Upcoming Events » FL Attention Florida Parents: The Attorney General's Office of Florida is trying to compile a list of participants to meet and talk about their issues and concerns regarding restraint, seclusion, abuse and neglect in our public schools on children with Autism, Autism Spectrum Disorders and other disabilities. This meeting will be open to anyone in Florida. The Attorney General's Office is interested in talking with parents who have concerns about their child's treatment in schools. Parents with concerns can call the citizen services hotline at (866) 966-7226.

Breaking News » Bridges4kids Featured Resource: Funding Caring: How to Pay for Home Care in the UK

Breaking News » Family: Who’s in your family? - My wife, Julie, and I recently went to her annual "Johnson family reunion." We showed a video there that we'd produced about several generations of family history using interviews and old photographs. We included a story about great-grandfather Rommie trying to drive his new Model T Ford for the first time. When it abruptly started forward and he couldn't remember how to stop it, he clung to the steering wheel yelling, "Whoa! Gee! Gee! Haw!" as if he was driving one of his mules. His oldest son jumped up on the car's running board and got it stopped.

Professional Development » Featured Resource: The Power of Our Words: Teacher Language that Helps Children Learn: How you talk impacts how children learn. "The Power of Our Words should be a required resource for all K-6 teachers regardless of the number of years they have taught." (Principal, CT) Language may be a teacher’s most powerful tool. Every day the words, phrases, tone, and pace you use have the power to help students develop self-control, build their sense of belonging, and gain skills and knowledge. This book, by an author with more than twenty years of experience teaching children and educators, will help you recognize the influence your words have on the children you teach. It will show you how to use language more skillfully, building a classroom where students feel safe, respected, appreciated, and excited about learning.

07-29-08

Upcoming Events » IN Evaluation and Treatment of Childhood Apraxia of Speech will take place on September 12, 2008 from 8 am to 4:30 pm at O'Laughlin Auditorium, Saint Mary's College, Notre Dame, IN 46556. The Kaufman Speech Praxis evaluation and treatment approach will be demonstrated by Nancy Kaufman. Elements of shaping word approximations ad the use of phonological processes in therapy as well as cueing systems will be highlighted via videotapes. Cost: $50 professionals, $20 parents, $10 students. More information and conference brochure can be found by scrolling down to "Sept 12" and clicking on 'Conference" at http://www.michianadownsyndrome.org/DS Web/current_events.htm.

Upcoming Events » FL Save the Date: The Sixth International Conference on Positive Behavior Support will take place on March 26-28, 2009 at the Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront, Jacksonville, Florida.
 

07-25-08

Social Security » Resource Added: Social Security Disability Secrets

Upcoming Events » MI Michael Golds Memorial AD/HD Conference will take place on Friday, September 26, 2008 in Farmington Hills, MI. Dr. Pennington’s son, Ty Pennington, is star on ABC’s hit show, “Extreme Makeover Home Edition”. She has interviewed many friends and family who knew Ty, her and their family during their younger years. She will share her struggles and successes, as well as, the views of others on what makes up good parenting. For more information, visit http://www.chaddmi.com.

Upcoming Events » MI Michigan Education Trust (MET) and Michigan Education Savings Plan Offers Free Webinars: The seminars are scheduled as follows: Tuesday, July 29: 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.; Wednesday, July 30: 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.; Wednesday, August 20: 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.; and Thursday, August 21: 10 a.m., 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. These webinars are to help parents and grandparents learn more about their children's education. "It's never too early for parents to start saving for college," said Robin LOTT, MET's executive director. "We're inviting Michigan's families with young children to take advantage of this convenient and free opportunity to learn ways to take the guesswork out of saving for college and protect against future tuition increases." The free, one-hour MET and MESP Webinars will help families learn how to put a stop to the rising cost of tuition and why acting now will pay off tomorrow. Webinars require access to the Internet and a telephone. To participate, log in at www.SETwithMET.com and dial 1-800-851-3758. When prompted, enter access code 2033602#. You will be placed on hold until the Webinar begins.
 

07-21-08

Child Care » MI Are you a parent or child care provider in Wayne County looking for help with a difficult child or in need of resources to best handle tantrums, aggression, or possible developmental delays?  The Care Connections program at Development Centers, Inc. offers free services designed to help young children ages birth to five succeed in any child care setting.  To find out more please call Ms. Lynnell Morrison @ (313) 531-2500 ext. 2125.   

07-19-08

Autism » Newly Updated 7/08: Growing Up Together: A Booklet About Friends with Autism (PDF) - In this booklet, you will learn about kids you may meet who have autism and how you can be their friend.

07-13-08

Bridges4Kids NewsDigest » New edition published July 13, 2008 - click here.

07-12-08

Breaking News » Summer Safety Tips from Toys R Us

Breaking News and Legal Research » New Manual on Advocacy for Students with Epilepsy - The Epilepsy Foundation has just published a new, free legal resource, Legal Rights of Children with Epilepsy in School & Child Care: An Advocate’s Manual. This manual provides detailed practical guidance – for both parents and attorneys – on effective advocacy. strategies. Although parts of the manual focus on the needs of children with epilepsy, it would also be useful for people who advocate for kids with other chronic illnesses like diabetes. Most of it will be useful to people who advocate for children with disabilities. Describes rights under IDEA, 504, ADA and more.

Lead Poisoning » Updated Recall List: Lead in Children's Toys and Products (7-11-08)

07-09-08

Breaking News » MI Kids Eat Free! Summer Food Service Program - The Summer Food Service Program offers summer fun and FREE healthy meals to local children ages 18 and under in Michigan!

Breaking News » Wondering if Your Family Could Qualify For Food Assistance? - The Food Assistance Helpline can help. You may be able to get food assistance EVEN IF: • You own a house and/or a car • You work or get other benefits such as WIC • You do not live with any children • You live with other people • You or someone else is not a U.S. citizen. Call 1-800-481-4989 or visit http://www.foodstamphelp.org.

Breaking News » Listening to Yourself - Who do you listen to? We generally listen to people we respect. Which makes it kind of ironic that we don't always listen to ourselves.

Breaking News » Scientist at Work: The Worms Crawl In - In 2004, David Pritchard, an immunologist-biologist, purposefully infected himself with pin-size hookworm larvae after noticing that people in Papua New Guinea infected with the hookworm did not suffer much from an assortment of autoimmune-related illnesses, including hay fever and asthma. “We think the worms have found a way of switching off the immune system in order to survive,” he said. “That’s why infected people have fewer allergic symptoms.” To test his theory Dr. Pritchard is recruiting clinical trial participants willing to be infected with 10 hookworms each in hopes of banishing their allergies and asthma.

Breaking News » MI Adair/Durant IV Case Gets Affirmative Ruling From Michigan Court of Appeals - The Adair/Durant IV case that has been ping-ponging within the courts since the beginning of the decade got an affirmative ruling from the Michigan Court of Appeals last Thursday.
 

Breaking News » MI Student Improvement to be Factored into Michigan's AYP as Part of Pilot Project - Michigan schools will be better equipped to track student progress, after being accepted to participate in a federal pilot program by the U.S. Department of Education, according to the Department of Education (MDE).

07-05-08

Breaking News » Youth Service America and Disney Announces Minnie Grants - Youth Service America and Disney have announced the launch of a second round of Disney Minnie Grants to engage children and youth, ages 5 to 14, as community volunteers. Selected applicants will receive $500 each to support their youth-led service projects. Projects must take place between Oct. 15 - Nov. 15, 2008. Grantees from the first round of Disney awards of 2008 are eligible to apply. Visit the YSA Web site for complete program guidelines and to review past award recipients from all over the world. Deadline for submissions is August 15, 2008.

Upcoming Events » MI Autcom Annual Conference 2008: Embracing the Hope and Joy of Autism: Friday and Saturday, October 17-18, 2008 at Four Points Sheraton, 3200 Boardwalk, Ann Arbor, MI 48108. For more information, visit http://www.autcom.org/conf2008/main.html. To register online, visit http://www.gifttool.com/registrar/ShowEventDetails?ID=170&EID=2848.

06-30-08

Down Syndrome » Dolls With Down Syndrome May Help Kids - When Desi McKenzie's oldest daughter was 3 years old, she bought her a "My Twinn" doll designed to look just like her. But with her second child, Aubrey, McKenzie could only wish for a doll that had features matching her infant's. Aubrey has Down syndrome.

Dyslexia » 'Rewired' Brains Help Children Overcome Dyslexia - An intensive reading program conducted three years ago in 50 Allegheny County schools permanently "rewired" the brains of dyslexic children, Carnegie Mellon University researchers said.

Bridges4kids Featured Book: The Art of Learning - Josh Waitzkin knows the road to excellence. Catapulted into a media whirlwind as a child, the subject of the book and movie Searching for Bobby Fischer, he has mastered both the rigorous mental game of chess -- winning his first National Championship at the age of nine -- and the strenuous physical challenge of martial arts, becoming a master of Tai Chi Chuan and earning the title of World Champion. His phenomenal success is due to the learning techniques he developed to bring both his mind and body to peak performance. In a riveting narrative that takes readers on his journey of discovery, conquering the high-pressure challenges of intensely competitive chess face-offs and heart-stopping martial arts wars, he reveals the inner workings of his methods, from systematically triggering intuitive breakthroughs to mastering the art of performance psychology. The Art of Learning is essential reading for those who want to reach the highest levels of achievement.

06-28-08

Medicaid » Districts Face Medicaid Funding Cuts, Increased Compliance Requirements - What's ahead for school districts in terms of their ability to continue to access Medicaid? Schools may lose $635 million for the 2008-2009 school year. In addition, proposed rule changes will in many cases stop payments for services rendered in schools that Medicaid long has covered.

Asperger's Syndrome » MD Gaithersburg School Tailors Teaching To Help Students Cope With Asperger’s - Alex was a capable child with superior intelligence -- and no end of eccentricities. He would flee noisy school assemblies. He couldn't bear the smell of the cafeteria. By the end of first grade, his mother was spending much of the day at Alex's side. On Thursday, Alex, 10, finished fourth grade at one of the nation's few public schools with a program tailored to children with Asperger's. He is popular and well-adjusted, and spends more and more of his school days in regular classes. The program at Diamond Elementary addresses one of the most vexing problems in special education: What to do with a child who is disabled but who has average to above-average intelligence and is capable of work at or above grade level? James Ball, who has consulted nationally on autism, said the Montgomery County effort "should be looked at as a model program" for teaching children with Asperger's, "because they are a unique breed of kids, and they do respond to a variety of unique teaching strategies."

Food Allergies » Uniform Allergy Plans Sought for U.S. Schools - When Danielle Davis attended school in Rapid City, S.D., her mother didn't worry much about her being exposed to peanuts, a food that could kill the severely allergic teenager. Danielle's high school had a food allergy policy, and she had no problems during her nine months there. But when the two moved to Charleston in 2006, everything changed.

Autism, Fragile X and Rett Syndrome » Existing Drug Reverses a Form of Mental Retardation in Mice - Scientists hope medication could treat learning disorders caused by autism. A drug already on the market for a completely unrelated condition could be used to treat a form of mental retardation linked to autism—if the results of a study in mice hold up, researchers report. Scientists used rapamycin—a medication doctors prescribe to patients who have had transplants to prevent their bodies from rejecting the new organs—to treat learning disorders associated with a disease called tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) in mice.

06-25-08

Breaking News » How Many IEP Meetings Does it Take to Change a Light Bulb? - If team members were asked "How many IEP meetings does it take to change a light bulb," this is what I imagine they might say...

Breaking News » UM Researchers Help Teach Kids with Autism, Down Syndrome to Ride Bikes - John Day started the week in tears. The 8-year-old from Belleville was one of 80 children with autism and Down Syndrome getting training on riding bikes at two sites as part of a University of Michigan study. All this week, he worked on his balance, his pedaling and turns.

06-18-08

Breaking News and Use of Restraint » MI Policy Supports Student Behavior - In question and answer format, this article discusses how the State of Michigan, Office of Special Education and Early Intervention Services is interpreting the December 12, 2006 policy passed by the Michigan State Board of Education on Standards for the Emergency Use of Seclusion and Restraint. [Focus on Results: 2007-08 Volume #6, Issue #2, Packet #11, Article 1]

Breaking News » Persistent Fathers - I recently watched a public television documentary about the life of President Harry Truman. What struck me the most was his persistence.

06-16-08

Medication » Suicidal Actions Linked With Epilepsy Drugs - Epilepsy drugs are associated with a higher risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior, U.S. drug reviewers said in an analysis that was released on Wednesday and mirrored earlier findings.

Therapy » Therapy on Horseback Carries Rewards - Hippotherapy is a treatment that uses the movement of a horse. Conditions such as autism and learning disabilities may benefit from hippotherapy. Hippotherapy is entering the mainstream and catching on across the U.S. Treatment can cost up to $200 for a one-hour session, a therapist says.

Lead Poisoning » Childhood Lead Exposure Associated With Criminal Behavior in Adulthood - New research from the University of Cincinnati (UC) reports the first evidence of a direct link between prenatal and early-childhood lead exposure and an increased risk for criminal behavior later in life.

Breaking News » MI Michigan HIV Cases Increase In Teens, Young Adults - Michigan has seen significant increases in HIV among teens and young adults for the third consecutive year, the MI Dept. of Community Health (DCH) announced.

Breaking News » MI Special Ed Authority Bill Moves - Recently, the House Education Committee reported out HB 5323, legislation that would restore the state Board of Education's authority over special education. In 1996, former Gov. John Engler took that authority from the board with Executive Orders 11 and 12, and placed it in the hands of the State Superintendent and Intermediate School District (ISD) superintendents.

Breaking News » MI Autism Research Check-off Bills Advance in Michigan Senate - Legislation establishing a state income tax check-off donation for an autism research fund moved from the Senate Finance Committee.

06-11-08

Breaking News » Bridges4kids Featured Resource: Steps4Kids - Steps4Kids designs DVDs which provide video modeling to teach and support children. Examples of products and programs developed by Steps4Kids include the award winning handwriting DVD Steps4Kids to Write Their ABCs, the Gift of Friendship program (inclusion program), customized Steps4Kids learning DVDs (to help children with spelling, reading and other academic and behavior skills) and other programs designed to strengthen children's skills and self confidence.

Legal Research » Legal Planning for Special Needs In Massachusetts: A Family Guide to SSI, Guardianship, and Estate Planning - Attorney Barbara Jackins' new book is a must have resource for parents of children with special needs and the professionals and advocates who assist parents. In an easy-to-read, conversational style, she covers the essential elements of SSI, guardianship, and estate planning when there is a child with a disability in the family. Although some of the materials are specific to Massachusetts, most of the strategies she discusses are valid in any state. Don't live in Massachusetts? Then you can simply ignore the fine points about that state's guardianship laws and procedures. The rest of the book--her practical estate planning strategies and SSI pointers-- will get you on track no matter where you live.

06-06-08

Lead Poisoning » Know Your Home……Protect Your Family from Lead Poisoning (PDF) - As summertime approaches, many of us focus on improving our home environments. As you begin to open and close your windows and doors, paint, or renovate your home, be aware of the age of the property you are working on; If it was built before 1978, it can be a source of lead-based paint exposure.

Breaking News » MI Michigan Residents Given Chance To Virtually Testify On Dropout Crisis - Michigan residents will get the opportunity to submit a virtual testimony about the dropout crisis, as part of a statewide effort to help staunch the tide of dropouts. The virtual testimonies, which can be submitted at www.meo.org/droupouts, will supplement the testimonies given by hundreds of people at three May hearings. Seven other hearings have been scheduled, including one in Lansing and one in Flint this month. "We want people to have many opportunities to share their thoughts about the concerns, challenges and solutions for the state's high drop-out rate," said Doug Pratt, communications director at the Michigan Education Association, one of the hearing sponsors. It is estimated that approximately 20,000 Michigan students drop out annually.

06-03-08

Breaking News » Appreciating Teachers - I heard New York’s 2007 teacher-of-the-year, Marguerite Izzo, on a PBS News Hour report the other day describe how she does "five shows daily." She appears to be a dynamo, who makes every lesson interesting.  It’s no surprise that you need to be at least somewhat exciting and engaging in class to compete for kids’ mindshare with videogames, cell phone cameras and text messaging.

06-02-08

Childcare/Respite » MI LAP Respite Center - "Our mission is to enhance the quality of life for family caregivers, by creatively providing a wide range of high-quality, accessible, and affordable respite services. Our respite services are available to families living in central Michigan in the counties of Ingham, Eaton and Clinton."