Week in Review - September 11, 2015

WEEK IN REVIEW

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

September 11, 2015 - Vol 11, Issue 37


 

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In This Issue

TRIVIA QUESTION OF THE WEEK

 

 

 

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'sEducating Children with Severe Disabilities Series

Autism Spectrum Disorders
( Pervasive Developmental Disorders)
Issue #32

Not until the middle of the twentieth century was there a name for a disorder that now appears to affect an estimated one of every five hundred children, a disorder that causes disruption in families and unfulfilled lives for many children. In 1943 Dr. Leo Kanner of the Johns Hopkins Hospital studied a group of 11 children and introduced the label early infantile autism into the English language. At the same time a German scientist, Dr. Hans Asperger, described a milder form of the disorder that became known as Asperger syndrome. Thus these two disorders were described and were listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders DSM-IV-TR (fourth edition)1 as two of the five pervasive developmental disorders (PDD), more often referred to today as autism spectrum disorders (ASD). All these disorders are characterized by varying degrees of impairment in communication skills, social interactions, and restricted, repetitive and stereotyped patterns of behavior. However, with revisions published in DSM V, all these specific disorders were eliminated and just the diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder remains.


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NASETQ & A Corner
Issue #76
What is Borderline Personality Disorder?

Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a serious mental illness marked by unstable moods, behavior, and relationships. In 1980, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders, Third Edition (DSM-III) listed BPD as a diagnosable illness for the first time. Most psychiatrists and other mental health professionals use the DSM to diagnose mental illnesses. Because some people with severe BPD have brief psychotic episodes, experts originally thought of this illness as atypical, or borderline, versions of other mental disorders. While mental health experts now generally agree that the name "borderline personality disorder" is misleading, a more accurate term does not exist yet. This issue of NASET's Q & A Corner comes from the National Institute of Mental Health. It focuses on the many issues surrounding Borderline personality disorder.

To read or download this issue - Click here (login required)

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SeeNASET'sLatest Job Listings

One-Third of U.S. Kids With ADHD Diagnosed Before Age 6: Report

Almost a third of U.S. children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) were diagnosed before the age of 6, even though there aren't many valid tests to support diagnosis in children that young, a new federal government report shows. It's difficult to determine whether the results show overdiagnosis of ADHD or not, said Joel Nigg, director of the division of psychology at Oregon Health & Science University in Portland. "Although guidelines and instrumentation for diagnosing preschool children, for example, are weaker, the condition itself is developmental and expected to exist in preschool," said Nigg, who was not involved in the study. "So, many of those young diagnoses may be valid." To read more,click here

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Lawsuit Claims State Mismanaged Funds For Waiver Services

Thousands of Minnesotans with disabilities have been forced needlessly to wait months and even years for community-based services because the state has underspent more than $1 billion in public funds, according to a lawsuit filed late last week in federal court in St. Paul, Minn. Attorneys representing a group of people with disabilities allege that for nearly two decades, the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) has mismanaged money set aside under Medicaid, the state and federal health insurance program, for services intended to help people with disabilities live more meaningful and integrated lives in their communities. To read more,click here

Could Common Diabetes Drugs Help Fight Leukemia?

Common diabetes drugs might help eradicate drug-resistant cancer cells in a certain form of leukemia when added to standard treatment, a small new study suggests. Researchers found that patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) who received a glitazone -- a class of drug for type 2 diabetes -- along with the standard CML drug imatinib remained disease-free for up to nearly five years. Imatinib, known commercially as Gleevec, boasts an impressive track record in controlling chronic myeloid leukemia and allowing patients to lead virtually normal lives. But despite its effectiveness, dormant, drug-resistant leukemic cells typically lay in wait in bone marrow. They can later transform into highly aggressive cells. 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

Individualized Approach Recommended For Preemies

For the tiniest infants - those born before 25 weeks in the womb - survival is never guaranteed, and those who make it may be left with severe disabilities. These micro-preemies are born in what's known as the "gray zone." Whether or not to resuscitate them depends on the decisions made by individual hospitals, doctors and parents. Decisions can vary greatly even among hospitals in the same area. A new statement from the American Academy of Pediatrics aims to improve the way those decisions are made. The statement suggests that doctors individualize counseling for parents based on the particular baby's chances of survival and the family's goals for their child. To read more,click here

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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: Karen Bornholm, Prahbhjot Malhi, Kim Shovah, Olumide Akerele, Pamela Downing-Hosten, Amy Semonco and Patsy Ray who all knew the answer to last week's trivia question: According to the latest data from the U.S. government experts, are the number of children with Attention Deficit Disorder (ADHD) rising, declining or remaining relatively the same?
ANSWER:  RISING
THIS WEEK'S TRIVIA QUESTION:
According to a new research, genetic findings support observational evidence that lower levels of this vitamin are associated with increased risk of multiple sclerosis.  Which Vitamin (A, B, C or D) is it?

If you know the answer, send an email tocontactus@naset.org
All answers must be submitted no later than Monday, September 14, 2015 at 12:00 p.m.

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Cutting-Edge Gene Tests May Improve Management of Autism

A pair of genetic tests could help parents and doctors better understand the numerous challenges that a child newly diagnosed with autism might face throughout life, a new study suggests. The tests tracked down genes that could explain the nature of a child's autism susceptibility in nearly 16 percent of cases, according to findings published Sept. 1 in the Journal of the American Medical Association. That number increased to almost 38 percent when researchers used the cutting-edge tests to assess children with certain physical abnormalities. These birth defects are an indication that those children had suffered developmental problems stretching back to the womb, said senior study author Dr. Bridget Fernandez, chair of genetic medicine at Memorial University of Newfoundland in Canada. To read more,click here

State Says No To Medical Marijuana For Autism

Gov. Rick Snyder's top state regulator on Thursday rejected a Michigan panel's advice to allow medical marijuana as a treatment for autism. The decision followed three years of efforts by parents of children with autism, their lawyers and supporters to have Michigan become the first state to specify that marijuana could be used to treat autism. Mike Zimmer, appointed in December as director of the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs - LARA - said he was concerned that an approval would apply not just to serious cases of autism but to all cases. And he said that parents applying to use medical pot would need the approval of two medical doctors, yet there was no requirement that either doctor be experienced in treating autism. To read more,click here

Day Care Won't Cause Aggressive Behavior in Child, Study Finds

Day care does not appear to lead to aggressive behavior in children, according to a new study based on Norwegian children. Parents worried about day care's effect on their kids should feel reassured by the findings, the researchers said. They interviewed the parents of nearly 1,000 children in Norway enrolled in day care when the youngsters were 6 months and 1, 2, 3 and 4 years old. Each year, the children's day care teachers reported on any aggressive behaviors such as hitting, pushing and biting. At age 2, those who began day care at an earlier age showed slightly higher levels of aggression than those who began at a later age. However, these differences eventually disappeared, the study revealed. To read more,click here

Genes' Role In Cerebral Palsy 'Much Stronger' Than Once Thought

With new findings suggesting that genes play a significant role in cerebral palsy, researchers say that broader use of genetic testing in those with the condition may be warranted. In a study of 115 children with cerebral palsy and their parents, researchers found that about 10 percent of these kids had copy number variations - or structural alterations to portions of their DNA - affecting genes deemed "clinically relevant" to their condition. By comparison, scientists said that such genetic variations are found in less than 1 percent of the general population. To read more,click here

Many Teens With Chronic Illnesses Use Alcohol, Pot

Teens with chronic diseases such as asthma and juvenile arthritis have to manage their health carefully, yet many of them have had alcohol or smoked marijuana in the last year, a new study shows. "That was surprising to us," said study first author Elissa Weitzman, assistant professor of pediatrics at Boston Children's Hospital, about the findings. "We thought having a chronic illness might be protective, to some extent, given the potential for near-term serious health harm and the high value youth place on staying healthy." But, she added, "While it's tempting to think that these youth are somehow immune from typical adolescent risk behaviors, they are not. They are exposed to marketing, promotion, peer behaviors, and like their peers, [they] are looking to have fun, fit in and 'escape.' " To read more,click here

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Brain Scans Predict Response to Antipsychotic Medications

Investigators at The Feinstein Institute for Medical Research have discovered that brain scans can be used to predict patients' response to antipsychotic drug treatment. The findings are published online in the latest issue of The American Journal of Psychiatry. Psychotic disorders, such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, are characterized by delusions, hallucinations, and disorganized thoughts and behavior. They are estimated to occur in up to three percent of the population and are a leading cause for disability worldwide. Psychotic episodes are currently treated with antipsychotic drugs, but this treatment is given without guidance from lab tests or brain scans, such as functional magnetic resonance imaging or functional MRI (fMRI). Doctors often use "trial-and-error" when choosing treatment for psychotic disorders, without knowing if patients will respond well. This lack of knowledge places a large burden on not only patients and their families, but also healthcare professionals and healthcare systems. To read more,click here

Some Sobering Stats on Kids and Drinking

Alcohol poses a far greater threat to children than many parents care to admit, a new report warns. Many kids start drinking at a young age, and their size and inexperience with alcohol renders them more apt to be binge drinkers, said report author Dr. Lorena Siqueira, director of adolescent medicine at Nicklaus Children's Hospital in Miami. Such hard drinking can prove fatal. For example, one-third of all fatal auto crashes involving alcohol happen among 15- to 20-year-olds, the report found. "The top three causes of mortality in teenagers are motor vehicle accidents, homicides and suicides, and alcohol is strongly associated with each of these," Siqueira said. To read more,click here

Air Pollution Linked to Children's Low Academic Achievement

A University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) study on children's health has found that fourth and fifth graders who are exposed to toxic air pollutants at home are more likely to have lower GPAs. UTEP researchers analyzed academic performance and sociodemographic data for 1,895 fourth and fifth grade children living in El Paso, Texas that were attending the El Paso Independent School District (EPISD). They used the Environmental Protection Agency's National Air Toxics Assessment to estimate children's exposure to toxic air pollutants, such as diesel exhaust, around the location of their homes. 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

Impulsive, Agitated Behaviors May Be Warning Signs for Suicide

Risky behaviors such as reckless driving or sudden promiscuity, or nervous behaviors such as agitation, hand-wringing or pacing, can be signs that suicide risk may be high in depressed people, researchers report. Other warning signs may include doing things on impulse with little thought about the consequences. Depressed people with any of these symptoms are at least 50 percent more likely to attempt suicide, the new study found. Assessing these symptoms in every depressed patient we see is extremely important, and has immense therapeutical implications," study lead author Dr. Dina Popovic, of the Hospital Clinic de Barcelona, in Spain, said in a news release from the European College of Neuropsychopharmacology (ECNP). To read more,click here

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Borderline Personality Traits Linked to Lowered Empathy

Those with borderline personality disorder, or BPD, a mental illness marked by unstable moods, often experience trouble maintaining interpersonal relationships. New research from the University of Georgia indicates that this may have to do with lowered brain activity in regions important for empathy in individuals with borderline personality traits. The findings were recently published in the journal Personality Disorders: Theory, Research and Treatment. "Our results showed that people with BPD traits had reduced activity in brain regions that support empathy," said the study's lead author Brian Haas, an assistant professor in the Franklin College of Arts and Sciences psychology department. "This reduced activation may suggest that people with more BPD traits have a more difficult time understanding and/or predicting how others feel, at least compared to individuals with fewer BPD traits." To read more,click here

How Parents Add to Math Anxiety

Parents can spur math anxiety and poor math performance in children, a new study suggests. "We often don't think about how important parents' own attitudes are in determining their children's academic achievement. But our work suggests that if a parent is walking around saying 'Oh, I don't like math' or 'This stuff makes me nervous,' kids pick up on this messaging and it affects their success," study co-leader Sian Beilock said in a news release from the Association for Psychological Science. Beilock is a professor of psychology at the University of Chicago. To read more,click here

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Predictor of Child Vocabulary in Early Speech

At 12 months old, an infant's ability to group objects according to the names associated with them -- as opposed to their appearance alone -- offers a glimpse into how his or her vocabulary will develop by the time they are 18 months, researchers found. The study examined whether individual differences in the precision of 12-month-olds' ability to link language and object categories was related to both their present and future vocabulary growth. To read more,click here

Disney Channel Turns Attention To Autism

The Disney Channel is putting an emphasis on autism with an upcoming episode of its Emmy-nominated comedy "Girl Meets World." The cable network said a special episode airing Sept. 11 will explore the developmental disability. Disney Channel officials said they worked with three autism experts to "help deliver an authentic storyline that can spark conversation among kids and their families." In the episode dubbed "Girl Meets Farkle," Farkle Minkus wonders if he has Asperger's syndrome and receives support from his friends Riley and Maya, the network said. To read more,click here

Questions Raised About Meds Used For Intellectual Disability

New research suggests that many drugs are vasty overprescribed to people with intellectual disabilities despite scant evidence that they provide any benefit. An analysis of medical records for more than 33,000 adults with intellectual disabilities in the United Kingdom between 1999 and 2013 finds one in four were prescribed antipsychotic medication. Often the drugs were used to address behavior problems like aggression and self-injury, according to findings published Tuesday in The BMJ. The trend is troubling, researchers said, because 71 percent of those with intellectual disabilities who were prescribed antipsychotics had no record of severe mental illness, which is what the drugs are designed to treat. To read more,click here

jobsNASET's Latest Job Listings

Elementary Special Ed PALS Teacher- Cave Creek Schools has a $4,000 Sign On Bonus for a Self-Contained Special Education classroom teacher. To lead students toward the fulfillment of their potential by translating the district curriculum goals and objectives into learning experiences for each individual student in the district. To learn more -Click here

* Special Education Elementary Teacher- Crescent City Schools is seeking a talented certified special education teacher to join our amazing team. Compensation is competitive and based on experience. To learn more -Click here

*Preschool Special Education Teacher- High energy, fun atmosphere. Flexible schedules, choice of settings.Empowering individuals to achieve their dreams. Opportunities available in Oswego, Fulton, Baldwinsville and Pulaski. To learn more -Click here

* Special Education Teacher-  Heritage Academies (NHA) partners with community groups to build and operate public charter schools. Founded in 1995, today NHA partners with 80 K-8 schools in 9 states serving over 50,000 students. To learn more -
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* Behavior Therapy for Autism- Butterfly Effects, a leading provider of client-centric, in-home and in-school, ABA therapy for those experiencing life on the Autism spectrum, is actively seeking energetic, outgoing, and passionate individuals to become PART-TIME Registered Behavior Technicians! To learn more-Click here

* Special Education Coordinator- AppleTree Early Learning Public Charter School seeks a motivated, passionate and experienced Special Education Coordinator to provide case management and direct services to children identified for special education and related services. To learn more -Click here

* Teacher for the Visually Impaired- The teacher assigned to the visually impaired is primarily responsible for providing itinerant and site-based instruction to students K-12 with visual disabilities. To learn more -  Click here

* Teachers of Special Education- The Randolph County School System is seeking Special Education teachers at all levels K-12. The Special Education teacher will develop and implement effective instructional practices based on students' needs. To learn more -Click here

* Cross Categorical Special Education Teacher- Join our professional team of educators and therapists, providing the individualized attention required for students with special needs in a therapeutic school environment. You'll be more than a teacher--you'll be a role model for our children and adolescents. To learn more -Click here

* Special Education Teacher- Exceptional Children's Foundation is seeking a Special Education teacher who will provide an educational program for students who are developmentally disabled or have special needs. To learn more -click here

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

Failure is an event not a person.

Zig Ziglar

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