Week in Review - December 12, 2014

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WEEK IN REVIEW

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

December 12, 2014 - Vol 10, Issue 49

 

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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

NASET's Parent Teacher Conference Handout
December 2014

What are the Components of a Vocational Assessment?

Introduction
Parents and professionals involved in facilitating the student's transition after age 14 but no later than 16 should consider the developmental maturity of the student as well as the skills that the student will need to adjust to community living and employment. The skills that should be considered include such things as daily living skills (e.g., managing money, preparing food), personal/social skills (e.g., hygiene, social skills), and occupational/vocational skills (e.g., job-seeking skills and appropriate work habits). The degree to which the student already possesses these skills and the extent to which these skills need to be developed can be determined in part by the vocational assessment. Vocational assessment should be more formalized as the student moves through grade levels and the assessment information gathered in later years should be multi-level and include assessment at both the junior and senior high levels (Hann and Levison, 1998).


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SeeNASET'sLatest Job Listings

Experts Urge Quick Use of Epinephrine for Severe Allergic Reactions

People having a severe allergic reaction need immediate treatment with the medication epinephrine, newly released guidelines say. But, not all medical personnel are aware of the importance of epinephrine, according to the guideline authors. A severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) caused by food, latex or an insect sting can lead to throat swelling, breathing problems, heart attack and even death. Epinephrine can halt that severe allergic reaction. There is virtually no reason not to use epinephrine on people believed to be suffering a severe allergic reaction, according to the guidelines from the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI). To read more,click here

Sensory Rooms Gaining In Popularity

In the dimly lit room, Tiara Santos lounged on the beanbag chair, stared at the bubble tubes and played with glow-in-the-dark toys, and then slowly, the demeanor of the girl with autism began to transform. "Before we came in here, she was hard to control," said Tiara's teacher, Danielle Galambos, about the 12-year-old. "Here, she feels safe. She is quieter, more relaxed." Tiara was in a sensory room at the Felician School for Exceptional Children in Lodi, N.J., which was designed to stimulate neglected physiology in students with disabilities. In Tiara's case, it brought on a smile, as well as some calm. To read more,click here

'Mean Boys' Rule in Middle, High School, Study Finds

"Mean boys" are a bigger problem than "mean girls" in middle and high school, a new study suggests. The findings challenge the widely held belief that girls are more likely than boys to use what's called relational aggression -- malicious rumors, social exclusion and rejection -- to hurt or control peers, the researchers said. The study tracked 620 students in six northeast Georgia school districts who completed yearly surveys as they progressed from grade six to 12. In every grade, boys were more likely than girls to use relational aggression, the researchers found. 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

Holiday Overindulgence Risky for People With Type 2 Diabetes

Overindulging in holiday food can pose serious risks for people with type 2 diabetes, an expert warns. "If you are someone who is not in good control of your diabetes throughout the year, the holiday season can really make your situation worse," Dr. Laila Tabatabai, an endocrinologist with Houston Methodist Hospital, said in a hospital news release. "If you are not mindful, eating foods with too many carbohydrates or sugars can send your blood sugar levels into a dangerously high range," she cautioned. There are a number of ways that people with diabetes can prevent their blood sugar levels from soaring during the holidays. To read more,click here

New Parents Favor In-Depth Genetic Testing, Survey Finds

Many American parents would be interested in having their newborn baby undergo in-depth genetic screening to learn about potential health risks, a new study reveals. Newborns currently get a blood test to screen for at least 30 heritable, treatable conditions. But in-depth genetic screening, known as genomic testing, has the potential to provide more comprehensive personal information, according to the Boston-based researchers. The researchers surveyed 514 parents within 48 hours of their baby's birth. Parents were given a brief explanation of genes and how they can affect health and medical care, and then were asked what they thought about genomic testing of newborns. To read more,click here

GAO Small Group Discussions: IDEA Paperwork

The U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) is an independent, nonpartisan agency that works for Congress. GAO is conducting small discussion groups about paperwork and administrative tasks associated with special education laws and regulations. These discussion groups will give participants the opportunity to share their views on federal, state, local requirements and the amount of work that goes into compliance and steps that might help professionals in managing this work. These 90 minute discussions will inform an upcoming GAO report about paperwork and administrative requirements in special education requested by the Chairman and a majority member of the US House of Representatives Committee on Education and the Workforce. These discussion will be scheduled based on participants' availability in January and early February. If you are interested, please contact Justin Riordan (riordanj@gao.govor  202-512-7046).

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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: Olumide Akerele, Chaya Tabor, Kim Shovah, Prahbhjot Malhi and Leonardo "Joey" P. Jimenez who all knew the answer to last week's trivia question:

According to the latest research in the field, more than 3,000 children under the age of 5 die worldwide each day from ____________, making it the leading cause of death among young children. ANSWER:  Preterm Birth Complications

THIS WEEK'S TRIVIA QUESTION:
According to the latest research in the field, an abnormality in what part of the brain may be responsible for more than 40 percent of deaths from sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)?
If you know the answer, send an email tocontactus@naset.org
All answers must be submitted no later than Monday, December 15, 2014 at 12:00 p.m.

NASET Members Only

Painkiller Abuse More Likely for Those Who Skip College: Study

Young adults who skip college are more likely to abuse prescription painkillers than their degree-bound peers, a new study finds. "Our findings clearly show there is a need for young adult prevention and intervention programs to target nonmedical prescription drug use beyond college campuses," said first author Dr. Silvia Martins, an associate professor of epidemiology at Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health. Researchers analyzed data collected between 2008 and 2010 from nearly 37,000 participants, aged 18 to 22, in the annual U.S. National Survey on Drug Use and Health. To read more,click here

Researchers Identify Autism 'Thought-Marker'

Autism diagnosis currently relies on clinical evaluation, but a new study suggests it may be possible to detect the disorder with near perfect accuracy using brain scans. Researchers say they were able to identify "thought-markers" - or differences in the way the brain responds to certain thoughts - specific to those with autism. The method was successful in identifying whether or not a person had autism with 97 percent accuracy, according to findings published in the journal PLOS ONE. To read more,click here

Study Finds Need for Improved Schizophrenia Care

Improper drug treatment is given to nearly 40 percent of people who suffer their first episode of schizophrenia, according to a new study. Because schizophrenia is typically a chronic illness, early treatment can have an effect on a patient's long-term outcome, the researchers noted. Inappropriate drug treatment can lead to problems that cause patients to stop taking their medication. The study included 404 people who suffered a first episode of schizophrenia. They were seen at community treatment centers in 21 states. Of those patients, 159 received drug treatment that was inconsistent with recommendations for first-episode patients. To read more,click here

Hiring Uptick Fails To Spur Disability Employment

Despite overall job market gains, people with disabilities are struggling to keep up, new figures from the U.S. Department of Labor suggest. The unemployment rate for Americans with disabilities dipped to 10.8 percent in November, the Labor Department said Friday. That's down from 11.3 percent the month prior. However, the drop is due, at least in part, to an increasing number of people giving up on looking for work altogether. Overall, fewer individuals with disabilities were employed in November as compared to the previous month even though the number of people considered to be jobless also declined. To read more,click here

Text Messages Remind People to Take Medications

Text reminders improve the chances that patients will stick with their medication regimen, a new study finds. About one-third of people don't take their medications as prescribed, either because they forget or because they're uncertain about the benefits or potential harms of the drugs, according to the researchers. "An important and overlooked problem in medicine is the failure to take prescribed medication. The results of this trial show that text message reminders help prevent this in a simple and effective way. More than just a reminder, the texts provided the link to identify patients who needed help," lead author Dr. David Wald, a professor and cardiologist at Queen Mary University of London in England, said in a university news release. To read more,click here

NASET Sponsor - University of Cincinnati

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Endocrine Disruptors Alter Thyroid Levels in Pregnancy, May Affect Fetal Brain Development

A new study led by biologist R. Thomas Zoeller of the University of Massachusetts Amherst provides "the strongest evidence to date" that endocrine disrupting chemicals such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) found in flame retardant cloth, paint, adhesives and electrical transformers, can interfere with thyroid hormone action in pregnant women and may travel across the placenta to affect the fetus.Results appeared in an early online edition and in the December print edition of the Endocrine Society'sJournal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism. The paper was also honored this week as an "extramural paper of the month" by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. To read more,click here

Nearly 1 in 12 Americans Struggles With Depression, Study Finds

Almost 8 percent of Americans aged 12 and older were moderately to severely depressed during 2009 to 2012, U.S. health officials reported Wednesday. But, only slightly more than one-third of those suffering from severe depression sought help from a mental health professional in the previous year, according to study lead author Laura Pratt. "Not enough people are getting appropriate treatment for depression," said Pratt, an epidemiologist at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS). To read more,click here

Strong Neighborhoods, Parenting Can Bridge 'Achievement Gap'

A University of Illinois at Chicago study of academic achievement suggests that urban youth may benefit from strong families and safe neighborhoods in addition to child-centered interventions.The study aimed to learn what factors influence how young people develop their future aspirations -- and how those aspirations shape their experiences at school. "The results of this study indicate that when youth in urban environments have supportive parents and feel safe in their neighborhoods, they are positive about their future and believe they can be successful in school," says lead author Henrika McCoy, assistant professor at UIC's Jane Addams College of Social Work. 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

Kids Who Were Preemies More Vulnerable to Flu Complications: Study

Children who were born prematurely are twice as likely to develop pneumonia and other flu-related complications, so they should be first in line for flu shots every year, researchers suggest. However, current U.S., U.K. and World Health Organization guidelines do not identify these kids as a high-risk group for flu complications, the study authors noted. In their analysis, the researchers reviewed data from 27 studies that included more than 14,000 children. The finding about children who were born prematurely is new, according to the report published in the Dec. 3 issue of The Lancet Respiratory Medicine. To read more,click here

Brain Research Reveals New Hope for Patients with Anorexia Nervosa

Researchers used state-of-the-art magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques to investigate the consequences of anorexia nervosa on brain structure. Their novel findings obtained by measuring "cortical thickness" for the first time in the eating disorder are now published. The authors conclude, "The global thinning of cortical gray matter observed in acutely ill adolescent patients can be completely reversed following successful weight rehabilitation therapy". To read more,click here

Babies Still Sleeping With Soft Bedding Despite SIDS Risk: CDC

Although soft bedding has been linked to an increased risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), more than half of American parents continue to use such bedding for their sleeping babies, according to a new study. Use of soft bedding among parents declined sharply from 1993 through 2000, but has mostly leveled off since the early 2000s, the study found. The American Academy of Pediatrics has recommended since 1996 that infants be placed in sleeping environments without any soft surfaces or objects that might trap air, the study noted. "Soft bedding has been shown to increase the risk of SIDS. Soft objects and loose bedding -- such as thick blankets, quilts and pillows -- can obstruct an infant's airway and impose suffocation risk," said lead author Carrie Shapiro-Mendoza, a senior scientist in the Maternal and Infant Health Branch of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. To read more,click here

Honor Society for Special Education Teachers

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Lawmakers Poised To Vote On ABLE Act

Congress is set to act this week on legislation that would allow people with disabilities to save money without jeopardizing their government benefits. Supporters say they expect the U.S. House of Representatives to vote on the Achieving a Better Life Experience, or ABLE, Act on Wednesday and they're hopeful that the Senate will follow suit on Thursday. "This is historic for the disability community," said Sara Weir, interim president of the National Down Syndrome Society, which has pushed for the ABLE Act since 2006. "I can't think of another piece of legislation that puts a stake in the ground that says that people with disabilities can work and save money." To read more,click here

Scooters Leading Cause of Toy-Linked Injuries in Kids

Here's a sobering statistic to ponder before buying holiday gifts for your kids: A new study shows that a child with a toy-related injury is treated in a U.S. emergency department every 3 minutes. Much of that increase was due to one type of toy: foot-powered scooters. The researchers found that about 3.3 million children with toy-related injuries were treated in ERs between 1990 and 2011, and the toy-related injury rate rose nearly 40 percent during that time. "The frequency and increasing rate of injuries to children associated with toys, especially those associated with foot-powered scooters, is concerning," study senior author Dr. Gary Smith, director of the Center for Injury Research and Policy at Nationwide Children's Hospital, said in a hospital news release. To read more,click here

House Approves Tax-Free Disability Savings Accounts

The U.S. House of Representatives has voted to approve a bill that would establish a new way for people with disabilities to save money without risking their government benefits. The Achieving a Better Life Experience, or ABLE, Act passed by a vote of 404 to 17 on Wednesday. The measure will now move to the Senate. Under current rules, many individuals with disabilities can have no more than $2,000 in assets in order to qualify for needed government benefits. The ABLE Act would dramatically alter that scenario, allowing people with disabilities to establish special accounts at any financial institution where they could save up to $14,000 annually under current gift-tax limitations. To read more,click here

jobsNASET's Latest Job Listings

* Special Education Teacher- Work from home- K-12 Certified Special Education Teacher - Online Teaching Position - Independent Contractor - To learn more -Click here


* Early Childhood Special Educator BCBA- Experienced early childhood special educator (SPED) who is preferably a BCBA or a BCaBAs needed to work full time with a 3 year old child with an Autism Spectrum Disorder at home and in his nursery in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. To learn more -Click here


* Early Childhood Special Educator- Magnum Medical seeks Early Childhood Special Educators to work with infants and toddlers of American military families stationed overseas in a home-based early intervention capacity.  The position currently available is located at Okinawa, Japan. To learn more-Click here


* Program Manager (Alternate Assessment) (7794)- The Assessment Program at the American Institutes for Research (AIR) is a well regarded organization that is growing rapidly and is seeking a Program Manager. The Program Manager (Alternate Assessment) will assist with managing all aspects of state testing projects, especially for special education students. To learn more -Click here


* Special Education Support Teacher- Opportunity Charter School (OCS) teachers are trained in cutting edge, research based methodology of evaluating academic strengths and weaknesses. The Special Education Support Teacher may work directly with the student and provide direct specially designed and/or supplemental instruction to the student. To learn more -Click here

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

Life is a succession of lessons which must be lived to be understood.
Helen Keller

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