By Alycia Halladay, PhD, Chief Science Officer of the Autism Science Foundation and the Scientific Advisory Board of the Autism Science Foundation For decades, the autism community has known that autism affects the entire family. Biological parents have been included in autism studies to examine where genetic mutations come from, but always with an eye for understanding the affected individual. This year in research saw a much bigger focus on family members of those with […]
BY DEANNA PICON “Wow! Another year, gone already. Where did the time go?” you ask yourself while picking up decorations at your local department store. And, as you reminisce about the challenges of 2016, you think how nice it will be to wipe the slate clean and start a new year filled with bright possibilities. With planning, realistic expectations and a positive attitude, 2017 can be a great year. That may seem impossible to imagine […]
BY JOHN SPOEDE, PH.D., LPC-S, LCDC, NCC, CSC AND RUTH CUTTING, PH.D. Whether it’s with the support of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) of 1990, No Child Left Behind (NCLB) in 2002, the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) of 2014, or “Every Student Succeeds” Act (ESSA) in 2015, students with disabilities should be prepared with academic and workforce skills tasks in line with the general population at an increased rate. This preparation […]
BY LAUREN AGORATUS, M.A. AND DENISE BOUYER-HARGROVE It is essential that families are aware their child with special needs has the right to receive care and education in the least restrictive environment along with their age-appropriate peers. Many families are unaware that their child with a disability or special need could be included in a typical child care or preschool program. Also, parents may not be aware that their child transitioning from early intervention to […]
BY PEG GRAFWALLNER, M.ED. Yes, VIRGINIA, there is a Santa Claus. He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exist, and you know that they abound and give to your life its highest beauty and joy. Alas! How dreary would be the world if there were no Santa Claus. It would be as dreary as if there were no VIRGINIAS. There would be no childlike faith then, no poetry, no romance to make […]
