Week in Review - August 29, 2014

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WEEK IN REVIEW

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

August 29, 2014 - Vol 10, Issue 35

 

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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

IEP Components Series

Adults Services: What Are They? Where Are They?

Many different individuals come together to help the student plan for transition. Typically, transition planning is handled by members of the IEP team, with other individuals becoming involved as needed. It's important to involve a variety of people, for they will bring their unique perspectives to the planning table. The team draws upon the expertise of the different members and pools their information to make decisions or recommendations for the student.
In addition to the regular players at the IEP table (parents, student, special education and general education teachers, related service providers, administrators, others), when transition is going to be discussed, representatives of outside agencies may be invited, especially those who are well informed about resources and adult services in the community. Here's a list of four different agencies to consider, plus the ever-useful "Other" category.
Each is discussed in some detail further below.
  • Vocational Rehabilitation Agency (VR);
  • Service agencies operating programs and services for individuals with intellectual disabilities or mental health concerns;
  • Independent living centers (ILCs);
  • Social Security Administration (SSA);
  • Others to consider involving.


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Working with Paraprofessionals in Your School

Updated Resources on the Roles and Responsibilities of Paraprofessionals


A special education paraprofessional, sometimes called a teacher's aide or assistant, can be a real right-hand man (or woman) to the classroom teacher. Generally speaking, the para provides support to the teacher and especially to students with disabilities in the classroom who need modified instruction or assistance, as keeping with their Individualized Education Program (IEP). Many a student and teacher rely on the skills and presence of paraprofessionals at their side. This issue ofNASET'sWorking with Paraprofessionals in Your School will provide you with some updated resources and information on the roles and responsibilities of paraprofessionals.

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SeeNASET'sLatest Job Listings

Blood Transfusions May Cut Risk of 'Silent' Stroke in Kids With Sickle Cell Anemia

Monthly blood transfusions may lower the chances of "silent" strokes in some children with sickle cell anemia, a new clinical trial indicates. The study, reported in the Aug. 21 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine, found that in children with a previous silent stroke, monthly blood transfusions cut the rate of future strokes by more than half. The researchers said their findings support screening children with sickle cell for evidence of silent stroke -- something that is not routinely done now. "Prior to this, there was no treatment, so the argument was, 'Why screen?'" explained Dr. James Casella, vice chair of the clinical trial and director of pediatric hematology at Johns Hopkins Children's Center in Baltimore. "Now we have a treatment to offer." To read more,click here

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'Bubble Boy' Disease May Be More Common Than Thought

A rare birth disorder that dismantles a baby's immune system is twice as common as once believed, a new study of more than 3 million infants says. This is the first evaluation of the effect of screening newborns for the life-threatening but treatable condition known as severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID), or "Bubble Boy" disease, the researchers noted. "People were made aware of this condition by the boy in the bubble, who was born without an immune system," said study author Dr. Jennifer Puck, a pediatric immunologist at Benioff Children's Hospital at the University of California, San Francisco. She was referring to the case of David Vetter, a Texas boy born in 1971 who lived in a sterile plastic bubble until he died at age 12. To read more,click here

New Drug May Fight Serious Respiratory Virus in Infants

An experimental drug shows promise in treating respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), a leading cause of pneumonia in infants, researchers report. "We are finally making major progress in being able to treat human RSV infections -- the world's second leading cause of serious viral pneumonia, second only to influenza virus," said study author Dr. John DeVincenzo, a professor of pediatrics at the University of Tennessee College of Medicine in Memphis. "There is no current treatment or vaccine for RSV pneumonia, and so patients were previously forced to get over the virus by themselves," he said. RSV is the leading cause of hospitalization among infants in the United States, the researchers noted. To read more,click here

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Doctors ID New Ways to Get More Kids Vaccinated

Doctors are still struggling to find effective ways to convince wary parents of the importance of vaccinating their infant children. The whooping cough epidemic of 2011-12 made no significant difference in Washington state parents getting their babies up to date on their shots, researchers found. Nearly one-third of their infants remained unprotected against whooping cough even as the virus spread across 49 states, according to one of three vaccination-related studies published online Aug. 18 in the journal Pediatrics. To read more,click here

Kids With Autism Have Extra Brain Connections, Study Says

Researchers report that children with autism appear to have excess synapses -- cellular connections -- in their brains compared with typical children. The scientists also believe it might be possible to reduce the number of extra synapses through drug treatment. Synapses are the points in the brain where brain cells (neurons) connect and communicate with each other. Having excess synapses may have a major impact on how the brain functions, theorized neuroscientists at Columbia University Medical Center in New York City. To read more,click here

Down Syndrome Laws Stir Debate

Pennsylvania has joined a small but growing number of states requiring that a Down syndrome diagnosis be accompanied by useful, accurate information about the genetic disorder. The Down Syndrome Prenatal and Postnatal Education Act, effective Oct. 1, mandates that medical practitioners give expectant or new parents "informational publications," to be provided online by the state health department. The Down syndrome advocates behind such state laws promote them as a way to give unbiased information to pregnant women at a momentous, stressful juncture. To date, laws are on the books in Maryland, Louisiana, Delaware, Massachusetts, Missouri and Kentucky in addition to Pennsylvania, according to the National Down Syndrome Society. To read more,click here

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: Greg Campbell, Olumide Akerele, Pamela Downing-Hosten, Mike Namian, Ope-Oluwa Olubela, Prahbhjot Malha and Vera Sticker who all knew the answer to last week's trivia question:
According to the latest research in the field, people with HIV seem to have a much lower risk of developing what medical condition than those who don't have the virus? This lower risk may be due to constant suppression of the immune system due to the HIV infection itself and/or the antiretroviral drugs used to treat the infection, according to the researchers. ANSWER:  Multiple Sclerosis
THIS WEEK'S TRIVIA QUESTION:
According to the latest research from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is how many more times more common among boys than among girls?
If you know the answer, send an email tocontactus@naset.org
All answers must be submitted no later than Monday, September 1, 2014 at 12:00 p.m.

NASET Applications for iPhone & iPad

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Impartial Review of IEP App - Click here - To learn more about these Apps click on the image

Black Americans May Face Higher Risk of Diabetes-Linked Vision Loss

Black Americans are at greater risk for diabetes-related vision loss than other racial groups battling the blood sugar disease, a new study says. Researchers analyzed data from the U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, which evaluates about 5,000 people each year. They found that blacks had the highest rates of a condition known as diabetic macular edema -- one of the leading causes of blindness in people with diabetes. Diabetic macular edema occurs when fluid and protein builds up in a part of the retina. This causes retinal swelling and a resulting loss of vision, the researchers explained. To read more,click here

Brain Imaging Shows Brain Differences in Risk-Taking Teens

Brain differences associated with risk-taking teens have been investigated by researchers who found that connections between certain brain regions are amplified in teens more prone to risk. "Our brains have an emotional-regulation network that exists to govern emotions and influence decision-making," explained the study's lead author. "Antisocial or risk-seeking behavior may be associated with an imbalance in this network."To read more,click here

Two Polio Vaccines May Give Greater Protection Against Crippling Disease

Using two types of polio vaccines seems to provide stronger protection against the disease and may boost efforts to eradicate polio, a new study shows. The research involving nearly 1,000 children in India found that giving the Salk inactivated poliovirus vaccine (IPV) to those who had already been given the Sabin live-attenuated oral poliovirus vaccine (OPV) appeared to improve their immunity to the virus that causes polio. The findings, reported in the Aug. 22 issue of the journal Science, could prove crucial in eliminating the world's remaining pockets of polio in places such as Iraq and Syria. To read more,click here

Plan For Special Education Substitutes Draws Concerns

Dozens of Baltimore classrooms could be staffed by long-term substitutes when school begins, a plan drawing concern particularly because special-education students - who often struggle the most academically - could be the largest group affected. System leaders and local advocates are expressing reservations about the plan to fill some of the system's 190 teacher vacancies. David Stone, vice chair of the city school board, said poor performance on state tests by special-education students this year shows that stability in their classrooms is important. To read more,click here

Study Ties Colds, Flu to Rare Risk of Stroke in Kids

Although it's extremely rare, colds, flu and other minor infections might trigger a strong but brief period of elevated risk for stroke in children, a new study suggests. Just five out of 100,000 children a year have a stroke in the United States, said Dr. Heather Fullerton, lead author of the study and a professor of neurology and pediatrics at the University of California, San Francisco Benioff Children's Hospital. "It seems infections play a role in causing a stroke in those who are somehow predisposed to the problem," she said. The study found that the risk of stroke from infection was increased only within a three-day period. That suggests that the cause is acute inflammation of the arteries, a problem already discovered as a possible trigger in adults, said Fullerton. To read more,click here

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Cystic Fibrosis Mucus Defect Present at Birth, Study Shows

Mucus is key to keeping our lungs clean and clear of bacteria, viruses, and other foreign particles that can cause infection and inflammation. When we inhale microbes and dust, they are trapped in the mucus and then swept up and out of the lungs via a process called mucociliary transport. New research shows that cystic fibrosis causes a specific defect in this process, reducing the ability to clear particles and germs out of the airway.To read more,click here

Teen Birth Rate Has Dropped Dramatically in Last Two Decades: CDC

U.S. teen birth rates fell dramatically during the past two decades, plummeting 57 percent and saving taxpayers billions of dollars, a new government report shows. An estimated 4 million fewer births occurred among teenagers as a result of the decline, according to researchers from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. That "eye-opening" reduction in births "leapt out at me from the report," said Bill Albert, chief program officer of The National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy. To read more,click here

Parenting From Before Conception: Babies' Health Doesn't 'Start From Scratch'

There's now overwhelming evidence that a child's future health is influenced by more than just their parents' genetic material, and that children born of unhealthy parents will already be pre-programmed for greater risk of poor health, according to researchers. "The reality is, the child doesn't quite start from scratch -- they already carry over a legacy of factors from their parents' experiences that can shape development in the fetus and after birth. Depending on the situation, we can give our children a burden before they've even started life," experts say.To read more,click here

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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

Certain Symptoms Can Delay Lupus Diagnosis, Researchers Report

Lupus and other rheumatic diseases can cause neurological symptoms such as headaches and seizures, which can delay a correct diagnosis for months, a new report says. Treatments for rheumatic diseases can also cause these types of symptoms, according to neurologists at Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood, Ill. Rheumatic disorders include autoimmune and inflammatory diseases of the joints and soft tissues, such as lupus, systemic vasculitis and ankylosing spondylitis. "Rheumatic disorders presenting as neurological syndromes may pose diagnostic challenges," study senior author Dr. Sean Ruland, an associate professor in the neurology department, and colleagues said in a medical center news release. To read more,click here

TV Series To Examine Life During Transition

A new show focusing on the experiences of five young adults with intellectual disabilities is coming to television. The documentary-style series "The Specials" follows real-life housemates Sam, Hilly, Lucy, Lewis and Megan over the course of four years beginning when they were between the ages of 19 and 23. Friends since childhood, the group is seen as they go through the ups and downs of dating, job hunting and everyday life together in their home in Brighton, England. To read more,click here

For Kids, Risks of Parental Smoking Persist Long-Term, Study Finds

Smoking while pregnant or around an infant has long been linked to development of asthma and allergies in young children. Now, researchers have found that the risk may persist into the teen years. The study, which followed nearly 4,000 children in Sweden for 16 years, underscores the dangers of parental smoking, experts say. "Exposure to second-hand smoke during pregnancy or infancy increases a child's risk of developing allergic disease even up to adolescence," said study researcher Jesse Thacher, a doctoral student at the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm. To read more,click here

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New Sites Added To Autism Treatment Network

Two more medical centers will soon join a national network designed to provide a one-stop shop for autism care. New sites in Missouri and California will be added to Autism Speaks' Autism Treatment Network in September, bringing the total number of centers in the United States and Canada to 14. Facilities that are part of the network offer a central place where kids and adolescents with autism can see everyone from pediatricians to psychiatrists, neurologists and gastrointestinal specialists with experience treating those on the spectrum. To read more,click here

Fitness May Boost Kids' Brainpower

Exercise and brainpower in children may not seem closely related, but a small new study hints that fitness may supercharge kids' minds. The finding doesn't prove that fitness actually makes children smarter, but it provides support for the idea, the researchers said. "Our work suggests that aerobically fit and physically fit children have improved brain health and superior cognitive [thinking] skills than their less-fit peers," said study author Laura Chaddock-Heyman, a postdoctoral researcher with the department of psychology at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. "Hopefully, these findings will reinforce the importance of aerobic fitness during development and lead to additional physical activity opportunities in and out of the school environment." To read more,click here

Childhood Mental Disability Rates Up, Study Finds

Rates of developmental and mental disabilities -- ranging from speech problems to attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder -- have jumped 21 percent among U.S. children, according to a new report. Overall, parent-reported disabilities rose 16 percent -- from almost 5 million children to about 6 million between 2001 and 2011, said study author Dr. Amy Houtrow, associate professor of physical medicine and rehabilitation and pediatrics at the University of Pittsburgh. "We know that disabilities have been on the rise for decades," Houtrow said. Understanding the trends helps practitioners know where and how to better direct services, the study noted. To read more,click here

jobsNASET's Latest Job Listings

* Certified Special Educator - SESI is a private company that provides comprehensive special education services for students identified with emotional and behavioral disabilities. We are currently seeking two teachers (HS Math and HS Science) for the 2014 -2015 school year. To learn more - Click here


* HS Special Education Teacher - Special Education teachers at Intrinsic provide a mix of co-taught and separate class support for students.  Our school has 1:1 technology and a unique 21st century learning environment. To learn more - Click here


* Early Childhood Special Educator - Positions available for Early Childhood Special Educators to work with children of American military families stationed overseas! Positions available at Okinawa, Japan. To learn more - Click here


* Learning Specialist -  Will prepare for and lead the Admission, Review, and Dismissal (ARD) committee meeting & assist students in the implementation of IEPs - To learn more - Click here


* Special Ed Teacher Needed! - Special Education Teachers needed for full time school based opportunities. One school is in Mesa, one in Tolleson and one in Casa Grande. Each teacher is responsible for 1 classroom. The caseload ranges from a variety of physical, mental and emotional disabilities. To learn more -Click here


* Special Ed Teacher Needed! - We have a few great Special Ed Teacher openings. One in Millbrae and another in Redwood Shores both in CA. To learn more- Click here


* Special Education Teacher - As one of the first charter schools in Illinois, Perspectives Charter Schools has a long record of preparing students for success in college and beyond. Our five schools across the South Side of Chicago offer students an education that combines character development and academic rigor through the A Disciplined Life education model-with impressive results. - To learn more - Click here

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

It isn't what you have, or who you are, or where you are, or what you are doing that makes you happy or unhappy. It is what you think about.
Dale Carnegie

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