Week in Review - April 29, 2022

NASET

WEEK IN REVIEW

National Association of Special Education Teachers

April 29, 2022                 Vol 18 Issue #17



Dear NASET Members and Guests,

Welcome to NASET's WEEK 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,


WHATS NEW AT NASET

NASET's Parent Teacher Conference Handout

Accessible Educational Materials and Technologies in the IEP

Introduction

What are AEM? AEM are print- and technology-based educational materials, which include printed and electronic textbooks and related core materials that are designed or converted in a way that makes them usable across the widest range of individual variability regardless of format (print, digital, graphic, audio, video). Thus, the term “AEM” includes printed materials that have been converted into specialized formats as well as accessible digital materials and technologies.

This brief comes from the National Center on Accessible Educational Materials, otherwise known as the AEM Center. It’s 17 pages long, but provides excellent guiding questions for those involved in writing a student’s IEP. It begins by answering such basics as:

  • What are accessible educational materials and technologies?
  • Why is it important for IEP teams to consider whether a student needs them in order to access the general curriculum?
  • What does IDEA require?
  • Where in the IEP should certain AEM-related information be included–and how? (Great examples!)

Read More


NASET ADVOCACY - Board Certification for Advocacy in Special Education (BCASE)


Remote Learning Special Education Litigation Lower than Expected

The number of special education-related lawsuits against school systems due to extended school closures during the pandemic is lower than anticipated two years after the global health crisis began. Although the pandemic continues to disrupt in-person learning and the statute of limitations for suing over missed services for students with disabilities has yet to expire in some places, school administrators, attorneys and disability rights advocates say their own experiences or anecdotal stories they've heard show the expected rise in litigation has not materialized so far. Read More

“Would You Rather” Questions for Kids with ADHD (and More Inspired Conversation Starters)

 “Would you rather swim in Jell-O or chocolate sauce?” “If you could have superpowers, what would they be?” “What do you think will be most challenging thing about life after high school?” These questions inspire laughter and sometimes even deep thought, yes. But, more importantly, they open the door to meaningful connection with your child – which is especially important if the parent-child bond has been strained or complicated by attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD or ADD). The right kind of question – asked at the right time and with the best intentions – can make children of all ages feel understood and valued, which contributes immensely to their development and to the entire family’s wellbeing. Read More

Long Wait Times and Provider Shortages Hinder ADHD Diagnosis

As awareness of mental health issues and disorders has increased in recent years, local behavioral health care providers say they’ve seen more demand for not only individual therapy, but testing for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Dr. Cornelia Kirchhoff, assistant director of the Washington State University Psychology Clinic, said in her clinic she’s noticed a significant increase in people seeking ADHD testing and information in the past year.  “We probably have 10 to 20 people a month to contact us about ADHD testing,” she said. “I want to say in the past, we probably had five to 10 people.” Read More


 


Students with Disabilities Serve Up Coffee, Smoothies at Cafe

Damien Jones was ready to fire up the blender. "Blender on," he said in a raised voice as he prepared another order at the Whippet Up Café.  Each day, students with disabilities take and make orders and deliver coffee and smoothies at Shelby High School,  under the watchful eye of intervention specialist Molly Mahaney. Mahaney previously sent out a survey to see how staff felt about the idea before going forward. "Everyone seemed really excited about it," she said. When the students with disabilities arrive at school, they eat breakfast, then do their hygiene "so they look presentable for work." Read More

High School Co-Teaching in the Classroom, Supporting Special Education Students

Fresno Unified is supporting its special education students with a unique program. The district has a strong focus on inclusion, stressing that every student is a general education student first. Thanks to the co-teaching program, each student that receives special education services won't miss out on that classroom experience or one-on-one teaching time. McLane High School Education Specialist Vanessa Clifton is one of two teachers in her high school classroom. "We have amazing teachers both on the general education and education specialist side," said Clifton. "We're able to help the students with diverse learning needs really have access to the curriculum." In co-teaching classrooms, there's a general education teacher and an education specialist. The team works together to provide special education students the same curriculum, in the same setting as their peers. Read More

New Drug Improved Tic Severity in Children with Tourette Syndrome

A decrease in the severity of tics in children and adolescents with Tourette syndrome was observed following the use of ecopipam, according to data presented at the 2022 American Academy of Neurology annual meeting. “Our results are exciting, because they suggest ecopipam shows promise as a treatment for reducing the number, frequency and severity of the tics young p eople experience with Tourette syndrome,” study author Donald L. Gilbert, MD, AAN fellow and professor and neurologist at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, said in a released statement. “That’s especially true because many people with the disease who are taking the medications currently available still have debilitating symptoms or experience weight gain or other side effects.” Read More

COVID-Era Tech Innovations Are Here to Stay

Students at Valley Elementary School in California’s Poway USD stopped simply consuming educational technology during the pandemic shift online. Now, they produce videos and digital books, among other projects, to show evidence of what they’re learning. “We just recently had 4th-graders focused on Black History Month choose a historical figure to highlight and create video presentations for kids in the lower grades,” Principal Ricardo Ceceña says. “They showcased their learning to the rest of the school.” Across the country, educators like Ceceña are now building on the innovations of the remote and hybrid eras to reach a new normal of more advanced use of   educational technology. Read Mor

 



TRIVIA QUESTION OF THE WEEK

Congratulations to: Catherine Cardenas, Renee Chichester, Diane Campbell-Mitchell, Karen Frantz-Fry, Erika Musgrove, Deanna Krieg, Tracey Christilles, Cheryl Blocher, Marcia Walton, Cynthia Turcotte, Cindi Maurice, Zenaida Lemus, Carolyn Wall, Patsy Ray, Lauro Esquilona, Wanda Routier, Helen Wardenaar, and Katrina Snider who all knew the answer to last week's trivia question:

This genetic disorder is characterized by mild to moderate delays in cognitive development or learning difficulties, a distinctive facial appearance, and a unique personality that combines over-friendliness and high levels of empathy with anxiety. The most significant medical problem associated with it is cardiovascular disease caused by narrowed arteries. It is also associated with elevated blood calcium levels in infancy. A random genetic mutation (deletion of a small piece of chromosome 7), rather than inheritance, most often causes the disorder. However, individuals who have this genetic disorder have a 50 percent chance of passing it on if they decide to have children. The characteristic facial features of the disorder include puffiness around the eyes, a short nose with a broad nasal tip, wide mouth, full cheeks, full lips, and a small chin. People with this genetic disorder are also likely to have a long neck, sloping shoulders, short stature, limited mobility in their joints, and curvature of the spine. What is the genetic disorder caused by the deletion of a small piece of chromosome 7?

Answer: WILLIAMS SYNDROME

THE TRIVIA QUESTION OF THE WEEK WILL RETURN ON MAY 6, 2022


Rural Students' Achievement Growth Disrupted by Summer Slide

Overall, the three studies "revealed reasons for both optimism and concern," said Lindsay Dworkin, vice president of policy and advocacy at NWEA, in a statement.  "While the findings disrupt some long-held deficit-based thinking about some of these student groups, they also demonstrate the disproportionate impact that learning interruptions have on their achievement in the long-term, making high quality summer learning opportunities and other interventions critical.”  More specifically, the research for the first time shows that a middle school gap between rural and non-rural students may be attributed to larger declines in achievement for rural students over summer break, said Angela Johnson, research scientist for NWEA, in an email. Read More

Scientists Unveil the Format of Working Memory

A team of scientists has discovered how working memory is "formatted" -- a finding that enhances our understanding of how visual memories are stored. "For decades researchers have wondered about the nature of the neural representations that support our working memory," explains Clayton Curtis, professor of psychology and neural science at New York University and the senior author of the paper, which appears in the journal Neuron. "In this study, we used both experimental and analytical techniques to reveal the format of working memory representations in the brain." The ability to store information for brief periods of time, or "working memory," is a building block for most of our higher cognitive processes, and its dysfunction is at the heart of a variety of psychiatric and neurologic symptoms, including schizophrenia. Read More

Increasing Female Representation in STEM Careers Starts with Exposure

It’s no secret that women are underrepresented in science, technology, engineering, and math, or STEM, fields. Nationally, in 2019, women made up 48% of the workforce, but just 27% of STEM workers. California does slightly better than the nation. San Francisco, San Jose and Fremont all rank among the top five highest cities for women in these fields.  But respectively, women still only make up 27.9%, 25.8%, and 25.7% of STEM roles filled by women in those cities. Why is a state that often leads the nation in change not doing any better in employing women in science and technology fields? What’s at the core of the issue, and what can educators do to help change things? Only 30% of students taking computer science courses in California high schools are female. Yet, females make up 49% of California high school students. Read More

Maladaptive Daydreaming May be a Better Diagnosis for Some than ADHD, Study Finds

Maladaptive daydreaming (MD) may be a better diagnosis for some people than ADHD, according to a new study by Ben-Gurion University of the Negev researchers, in collaboration with the University of Haifa. MD is a condition whereby people slip into involved highly detailed and realistic daydreams that can last hours at the cost of normal functioning. It has not yet been recognized as a formal psychiatric syndrome. However, Dr. Nirit Soffer-Dudek of the Consciousness and Psychopathology Laboratory in the Department of Psychology at BGU is one of the foremost experts on the condition and is hoping to get MD added to the next edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM VI), by promoting rigorous research on the subject. Read More



Lehigh University Special Education Law Symposium

Lehigh University’s virtual Special Education Law Symposium returns from June 19-24. Sessions recorded for later viewing. Twenty-eight experienced special education attorneys from across the country will present eight new “hot topics” from the very latest case law: dyslexia legal update, stay put permutations, liability for abuse of students with disabilities, navigating compensatory services and compensatory education, settlement strategies, and more with a focus upon COVID-19 implications. Legally Basic and Legally Experienced tracks. The Section 504 Coordinators Institute is an overlapping, but separable two-day (June 23-24) component intended for school district Section 504 coordinators and others interested in this increasingly important anti-discrimination statute. Dr. Perry Zirkel (PA) and Jose Martin (TX) will respectively offer (a) an in-depth comparison of Section 504 and the IDEA and (b) legal nuances for IDEA-eligible students who also present unique Section 504 factors. Kathleen Sullivan (CO) and Judith Nedell (CT) offer a full day of practical solutions to basic and thorny 504 challenges. Week-long and per day symposium options available. Balance of school and parent viewpoints. For more information, see go.lehigh.edu/spedlaw, or call (610) 758-5557. Read More

Behavioral Treatment for Deficits of Facial Affect Recognition in Multiple Sclerosis

A recent study by Kessler Foundation researchers demonstrated efficacy for the behavioral intervention, EMOPRINT, for treating deficits of facial recognition in individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS). The article, "Emotional processing intervention (EMOPRINT): A blinded randomized control trial to treat facial affect recognition deficits in multiple sclerosis," was published on January 19, 2022, by Multiple Sclerosis and Related Disorders. The study is the first to provide Class I evidence supporting the efficacy of an intervention to treat these deficits in MS. Read More

Ultrasound Gave Us Our First Baby Pictures. Can it also Help the Blind See?

The number of Americans with visual impairment or blindness is expected to jump to more than 8 million by the year 2050, according to research led by the USC Gayle and Edward Roski Eye Institute conducted back in 2016. With the youngest baby boomers reaching 65 years old by 2029, age-related eye diseases and conditions are expected to swell during what's being called the "silver tsunami." According to medical experts, it's safe to say many of those cases will be caused by retinal degenerative diseases, the progressive degeneration of the light-sensitive photoreceptors in your retina. Based on these estimates, there is an unmet need for new technologies that treat vision loss due to diseases of photoreceptor degeneration. Read More

Machine Learning Predicts Conduct Disorder in Kids

Conduct disorder (CD) is a common yet complex psychiatric disorder featuring aggressive and destructive behavior. Factors contributing to the development of CD span biological, psychological, and social domains. Researchers have identified a myriad of risk factors that could help predict CD, but they are often considered in isolation. Now, a new study uses a machine-learning approach for the first time to assess risk factors across all three domains in combination and predict later development of CD with high accuracy. Read More

Lead as a Social Determinant of Child and Adolescent Physiological Stress and Behavior

Lead is an environmental neurotoxicant that causes neurocognitive deficits and cardiovascular and metabolic disorders. It also disproportionately affects socially disadvantaged communities. The association between lead exposure and children's IQ has been well studied, but few studies have examined the effects of blood lead on children's physiological stress and behavior. Three University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing (Penn Nursing) studies shed light on how lead can affect children and adolescents' physiological stress and emotional/behavioral development. Read More

How Covid-19 Has Impacted the Diagnosis of Autism in Children

As the number of autism diagnoses increases each year, so do the fears of parents and the need to see specialists. During the past few years, not only has the COVID-19 pandemic put a hold on autism diagnoses, it has put a strain on parents getting the right treatment for their kids. The different signs of autism  in children such as isolating themselves during playtime, often avoiding eye contact, or not responding to their name when called are more obvious in a school setting where certain behavior is taught and expected to be reciprocated. With children spending most of their time at home during the pandemic, becoming aware of these signals has become much harder, causing some families to isolate themselves from others and struggle to get an autism diagnosis. Read More



JOB POSTINGS

* [2022-2023] 6th Grade Learning Specialist - Reporting to the Academic Dean, the Learning Specialist will be responsible for providing tailored support to students with special education needs, through integrated co-teaching, in small group settings, or a combination of both. This is an exciting opportunity for a seasoned educator who is passionate about ensuring all students succeed and thrive in school. To learn more- Click here

* The SEED Public Charter School of Washington DC:  Multiple Positions - SEED DC is looking for its new cohort of intentional, proactive, and enthusiastic teachers in Washington, D.C. As a SEED DC teacher, you’ll teach SEED DC’s curriculum in dynamic, participation-oriented classes and cultivate a learning environment that supports and encourages students to develop and realize their academic potential. You’ll also collaborate with other instructional staff, school personnel, and SEED DC’s senior leadership team to help advance SEED’s mission of supporting scholars to and through college completion. To learn more- Click here

* [2022-2023] Middle School Learning Specialist - Reporting to the Academic Dean, the Learning Specialist will be responsible for providing tailored support to students with special education needs, through integrated co-teaching, in small group settings, or a combination of both. This is an exciting opportunity for a seasoned educator who is passionate about ensuring all students succeed and thrive in school. To learn mor- Click here

* Coordinator, Life and Career Studies - Residential Program for Students with Intellectual Disabilities - Lakeland University seeks a mission-oriented individual passionate about creating a more inclusive world to develop and coordinate an innovative program for students with intellectual disability slated to open on its Sheboygan campus in Fall 2023. This four-year residential program is designed to prepare students for meaningful employment, as well as independent and community living. The coordinator will play an important leadership role in designing the program as well as overseeing its implementation. To learn more- Click here

* [2022-2023] 7th Grade Learning Specialist - Reporting to the Academic Dean, the Learning Specialist will be responsible for providing tailored support to students with special education needs, through integrated co-teaching, in small group settings, or a combination of both. This is an exciting opportunity for a seasoned educator who is passionate about ensuring all students succeed and thrive in school. To learn more- Click here

* The Lecturer/Senior Lecturer and Practicum Coordinator in Early Intervention and Early Childhood Special Education - will provide instruction and academic support to graduate-level students in the College of Education, primarily in the Department of Special Education and Clinical Sciences (SPECS). Course content areas will focus on Early Intervention/Early Childhood Special Education Methods and clinical supervision. Additionally, this position will be responsible for advising, mentoring, and chairing student masters applied project committees. To learn more- Click here

* [2022-2023] Middle School Learning Specialist - Reporting to the Academic Dean, the Learning Specialist will be responsible for providing tailored support to students with special education needs, through integrated co-teaching, in small group settings, or a combination of both. This is an exciting opportunity for a seasoned educator who is passionate about ensuring all students succeed and thrive in school. To learn more- Click here

* Executive Director, Partners for Youth with Disablities - The mission of Partners for Youth with Disabilities (PYD) is to empower youth with disabilities to reach their full potential by providing transformative mentoring programs, youth development opportunities, and inclusion expertise. PYD motivates youth to reach their personal, educational, and career goals, and guides organizations in becoming more inclusive to youth with disabilities. To learn more- Click here

* Special Education Teacher - The Moffat County School District truly believes that students, staff, families and community all play a vital role in the success and growth of our students and school district as a whole. As our district works on getting back to a new normal the following statement has never been more true than it is today. Moffat County School District strives to find qualified, skilled and motivated individuals to join our great team that is committed to educate and inspire students to thrive in an environment of change. To learn more- Click here

* Special Education Teacher - The Halton School, an independent school for students with Asperger’s, is looking for a Special Education teacher. The teacher will provide special education instruction to students in a small multi-grade class. The teacher will utilize a variety of teaching methods to meet students' educational needs and adapt and develop instructional materials accordingly. To learn more- Click here

* Special Education Teacher (Multiple Positions) - Located in the Salish Sea off the northwest coast of Washington State, San Juan Island is the largest of the many islands in the world-famous archipelago of the same name. Approximately seven thousand permanent residents share this fifty-five square mile natural paradise. Connected to the mainland by ferry, float plane and small airlines, island living combines a cohesive small-town community with comprehensive services and commercial diversity unusual in a rural setting. The community has a comprehensive library, a state-of-the-art theater that features diverse performing arts, many wonderful restaurants, an historic museum, two national parks, miles of public shoreline, and a vibrant agricultural community. To learn more- Click here

* Director of Student Services - Emphasis is on program development and support to schools in delivering services.  Manage state and federal reports, supervise, and evaluate staff, problem solve and troubleshoot issues that arise, collaborate with district leadership and all departments, and remain current on all relevant student services practices. Responsible for leading and providing knowledge, guidance, and support of building level administrators and Student Services staff for students with special learning and behavioral challenges in professional development, programming, and service delivery to increase student achievement. To learn more- Click here

* Special Education Instructional Coordinator - Pennsylvania Virtual Charter School (PA Virtual), an online school providing over 20 years of home-based, public education to K-12 students across Pennsylvania, has a vacancy for a Special Education Instructional Coordinator. All Pennsylvania Counties are welcome to apply!! To learn more - Click here

* New Visions Special Education Teacher for SY 2022-23 - Our teachers are dynamic and innovative pedagogues who are committed to urban students and the issues they face every day. Every New Visions teacher can expect to receive enhanced instructional support, a range of professional development opportunities, the data tools they need to succeed and the opportunity to be part of a passionate team of colleagues. To learn more - Click here

* Director of Special Programs - Directs special programs of the District to ensure students with additional need are able to master the core curriculum. Ensures program integration with the core curriculum and schools. Ensures programs are implemented, monitored, and evaluated for effectiveness. Ensures compliance with State and Federal program regulations. Supervises Special Program Records Clerk. Reports to the Assistant Superintendent. To learn more- Click here

* Special Education Teacher (2022-23 school year) Methow - The Special Education Teacher provides services to special education students with a range of moderate to severe disabilities ages three to 21 years of age. The Special Education Teacher leads the IEP team to develop data driven student learning and behavioral goals. To learn more- Click here

* Quest Academy Day Treatment Special Education Teacher (2022-23 School Year) - The Special Education Teacher designs a positive learning environment and delivers instruction to students whose educational needs are primarily the result of significant social, emotional and behavioral challenges. The teacher is responsible for assessment of each student's individual academic and behavioral needs, individualization of the general education curriculum (K-12), development of IEPs as appropriate and coordination with agency and/or consulting behavioral staff to support achievement of school and treatment goals. To learn more- Click here

* Senior Researcher, Mathematics Disabilities - AIR is looking to hire a Senior Researcher to work with leading AIR scholars in the area of mathematics disabilities, joining our Learning Supports Program Area within AIR’s Human Services Division. Candidates hired for the new position might initially start working remotely but will ultimately have the option to work from one of our offices located in Crystal City, VA; Rockville, MD; Austin, TX; Chicago, IL; Chapel Hill, NC; or Sacramento, CA. To learn more - Click here

* Strategist II: ID Teacher - Join Ames Community School District, where your journey matters! ACSD promotes an educational environment that is racially, ethnically, linguistically, and culturally diverse to broaden students' academic experience and to enrich our District. We are focused on creating and supporting diversity, equity, and inclusion within the organizational culture and in our community. To learn more- Click here

* Integrated Services Teacher - Join Ames Community School District, where your journey matters! ACSD promotes an educational environment that is racially, ethnically, linguistically, and culturally diverse to broaden students' academic experience and to enrich our District. We are focused on creating and supporting diversity, equity, and inclusion within the organizational culture and in our community. To learn more- Click here

* Strategist I Teacher - Join Ames Community School District, where your journey matters! ACSD promotes an educational environment that is racially, ethnically, linguistically, and culturally diverse to broaden students' academic experience and to enrich our District. We are focused on creating and supporting diversity, equity, and inclusion within the organizational culture and in our community. To learn more- Click here

* Behavior Interventionist - Join Ames Community School District, where your journey matters! ACSD promotes an educational environment that is racially, ethnically, linguistically, and culturally diverse to broaden students' academic experience and to enrich our District. We are focused on creating and supporting diversity, equity, and inclusion within the organizational culture and in our community. To learn more- Click here

* Special Education Teacher - Do you aspire to help children with diverse challenges build skills for their future? Are you ready to make a real impact in their lives? As a Special Education Teacher at Bancroft, you will draw upon a wealth of curriculum and clinical resources to design individualized student goals. To learn more- Click here

* Special Education Teacher (All Specializations) - 2022-23 School Year - DCPS serves approximately 49,000 students in the nation's capital through the efforts of approximately 4,200 educators in 117 schools. As part of a comprehensive reform effort to become the preeminent urban school system in America, DCPS intends to have the highest-performing, best paid (Salary Range: $56,313 - $90,905), most satisfied, and most honored educator force in the nation and a distinctive central office staff whose work supports and drives instructional excellence and significant achievement gains for DCPS students. To learn more- Click here

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


FOOD FOR THOUGHT

Sometimes all a person wants is an empathetic ear; all he or she needs is to talk it out. Just offering a listening ear and an understanding heart for his or her suffering can be a big comfort. 

Roy T. Bennett

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