My Child Seems To Put Everything Into His Mouth

By James Mulick, PhD Ohio State University Pica refers to the apparent appetite for non-food items with no nutritional value. It presents a problem when the items are poisonous, pose the risk of infection, are otherwise harmful to health or might produce injury (as a result of swallowing something sharp). Exploring objects by tasting and smelling is a universal human investigative technique, which eventually diminishes based upon experience and learning. Babies explore many things with […]

Placement Options for Preschool Students Receiving Special Education Services

There are a number of placement options to consider for your preschool child. The Individualized Educational Program (IEP) team – which includes you, the parent – will decide which placement or placements are appropriate. The placement decided upon by the IEP team will be paid for by the school district in which you live as part of your child’s Free and Appropriate Public Education (FAPE). When considering an educational placement, the IEP team must decide […]

Children With Autism Bolting and Neighborhood Safety

By Bridget Taylor, PsyD, BCBA-D and Kate E. Cerino Britton, MSEd, MA BCBA, Alpine Learning Group You are not alone. In fact, according to an online survey conducted by the National Autism Association, 92 percent of the parents indicated their child with autism was at risk of wandering away from his or her home or care provider. An additional concern is that when wandering, many children with autism are unable to take steps to ensure […]

Placement Options for School-Age Students Receiving Special Education Services

Special education is a service and not a placement. If your child has qualified for special education services, where your child will receive those services must still be determined, and there are a number of placement options to consider for your school-age child. The Individualized Education Program (IEP) team – which includes you, the parent – will decide which placement or placements are appropriate based on your child’s specific strengths and needs. The placement decided […]

How Families Can Help Their Son or Daughter With Disabilities Find Work

Families and friends can play an important role helping those with disabilities plan for employment and find a job that is a good fit. Job Matching Families know their child better than anyone else and can contribute important insights throughout the job development process.  To help an individual find the right job it is important to share information about: A person’s interests and skills A person’s learning style A person’s social skills Environments that support […]