http://www.ldonline.org/ en-us LD OnLine Administrator hourly 1 http://backend.userland.com/rss http://www.ldonline.org/ldnews/%28Opinion%29_Review_of_%3Cem%3EMedicating_Children%3C/em%3E Wed, 13 May 2009 14:45:51 GMT This book fills a unique spot in the ADHD literature, providing a detailed historical account of the controversy over ADHD and medication treatment options for it. The writing is clear and accessible, and I would recommend it to general readers who would like to understand the ADHD controversy. http://www.ldonline.org/ldnews/%28Opinion%29_Review_of_%3Cem%3EMedicating_Children%3C/em%3E http://www.ldonline.org/ldnews/%28Opinion%29_Rifky_Wants_To_Read%21 Tue, 02 Sep 2008 14:46:44 GMT An expert in the Orton-Gillingham approach to teaching of written language looks at how reading problems affected seven-year-old Rifky. The author also explains what dyslexia is, and what parents should do if they suspect their child has dyslexia. http://www.ldonline.org/ldnews/%28Opinion%29_Rifky_Wants_To_Read%21 http://www.ldonline.org/ldnews/%28Opinion%29_Schools_Overlook_Disabled_Students Thu, 06 Nov 2008 08:16:16 GMT A civil rights lawyer specializing in juvenile-justice law with the Southern Poverty Law Center says that Florida's harsh approach to handling children with behavioral problems is just flat wrong. It will be far more economical, more humane and more effective to make sure these children get the help they need in school rather than to pay for incarceration later. http://www.ldonline.org/ldnews/%28Opinion%29_Schools_Overlook_Disabled_Students http://www.ldonline.org/ldnews/%28Opinion%29_SFUSD_School_Assignment_Lottery_Defies_Federal_Law Thu, 19 Mar 2009 14:37:08 GMT Robin Hansen, vice-chair of the Community Advisory Committee for Special Education for the San Francisco Unified School District, says the lottery used to decide school placement for students essentially strips away some parents' federally mandated rights. Parent participation is a legal requirement in an IEP, as is participation of professionals who are familiar with the child's needs. http://www.ldonline.org/ldnews/%28Opinion%29_SFUSD_School_Assignment_Lottery_Defies_Federal_Law http://www.ldonline.org/ldnews/%28Opinion%29_SFUSD_School_Assignment_Lottery_Defies_Federal_Law%2C_Part_2 Fri, 20 Mar 2009 15:03:36 GMT Robin Hansen, Special Education parent advocate, continues her look at for the San Francisco Unified School District's use of lottery to assign students to schools. On at least two occasions, the dubious practice of "lottery assignment" of special education students has gone to due process and cost SFUSD untold amounts of money in time and legal fees. http://www.ldonline.org/ldnews/%28Opinion%29_SFUSD_School_Assignment_Lottery_Defies_Federal_Law%2C_Part_2 http://www.ldonline.org/ldnews/%28Opinion%29_Should_We_Put_Our_Kindergartener_on_an_Individualized_Education_Plan%3F Fri, 03 Oct 2008 15:26:49 GMT A teacher answers: I think you should get the IEP. That was a strange reaction from the school. You are not "saddling" her with a stigma of an IEP. Even if she qualifies for services, she is receiving individual support. http://www.ldonline.org/ldnews/%28Opinion%29_Should_We_Put_Our_Kindergartener_on_an_Individualized_Education_Plan%3F http://www.ldonline.org/ldnews/%28Opinion%29_Summer_School_Must_Be_Given_to_IEP_Students Thu, 07 May 2009 14:45:46 GMT No summer school due to budget restrictions? I am writing to remind parents of children with an Individual Education Plan (IEP) that schools are required by the Individual with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) to provide Extended School Year if the IEP team has determined that this service is necessary for your child. http://www.ldonline.org/ldnews/%28Opinion%29_Summer_School_Must_Be_Given_to_IEP_Students http://www.ldonline.org/ldnews/%28Opinion%29_Support_Learning-Disabled_Children Wed, 11 Mar 2009 14:54:35 GMT If your child seems to have a learning disability, first, have his or her hearing and vision tested to rule out these causes. Then, obtain a medical evaluation. If your child is learning disabled, he or she will need your emotional support. Remember, a learning disability is not related to a child's intelligence. http://www.ldonline.org/ldnews/%28Opinion%29_Support_Learning-Disabled_Children http://www.ldonline.org/ldnews/%28Opinion%29_Supporting_Students_with_Dyslexia Thu, 19 Mar 2009 14:38:31 GMT Teachers need to know more about dyslexia and how to teach students who struggle with this particular learning challenge. The Washington state Legislature is moving toward a solution. http://www.ldonline.org/ldnews/%28Opinion%29_Supporting_Students_with_Dyslexia http://www.ldonline.org/ldnews/%28Opinion%29_The_%27R-Word%27_is_No_Joke Mon, 25 Aug 2008 15:36:41 GMT Maria Shriver writes: As a journalist, I respect the right to freedom of speech, and my kids will tell you I laugh the loudest when we see a comedy. But as the niece of someone who had a developmental disability, and as a member of the board of directors of Special Olympics International, I know how hurtful the "R-word" is to someone with a disability. I know why "Tropic Thunder's" opening was met by protests on behalf of the intellectually disabled. http://www.ldonline.org/ldnews/%28Opinion%29_The_%27R-Word%27_is_No_Joke http://www.ldonline.org/ldnews/%28Opinion%29_The_Hidden_Tragedy_of_%27The_Reader%27 Fri, 13 Mar 2009 14:42:44 GMT The Reader. ]]> A tutor of adults with dyslexia reflects on how her knowledge of, and her students' experience with, dyslexia informs her interpretation of the movie The Reader. http://www.ldonline.org/ldnews/%28Opinion%29_The_Hidden_Tragedy_of_%27The_Reader%27 http://www.ldonline.org/ldnews/%28Opinion%29_The_IEP_Process Thu, 07 May 2009 14:45:15 GMT A disabilities advocate explains the IEP process, and advises: Don't skip steps in the IEP process. Each step builds upon the last one in the process to give a better picture of the student's needs. http://www.ldonline.org/ldnews/%28Opinion%29_The_IEP_Process http://www.ldonline.org/ldnews/%28Opinion%29_The_Obama_Administration_on_Disabilities_and_Autism Fri, 23 Jan 2009 14:54:51 GMT Curious about what the Obama administration has in mind for folks with autism or learning disabilities? WhiteHouse.gov published his agenda on disabilities, which includes a commitment to "funding the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, supporting early intervention for children with disabilities and universal screening, improving college opportunities for high school graduates with disabilities, and making college more affordable. Obama and Biden will also authorize a comprehensive study of students with disabilities and issues relating to transition to work and higher education." http://www.ldonline.org/ldnews/%28Opinion%29_The_Obama_Administration_on_Disabilities_and_Autism http://www.ldonline.org/ldnews/%28Opinion%29_The_Special-Needs_Kindergarten_Crunch Wed, 24 Sep 2008 14:53:30 GMT Securing a good spot in an oversubscribed New York City kindergarten, whether public or private, is difficult enough for most parents. But for the parents of children with special needs, it is especially challenging. http://www.ldonline.org/ldnews/%28Opinion%29_The_Special-Needs_Kindergarten_Crunch http://www.ldonline.org/ldnews/%28Opinion%29_The_Tragedy_and_Triumph_of_T.A. Thu, 25 Jun 2009 13:57:04 GMT Forest Grove School District v. T.A, that had been closely tracked in many sectors of American education. Those who compulsively need to keep score might conclude that private schools for children with special needs had 'won.' They would be wrong. The true winners were children with what one might call hidden disabilities — social, emotional, and learning needs that are often less apparent than some visual, auditory, ambulatory, or intellectual challenges." ]]> Charles P. Conroy, Ed.D., executive director of Perkins School in Lancaster writes in this opinion column, "On Monday, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a special-education decision, Forest Grove School District v. T.A, that had been closely tracked in many sectors of American education. Those who compulsively need to keep score might conclude that private schools for children with special needs had 'won.' They would be wrong. The true winners were children with what one might call hidden disabilities — social, emotional, and learning needs that are often less apparent than some visual, auditory, ambulatory, or intellectual challenges." http://www.ldonline.org/ldnews/%28Opinion%29_The_Tragedy_and_Triumph_of_T.A. http://www.ldonline.org/ldnews/%28Opinion%29_Tips_for_Teaching_Students_with_Reading_Disabilities Fri, 29 May 2009 12:49:46 GMT When working with children with reading disabilities, keep in mind that even if the text is technically within their ability to read, a history of failed attempts may keep them from trying. To build self-confidence, include simple questions in your lessons so that they have the chance to answer some questions. Make encouraging comments frequently and consider pairing each student with another more advanced student for assistance with assignments. http://www.ldonline.org/ldnews/%28Opinion%29_Tips_for_Teaching_Students_with_Reading_Disabilities http://www.ldonline.org/ldnews/%28Opinion%29_Understanding_a_Specific_Learning_Disability_in_Writing Mon, 04 May 2009 14:36:13 GMT Children with a writing disability may show symptoms in a number of different areas. Parents and teachers should watch for several typical symptoms that may indicate a problem. http://www.ldonline.org/ldnews/%28Opinion%29_Understanding_a_Specific_Learning_Disability_in_Writing http://www.ldonline.org/ldnews/%28Opinion%29_Vouchers_and_Special_Education Wed, 30 Apr 2008 14:23:11 GMT In the first of a three-part series, the authors of a report from the Manhattan Institute, Marcus A. Winters and Jay P. Greene, explain the effects of Florida's McKay voucher/special education program, and why parents view vouchers and special education as a good match. http://www.ldonline.org/ldnews/%28Opinion%29_Vouchers_and_Special_Education http://www.ldonline.org/ldnews/%28Opinion%29_Vouchers_Benefit_Families%2C_Not_Schools Tue, 01 Jul 2008 14:42:32 GMT A recent Arizona appellate court decision scrapping a school-voucher program for disabled and foster children robs a small number of disabled students (117 were enrolled this year) and foster children (140 students) and their parents of their civil rights in order to make a political point, and push a false interpretation of the state's constitution. http://www.ldonline.org/ldnews/%28Opinion%29_Vouchers_Benefit_Families%2C_Not_Schools http://www.ldonline.org/ldnews/%28Opinion%29_We_Can_Learn_from_Special_Schools Tue, 12 Aug 2008 14:57:16 GMT In the "raging debate" about how our education system compares to the best in the world, it's important to look at special schools that serve students with moderate to severe disabilities. I'd like to highlight two practices: personalizing learning and a focus on the arts. http://www.ldonline.org/ldnews/%28Opinion%29_We_Can_Learn_from_Special_Schools