Week in Review - September 9, 2016

NASET

WEEK IN REVIEW

National Association of Special Education Teachers

September 9, 2016                                       Vol 12 Issue # 36




Dear NASET News,

Welcome to NASET'sWEEK in REVIEW.  Here, we provide you with the latest publications from NASET to 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 the WEEK in REVIEW at news@naset.org. Have a great weekend.

Sincerely,

NASET News Team

NEW THIS WEEK ON NASET

The Practical Teacher


Disproportionate Representation of English Language Learners (ELLs) in Special Education Programs By Olga M. Torguet

This issue of NASET's Practical Teacher was written by Olga M. Torguet of Florida International University. The subject of underrepresentation and overrepresentation of English Language Learners (ELLs) in special education programs has been a topic of discussion in the field of education for many years. Students who are English Language Learners (ELL) experience many obstacles when entering the U.S. educational system. When these students struggle more than most students, they may face an even larger obstacle. In many occasions, teachers erroneously attribute low school performance to a lack of English language acquisition. Other times, educators make the opposite mistake when ELLs exhibit characteristics that resemble traits of students with learning or language disabilities and associate their poor school performance with a disability. Accurately identifying ELLs who also need special education services has long been a challenge for educators.  Read More

NASET Parent Teacher Conference Handout Issue #131

Diagnostic Symptoms for Visual and Auditory Perceptual Disabilities
Introduction
Many times parents may be confused as to what a perceptual disability is and the different types involved. There are many symptoms that may indicate problems in a certain perceptual area. Some of these are observable, while others are discovered through intakes and testing. What follows is a list of symptoms that may reflect perceptual disabilities in a variety of visual areas...
Read More

Latest Job Postings - Click Here

 

Combo Drug for Childhood Asthma Appears Safe in Study

Lingering safety concerns regarding an asthma drug for children may be put to rest by new clinical trial results showing the widely used medication is safe, according to a new report. Long-acting beta agonists (LABAs) provide short-term relief of asthma symptoms by relaxing and opening the airways. They're prescribed to child asthma sufferers in combination with an inhaled steroid drug to reduce airway inflammation, said study co-author Dr. Stanley Szefler. He is director of pediatric asthma research for the University of Colorado School of Medicine. "Together they have a dual purpose, one to reduce inflammation and the other to open up the airways to make it easier to breathe," Szefler said. Read More

Parents' Psychiatric Issues May Adversely Affect Some Children

Some children of parents with a history of psychiatric illness may be at higher risk for attempting suicide and/or engaging in violent behavior, a new Danish study suggests. Danes born to parents who had themselves attempted suicide, or who had struggled with antisocial personality disorder or marijuana abuse, were found to face the biggest risk for attempted suicide or violence -- up to four times as high, the study contended. But, study lead author Pearl Mok stressed that, despite any potential elevated risk, people born to parents with a psychiatric illness or a violent history aren't necessarily fated to experience similar difficulties.  Read More

iPads Calm Surgery-Bound Kids as Well as Sedatives

Savvy parents probably already suspect it: iPads work as well as sedative drugs to calm anxious kids before surgery, a new study shows. Researchers assessed 112 children between 4 and 10 years old in France who had day surgery requiring general anesthesia. Twenty minutes before receiving the anesthesia, 54 kids were given the sedative midazolam and 58 were handed an iPad to distract them. Anxiety levels in both groups of kids and their parents were similar, but iPads conferred none of the side effects of sedatives, the researchers said. Also, they said the kids given iPads were easier to anesthetize. Read More

More Parents Believe Vaccines Are Unnecessary

Pediatricians are encountering more parents who refuse to have their children vaccinated, mainly because they don't see the point of vaccines, a U.S. survey found. In the survey, conducted in 2013, about 87 percent of pediatricians said they had encountered vaccine refusals, an increase from the 75 percent who reported refusals during the last survey from 2006. The most common reason, provided by three out of every four parents: Vaccines are unnecessary because the diseases they prevent have been wiped out in the United States. "Because these diseases are gone, people no longer fear them, even though many of them are only a plane ride away," said Dr. Kathryn Edwards, co-author of a new American Academy of Pediatrics report based on the survey. "They don't seem to realize that these diseases do exist in other places, and could come here." Read More

Heart Birth Defects Dropped After Folic Acid Was Added to Food

The introduction of folic acid-fortified foods in Canada was associated with a decrease in babies being born with heart defects, a new study found. Researchers reviewed data from nearly 6 million births in Canada. The births occurred between 1990 and 2011. Folic acid food fortification became mandatory for all types of flour, enriched pasta and cornmeal in 1998 in Canada. During the study period, there was an 11 percent decline in rates of congenital heart defects overall. But decreases weren't seen in all types of heart defects present at birth. The biggest declines -- between 15 percent and 27 percent -- were in structural defects of the heart, such as holes in the wall of the heart or a narrowing of the major artery (the aorta) that carries blood to the body from the heart, the investigators found. Read More

TRIVIA QUESTION OF THE WEEK

Congratulations to:  Melody Owens, Tia Katarin, Brooke Soard, Ken Lemanski, Patsy Ray, Elaine Draper, Pamela Downing-Hosten, Denise Keeling, Maya Sutton and Olumide Akerele who all knew the answer to last week's trivia question.

QUESTION: Starting this fall, all public and charter schools in Texas will be allowed to equip special education classrooms with what device?

ANSWER:  Cameras in the Classroom

THE TRIVIA QUESTION OF THE WEEK WILL RETURN ON SEPTEMBER 16, 2016

Early Virus Raises Asthma Risk in Certain Kids: Study

A common genetic variation significantly boosts the odds of asthma in children who've had a severe respiratory illness at a young age, researchers report. "Our findings suggest that genetic influences on asthma might be more pronounced in the context of early life environmental exposures, especially viral respiratory infections," said Dr. Rajesh Kumar, an allergist at Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago. He is senior author of the new report. The study involved nearly 3,500 Hispanic children, aged 8 to 21, and a smaller number of black children. It focused on a variation of the Plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) gene. PAI-1 is an enzyme that increases in the airways in response to viral illness, sometimes causing damage, the researchers explained.Read More.

Young Children's Antibiotic Exposure Associated with Higher Food Allergy Risk

Antibiotic treatment within the first year of life may wipe out more than an unwanted infection: exposure to the drugs is associated with an increase in food allergy diagnosis, new research from the University of South Carolina suggests. Analyzing South Carolina Medicaid administrative data from 2007 to 2009, researchers from the College of Pharmacy, School of Medicine and Arnold School of Public Health identified 1,504 cases of children with food allergies and 5,995 controls without food allergies, adjusting for birth month and year, sex and race/ethnicity. Applying conditional logistic regression and adjusting for factors including birth, breastfeeding, asthma, eczema, maternal age and urban residence, the researchers found that children prescribed antibiotics within the first year of life were 1.21 times more likely to be diagnosed with food allergy than children who hadn't received an antibiotic prescription. Read More

Wounds from Childhood Bullying May Persist into College Years

Childhood bullying inflicts the same long-term psychological trauma on girls as severe physical or sexual abuse, suggests a new survey of college students. The study, which involved 480 college freshmen through seniors, indicated that the detrimental effects of bullying may linger for years, negatively affecting victims' mental health well into young adulthood. While most of the scholarship on bullying has focused on kindergarten through 12th-grade students, the struggles revealed by college students who participated in the research suggest a need to develop assessments and interventions for this population, according to the researchers. Read More

Newer Epilepsy Drugs Taken While Pregnant not Linked to Lower IQs in Children

Two newer epilepsy drugs may not harm the thinking skills or IQs of school-aged children whose mothers took them while pregnant -- but an older drug is linked to cognitive problems in children, especially if their mothers took high doses -- according to new research from The University of Manchester. Valproate, one of the most commonly prescribed antiepileptic medications, has been associated in the past with birth defects and developmental problems. However, two newer drugs -- levetiracetam and topirimate -- have had little or no investigations into their developmental impact until this latest research, published published in the August 31, 2016, issue of Neurology®, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology. Read More

Board Certification in Special Education Available to NASET Members

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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.Read More

Autism Genes Vary, Even Among Siblings

Within families with multiple kids on the spectrum, varying genetic roots are often at play, according to a new study that's highlighting just how complicated the developmental disorder is. Roughly 11 percent of families affected by autism have more than one child on the spectrum. While it seems logical that shared genetic variations would be responsible, researchers found otherwise. The study involved an analysis of genetic data collected from 1,532 families of those with autism. In 80 percent of families in the study, multiple members had the developmental disorder. Read More.

Waiting List Placements May Violate ADA

Being on a waiting list for community-based services may be evidence enough that an individual with developmental disabilities is at risk for institutionalization in violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act, according to the U.S. Department of Justice. In a statement of interest filed this month, the Justice Department said that if individuals with developmental disabilities are not receiving services in the community, they may have a claim that their rights have been violated.Read More

Advocates Seek Urgent Passage of Wandering Bill

Hoping to harness momentum, disability advocates are pushing Congress to fast-track legislation designed to help kids with autism and other developmental disabilities at risk of wandering. The bill known as Kevin and Avonte's Law was approved by the U.S. Senate in July. Now, advocates are working to get the House of Representatives to consider the measure yet this year. With limited time before the November election, the Autism Safety Coalition - comprised of a dozen groups supporting the bill - is asking the House Judiciary Committee to forgo a hearing and move to send Kevin and Avonte's Law straight to the House floor for a vote. Read More

Study Links Autism Severity to Genetics, Ultrasound

For children with autism and a class of genetic disorders, exposure to diagnostic ultrasound in the first trimester of pregnancy is linked to increased autism severity, according to a study by researchers at UW Medicine, UW Bothell and Seattle Children's Research Institute. The study published Sept. 1 in Autism Research studied the variability of symptoms among kids with autism, not what causes autism. What they found is that exposure to diagnostic ultrasound in the first trimester is linked to increased autism symptom severity. The greatest link is among kids with certain genetic variations associated with autism; 7 percent of the children in the study had those variations. Read More

Report: Racial Disparities Exist in ADHD Diagnoses, Treatment

Researchers found a disparity in the likelihood that black and Latino children receive treatment for attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder compared to their white counterparts. "There are multiple places where we are missing out for diagnosis and treatment of African American and Latino children," Dr. Tumaini Coker, one of the study's authors, explains. Although black children were more likely to show symptoms of ADHD than white children, they were less likely to be diagnosed or treated for the disorder, and even as around the same percentage of Latino children show symptoms of ADHD as white children, a similar disparity in likelihood of treatment existed. Read More

Honor Society for Special Education Teachers

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Study: Benefits of High-Quality Head Start Last into Middle School


A new review of Head Start by researchers at Georgetown University finds that, done well, the federal preschool program can have positive academic effects that last nearly a decade. The new findings stand in contrast to a handful of recent studies of Head Start that suggest its effects wear off fairly quickly. While a few studies have shown long-term positive impacts on factors such as grade repetition, high school graduation, college attendance and adult earnings, others have been less promising. Those include a federally sponsored 2010 review that found advantages for graduates of the program in just a few key outcomes by the end of first grade. Read More

Beyond IEPs: Learning Disabilities Go To College

"My Learning Disability (LD) magically disappears now that I am 18 years old, right?" "Without an IEP and my parents breathing down my back, should I just try really hard and not use accommodations?" "Will my teachers know that I have a Learning Disability and will they judge whether or not I am smart based on that?" These were all questions I had when I graduated high school with Learning Disabilities and let me share a bit of my dyslexic wisdom... The short answer to the first question: No! My LD didn't magically disappear after graduating high school.Read More

Bipolar vs. Borderline Personality Disorder: The Differences Between The Two

While bipolar and borderline personality disorder have similar symptoms - such as extreme mood swings - that can oft confuse the two, they're completely different conditions that have their own unique treatments. Diagnosing either of the disorders is extremely difficult and requires extensive questioning, medical history, and information about the person's background and symptoms to get to a proper conclusion. It's especially tricky, since many of these disorders overlap and seem to play off one another. According to a study published in Psychiatry, a large number of bipolar patients (up to 69 percent) are misdiagnosed initially, and up to one-third remain misdiagnosed for a long time afterward. Many bipolar patients are first diagnosed with depression and prescribed antidepressants - which can actually be dangerous to bipolar patients, since they can induce hypomania and trigger the mania to depression cycle over and over again. Read More
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LATEST JOB LISTINGS POSTED ON NASET


*Special Education Coordinator - BASIS Educational Group is seeking Special Education Coordinators for 2016-2017 whose primary responsibility will be to oversee the entire special education program at a school site. We have multiple locations; Prescott, Goodyear and Chandler with openings. The academic program is consistently ranked among the top 10 programs nationally and is competitive on an international scale. To learn more -Click here
*K - 2 RSP Teacher and Coordinator Position - The mission of Citizens of the World Charter Schools Los Angeles (CWCLA) is to provide a socio- economically, culturally and racially diverse community of students in the heart of Los Angeles with an intellectually challenging, experiential learning environment that develops each individual student's confidence, potential, and individual responsibility as citizens of the world in which we live.  To learn more -Click here
*Curriculum Coordinator - Is responsible for coordinating the curriculum resources (print, technology, and created) for the school in order to meet the needs of our students in accordance with the COMAR regulations set forth by the Maryland State Department of Education.  The CC serves as the school Test Coordinator for all state mandated testing (Alt-MSE, NCSC, etc).  To learn more  - Click here
*PRINCIPAL - STEM3 ACADEMY - We are seeking an engaged, knowledgeable, enthusiastic individual to take on the position of Principal for a new STEM Academy for students with social and learning differences, including autism. STEM3 Academy is for students in grades 9 through 12 who have a talent and passion for STEM-related activities. To learn more - Click here
*Curriculum Specialist - STEM3 is a unique, state-of-the-art STEM-based high school educating students with special needs, including those with high functioning autism. STEM3 Academy is home to students who are interested in a variety of careers including those that relate to Science, Technology, Engineering and Math. To learn more - Click here
*Intervention Specialist, Grades 9-12 - At Life Skills High Schools we strive to provide our unique students with the best education possible. It is our goal each and every day to Educate, Innovate, Inspire, and Love each and every individual that comes to our schools. We pride ourselves in knowing that our students are not only receiving the best education that they deserve, but also developing the necessary life skills needed in this day and age to become the successful person that is in us all. To learn more - click here
*Special Education Teachers - The special education teacher will develop, implement and monitor the students' Individualized Education Programs in collaboration with parents and other IEP Team members. The teacher will promote a collaborative relationship with school staff and parents that will foster inclusionary practices. To learn more - Click here

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

You can't stay in your corner of the forest waiting for others to come to you. You have to go to them sometimes.

Winnie-the-Pooh


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