PLUK News feed

steamboatpilot.com: Acting on autism

Early intervention helps children, families cope with spectrum disorder

Link: steamboatpilot.com
Detecting an autism spectrum disorder early — before a child reaches 4 years old — can significantly improve the chances of that child being able to handle the challenges of the condition later in life, said Beth Staunton, an occupational therapist with Pediatric Therapy Services and program coordinator for the Yampa Valley Autism Program.

UNC receives $3.5 million grant for regional center

Link: Regional Center
The University of Northern Colorado received a five-year, $3.5 million grant to establish one of the nation’s 10 regional centers for vocational rehabilitation services. The grant is being provided by the U.S. Department of Education and is a joint effort with community leaders in disability support at the Center for Training and Technical Assistance.

Youth/Caregiver survey on MH stigmatization and support--chance to win $25 gift certificate

Are you a young person aged 14-25 who has an emotional or mental health condition?
OR
Are you a parent or other caregiver of a child between the ages of 14-25 with an emotional or mental health condition?
IF SO,
We invite you to take a survey that asks about your experiences with discrimination or stigmatization. Results of the survey will be published in the January 2008 issue of Focal Point: Research, Practice and Policy in Children's Mental Health.

The Parent-Teacher Conference

Link: Conferences
Parents often find themselves at school for parent-teacher conferences around this time of year. For many families, this is your first opportunity to sit down one-on-one with your child's teacher to talk about school progress. It's important to use this time to share your impressions of the school year, and to ask any questions you might have.

Pediatrics for Parents Podcasts

Link: Pediatrics
Various Podcasts with information on Pediatrics that can help all parents.

School Attendance Law 'Gone Awry'

Link: Attendance
'No Child' Rule Vexes Md. Special-Ed Center That Raised Test Scores

Genetics Sheds Light on Mental Illnesses

Link: Genetics
For decades, scientists seeking genes involved in mental illness reaped mainly frustration. But in recent months, painstaking analysis of the DNA of thousands of patients has yielded important, and surprising, insights into the roots of schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and autism.

Response To Intervention (RTI)

Link: RTI Info.
Learning can be tricky business. Even in the best circumstances, the process by which we gather and understand new information is fraught with peaks and valleys, stops and starts, successes and failures. When complicating factors are present—that reach above and beyond typical two steps forward and one step back—the task of learning becomes even more difficult.

IDEA—the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act

Link: IDEA Info.
IDEA was originally enacted by Congress in 1975 to ensure that children with disabilities have the opportunity to receive a free appropriate public education, just like other children.

All About the IEP

Link: IEP Info.
When a child receives special education services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), he or she must have an Individualized Education Program (IEP).