Week in Review - May 19, 2017


NASET

WEEK IN REVIEW

National Association of Special Education Teachers
May 19, 2017                                                Vol 13 Issue # 20


Dear NASET News,

Welcome to NASET'sWEEK in REVIEW.  Here, we provide you with the latest publications fromNASET 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- May 2017

Intervention for Struggling Writers in Elementary Schools: A Review of the Literature. By Jennifer Freesland

This issue of NASET'sPractical Teacher was written by Jennifer Friesland. Many researchers have conducted studies on different methods to help students who are struggling with writing. In reviewing the following literature, there are a number of studies that touch on different aspects of writing. There are different types of interventions used during these studies, such as writing workshops, expressive writing, computer-based planning and playing music in the background.  There are also studies on the types of measurements used to assess writing, since there is a gap in research that pertains to finding valid assessments to identify writing difficulties (Ritchey & Coker, 2014). Most of the studies focus on specific participants such as, students with Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD), middle school age students, or students with Specific Learning Disabilities (SLD). Read More
NASET's Early Intervention Series
Part 1 - Early Intervention, Then and Now
Introduction
Early Intervention services are designed to address the developmental needs of eligible infants and toddlers with disabilities, ages birth to third birthday, and their families. Early intervention is authorized by Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Ac ( IDEA). Read More
Program Helps Young Adults with Autism Find Jobs

When kids with autism graduate high school, they may need adult services to help them find a job or live on their own. And parents may need a helping hand in navigating the new and confusing system, researchers say.  In a small study, investigators found that young adults with autism fared better when their parents received help in understanding the adult services system. The young adults were twice as likely to be working or in some type of post-secondary education, versus their peers whose families were on a waitlist for the program. In the real world, it's often difficult for parents to figure out the system of services available to young adults with autism, according to Julie Taylor, the lead researcher on the study. Read More
Report: 27 Percent of Idaho High Schoolers with Disabilities Drop Out

Here in Idaho, 27 percent of students who have learning disabilities drop out of high school, a new national report shows. The National Center for Learning Disabilities released a report Tuesday, "The State of Learning Disabilities: Understanding the 1 in 5." It's part of research about one-in-five children in the United States who have learning or attention disabilities. The report states more than 6,000 Idaho children receive special education services - about 9 percent of public school students. Read More

JOB LISTINGS CLICK HERE
Tool-Turned-Toy has Some Educators' Heads Spinning - and Kids Told to Leave 'em Home

There's a new entry on the list of things - cool as they are, and sometimes having benefits - that teachers and principals are telling students to leave at home. In past years and decades, the must-haves among students have included yo-yos, pogs, trading cards from sports to Pokémon, clackers and, more recently, kendamas. Go back far enough and marbles and kazoos must have been no-no's, too. Right now, the hot property is the fidget spinner. They're among little gadgets - others include cubes and rings - that research indicates are effective in improving concentration and focus in students with ADHD. They're also marketed as stress relievers. But from kids in grade school to high school, they're just plain cool. And at some stores, they're flying off the shelves. James Mitchell, a crew member at the 7-Eleven on McHenry Avenue at Morris, estimates the store has sold nearly 200 of them, at $7.99 a pop. Wednesday, the shop was sold out and awaiting a shipment of anywhere from 50 to 100 on Thursday. Read More
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Cells that Trim Brain Connections are Linked to Autism

Cells that prune connections between neurons in babies' brains as they grow are thought to have a role in autism spectrum disorder. Now, a study suggests that the number and behaviour of these cells - called microglia - vary in boys and girls, a finding that could help to explain why many more boys are diagnosed with autism and related disorders. Donna Werling, a neurogeneticist at the University of California, San Francisco, and her colleagues found that genes associated with microglia are more active in male brains than in female brains in the months before birth. "This suggests there is something fundamentally different about male and female brain development," she says. Read More
Study: Athletes with ADHD More Likely to Play Team Sports, Adding Increased Injury Risk

It is estimated that roughly six million children in the U.S. have attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, commonly known as ADHD. And while the impact it can have on students in the classroom is often the focus of studies, less is known about how the disorder affects young athletes. Researchers at the Wexner Medical Center recently performed a study and found that athletes with ADHD have increased impulsivity which can put them at a higher risk for injury, especially in contact sports. "It's a topic that doesn't get much attention, so we wanted to begin to understand the role this very common condition might play in our student-athletes," Dr. James Borchers, director of the division of sports medicine at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, said in a University release. "What we found was somewhat surprising." Read More
Treat Autism Even Before Symptoms Show?

Treating emerging signs of autism in young babies who are at high risk for the disorder helped improve their attention, language, communication and social skills, preliminary research shows. In the first study of its kind, British researchers used months of video feedback to help the parents of 28 infants -- at high risk of autism because a sibling has the disorder -- understand and respond to their baby's individual communication cues. The children were tracked until they were 3 years old, an age at which autism symptoms often surface. "We wanted to see the downstream effects on this kind of development and see it play out over the next few years," said study author Dr. Jonathan Green. He's a professor of child and adolescent psychiatry at University of Manchester. Read More

TRIVIA QUESTION OF THE WEEK
Congratulations to: Aisha Thomas, Jolinda Davis, Denise Scairpon, Cindi Maurice, Sharon Johnson-Hiltz, Debbie Kaye, Patsy Ray, Olumide Akerele, Teresa Pitts, Jessica Gaspar, Meryl Rednercohen and John Walter who all knew the answer to last week's trivia question.

QUESTION:
According to the latest research published in the Journal of the Endocrine Society, children with obesity face four times the risk of developing what medical condition compared to children with a body mass index (BMI) in the normal range?
ANSWER:  Type 2 Diabetes
This week's question: 
According to research published in by JAMA Ophthalmology by Rohit Varma, M.D., M.P.H., of the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, is the number of preschool children in the U.S. to be diagnosed with visual impairments projected to increase, decrease or remain the same in the coming decades?
If you know the answer, email us at contactus@naset.org by May 22, 2017.  We will acknowledge your correct answer in the next edition of the Week in Review
For People with ADHD, Taking Meds May Help Reduce Car Crashes

If you have attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), a new study suggests you would be wise to take your medication if you want to lower your chances of getting into a car accident. The "core symptoms" of ADHD are what boosts crash risk in the first place, explained study author Zheng Chang. Those include "inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity," said Chang. He is a postdoctoral candidate in the department of medical epidemiology and biostatistics at the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, Sweden. Other common ADHD-related behaviors -- such as excessive risk-taking, poor control of aggression, and substance use -- can make matters worse, he added. Read More
Alabama Senate Leader says Autism Bill Will Have its Day

A closely watched bill to require many insurance plans to cover autism therapy will be debated in the Alabama Senate next Wednesday, President Pro Tem Del Marsh. "We're not only committed to getting a vote in this chamber, we're committed to get it to the House in time to concur if necessary and to the governor," Marsh said. Senate budget chairman Trip Pittman had said Wednesday he might not report the bill from the budget committee even though the committee approved it by a 14-2 vote. Pittman said he would report the bill although he said he remains concerned about potential costs to taxpayers. Pittman, who has been a budget chairman since Republicans took control of the Senate in 2010, said how to handle the autism bill is one of the most difficult decisions he's had to make. Read More
Right-or left-Handedness Affects Sign Language Comprehension

The speed at which sign language users understand what others are 'saying' to them depends on whether the conversation partners are left- or right-handed, a new study has found. Researchers at the University of Birmingham worked with British Sign Language (BSL) signers to see how differences in sign production affect sign comprehension. In BSL a signer's dominant hand produces all one-handed signs and 'leads' when producing two-handed signs. They discovered that in general right- and left-handed signers respond faster when they were watching a right-handed signer. However, left-handed signers responded more quickly to complex two-handed signs made by signers who 'led' with their left hand. Similarly, right-handed signers reacted more swiftly to two-handed signs from fellow right-handers. Read More
SPECIAL EDUCATION LAW SYMPOSIUM (JUNE 18-JUNE 23, 2017)
Lehigh University's intensive one-week institute provides a practical analysis of legislation, regulations, and court decisions relating to the education of students with disabilities. The symposium is designed for special education coordinators and teachers, principals, psychologists, parent advocates, charter school personnel, attorneys (on both sides), hearing officers, state education agency personnel, and other individuals interested in a thorough exploration of the special education legal landscape.
The Symposium is offered with the options of graduate or continuing education credit for week-long participants. Shorter, including daily, registrations are also available. For full information, go to http://go.lehigh.edu/spedlaw. For any questions, email or call Shannon Weber or Donna Johnson at specialedlaw@lehigh.edu or (610) 758-5557.
In Illinois, Shortage of Caregivers for People with Disabilities Intensifies

In the past year, Tom and Rosemary Bellaire have grown accustomed to distraught phone calls in the middle of the night from their son, Rob, who lives in a residential home for people with disabilities. "He says, 'I need to go to the bathroom and no one is coming,'" said Rosemary Bellaire, of Clarendon Hills, who considers driving to her 30-year-old son in Villa Park after each phone call. But she and her husband know that by the time they arrive, he will likely already have had an accident and they'll be too late. "It's just heartbreaking." The Bellaires say their situation is evidence of a statewide shortage of caregivers known as direct support professionals who feed, bathe and perform other essential tasks for people with disabilities. Read More
Childhood Bullying Linked to Health Risks in Adulthood

Childhood bullying may lead to long-lasting health consequences, impacting psychosocial risk factors for cardiovascular health well into adulthood, according to a study published in Psychological Science, a journal of the Association for Psychological Science. The unique study tracked a diverse group of over 300 American men from first grade through their early thirties and the findings indicate that being a victim of bullying and being a bully were both linked to negative outcomes in adulthood. The study, led by psychology researcher Karen A. Matthews of the University of Pittsburgh, showed that men who were bullies during childhood were more likely to smoke cigarettes and use marijuana, to experience stressful circumstances, and to be aggressive and hostile at follow-up more than 20 years later. Men who were bullied as children, on the other hand, tended to have more financial difficulties, felt more unfairly treated by others, and were less optimistic about their future two decades later. Read More
In Indiana, Governor Signs New Law Designed to Help People with Disabilities Find Full-Time Jobs

Gov. Holcomb ceremonially signed a new law Wednesday focused on helping individuals with disabilities find full-time employment. The new law will task the Commission on Rehabilitation Services with identifying and resolving barriers to employment for people with disabilities. State Rep. Mike Karickhoff (R-Kokomo), who sponsored the bill, said that the law will increase the number of community partners that serve on the commission. The taskforce will reportedly determine how many people with disabilities are in a competitive integrated employment and then set goals to increase that number. "This new priority enables the state to better promote competitive employment for working-age individuals with disabilities," Karickhoff said. "The plan includes policies that focus on community-based, integrated employment opportunities." Read More
Uber Gets Sued Over Lack of Services Available to People with Disabilities

Although Uber has launched a program for people with disabilities to use the car-hailing service, the program is not available in all the markets in which Uber operates. Two people who use wheelchairs have filed a lawsuit against Uber alleging that Uber has violated Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act, the California Disabled Persons Act and California's unfair competition law. According to the suit, the two plaintiffs are unable to use Uber because the company doesn't enable them to request cars that are accessible to people with wheelchairs in Jackson, Mississippi. "As a result, persons with disabilities in Jackson have no ability to call a wheelchair accessible vehicle or a specially trained driver through the Uber app," the lawsuit states. "Even if there are drivers on the road who have such a vehicle or training, there is no way for Jackson users with a disability to find a trained driver or accessible vehicle through the app." Read More
Report Shows 1 in 6 Kansas Students with Learning Disabilities Drop Out

This year's New 'State of Learning Disabilities' report shines a spotlight on issues affecting Kansas students with learning disabilities. According to the national report, 16% of Kansas students who have learning disabilities drop out of high school. More than 24,000 children in Kansas receive special education for learning disabilities and most of these students spend most of the school day in general education classrooms.  The report went on to say, that inclusion is beneficial, but in a nationwide survey many general educators said they don't have the training or the resources to meet the needs of diverse learners.  "Children with learning and attention issues are as smart as their peers and with the right support can achieve at high levels, but a lack of early or effective interventions leads too many kids on a downward spiral," says Mimi Corcoran, President and CEO of NCLD. Read More
Gene Controls Birth Defect Common in Diabetes

Researchers have identified a gene that plays a key role in the formation of neural tube defects, a problem commonly found in infants of pregnant women with diabetes. This is the first time the gene has been shown to play this role; it opens up a new way to understand these defects, and may one day lead to new treatments that could prevent the problem or decrease its incidence. The findings were published today in the journal Nature Communications. "This gene plays a crucial role in the process that leads to these defects," said the study's lead author, Peixin Yang, a professor in the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences at UM SOM. "Now that we have pinpointed the mechanism, we can begin to focus on how we can stop it from happening in humans." Read More
Direct and Not Indirect Childhood Abuse Linked to Non-Suicidal Self-Injury in Adolescents

Adolescents who were physically abused or sexually abused were more likely to engage in non-suicidal self-injury than their non-abused counterparts, according to a new study from researchers at the University of Toronto and Western University. The study appears online in the journal Child Abuse & Neglect. "We found that about one in three adolescents with mental health problems in Ontario engaged in non-suicidal self-injury. We were surprised to find that only the experience of adversities directed towards the child (physical and sexual abuse) predicted non-suicidal self-injury and not adversities indicative of parental risk such as parental mental health issues or exposure to domestic violence" says lead author Philip Baiden, a PhD Candidate at the Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work, University of Toronto. Controlling for other factors, the authors also found that adolescents who are females, had symptoms of depression, diagnosis of ADHD, and mood disorders were more likely to engage in non-suicidal self-injury. However, adolescents who have someone that they could turn to for emotional support when in crises were less likely to engage in non-suicidal self-injury. Read More
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Bullying's Lasting Impact

A new study led by the University of Delaware found that kids who are bullied in fifth grade often suffer from depression and begin using alcohol and other substances a few years after the incidents. "Students who experienced more frequent peer victimization in fifth grade were more likely to have greater symptoms of depression in seventh grade, and a greater likelihood of using alcohol, marijuana or tobacco in tenth grade," said the study's leader, Valerie Earnshaw, a social psychologist and assistant professor in UD's College of Education and Human Development. The study involved researchers from universities and hospitals in six states, who analyzed data collected between 2004 and 2011 from 4,297 students on their journey from fifth through tenth grade. The findings were published online in the medical journal Pediatrics. Read More
Parents' Motivation Influences Students' Academic Outcomes

Whether parental help has positive or negative effects on students' academic outcomes depends on the motivation and involvement of their parents. Results of a study conducted by the Hector Research Institute of Education Sciences and Psychology suggest that students whose parents are interested in math and perceive their own math competencies to be high perform better than students with parents who show a low interest in math and regard their competencies in the domain as equally low -- regardless of the intensity of the help students receive at home. The results have now been published in Child Development. Read More
Watching Movies Can Replace General Anesthesia for Kids with Cancer Having Radiotherapy

Children with cancer could be spared dozens of doses of general anesthesia by projecting a video directly on to the inside of a radiotherapy machine during treatment, according to research presented at the ESTRO 36 conference. Although cancer is rare in children, worldwide there are approximately 215,000 new cases in the under 15s each year. Around a sixth of these children require treatment with radiotherapy, including those with brain tumors, and bone and soft tissue sarcomas such as Ewing sarcoma and rhabdomyosarcoma. Catia Aguas, a radiation therapist and dosimetrist at the Cliniques Universitaires Saint Luc, Brussels, Belgium, told the conference that using video instead of general anesthesia is less traumatic for children and their families, as well as making each treatment quicker and more cost effective. Read More
How Pokémon GO Can Help Students Build Stronger Communication Skills

Technology continues to change the way students learn and engage with their peers, parents and community. That is why Emily Howell, an assistant professor in Iowa State University's School of Education, is working with teachers to develop new ways to incorporate digital tools in the classroom, including playing games such as Pokémon GO. The focus of Howell's work is two-fold -- to give students equitable access to technology and help them build multimodal communication skills. That means not only using technology to consume information or replace traditional classroom tools, but experimenting with new forms of communication, she said. Instead of having students read a book on a tablet or use the computer to type an assignment, they need to learn how to create and upload videos or build graphics and maps to convey their message. Read More
jobs
LATEST JOB LISTINGS POSTED ON NASET

*Certified Special Education Substitute Teacher- Substitute teachers are an integral part of education as they provide the classroom continuity needed for effective learning. Source4Teachers, recently named one of Forbes' America's Best Large Employers of 2017, has daily and long-term substitute opportunities each day at the Allegheny Intermediate Unit. To learn more - Click here

*SPECIAL EDUCATION INSTRUCTOR- We're searching for an innovative special education teacher to work with our wonderful young adults enrolled in the program. The selected candidate must have exceptional organizational skills, creativity, and passion. To learn more - Click here

*Educational Support/Special Education Teacher- Do you LOVE helping students learn and succeed according to their unique learning style? We share your passion and have an opening for a full time Educational Support/Special Education teacher at our bustling Upper School (grades 9-12) for the 2017-18 school year. To learn more - Click here

*Teacher of the Visually Impaired- Help Lighthouse Louisiana to build a better tomorrow for our students with vision impairment, while living in an exciting city with food, fun, and festivals galore. Lighthouse Louisiana is seeking a Certified Teacher of the Visually Impaired who is eager to use his/her skills and creativity to provide itinerant vision services and to develop youth programs for children with vision loss in the Greater New Orleans area. To learn more - Click here

*Special Education Teacher- District of Columbia International School (DCI) is a public charter middle and high school in DC. We aim to provide our students with a world-class education that empowers them to follow their passions and change the world. To learn more - Click here

*Special Education Teacher- Valhalla & Bronx - Easterseals Bronx Child Development Center is seeking a Special Education Teacher for their preschool program for children with special needs for summer session beginning July 3 - August 11, 2017. To learn more - Click here

* ClassroomTeacher - Special Education- Come for a job, find a family. Where else but Benedictine? Be inspired to come to work every day knowing that you are making a difference in someone else's life. Our teams of professionals work together to improve the quality of life of adults and children with developmental disabilities by helping them achieve their greatest potential in all aspects of life; school, residential, and vocational. To learn more - Click here

*Special Education Teacher- We are currently seeking Special Education Teachers for our middle schools and high schools. The Special Education Teacher is responsible for ensuring that all special education students receive comprehensive, compassionate and equitable services in order to achieve breakthrough academic achievement and character development.  To learn more - Click here

*Arizona Special Education Teacher- STARS seeks Special Education Teachers for the 2017-2018 school year. and is able to offer you an unbeatable support system and resources. Stars places Special Education Teachers throughout the Phoenix, Tucson and the surrounding area public schools. To learn more - Click here

*Classroom Teacher- The Wardlaw School for children with dyslexia is currently seeking an outstanding professional to serve as classroom teacher in our multi-disciplinary, collaborative educational environment. To learn more - Click here

*Teaching in New York City- New York City public schools offer competitive starting salaries ranging from $54,000 to $81,694, based on prior teaching experience as well as your undergraduate and graduate education. To learn more - Click Here

*Special Education Specialist- The primary responsibility of the Special Education Specialist is to provide instruction and other related services to Special Education students. The Special Education Specialist will also facilitate diagnostic assessment including administration, scoring and interpretation. To learn more - Click here

If you are an Employer looking for excellent special education staff - Click here for more information

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

You can't depend on your eyes when your imagination is out of focus.
Mark Twain

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