will allow for more precise diagnoses of mental illnesses in patients, because this edition better characterizes and categorizes disorders. To read more,click here

SPECIAL EDUCATION LAW SYMPOSIUM AT LEHIGH UNIVERSITY, JUNE 23-28, 2013

Designed for a national audience, this intensive one-week, well-balanced program is available on both a non-credit and graduate-credit basis and provides a thorough analysis of the leading issues under the IDEA and Section 504. Among the 19 symposium sessions are the following "hot topics": RTI; discipline, including a mock manifestation determination hearing; child find; transitional services; tuition reimbursement and other remedies; disability-related bullying; and autism.

Special features include:

  • Parallel tracks for basic and advanced practitioners, starting with a keynote dinner presentation by Dr. Melody Musgrove, Director, Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP), U.S. Department of Education and ending with a post-luncheon crystal-ball culminating presentationled by national consultant and trainer Julie Weatherly, Esq., recipient of the 2012 National CASE Award for Outstanding Service.
  • Balance of district, parent, and neutral perspectives with a specialized set of topics and presenters for the advanced track.
  • Knowledgeable national faculty including attorneys Laura Anthony (Ohio), Emerson Dickman (New Jersey), Andrew Faust (Pennsylvania), Joshua Kershenbaum (Pennsylvania), Michele Kule-Korgood (New York), Deborah Mattison (Alabama), Marsha Moses (Connecticut), Michael Stafford (Delaware), Julie Weatherly (Alabama), Mark Weber (Illinois), and Dr. Perry Zirkel (Pennsylvania).
  • The symposium will take place on the beautiful campus of Lehigh University in Bethlehem, Pa., located just 60 miles north of Philadelphia and 70 miles south of New York City, with access from Lehigh Valley (ABE), Newark, and Philadelphia International airports.
  • CLE and ACT 48 credits available.
  • Non-credit: $995 full week; or $295 per day.  Lehigh University Graduate Credit (3): $1,695
Special Education Law Symposium ~ June 23-28, 2013 ~ Lehigh University, Bethlehem, PA ~ coe.lehigh.edu/law

 

High-Frequency Noise Boosts Math Skills in Study

Could you someday zap your way to a smarter brain? Preliminary new research suggests that it's a possibility: Scientists report that they were able to improve the math-calculation skills of college students by buzzing their brains with doses of random high-frequency noise. But don't go searching for a brain zapper at Walmart just yet. It's not clear why "transcranial random noise stimulation" might boost thinking skills, and the necessary equipment isn't sitting on the shelves at your local hardware store. The treatment is considered to be harmless but has only been studied for a few years, and the study findings aren't definitive.To read more,click here

Adult Children of Substance Abusers More Prone to Depression

The adult children of parents who were addicted to alcohol or drugs are at increased risk for depression, a new study finds. Researchers looked at data from nearly 6,300 Canadian adults and found that 312 of them had suffered major depression in the past year. Also, 877 of the adults said that when they were younger than age 18 and still living at home, at least one parent drank or used drugs "so often that it caused problems for the family." After adjusting for age, sex and race, the University of Toronto researchers found that adults with childhood experiences of parental addiction had a more than two-fold increased risk of depression. To read more,click here

Did You Know That....

The typical prior written notice inform parents what sources they can turn to for help in understanding IDEA's requirements.

Kids' Reading, Math Skills Tied to Future Success

A person's math and reading abilities in early childhood influence how successful they are as adults, a new study contends. Researchers examined data from more than 17,000 people in England, Scotland and Wales who are part of a long-running study on child development and have been followed since they were born in 1958. People who had higher reading and math skills at age 7 had higher incomes, better housing and better jobs at age 42. For example, reading ability one level higher as a child was associated with about $7,750 more annual income as an adult. To read more,click here

NASET Sponsor -  Drexel University Online

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TRIVIA QUESTION OF THE WEEK

Guess the answer to this week's trivia question and we'll recognize you in next week's Week in Review.
Congratulations to: Alexandra Pirard, Ope-Oluwa Olubela, Prahbhjot Malhi, Jugraj Kaur, Olumide Akerele, Mike Namian, and Lois Nembhard
who all knew the answer to last week's trivia question: Two new studies add to the growing evidence that spending time outdoors may help prevent or minimize a certain type of visual impairment in children. A recent study conducted in Taiwan found that when children were required to spend recess time outdoors, their risk of what type of visual impairment was reduced? ANSWER: Nearsightedness
THIS WEEK'S TRIVIA QUESTION:
In 2011, the American Academy of Pediatrics releasedguidelineson how doctors should treat preschoolers with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. The first step should be parent and/or teacher-administered behavioral therapy. If symptoms continue, the next step is medication with methylphenidate, better known under the brand names Ritalin or Concerta. According to the latest research in field on this area of study, what percent of medical specialists responding to a survey on their treatment methods said that they followed those guidelines exactly?
If you know the answer, send an email tocontactus@naset.org
All answers must be submitted no later than Monday, May 27, 2013 at 12:00 p.m.

Fall TV Lineup Puts Focus On Characters With Disabilities

Television appears to be embracing disability more widely with network executives announcing this week a handful of new shows that prominently feature characters with special needs. Of the 17 new shows NBC plans to debut during the 2013-2014 season, three have main characters with disabilities. The crime series "Ironside" is built around a detective who uses a wheelchair. On the comedy, "The Family Guide," the father is blind. And, "The Michael J. Fox Show" will feature the actor, who has Parkinson's disease, playing a news anchor who's also dealing with the condition. To read more,click here


Feds To Emphasize Student Performance In Special Education

Federal education officials are looking to reshape the way they evaluate each state's compliance with special education law to put a heavier focus on student performance. The U.S. Department of Education reviews how well states perform under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act annually, determining whether the state "meets requirements," "needs assistance," "needs intervention" or "needs substantial intervention." The evaluations take into account a variety of factors including dropout and graduation rates, whether or not students with disabilities are disproportionately suspended or representative of certain racial groups and post-high school outcomes. To read more,click here

AASEP Logo

NASET MEMBER'S BENEFIT -

Board Certification in Special Education Available to NASET Members

Through an agreement with The American Academy of Special Education Professionals(AASEP), NASET members now have the opportunity to achieve AASEP Board Certification in Special Education - (B.C.S.E.) at a reduced fee.  AASEP Board Certification in Special Education - (B.C.S.E.) is a voluntary choice on the part of the candidate. The candidate for Board Certification wishes to demonstrate a commitment to excellence to employers, peers, administrators, other professionals, and parents. From the standpoint of the Academy, board certification will demonstrate the highest professional competency in the area of special education. Board Certification in Special Educationestablishes a much needed standard for professionals, across disciplines, who work with exceptional children.

 

For more information on Board Certification in Special Education,click here

Well-Heeled Using People With Disabilities To Dodge Disney Lines

Wealthy moms are reportedly paying people with disabilities big bucks to tag along on their Disney World vacations, all in an effort to avoid the theme park's notoriously long lines. The families are hiring "guides" with special needs to join them at Disney World for $130 per hour through a Florida tour company that only works with customers on a referral basis. Disney allows visitors with disabilities and up to six people in their group to access rides through an alternate entrance and avoid the standard lines. To read more,click here


Diplomas Elusive for Many Students With Learning Disabilities

A state-by-state analysis of the most recent data on graduation rates for students with learning disabilities shows that while more of those students have been leaving high school with a standard diploma, many states are struggling to reach the national graduation rate average of 68 percent for students in that disability category. Students with learning disabilities-dyslexia, dyscalculia, or auditory or visual processing disorders, for example-make up about 41 percent of the students who are covered under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. The New York-based National Center for Learning Disabilities combed through the data collected by the federal government on students with disabilities to produce a report called "Diplomas at Risk," which argues that despite improvement over the years, far too many students with learning disabilities, or SLDs, are dropping out of school or being shunted to an alternative certification path that leads to something other than a standard diploma.To read more,click here


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NASET MEMBER'S BENEFIT -

Group Savings Plus from Liberty Mutual

As a member ofNASETyou qualify for a special group discount* on your auto, home, and renter's insurance through Group Savings Plus® from Liberty Mutual. This unique program allows you to purchase high-quality auto, home and renters insurance at low group rates.

 

See for yourself how much money you could save with Liberty Mutual compared to your current insurance provider. For a free, no-obligation quote, call 800-524-9400 or visit

www.libertymutual.com/naset,or visit your local sales office.

*Group discounts, other discounts, and credits are available where state laws and regulations allow, and may vary by state.  Certain discounts apply to specific coverage only.  To the extent permitted by law, applicants are individually underwritten; not all applicants may qualify.  Coverage provided and underwritten by Liberty Mutual Insurance Company and its affiliates, 175 Berkeley Street, Boston, MA.


Youth Who Have Their First Drink During Puberty Have Higher Levels of Later Drinking

Research shows that the earlier the age at which youth take their first alcoholic drink, the greater the risk of developing alcohol problems. Thus, age at first drink (AFD) is generally considered a powerful predictor of progression to alcohol-related harm. A new study shows that individuals who have their first drink during puberty subsequently have higher drinking levels than do individuals with a post-pubertal drinking onset. Results will be published in the October 2013 issue of Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research and are currently available at Early View. To read more,click here


New Approach to Improving Treatment for MS and Other Conditions

Working with lab mice models of multiple sclerosis (MS), UC Davis scientists have detected a novel molecular target for the design of drugs that could be safer and more effective than current FDA-approved medications against MS. The findings of the research study, published online today in the journal EMBO Molecular Medicine could have therapeutic applications for MS as well as cerebral palsy and leukodystrophies, all disorders associated with loss of white matter, which is the brain tissue that carries information between nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord. To read more,click here


Accelerated Aging in Children: Promising Treatment for Progeria Within Reach

Pharmaceuticals that inhibit a specific enzyme may be useful in treating progeria, or accelerated aging in children. As reported in the journal Science, a new study performed at the Sahlgrenska Academy indicates that the development of progeria in mice was inhibited upon reducing the production of this enzyme. "This study is a breakthrough for our research group after years of work. When we reduce the production of the enzyme in mice, the development of all the clinical symptoms of progeria is reduced or blocked. We have also studied cultured cells from children with progeria, and can see that when the enzyme is inhibited, the growth of the cells increases by the same mechanism as in mouse cells," says Martin Bergö, Professor at the Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg and research director at the Sahlgrenska Cancer Center. To read more,click here


Did You Know That....

If the prior written notice has to do with a child's initial referral for evaluation, the school will include a description of the procedural safeguards.

Massage Therapy Shown to Improve Stress Response in Preterm Infants

It seems that even for the smallest of people, a gentle massage may be beneficial. Newborn intensive care units (NICUs) are stressful environments for preterm infants; mechanical ventilation, medical procedures, caregiving activities and maternal separation create these stressful conditions. Born under-developed, preemies have an immature autonomic nervous system (ANS), which controls stress response and recovery. For a preemie, even a diaper change is stressful and the immature ANS over reacts to these stressors. Since preterm infants can't process stressors appropriately, interventions are needed to enhance ANS function and maturity. To read more,click here


Flu in Pregnancy May Quadruple Child's Risk for Bipolar Disorder

Pregnant mothers' exposure to the flu was associated with a nearly fourfold increased risk that their child would develop bipolar disorder in adulthood, in a study funded by the National Institutes of Health. The findings add to mounting evidence of possible shared underlying causes and illness processes with schizophrenia, which some studies have also linked to prenatal exposure to influenza. "Prospective mothers should take common sense preventive measures, such as getting flu shots prior to and in the early stages of pregnancy and avoiding contact with people who are symptomatic," said Alan Brown, M.D., M.P.H, of Columbia University and New York State Psychiatric Institute, a grantee of the NIH's National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). "In spite of public health recommendations, only a relatively small fraction of such women get immunized. The weight of evidence now suggests that benefits of the vaccine likely outweigh any possible risk to the mother or newborn." To read more,click here


jobsNASET's Latest Job Listings

* Special Education Teacher - We are looking for highly motivated and skilled talent to join our team at the District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS). We seek individuals who are passionate about transforming and improving educational outcomes for our students.To learn more - Click here

 

* Vocational Trainer - We are seeking a motivated, energetic professional, former special ed teacher or similar, to join us as a part-time vocational trainer. This person must be comfortable working independently, although with the support and collaboration of everyone in the organization. To learn more - Click here

 

* Master Middle School Teachers $125,000 Salary- Charter School : Join a team of master teachers at The Equity Project (TEP) Charter School, recently featured on the front page of the New York Times. TEP is a 480-student 5th through 8th grade middle school in the Washington Heights neighborhood of New York City. To learn more - Click here

 

* Special Education Teacher - Milwaukee Public School district is currently seeking teachers for the fall 2013 school year. Special Education and Bilingual are in high demand but Math and Science are welcome as well. To learn more -Click here

 

 


Food For Thought..........

Great teachers empathize with kids, respect them, and believe that each one has something special that can be built upon.

Ann Lieberman

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