PLUK News feed

The Associated Press: Cartoon Network plans major anti-bullying campaign

• The Associated Press: Cartoon Network plans major anti-bullying campaign

  tags: bullying prevention

  • NEW YORK — Next fall, when millions of kids tune into Cartoon Network to watch Bugs Bunny, Scooby-Doo and other favorites, they'll encounter something new — an ambitious campaign to enlist them as foot soldiers in the fight against bullying.

    Unlike many bullying programs, this one is geared toward middle school, where experts say bullying is most common. It also targets not bullies nor the bullied, but kids who witness bullying, giving them appropriate techniques to intervene.

Kentucky teacher evaluations may be tied to student performance | courier-journal.com | The Courier-Journal

• Kentucky teacher evaluations may be tied to student performance | courier-journal.com | The Courier-Journal

  tags: education reform

  • Kentucky's public teachers and principals would see their yearly evaluations tied partly to their students' performance, under a proposal that state education officials hope will boost the state's chances of receiving up to $175million in federal education funding, according to a draft obtained by The Courier-Journal.

Blind Cal State Long Beach student graduates with top honors | L.A. NOW | Los Angeles Times

• Blind Cal State Long Beach student graduates with top honors | L.A. NOW | Los Angeles Times

  tags: college, disability, blindness, visual impairment

  • Even as a youngster, Anthony Vasquez exhibited a probing curiosity and a pulsing energy to seek out new experiences. That drive continued when he entered Cal State Long Beach and decided that learning Chinese would be a worthy challenge.

    On Thursday, he will be honored as the outstanding graduate in the College of Liberal Arts, a recognition of a cumulative grade point average of 3.895 while earning bachelor’s degrees in journalism and Chinese studies.

    But for his family, friends and teachers, the honor and academic achievements have special meaning because Vasquez is blind. He used Braille and specialized computer software to learn Chinese and now speaks Mandarin as well as Spanish and English.

Behavioral Therapy for Tourette's Syndrome and Chronic Tic Disorders

• Behavioral Therapy for Tourette's Syndrome and Chronic Tic Disorders

  tags: Tourette syndrome, research

  • May 21, 2010 — Results from a new randomized trial show that children with Tourette's syndrome and chronic tic disorders have greater improvement in tics and tic-related impairment with comprehensive behavioral intervention than with supportive therapy and education.

    "Historically, Tourette's syndrome has been treated with antipsychotic medications, which reduce tics but are associated with side effects that often limit their usefulness in children," lead author John Piacentini, PhD, from the University of California, Los Angeles, said in a statement. "So the development of an effective nonmedication treatment for children with this disorder is a major therapeutic advance."

KPAX | As Autism Web Sites Boom, Experts Urge Caution

• KPAX | As Autism Web Sites Boom, Experts Urge Caution

  tags: autism

  • TUESDAY, May 25 (HealthDay News) -- When Connie Anderson's son was diagnosed with autism a decade ago, she scoured the Internet looking for treatments.
  • "I tried all sorts of things I now consider bananas," said Anderson, now community scientific liaison at Kennedy Krieger Institute's Interactive Autism Network. "At the time it didn't feel like nonsense. It was hope. People will try all sorts of things to help their child, sometimes even against their better judgment."

"Exceptional Kids" Art Show - Missoula - June 4, 2010

Click here to download the flyer (pdf)

When: June 4, 2010
5:00pm – 8:00pm

Where: Missoula Children’s Museum
225 West Front Street

Please come out and support our children.

Join us for the Missoula Downtown Association’s First Friday Art Walk, at the Children’s Museum Missoula, for an exhibit featuring art made by children with special needs.

Enjoy healthy snacks and refreshments (GF and allergy friendly snacks too) provided by Full Circle, the Montana Autism Community group, and A.W.A.R.E. Inc.

Montana CAAN Monthly Meeting - Missoula

Montana CAAN meets the third Thursday of the month at the Missoula YMCA.

2010 Pacific N.W. Institute on Special Ed and the Law - Washington - Oct. 18-20, 2010

Join us for the premiere regional conference on special education and the law to: Stay current on recent decisions and interpretations of special education law and litigation Learn from special education law experts from around the country Build professional relationships and network with colleagues Expand your knowledge on emerging legal issues and trends Earn professional credits — CLE or clock hours Keynote Speaker: Amy June Rowley Assistant Professor, California State University, Hayward, CA Amy June Rowley runs the American Sign Language Program at California State University in Hayward, CA. Originally from the east coast, she spent most of her years in Wisconsin after graduating from Gallaudet, before moving to California. She is married with three children, Janeva- 9, Reza- 7, and Tavey- 4. Janeva and Reza are deaf and attend California School for the Deaf in Fremont. Amy June Rowley will talk about her experience growing up as a Deaf child herself involved in Hendrick Hudson School District v. Rowley which went before the U.S. Supreme Court. She brings a personal perspective as a child involved in a special education litigation. Visit our Web site for the full Institute program.

October 18-20, 2010 Yakima Convention Center, Yakima, Washington The Pacific Northwest Institute on Special Education and the Law offers: Pre-Institute Mini-Courses Workshops General Sessions View   the complete program. Questions? Send an email to us or call (206) 221-3936. Forward this email to your colleagues and associates who may also benefit from this opportunity.

Leaders with Developmental Disabilities in the Self-Advocacy Movement // Donated to the Regional Oral History Office

• Leaders with Developmental Disabilities in the Self-Advocacy Movement // Donated to the Regional Oral History Office

  tags: self-advocacy, video

  • This project explores the life stories of thirteen leaders in the self-advocacy movement and their perspectives on key issues and leadership challenges. Part of the broader disability rights movement, the self-advocacy movement is unique in that it has been led and informed by the individual and collective experiences of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Despite its widespread existence nationwide and internationally, few works have explored the rich history, culture, and significance of the self-advocacy movement. To help fill this void, Joe Caldwell, Ph.D., Department of Disability and Human Development, University of Illinois at Chicago, undertook this life history project and donated transcripts to The Bancroft Library for its Disability Rights and Independent Living Movement collection. More about Self-Advocacy Movement oral history project.

Yellowstone County: Free Child Development Clinic for Children Birth to Six Years of Age - Multiple Dates/Locations

Wondering or concerned about your Child's:

• Development?
• Speech?
• Hearing/Vision?
• Social Skills?

Free Child Development Clinic for Children Birth to Six Years of Age, provided by Yellowstone-West/Carbon County Cooperative in conjunction with STEP and in cooperation with your local public school.

Purpose:

• Screen children birth to 6 for a wide range of developmental areas
• Provide information to parents about their child's development
• Screenings provided by trained professionals including: speech/language pathologists, occupational therapists, physical therapist, public nurse, audiologist, special education teachers.

Birth to 3 Years Old:

1. Development - Screens social skills, language and motor skills.
2. Wellness - By public nurse, if available.
3. Hearing - By an audiologist.

3 to 6 Years Old:

1. Motor - Screens your child's catching, jumping, skipping, and cutting.
2. Concepts - Screens your child's colors, counting, naming body parts, and following directions.
3. Language - Screens your child's articulation, language usage, and problem solving.
4. Social - Screens how your hcild engages with other children and adults.
5. Self-Help - Screens your child's ability to take care of himself or himself.
6. Wellness - By a public nurse, if available.
7. Hearing - By an audiologist.
8. Vision - Screens your child's near and far vision.

For more information please call: 406-628-7903

Fall Schedule (2010-2011)		Spring Schedule (2010-2011)
Monday, August 30th School Districts: Blue Creek / Canyon Creek / Elysian / Elder Grove / Molt / Morin / Pryor Located at Canyon Creek Public School Call to schedule an appointment: 406-656-4471		Monday, January 3rd School Districts: Blue Creek / Broadview / Canyon Creek / Elysian / Elder Grove / Molt / Morin / Pryor Located at Canyon Creek Public School Call to schedule an appointment: 406-656-2893
Tuesday, August 31st School Districts: Belfry / Bridger / Fromberg / Joliet / Luther / Red Lodge / Roberts Located at Joliet Public School Call to schedule an appointment: 406-962-3541		Tuesday, January 4th School Districts: Belfry / Bridger / Fromberg / Joliet / Luther / Red Lodge / Roberts Located at Fromberg Public School Call to schedule an appointment: 406-668-7315
Tuesday, September 7th School Districts: Broadview / Independent Located at Independent Public School Call to schedule an appointment: 406-259-8109		Wednesday, January 5th School Districts: Laurel Located at Laurel Administration Building Call to schedule an appointment: 406-628-3380
Wednesday, September 8th School Districts: Laurel Located at Laurel Administration Building Call to schedule an appointment: 406-628-3380
APPOINTMENT NECESSARY Bring your child's immunization records to the clinic