During early childhood Autism severity can substantially change

Davis study found gender differences in autism severity changes During early childhood, girls with autism tend to show greater reduction and less rise in their autism symptom severity than boys with autism, a UC Davis MIND Institute study has found. Early childhood is a period of substantial brain growth with critical ability for learning and development. It also is the typical time for an initial diagnosis of autism and the best time for early intervention. […]

Falling Behind Plus Losing Key Skills

Perry Stein and Valerie Strauss Antwon Gibson’s public high school in Northeast Washington didn’t even attempt to teach his “independent living” class virtually this spring. The gregarious 18-year-old has an intellectual disability and reads and performs math below grade level. He’s been out of the classroom since schools closed in March and now requires more help from his family to break down multi-syllabic words. Ayo Heinegg’s son, a rising sixth-grader in the District with dyslexia […]

For Some Students with Special Needs Online Learning Hasn’t Worked

Online schooling has not gone well for Erin Croyle’s kids. Croyle and her husband have three children, ages 10, 7, and 5. Arlo is the oldest. He has Down’s Syndrome, ADHD and some hearing loss. “It’s kind of, just,” Croyle stops, let out a deep sigh and continues. “It’s, it’s awful,” she said. “And it’s not for a lack of the teachers doing an amazing job. And it’s not for a lack of everyone trying […]

National Autism Indicators Report: The Connection Between Autism and Financial Hardship

An autism diagnosis can present a number of challenges for families from learning about the neurodevelopment disorder and accessing support services and resources to financial struggles. A new report from the A.J. Drexel Autism Institute at Drexel University highlighted the financial challenges facing households of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in the United States. According to the report, households of children with ASD experience higher levels of poverty, material hardship and medical expenses than […]

Learning Remotely Is A Struggle For Students With Special Needs

Shanna Henderson says the coronavirus pandemic has triggered some of the most difficult moments of her life. She temporarily lost her job as a dental hygienist, and the statewide shift to remote learning left her scrambling to educate her six kids at home. But job security and playing teacher aren’t as difficult as managing the “profound behavioral challenges” of her 13-year-old son with severe autism and bipolar disorder, Henderson told Idaho Education News. “We now have […]