Newton Kids Understand Special Education
This page is dedicated to people who receive/give SPecial EDucation (SpEd).
Special Education Tools and Resources:
OG Method: See, Hear Feel the Difference. Institute for Orton-Gillingham Multi-Sensory Education at http://www.orton-gillingham.com/
Wilson Reading System: Strategies and Methods that Work. Wilson Language Training at http://www.wilsonlanguage.com/
Assistive and Adapative Technology:
Dragon Naturally Speaking: www.nuance.com/naturallyspeaking
Word Q - Predictive Software Application: www.wordq.com
Assertive Technology Solutions: www.assertivetechnology.com
FRONTLINE: The Medicated Child
A new PBS TV program on: The Medicated Child - the issues surround the children with bipolar disorder. You can watch the full program online at: FRONTLINE >>>
In recent years, there's been a dramatic increase in the number of children being diagnosed with serious psychiatric disorders and prescribed medications that are just beginning to be tested in children. The drugs can cause serious side effects, and virtually nothing is known about their long-term impact. "It's really to some extent an experiment, trying medications in these children of this age," child psychiatrist Dr. Patrick Bacon tells FRONTLINE. "It's a gamble. And I tell parents there's no way to know what's going to work." >>>
FRONTLINE's 2001 Report on: Medicating Kids >>>
Including Samuel - So You Know Why?!
This new documentary is built on the efforts of Dan Habib and his family to include Samuel, 7, in all facets of school and community. "Including Samuel" also features four other families with varied inclusion experiences, plus interviews with dozens of teachers, young people, parents and disability rights experts.
To order the feature length DVD (55 minutes), please visit IncludingSamuel.com >>>
To Understand the "Special Needs"
Special education involves everyone at the school. All children need help to learn, not just children receiving Special Education services. Some children need additional instruction to master new concepts and ideas. Others may need more challenging material to stimulate learning. Every student deserves an education that recognizes her or his needs.
This practice of welcoming, valuing, empowering and supporting diverse academic and social learning among students is called Inclusive Education. Inclusion can provide academic and social benefits for all students: both those who have special needs as well as typical students. Friendships develop, non-disabled students are more appreciative of differences and students with disabilities are more motivated.
Our question is: "Why did we have the stairs in front of the school at the first place, if we all could use the ramp?"
Learning Opportunities for Your Child Through Alternate Assessments
Federal Department of Education released a new publication on the alternate assessments in special education. The purpose of this booklet is to introduce parents to the “big ideas” contained in school improvement efforts under the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (NCLB) and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), and to provide them with the information they need to help ensure their children can benefit from these efforts. No one cares more about a child’s welfare than his or her parents. No one else will be more committed to see that a child is well educated and well treated in school. There are efforts underway across the country to help parents achieve these goals.
NCLB and IDEA represent some of the federal government’s largest investments in public education. Both laws have provisions that focus on improving the quality of teaching for all children, including children with disabilities, and both laws call for high expectations for the academic achievement of all our children. President Bush has made it his mission to see that the promises of NCLB and IDEA become a reality in every state, school district and classroom in the country. He has been, and continues to be, a strong advocate for the alignment of NCLB and IDEA to ensure equal access to education and to promote educational excellence for all our nation’s children.
To download this booklet, visit www.ED.gov or the report on Learning Opportunities for Your Child Through Alternate Assessments >>>
On Their Own: Creating an Independent Future for Your Adult Child with Learning Disabilities and ADHD: A Family Guide
By Anne Ford, John-Richard Thompson
In her new book, On Their Own, Anne Ford shares with parents her hard-earned wisdom about the demands and rewards of raising a child with learning disabilities. Based on her own experiences and conversations with hundreds of parents across the country, Ms. Ford realized that parents were often overwhelmed with worry about their children. In On Their Own, she urges parents to reflect on ways to sustain themselves for the long haul — by seeking help and moral support, by not expecting miracles of oneself or others, and by keeping a sense of humor when the going gets tough.
In this excerpt from On Their Own, Ms. Ford offers parents words of comfort and common sense for coping with worries about their children.
More on Lessons Learned — a Checklist of Realities, visit
www.SchwabLearning.org >>> A Parent's Guide to Helping Kids with Learning Difficulties!
You will have a better understanding of SPED by reading these books: laughters and struggles with learning difficulties:
Laughing Allegra: The Inspiring Story of a Mother's Struggle and Triumph Raising a Daughter with Learning Disabilities;