Imagine being being strapped facedown on a four-point restraint board and being shocked repeatedly by an unseen person for swearing…and youâre a child. This is about a book that the Autism Society of NC (ASNC) will never stock or sell. Why talk about it, then? Sometimes we have to address the ugly elephant in the…
New Resource on Sexuality and Youth/Adults with Disabilities
Want to make people uncomfortable? Ask them about their sex education of their child with a disability (regardless of whether their âchildâ is 4 or 42 years old)! What have you done to educate your child with autism about sex and sexuality? If you need some help getting started, here are some resources. A new…
Important Information for Students on the Occupational Course of Study in High School
Freda Lee, Consultant for the Mental/Intellectual Disabilities Program for the NC Department of Public Instruction (DPI), recently presented information to the Council on Educational Services for Exceptional Children; her topic was the Occupational Course of Study (OCS), one of only two diploma-tracks for high school students in NC. Because NCâs OCS did not meet federal…
Discontinuing microwaves in classrooms
Did you know that some schools are prohibiting the use of microwaves by students? According to the Dept. of Agriculture, which governs the Child Nutrition Programs (providers of school meals), food preparation and reheating should ONLY occur in inspected food prep areas. That means no microwaves in classrooms, cafeterias, or anywhere that students can use…
Good news in the special education legal arena
A federal appeals court recently ruled that a lawsuit alleging that Hawaii schools âdeliberately neglected the needs of two girls with autism during their formative yearsâ could go forward. The parents are seeking damages under the federal Rehabilitation Act due to âlost opportunityââthat the Hawaii Department of Education failed to provide appropriate special education when…
CAP-MR/DD Stakeholder Survey
During the month of September, you are invited to participate in a survey about the CAP-MR/DD Medicaid waivers (Comprehensive Waiver and Supports Waiver). Your feedback is very important to us as we continue to improve the waivers. We want to hear from individuals receiving CAP-MR/DD services, parents and guardians of individuals receiving services, service providers,…
Back to schoolâI love it, I love it not
Back to schoolâhurray! I say that now with a sigh of relief, but not for long. I hate getting up and rushing out the door, I DETEST homework and projects with a passion, and I donât enjoy the constant monitoring of my childrenâs progress. What I do enjoy about my children being in schoolâbesides watching…