Following a horrifying report by the Government Accountability Office , Congress has addressed the growing need for federal legislation regulating the use of restraints and seclusion in schools—both of which are already regulated in hospitals and residential facilities. While the House bill (HR4247) seeks to “prevent and reduce” the use of physical restraints and seclusion,…
My Baby is Your One in Seventy
America is the Land of Opportunity, founded by people who strongly believed if you want something badly enough it can be yours for the taking, with the emphasis on the taking. Another way of looking at it is the “Smash ‘n Grab” philosophy, often enacted after a “Scatter and Confuse” military tactic ensues. Let’s leave…
Miscellaneous interesting education-related tidbits:
The NC State Board of Education is removing the second retest program from EOGs. The change will be effective in the 2010-2011 school year. Hurrah! Why should students who scored a Level 2 be required to take TWO retests?! Instead, schools will be able to use the first retest results in calculating ABCs and…
Autism Hand-Me-Downs
Dear IACC, I love hand-me-downs. My friends and acquaintances buy the best stuff for their kids. Our problem is we constantly need to re-shuffle by tossing clothes into the Give Away, Put Away, or Throw Away bags. They overflow. Action must be taken. Much maintenance is needed because the children have the nerve to keep changing…
Help us collect a thousand stories on the effects of state budget cuts
We need your help! We need your stories! Help us collect a thousand stories through this survey to share with your legislators, the Governor, Department of Health/Human Services staff and Local Management Entity (LME) Directors. They need to know how budget cuts for developmental disabilities, mental health and substance abuse services affect the lives of…
Proposed Changes to NC Policies—Comment Period
The North Carolina Department of Public Instruction, Exceptional Children Division, is proposing changes to the Policies Governing Services for Children with Disabilites. The comment period is from November 23, 2009 through January 21, 2010, with a public hearing on Wednesday, December 16. Most of the changes seem to align NC Policies with federal law, but…
WARNING! Helicopter Moms
The pros and cons of being a hovering caregiver.
School Violence Prevention Act: Coming to Your School
Chances are good that your child with autism has been bullied at one time or another while in school. Thanks to the new state law, SB526, the schools’ reaction to these situations may be changing. A friend of mine recently experienced this change firsthand. Her teenage son came home one day, describing an incident that…
Quantum Autism
Coverage of the Autism Town Hall Meeting.