IPT287SpEdSP

Free-Speech...just not for teachers?!

2011-04-13T11:16:00.002-06:00

Most of us have completed our American Heritage requirement and perhaps still remember a few things, if nothing else, some of our "Constitutional rights and freedoms" in being American citizens. The First Amendment is supposed to protect the freedom of religion, speech, and the press, as well as the right to assemble and petition the government. However, in a recent court case, the U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear the appeal of a Michigan special education teacher who argued she was fired for her complaints that the size of her teaching caseload kept her from providing the proper amount of instruction to each of her students. The teacher was suing that she couldn't be fired for such complaints, on First Amendment free-speech grounds, however the U.S. Court of Appeals ruled against her (following a previous court decision that ruled on-the-job speech by public employees is not protected by the First Amendment.) (See: Article 1) Where does that leave us, as potential special educators, knowing that we are limited in what we are allowed to voice our opinion or raise concern for? In this case, the teacher was taking issue with her class size and her ability to meet the needs of her students. Did voicing such concerns warrant her termination? Are we not supposed to be advocates for our students? Can we successfully do so if we have to "clear" our arguments before voicing them? On the other hand, in another recent court case (this time parents of special education students in Stamford schools) are threatening to file a civil rights complaint against the district if the proposed cuts to program funding are passed. It was proposed to cut more than a dozen special services providers (teachers, speech therapists, social workers), which in turn, would increase the class sizes for the remaining teachers.(The exact same argument that got the teacher fired!) The argument was made that "every student with a disability gets an IEP. They get what they need, not what happens to be available," which is what angers parents. (See: Article 2 ) It is necessary for parents to have an active role in planning the IEP, however, if their constitutional rights allow them to fight against certain conditions (such as class sizes and proper funding), and yet teachers have limitations in what they can "fight" for, how will the student's needs be met? By limiting teachers' free-speech rights, are teachers limited in what they can actually advocate for a student? Should teachers have the same rights as parents? How do you feel knowing that there are potential limitations in what you (as a future educator) are allowed to say in promoting student's rights and needs? What can and should be done about this?

Testing for Disabilities

2011-04-07T14:37:00.002-06:00

With today's technology, the option is available for women to have their fetus tested for different disabilities during the early stages of pregnancy. As discussed in Article 1, testing can be done on the mother's blood or on cells from the placenta to detect a variety of different disabilities. Many women choose to have this testing done and, as the article states, logically decide to have an abortion if the child has a disability. The article raises the issue that there can be false positives to a test or false negatives, meaning that some children aborted would have otherwise been healthy and some children born will be born with a disability. Some women refused to have an abortion and continued to receive pressure from their doctors to abort the baby. Article 2 discusses one man's perspective on testing for disabilities. He states that testing is not always accurate, especially people who test for autism. Testing does not account for disabilities that are not proven to be genetic such as Autism. He argues that tests should not be done because not all disabilities will show through the tests. I doubt that anyone in this class would choose to have the testing to decide whether an abortion is appropriate or not. The question we pose is this: would you consider having the tests done to see if your child has a disability? Is it important to know whether or not the child will have a disability before the child is born? What is your opinion of testing for disabilities in a fetus during the first few months of pregnancy?

Medicating Children

2011-03-30T23:22:00.001-06:00

In the article We are over-medicating children Andrew Browning makes the solid statement that we as Americans are over-medicating our children. He references the episode of Frontline on PBS called “The Medicated Child” saying that in the last 10 year period there was overwhelming 4,000 percent increase in the number of diagnosed cases of bipolar disorder in children. He goes on to say that with all the side effects and interaction of all the different drugs for the different disorders, we do not know what the long term affects will be for our children. One the other side of the argument of medicating children the article Pros of Medicating Children with ADHD lists many benefits to medicating children. According to this article, there are many ways medication will help children with ADHD. It states that [the drugs] ability to control these negative symptoms of ADHD could dramatically change the child's daily life. After read these two articles and with your previous knowledge, what do you think? We all know children who are on medication and who aren’t on medication. I know a little boy right now whose teacher said that he needs something, because his inability to focus is messing with his school, so his parents are trying to figure out what is the best thing for him. Is medicating our children really the answer, or do the risks outweigh the benefits? When we are teaching in classrooms, do we want our students to be medicated so they are “easier” to handle or do we want them medicated so it helps them learn. I know that personally, I think it depends on the child. With some children there are ways to help them without medicating them whereas some kids really need the help that the medication provides them. What are your thoughts?

Is full inclusion Desirable?

2011-03-25T00:43:00.001-06:00

http://www.ehow.com/about_5332138_full-inclusion-disabled-students-desirable.html

http://www.ncmsa.net/ressum14.htm

Is Full Inclusion Desirable?

We have learned a lot about LRE (least restrictive environment) and it's importance in education student with disabilities. However, is most the schools we go to the students are confined in their own classroom just for students with severe disabilities? Is this the best environment for them? What are the implications of including student in a regular education classroom? Article 1 and Article 2 talk about some of the implications that full inclusion can have on teachers, and students with or without disabilities. As a future teacher would you prefer to teach your students in your own classroom or send them to mainstream classrooms? I know we all want the best for our future students, but we also have to think about all the individuals impacted by the decision of inclusion.

What Should Teachers be Informed About?

2011-03-16T15:09:00.002-06:00

This last week in our PETE class we discussed the topic of HIV and AIDS and if teachers and physical educators should be informed whether or not students have this disease. We thought it would be an interesting topic to present to the class seeing as we are all going to be future teachers and we should form our own opinions. As a group we don't necessarily agree or disagree and we are not trying to persuade you all to agree with what has previously been discussed. We are just genuinely curious as to your opinion on the matter. The articles we have included are just information on AIDS and an article discussing whether or not the information should be disclosed. So let us know! Do you think teachers should be informed whether or not students have HIV or AIDS. Or do you think that it is more important to keep the matter private for the child's sake?

Sheltered Workshops? Yay or Nay?

2011-03-08T19:13:00.000-07:00

During the 1950s sheltered workshops became very popular because they housed those with disabilities and placed them minimally in job situations.Before then those with disabilities were either left at home with nothing to do or were placed in institutions. This concept arose for disabled persons to get out in the world and gain some experience working. But with modern changes should they still be placed in these environments? Do they help the workplace (Article 1)? Or are there better options in which everyone involved will benefit more (Article 2)?

The "R" Word

2011-03-03T19:42:00.001-07:00

In our Adaptive PE class we were speaking about the “R” word. Many of us had strong opinions about its usage. I know from my own experience that I do not like the word because of its offensive nature, but I feel like whether you say the R-word, challenged, disabled or special, it means the same thing.

Special Olympics began a campaign to eliminate the words “retard” and “retarded” back in 2004, and this article shows the NBA players also backing the campaign. A strong argument to eradicate the word is that words matter! They can be very offensive and hurtful and using the R-word is a prime example of narrow mindedness. Another blog article shows that legislation in some states is now starting to eradicate the R-word. So on the one hand there is the argument that words matter and we should not use or include offensive language in our vocabulary. The “n” word for example would never be associated with organisations and legislation nowadays so the “r” word should not be either. On the other hand, the cost of changing old legislation to eradicate the R-word would be extremely high and many organisations would not be in favour of this. Also changing the word does not necessarily change the attitude. People will find new ways to say the same hateful things so some could argue will changing the word eradicate the problem?

So our questions to you are what is your opinion on the use of the R-word? And do you think changing the word will help change peoples’ attitude?

Funding

2011-02-25T14:34:00.004-07:00

Group, Samantha Linton, Katie Swenson, and Carlie Palmer

Funding is always an important issue in Special Education. In Article 1 it says, 40 percent of the extra costs of the
inclusion of special needs children into regular classrooms would be covered by the
federal Government, this is clearly not being done. This is a very important issue for us future teachers. If you are going to a new school or a school with little funding you are going to be starting from scratch. This can be very difficult. Article 2 With so many students with special needs out there sometimes the money is hard to achieve. There are so many promises out there for money but you have to go find it (like grants). What do you think the government could be doing more of the help with the funding in special education class rooms? And where should this money come from? The state and national government keep passing responsibility back and forth.

Prenatal Surgery: Good or Bad?

2011-02-16T22:08:00.000-07:00

Group: Emily Rice, Morgan Fry, Shauna Corry

It’s dangerous enough to perform surgery on an expecting woman; what about operating on her unborn child? Is this even possible? Amazingly, it now is. Pre-natal surgeries have been conducted to help correct Spina Bifida. Article #1

Needless to say, this is a controversial subject. Both pros and cons are well explained in this article. Article #2 Some believe that no operation should be conducted in which the benefits fail to outweigh the possible costs. Operating on a child still in the womb and at a fetal age where it could not survive outside the womb, poses every possible risk to both mother and child. One must take into account whether it is better to face whatever impacts Spina Bifida will bring or to make the gamble of operating and possibly losing the child altogether. As a mother-to-be, one group member says she would be terrified to operate on her completely dependent child and would have to take everything into account before making a decision.

Others feel that it’s worth the risk to potentially help their child live a fuller life. Successful surgeries have occurred which encourages both doctors and parents-to-be. This option and the continued development of surgical procedures ensure that the topic will continue to be followed.

What do you think? If it were your child, how would you react? Would you consider surgery? What things would you be taking into account?

The Argument for Confinement

2011-02-07T15:58:00.002-07:00

In the article, Court Upholds Involuntary Commitments For People With Disabilities the constitutionality of placing people with disabilities under government-institutionalized care is decided in Nebraska. After being challenged by a person with an IQ of 62 who was recently committed by the state, it was deemed that the state holds the authority to place people with developmental disabilities in mental hospitals if they are “determined to be dangerous.” In the same article, lawyers argue that this law is unconstitutional because it does not require a trial to be held for people with disabilities. On the other side of the argument in the article People With Disabilities Confined Involuntarily For Decades, Suit Alleges discusses three residents of Texas who have intellectual disabilities who have been institutionalized for a total of 130 years without anyone reviewing their placements, and it is feared that they are not alone. These are just two articles that discuss opposing viewpoints dealing with confining people with disabilities, how many others are there? Our questions to you are: 1. What is your opinion regarding both sides of the decisions, 2. What precautions could the state take to prevent people from being placed in care?

Group: Julia, Tiffany, Danielle, Jordan, Kristen

Disabilities in Literature

2011-02-02T08:21:00.001-07:00

Group: Shauna Corry, Morgan Fry, and Emily Rice

Have you ever stopped to think about how individuals with disabilities are presented in literature? If not, it is probably because you have not come across it very often. The following two articles focus on this lack and need for more main characters with disabilities: Article #1 and Article #2. After reading these two articles we realized how much of a need there really is for accurate portrayal of disabilities in literature. Children without disabilities have so many role models to look up to in the books that they read, but those with disabilities do not. We believe that is is important that the children that must live day in and day out with hardships due to their disability would benefit from reading about characters with similar disabilities who find their true potential and talents despite the setbacks they may have. In addition, reading books that have main characters with disabilities provides a great teaching opportunity for teachers to discuss differences with their students and how to reach out to those that are different. Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs was given as an example of inaccurate portrayal of disabilities and these articles point out that several other pieces of literature that have attempted to include individuals with disabilities also portrayed them wrong or placed the individuals as a minor character. However, though there may be several books that do portray disabilities wrong there are some that do a great job in approaching the issue (Tru Confessions, Rules) Our questions to you are: (1) How do you think characters with disabilities should be presented in literature: do you agree or disagree with the points made in the articles, (2) Do you feel there is a need for more literature that focuses on someone with a disability, and (3) What, if any, books have you come across featuring a character with a disability that you appreciated.

Does siet effect children with autism

2011-01-26T22:14:00.000-07:00

I remember watching an old episode of Ellen, when Jenny McCarthy was a guest on the show. She spoke about her new book “Louder than Words” that was the record of how she helped her son ‘recover’ from autism. Here: http://www.pr.com/article/1076 is a link to a little about her and about her book. She speaks about how putting her son on a strict diet vastly improved his symptoms. There have been many cases where eliminating Gluten and in fact all forms of yeast has improved symptoms in children with autism. On the other hand studies completed last year did not have an accurate control, group so the results were invalid. Also if a child with autism’s favourite foods needs to be eliminated from their diet, a mother could be looking at endless tantrums and never ending screaming. http://www.autismweb.com/diet.htm has another article with more information on the subject.

My question to you all is what have you heard about the effects of changing diet on children with autism? Do you think it is worth Mothers at least attempting the strict diets?

Technocentric approach - Adequate or not?

2011-01-09T21:11:00.003-07:00

In the article Teachers' Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge: Curriculum-based Technology Integration Reframed, Harris, Mishra, and Koehlher make a case for why a technocentric (bottom of page 3) approach to technology integration is inadequate. Explain what you think that they mean and whether you agree or disagree and why. In your response you need to state their main argument and why the TPCK framework supports their argument and whether you agree or disagree and why. Your response should be approximately 150 words (give or take. I will not be counting the words but this will give you an idea of how in depth I want your response)

Hyperbaric Chambers and Autism

2010-04-06T18:58:00.000-06:00

Last week when my Dad was here he told me that my Uncle and Aunt were thinking about buying a hyperbaric chamber for my cousin Conner. Apparently there has been a lot of research on these chambers with their benefits and treatments for individuals with autism. Even though Conner has cerebral palsy and severe brain damage and not autism, I guess the pressure from hyperbaric chambers would still help him. I had never heard of using hyperbaric chambers being used for the treatment of autism and disabilities before, so I found a couple videos and articles. I found that there are a lot of hyperbaric therapy centers across the United States. There is also a lot of controversy between where the little amount of scientific proof gives enough evidence that they work. Here is one cite for a treatment center in California. On ABC news health website, I found an article titled, “Hyperbaric Autism Treatment Show Possible Promise” . Hyperbaric therapy is a procedure that has little scientific evidence backing it up for a treatment of autism but there are new studies that are ready to prove it has a valid treatment with replicated findings.

Here is one more article

And a pretty neat video. You should definitely watch it!!

I think that having more research and studies with hyperbaric chambers will be very important for the future of therapy and treatments. Even though there is not a lot of scientific proof that these hyperbaric chambers work, the parents are seeing changes in their children. I do not think that they are not just a waste of time and money. If children with autism are showing even just the smallest amount of progress from these chambers, I think that researchers are on the right track. And if my family ends up getting one for my cousin, I will let you know what happens.

My questions for yall (you all) are if you have ever heard anything about these hyperbaric chambers? And what do you think about them? Do you think it will become the “new thing” for therapy? Do you think these chambers with further research will be able to benefit all children with disabilities? And have you heard of any other new technologies being used for treatments or therapy?

Animals and Special Education

2010-03-29T15:21:00.001-06:00

For my blog post, I researched different ways that people use animals to teach and interact with children with disabilities. In trying to think of something interesting for one of our last blogs, I finally came up with something that had always interested me. My older brother, Dallas, has Down syndrome and had a difficult time learning to speak and communicate effectively until he reached his teenage years. It seemed that all at once he was talking up a storm to everyone he met and bearing his testimony every single fast Sunday. But during that time he preferred almost anything over strangers, he LOVED animals. He would go in our backyard and spend hours petting our dog, Coach, and following him around the yard. He would pick him up and put him on the trampoline and take naps with him and bounce him around while Coach sat patiently through it all. Interestingly enough Coach loved him just as much. He knew when Dallas would get home from school and would jump and wag his tail when he saw him through the window. They were, and still are, a mischievous pair. Not only have I seen this happen with my brother but many other kids with disabilities as well. I used to work at a horse ranch that did therapy on horseback for kids with autism, cerebral palsy, and other disabilities. It was amazing to watch some of the kids as they struggled to concentrate while their moms spoke to them but as soon as they were brushing a horse and petting his nose, nothing could distract them from the horse. The horses could tell when they had someone extra special on them and would be gentler and slower. Some kids were scared of such large animals at first but once they had pet the horse and ridden them for awhile they usually calmed down and would be excited to try again the next week. My question is if you think that animals are a good “tool” to use in Special Education? Some people think that it is dangerous or a waste of time, but I think that one of our number one goals is to get the students engaged and excited about learning. This article, , shares the story of a dog named Chloe who went into different Special ed classes and interacted with the students and it became a very positive experience. Do you think that animals should be allowed in Special Ed classrooms? Besides allergies, do you see that many constraints? Even beyond utilizing the bond, understanding, and patience that a lot of animals have with children with disabilities, what ideas can you come up with of how to use animals to teach other lessons? Have you too had experiences where animals get through to someone when no one else could?

People with Disabilities in the Work Force

2010-03-19T10:58:00.003-06:00

I read an article about hiring people with disabilities and how it is beneficial for both the employee and employer.It can be costly because the workplace will need to be adjusted in order to be accessible to people with disabilities. Besides the cost I think that it is a great idea to have employees with disabilities. Just think about the boost of confidence that it gives these employees. They feel useful and needed. Everyone likes to feel needed. Some children that I worked with when they had their own responsibilities they felt more confident and even just looked happier. It is natural for every person to want to feel needed and useful in any way. Some companies have even started support groups for their employees with disabilities. This allows them to express their specific needs that otherwise their employees would not recognize on their own. I think that this is a great program. It is a way to keep the building and environment in a condition that allows all their employees to feel safe and included.

The company can also benefit from having people with disabilities work for them. A lot of them are really bright and can bring great ideas and input to a business. Not to mention they can give input on how to aim their product towards the customers with disabilities. This other article really gives insight on how companies need to be exposed to people with disabilities in order to feel comfortable and realize how beneficial it can be to them.

I think that companies should start having a quota to fill with people with disabilities. I really think it would help the community to be more aware of this population and realize how wonderful they really are. It might even be what our country needs to be humbled and appreciative of our lives and what we have. When I work with children with disabilities it brings such a great light into my day. They are amazing people! So, I guess my questions are what do you think about integrating people with disabilities into the workplace? How do you feel about the support groups that some companies have? And how would this benefit the employee (with disabilities) and their employer?

Disabled Individuals in Adulthood

2010-03-09T18:23:00.001-07:00

This article talks about individuals with autism in their later years. http://www.mentalhelp.net/poc/view_doc.php?type=doc&id=8800. Because autism is becoming more apparent and well known the issue of transition from child to adult has become more of a concern. One of the main concerns is where the individual will live. There are a couple options: the person could be placed in a group or rehabilitation home, an institution, or stay with their family. Growing up, the house next door to me was rehabilitation home. There were only about 3-4 individuals that lived in the house at a time with a care giver there at all times. The patients who lived there had many different disabilities, not autism. From my experience with this home I saw that the care givers were not always the best and didn’t have the best interest of the individuals that lived there. Most of the people that worked there just needed a job and this gave them that and a place to stay. In this specific case, I feel there could have been better opportunities for the disabled individuals if they were living somewhere else. Also, I also had the opportunity to go to a larger group home for people with disabilities. It was for individuals over 50 and the people who lived there also had many different disabilities. I went there a couple of times to visit and the workers had different activities and things going on for the residents to do. In this case, the group home was run and operated in an efficient manner and I feel the residents benefitted from that. The next option would be for the individual with a disability to stay with their family. I have always thought that it would be hard as a parent to let your child go. In a way it could be like giving them up. However, I also understand that taking care of your child for the rest of their or your life could be very emotionally hard. Just last week I had a guest speaker in one of my classes that talked about her son who is 19 years old and how he lives in a group home. At first she was completely against it, but she now realizes that it is for the best. He is happy there and gets to come home on the weekends to spend time with his family. My question for all of you is to just discuss what you think the best living situation is for individuals with disabilities in their adult years. You can discuss a specific disability, like autism, or just disabilities in general. What’s your stance on group homes?

Do Kids With Disabilities Strain or Strengthen Our Schools?

2010-03-06T00:25:00.005-07:00

For this week’s blog, I chose an article that opened my eyes a bit to the reality of people in this world. http://www.businessweek.com/careers/workingparents/blog/archives/2009/09/kids_with_disab.html

It discusses how some people view children with disabilities in schools as a waste of effort and tax money. Why would we waste our time trying to help someone with little to no potential? Why wouldn’t we give all of our attention to those children who are gifted, who are intelligent, and who will make a difference in the world one day? I mean they are going to be the ones becoming doctors and lawyers, and who are going to eventually run this country… right? Hmm… don’t think so. I know that everyone responding to this blog is in the same boat, and I know that we all have personally experienced the importance of special education. Like the article says, people are not limited by their disability, they are limited by a lack of opportunity.

And so that is not necessarily what I am asking your opinion on. In reading this article, I was very much taken back by Lilly’s bitterness and anger towards those with disabilities in the schools. Are people really that heartless? Are they really so concerned with their tax dollars that they’d go after handicapped children? Apparently some are. I have an older sister with profound disabilities, and she was able to attend a special school for the disabled for 18 years. My family was never encountered with issues of acceptance by other parents at the school. We were welcomed with open arms and taken in as family. Although there have certainly been other situations where people have judged and rejected us because of these disabilities, I never felt anything of the sort from her school setting. That place was a safe-haven. I am finding that the public school systems are not all sugar and spice though. The harsh reality is that many people do not appreciate those with disabilities and many people do not value the efforts of educators that want to maximize these students’ potentials. And so this is what I want to know from you… what do you think it will take from a school community to create a common appreciation for these students? Parent meetings.. Information pamphlets… More peer tutoring opportunities… Awareness assemblies? The article talks about Dan’s efforts in the form of a film, which reached millions by airing on television and receiving tons of press. And although I thought this was wonderful, I wonder what practical things we can apply in the schools that will also make a difference. Many of you have already worked in a school setting. How have you seen teachers try and break down these barriers? What ideas can we as future teachers bring into the schools to create a community of awareness and appreciation, so that all the "Lillys" out there will understand the real objectives of special education… Do you think that is even possible? Or do you think it’s not really worth trying because people won’t change?

Learning to teach, teaching to learn

2010-03-02T18:03:00.003-07:00

The last few weeks I like many of you have been working on my application to get into the special education program. Something that I found very interesting was the autobiographical essays that we had to do. The one I found most interesting was the one about how we would respond when we don't agree with what a teacher does. As I worked on that essay I was not quite sure why this was a topic that we had to write on. As I thought more and more about it I came to the realization that maybe one reason they had us write it was to see what kind of attitude we have as teachers. I think they were trying to see if we are the kind of people that think we know it all and don't need help from anyone else or if we are the kind of people that try our best to learn and grow. I think in order to be a good teacher we have to always be a student. I am sure that throughout our careers we are going to experience differences in opinion with other teachers but I think how we react is a reflection on what kind of teacher we are. I think it is critical to avoid the attitude that we are better than everyone else or that we know more than everyone else. Many of you know that my mother is a special education teacher. Throughout the years she has had many student teachers. She has told me that many of them are good but also that many of them come right out of college thinking they know it all and they act like my mother is a horrible teacher just becuase they may have a difference in opinion. We are all in the stage now of learning how to become good teachers and someday we will have to be either a student teacher or a intern. I think that we always need to remember that even though we may have gone through the classes and gotten credit to be a teacher that does not mean that the learning stops. This article is about a young teacher that just started out on her first job. I think that this is something all of us are going to be going through and I think that her story is a good model for us to follow. After you read this article I would like to hear your opinion about the question that was asked in the autobiographical essay. As a brand new teacher that is always trying to learn from others and get better what is an appropriate way to solve a disagreement with another teacher? Do we act like know it alls and completely disregard the other teacher or do we try our best to learn from the teacher despite our differences? I think that there is always something positive to be learned from others. Life is a process and not an event and we always need to try to learn from others. Here is the link http://teachers.net/wong/MAR10/

Inclusive P.E. for Children with Special Needs

2010-02-17T17:07:00.001-07:00

The article I chose is all about inclusion in physical education classes, called “Inclusive P.E. for Children with Special Needs.” (Found at http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art46155.asp ) The article basically lists the positive benefits of an inclusive classroom. First off, she discusses some of the immediate thoughts of a parent when they have a child who has special needs. Then she discusses some of the benefits of having a child who has special needs in sports and in an inclusive classroom. Children who have special needs can indeed have some great influences in attitude and the positive fun atmosphere in games. There are so many positive reasons for teachers as well because they can learn strategies and new ways of teaching from those that have special needs.

In my own experience and research, there are so many reasons to have children included in the mainstream physical education class. It can first of all simply help with the happiness of the child, because no one wants to be left out. Also, what a child with special needs can learn from those children in the mainstream class is enormous. That’s why peer tutors are so great, because what a child can learn from their peers as opposed to their teachers can be huge. To go along with this, I received a link to a video that I loved called The Butterfly Circus. It really shows how people can have a great influence on those that have disabilities, and the huge worth of people with disabilities. I encourage you to watch it, because it’s wonderful and very inspiring, but I will warn you it’s 20 minutes long. http://www.thedoorpost.com/hope/film/?film=4dd298f102c77b625cf37a9e7744ac68

However on the flip side, a lot of us are in an Adaptive P.E. Class here at BYU where we work with students who are not included in their school’s P.E. Class but in an Adapted P.E. Class. With all these advantages to inclusion, why do we not include these children? I know we’ve learned about Least Restrictive Environment, and for some children perhaps they can’t be in a mainstream P.E. Class, but with all these benefits of inclusion, shouldn’t we try our hardest to include them? We read an article in our Adaptive P.E. Class that talks about how simply training our P.E. teachers with certain skills, we could include children with special needs in our mainstream P.E. classes.

In my volunteering for Adaptive P.E., there are a lot of kids in the class who if they were in the regular P.E. class, they would fall quickly behind the other students and eventually, the teacher would probably have to begin teaching two different skills. They honestly would not be able to keep up with the other children, and it could cause a great difficulty in the class. Also, some of the games children play in the mainstream class, the children in the Adaptive P.E. class just can’t understand the rules or the purpose of the game, and having them in the mainstream class could cause a lot of problems and could potentially take too much of the teacher’s time away from the rest of the class.

So after all this, my question to you is this: Should we try harder to include those that are in an adaptive P.E. class into the mainstream? The benefits are obvious. Or should we try harder to have more adaptive P.E. classes, because there are many reasons that having children in the mainstream class could have its downfalls?

The use of physical restraint in the classroom

2010-02-08T17:51:00.000-07:00

The topic I chose is the use of restraint in a classroom as a punishment technique. This article http://www.usnews.com/education/articles/2009/07/07/students-suffer-abusive-restraint-gao-says.html explains why restraint is not always a good idea.

I agree with the article. Restraint is not a necessary classroom technique. The examples in the article are obviously extreme and would hopefully never happen under normal circumstances yet it has happened. I myself have found that there are times when the situation is made far worse by physically preventing the child from doing something, such as running away. I attempted to hold the student back because running away is a large ordeal, the police have to be called in and the student was terrified of the police which would exacerbate the situation. My restraint angered him so much that he began throwing items at me as well as flipping a table towards me and making motions as though about to strike me. All of this could have been avoided if I had let him leave the classroom. Later I learned that he was afraid to leave the campus and would walk around outside until he cooled off. If I had just let him go I could have saved myself a few bruises and could have talked to him calmly outside.

I also agree that children should not be strapped into or onto anything. One of the students I work with has a disability that has held his IQ at about 18 months so, naturally, he acts like an 18 month old. When he came to our school a chair, that also looked like an electric chair, soon followed. It was used at his old school to prevent him from scooting away from the table when it was time to work. We did not like the look of the chair and soon got rid of it. Now the boy can sit for 20 minutes on his own.

The question I have about this issue is should restraint be used at all in the classroom? I feel that if it is completely outlawed then any form of restraint will be outlawed including restraint that can prevent injury to the student or other students. The teacher could potentially be prosecuted for protecting one student from another. I feel that the law could go too far yet, some restrictions should be made to prevent injury, physically as well as mentally, to the students. It would be my opinion that dangerous holds, such as those in the prone position, be outlawed but mild holds in the sitting or standing, such as holding the hands to the side, only be used in extreme circumstances in which harm will certainly come to an individual.

What do you think? Should restraint be used at all? If so what kinds and under what circumstances. If you do not think restraint should be used, why?

February 5, 2010 Class Blog

2010-02-05T11:47:00.001-07:00

The Benefits of Teaching Chess to Special Education Students
Chess has been said to improve the cognitive skills of children and teenagers. I wanted to know if chess would also help improve the cognitive skills of children and teens with special needs. I could not find any recent official studies on the matter, but I found some personal testimonials from teachers that it helped their students.
The first link I found, http://chessineducation-chessteacher.blogspot.com/2008/01/chess-helps-learning-disabled.html , describes some of the social benefits of playing Chess. If a student is enrolled in a chess program it allows them to meet others and even encourages those without disabilities to help those with disabilities. It is also a fun activity that can be a reward for learning disabled children. Being enrolled in chess would also let students play with their own skill level.
Another teacher described some more of the cognitive benefits and describes how well her students have improved. http://chessineducation-chessteacher.blogspot.com/2008/12/its-our-move.html . From what I’ve read in these articles I feel that teaching children to play chess in their spare time would be beneficial for the, social, concentration, and learning skills of the student.
I found one study that had been found on the effect of chess on special education students. Educators at the Roberto Clemente School (C.I.S. 166) in New York report that chess has improved not only academic scores, but social performance as well. In 1988, Joyce Brown, an assistant principal and supervisor of the school’s Special Education department, and teacher Florence Mirin began studying the effect of chess on their Special Education students. When the study began, they had 15 children enrolled in chess classes; two years later they had 398-
“The effects have been remarkable,” Brown says. “Not only have the reading and math skills of these children soared, their ability to socialize has increased substantially, too. Our studies have shown that incidents of suspension. and outside altercations have decreased by at least 60% since these children became interested in chess.”(http://www.knowledge-first.org/Chess%20Improves%20Academic%20performance.pdf )
Do you think that chess would benefit special needs children? If so, do you think teachers should teach it in the classroom? Or should there be programs outside of school that students can enroll in? If you don’t think chess would be any more beneficial than regular schooling, why not?

january 29, 2010 class blog

2010-01-27T21:39:00.002-07:00

Autism and Robots

In our class this past week Sister Morse mentioned research being done recently to use robots in helping children with autism. This sparked interest in me, and so I decided to research it for my blog post this week.

I found an interesting video on the today show called “Can Robots Help Treat Autism?”. You can find and watch it at: http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/26184891/vp/30225368#30225368

I also found an article called “Robots to Fight Autism” at: http://www.popsci.com/scitech/article/2009-04/robots-fight-autism

When I first heard about robots being used to help children with autism I was slightly against it, but open to at least do the research and possibly change my mind. I thought that robot interaction would allow these children to become more and more comfortable with robots over time, but I did not see this leading to improved interaction with humans. After all, there is a huge difference between the two and autistic children are often described as robotic already. I worried that the technology was not really in line with the goal of helping these children become more social with other people. The whole topic really made me think back to the balance between technology, pedagogy, and content. I was skeptical that with the robot technology these three things would have good balance. My standpoint before my research was that you would not see a correlation between improved interaction with robots and improved interaction with humans.

It is a good thing I am not too stubborn of a person because after I watched this video and read the article my view has at least been shaken. I was grateful that my concern was addressed in both the video and article. With the evidence given in both it is obvious to me that robots have been beneficial to these children. It is amazing the increase in their speech and interaction with humans because of the interaction with the robots first. The most impressive example of this, in my opinion was the description of the little girl in the article. Although she began not wanting to have anything to do with the robot, she slowly became more and more used to it, eventually becoming quite affectionate. There was a flaw in this example however because it never mentions an increase in human social interaction to correspond to the increase in robot interaction. There was however convincing evidence in the video with the graph of proven increase in verbal expression due to robot interaction.

While I was once skeptical about this use of technology to help children with autism, I am now in agreement that with more research and testing robots could be beneficial. I do not think robots are ready to be implemented as a therapy yet, but perhaps sometime soon. I also would love to have more research done on these robots being able to tell the emotions of children with autism. I can say from personal experience that it is often difficult to know how a child with autism is feeling, and what caused those emotions. This could be very helpful in teaching strategies.

I would like to know your opinion before and after reading the article and watching the video. Do you believe robots being used as therapies are a good thing, or do you think that the use of robots is counterintuitive? Please explain why.

Approaches to NCLB - What would you change?

2010-01-22T18:58:00.002-07:00

Click here to this webpage then click on the article titled "NCLB - A Crossroads for Special Education" to find out what Gloeckler and Daggett have to say about the issue on of NCLB in special education.

Rather than being a solely two-sided argument, the authors list things options that those involved in Special Education react to No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB). These options are: (1) do not do anything about it and just let it be, (2) allow the students with disabilities different standards, or (3) pull students with disabilities completely out of NCLB. The authors' opinion is that NCLB and Special Education can operate together, thus taking the second approach about modifying some things about NCLB to make that happen, but also that some change their mindset about NCLB as well. My personal opinion is that I agree with what the authors have said about Special Education and NCLB working together. Most of my siblings are involved in education in some sort of way in their careers and have had to deal with NCLB. I remember one time while I was in High School when one of my brothers told everyone how much he hating NCLB and all of the problems that it brought with it. That was always the sort of vibe that I got from my teachers at school as well about the issue. I had never heard of anyone that said how great it was and were overjoyed there were when the bill passed. I admit that after reading this article, my opinion about NCLB has changed somewhat, at least for the realm of Special Education (not necessarily for education as a whole). What I like most about what the authors said is that Special Education has reached a point of accountability. In its history, that has never happened for Special Education, so I see progress toward greater things. I see accountability as moving towards having good, certified and qualified teachers in Special Education, putting more trust into those with disabilities, and most importantly, I see it as a focus on abilities rather than disabilities. I feel that we are moving towards a better view of those with disabilities. One of things that I agree most with the authors is their suggestion to have a different approach for Annual Yearly Progress (AYP). I like the idea of changing AYP for students with disabilities to improvement rather than reaching a certain number or figure. The reason I like this idea the most is that it goes hand-in-hand with the Individualized Education Plan (IEP) goals that are the focus of Special Education. For these students, the focus should always be on reaching new heights and progress, so an approach for AYP that focuses on improvement would be perfect. One that I that I would change about what the authors suggested is to have Special Education teachers also be focused on a certain subject matter along with being trained for teaching those with disabilities. I the idea of it is great, but I do not see an actual implementation of it being carried out because it would be too difficult. Preparing for those with disabilities in and of itself is challenging. Having Special Education teachers also learn a subject matter on top of this would discourage more students to go into Special Education my opinion because the difficulty level would be higher. Do you agree with the author's point of view about making Special Education and NCLB working together or do you take the (1) or (3) as mentioned above, to NCLB? If you disagree with the authors', why do and what would you change about NCLB or why would you keep it the same? If you agree with the authors', what parts of their suggestions would you try to implement and which parts would you ignore or change and why?

Dating Services for the Disabled

2010-01-19T09:18:00.002-07:00

Although it may be something that we do not ponder often, it is a very prevalent issue within the disabled community. I found it fascinating to read about the instruction provided for those who are disabled and seeking to date. It is such a natural human instinct that we have, to desire the love and company of another, so it seems like common sense that those who have disabilities would hold that desire as well. While I imagine that the dating websites would be convenient, I wonder whether it is just one more way our society ostracizes those with disabilities. I was glad to see that there are sites, and social events geared towards individuals with disabilities meeting others with disabilities, but I feel like it may send the message that they are only welcome to that one option which is, dating someone who has a disability like themselves. After reading these articles, what is your reaction to the services provided and the instruction given? Do you see them as beneficial or detrimental to the disabled community?

Reach Out For Dating Services For Disabled

Author: Peter Finch
There are innumerable dating services for disabled websites on the internet. They offer special services to their users or members. Many of these websites for the disabled also feature dating services for their members. They help and assist in bringing together like minded people who, besides companionship issues, need to deal with their disabilities.

As with normal people, the need to feel loved and wanted is very real for the disabled. The need for intimacy is very real, though there are many physical and emotional barriers that the disabled needs to overcome. The society sets a very high standard of virtue and beauty and some disabled people feel that they are unable to meet these standards.

Many times, these standards can be very challenging, especially for the disabled, as they do not fit into the mould. Many of the disabled have negative thoughts and feel inferior when they can not meet the standards that have been set for them by the society.

Since dating services for disabled websites offer services and resources for dating, it becomes much simpler for the disabled to look for companions. The advantage of the internet is that it makes people anonymous. They are not judged outright on their physical aspects. This gives the disabled singles ample scope for interaction without having to worry about their disability. The relationship centers more on making a connection and a bond. In this environment, relationships blossom. Inhibitions are reduced when online disabled people actually meet face to face. There would be no awkwardness when they meet offline.

The dating services for disabled websites help the disabled to voice their concerns. It gives a bouncing board and a chatting board to share their thoughts and feelings. Issues can be highlighted while tips are well appreciated. It is a meeting ground for people of like minds. Many problems are discussed and solutions are found from within the community.

These services provide a networking platform, not just for disabled but for those who are looking for relationships. Many of the dating services for disabled websites postings are ways through which people can vent out their feelings or just simply talk to each other. For many people, anxieties are overcome when they talk. It helps the disabled to combat the feeling of loneliness.

Many of those accessing these sites are able bodied. Or many are those who are living with disabled partners. These websites also offer them advice on how to cope with various insecurities and anxieties that are faced by both the able bodied and the disabled. There are many people out there who are also interested in dating the disabled.

These websites offer the opportunity to all sections of the society, where the society could not have given them these chances. There are so many sites and so many people, who are actively connected that the chances of finding a companion are greatly enhanced. Where earlier there were only friends and family who did the networking, now the disabled can also network with the help of dating services for disabled websites.

About the Author:
Are you looking for one of the best disabled dating sites on the internet? If so, visit Disabled Dating Club now. We have a huge database of friendly people who want to meet you. Disabled dating and disabled personals datinghave never been this easy!Membership of Disabled Dating Club is free, so sign up right now. You'll be glad you did!
Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - Reach Out For Dating Services For Disabled

Dating Disabled Woman - What You Should Know?

Author: Peter Finch
Do you know that the elderly disabled people are shocked when they hear about disabled people dating? This is because until recent time, the society considered disabled people as asexual beings. Disabled individuals are also human beings and they also crave for love and companionship just like anyone else. Disabled people had trouble finding potential mates before and those who had severe disabilities had little or no chance of finding potential mates. It is no wonder that elderly disabled people find it shocking to hear disabled men dating disabled women.

It was never easy for a disabled woman to meet people like the rest of the normal woman. Ever since the dating agencies and online disabled websites started to work together to eradicate this problem, it has become possible for disabled women as well as men to date.

Dating disabled woman is no different than dating a "normal" woman. This is because one would find the same amount of apprehension, excitement, fun and passion when dating the disabled woman as well as a normal woman. If the woman you are dating has been confined to a wheel chair then make sure that you take her to a restaurant that offers wheel chair facilities. There are these small but important things that you will need to look into when you are dating a disabled woman.

The introduction phase is very important while dating disabled woman. This is the moment when two people would get to know each other. Try to find out how sensitive she is about her disability when you meet her for the first time. You should do this because you need to understand her before deciding to carry your relationship forward. Do not say things that would hurt her feelings and you should also not completely overlook her disability.

There are a lot of people who feel over conscious about their partners disability and they prefer not to make any comments that might make the woman uncomfortable. This kind of attitude does not make the woman feel comfortable at all. It would only make her feel inferior.

While dating a woman with disability, you should make allowances for the disability that the person may have but do not make it too obvious. Try to put a balance between the two.

While dating disabled woman, it is always better to get a good understanding of the kind of disability she has; irrespective of whether you are a normal man or whether you are a disabled man. This will help you understand your partner and make you more tuned to her needs. With this kind of mature understanding, the whole process of dating would become much more fun and it would be a thoroughly enjoyable experience for both of you.

To make the dating disabled woman much easier and comfortable, dating agencies and online dating sites are working side by side. It is because of their efforts that the darkness of yesterday has faded away and tomorrows sun is going to bring an even better future.

Top Concerns About Dating That Worry Disabled People

Author: Peter Finch
Dating can be a fun and exciting way to make new friends and find that someone special. But at the same time it can be stressful, worrying and quite difficult!

All men and women share some basic concerns. The same dating worries plague disabled people too. But in addition there are some special concerns that revolve around disability itself.

A glance at the message board of any disabled dating site reveals the host of anxieties that cloud the horizon. Dating presents a real challenge for disabled people and queries range from handling the first date to fertility issues.

Some of the common concerns are -

Self consciousness - Feeling that everyone-is-looking-at-me is quite often a constant companion of disabled singles. However, for a relationship to work, both parties have to like the other for themselves. So, while the dating partner has to look beyond the disability, the disabled person too has to stop constantly trying to assess the others reactions!

Companionship - Most singles share this concern and for those living with a limiting disability, it is one of the primary reasons for entering into a dating relationship. Finding the right partner and coping with the future as a single are a constant worry. Hence combating feelings of loneliness and a need for companionship rank high on the list of concerns.

Attitudes towards the disabled - When dating able bodied persons, disabled people are concerned about how their disability will be received. Two people may have been connecting online for a while but when they decide to meet in person, both are worried about the disability angle. They are conscious that believing something in theory and being able to live out those beliefs in reality are different ball games altogether.

And hence the fear of whether the impairment will prove repulsive and how it will affect the relationship surfaces. The dating site Lovebyrd advises -You are not defined by your disability, so do not let your disability represent you on your date.

Sustaining long term relationships - Many of those who are in dating relationships wonder whether they will be able to sustain them in the long run. For the disabled in particular, the worry is how their partner will cope with the day-to-day challenges of living with a disability.

Sexual desirability and performance - While dating, disabled people tend to be very conscious of how desirable they appear to their partner. Feelings of inadequacy and low self-image raise their ugly heads and if these thoughts are not combated successfully they can hamper the relationship and prevent both partners from having a good time.

Sexual performance can be hampered by impairment and problems like impotency and loss of libido are very real. How this will impact the relationship depends on the strength of the bond formed earlier.

Fertility issues - Fertility problems and the possibility of not being able to have children are issues that many disabled people are challenged with. The dating relationship can be affected by this and the reaction of the partner becomes vital to the continuance of the alliance.

The only solution to this is an open discussion. Do not be afraid to voice your concerns - only then will you know what the person at the other end feels. Be confident about yourself and it will all work out!

About the Author:
DisabledDatingClub.com has a huge database of friendly people who want to meet you. Disabled dating and disabled personals dating have never been this easy! Disabled Dating Club has many members and has many ways to meet through chatrooms, I.M.s and email. Membership is free, so sign up right now.
Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - Top Concerns About Dating That Worry Disabled People

Is a technocentric approach to technology integration adequate?

2010-01-08T11:31:00.004-07:00

Not-So Special Olympics?

2009-12-04T00:01:00.001-07:00

According to this article, in recent years Special Olympics (SO) has made a rule that “ lateral (side view) neck X-rays [must] be obtained for individuals with [Down Syndrome] DS before they participate in the SO's nationwide competitive program. Further, SO has asserted that “those participants with radiologic evidence of [a spinal cord condition called Atlantoaxial Instability, also known as] AAI are banned from certain activities that may be associated with increased risk of injury to the cervical spine....”

Special Olympics is geared towards giving the opportunity for individuals to participate in athletics who normally couldn’t. We think that baring them from playing sports just because they may have a medical condition that may be dangerous in sports defeats the purpose of SO. Sports in SO are purposely modified to allow individuals with all kinds of disabilities to participate. Many individuals with Downs Syndrome have heart conditions. However, SO does not bar them from participating due to that fact alone. Why should Atlantoaxial Instability be any different? Not only are the X-ray screenings of “…unproven value in detecting patients at risk for developing spinal cord injury during sports participation” they seem to run against the core values of SO—allowing all students the opportunity to play regardless of their disability. What do you think about Atlantoaxial Instability screenings and its role in determining participation or nonparticipation in Special Olympics?

Deaf-Blind placement in school settings

2009-12-02T15:46:00.000-07:00

The term Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) is one that we have become very familiar with in our program. Basically from the state's perspective LRE is typically as close to the general education classroom setting as possible. This means to minimize pullout and outside services as much as possible.

Many debate the controversy or LRE as to mainstreaming, inclusion, special classes or schools. We would like to address this controversy in regards to the Deaf-blind student.

Here are some articles about this controversy
Interpreters hired for the classroom or job setting
Deaf education in Utah (start at the bottom of page 44 and read to page 47)
Eligibility requirements for Deaf-Blind (go to page 3 of the pdf)

We think that one must consider the meaning of 'restrictive'. A deaf-blind student in a mainstream setting would be restricted in their learning, especially if there is no qualified interpreter provided. Having the deaf-blind student attend a special school with interpreters and aides would allow the student the freedom to use their natural language of sign. There are many factors to consider such as finances for attending the school and location of school. We understand that the decision is on an individualized basis that the IEP team must discuss and consider. This is not a cookie-cutter situation.

What is your interpretation of "Least Restrictive" in the case of a deaf-blind student?

The "R" Word

2009-11-17T18:11:00.001-07:00

A big controversy in the world of special needs is the use of the words “retard” and “retarded.” These words are often used by the world as a means of degrading someone or often used to make fun of someone.

In August of 2008 a movie called “Tropic Thunder” directed by Ben Stiller came out and caused a stir. In this movie the term “retard” was used often. Dreamworks Studios along with director Ben Stiller did not understand why there was such a problem from this. This article explains this controversy further.

The National Down Syndrome Congress boycotted this movie and This article explains their feelings about the issue in more depth. At a Northwest Down Syndrome Association social, Corinne met some teenage siblings and friends of kids with Down Syndrome who had stood outside theaters holding signs to protest the movie.

Our group’s opinion of these words is that it totally depends on the context that the words are used in. If using these words in a professional manner such as in eligibility criteria and diagnosis it is appropriate although certain states, including Utah, are shying away from this term by renaming the disability as Intellectual Disability instead of mental retardation. If using these words as a way to put someone with disabilities down then obviously it is not acceptable at all. We are bothered when others use the word in their daily vocabulary to describe something or someone, but we usually do not make a big deal about it. We probably would not watch the movie, but we would not actively and publicly protest the movie.

What are your thoughts or feelings with the use of the words “retard” or “retarded?”

Would you boycott a movie based solely on your feelings about this term?

Posted by: Down Syndrome Group: Christina, Carrie, Corinne, Camille

What kind of plastic surgery would you have?

2009-11-11T19:15:00.001-07:00

Recently, parents have been choosing to have plastic surgery performed on their children with Down Syndrome, even as young as 3 years old, to eliminate the distinguishing physical facial characteristics that a person with Down's exhibits.

Some parents and plastic surgeons feel like plastic surgery would enhance the quality of life in their children. It would reduce stigmas and provide more normalized opportunities in life. If parents agree, the following article explains the pros to this procedure.

http://www.ds-health.com/psurg.ht

On the other side of this argument, parents have been extremely outspoken against the idea of tampering with a child's natural appearance. This oftens happens when the child is either too young or low functioning to understand the consequences of this decision. Plastic surgery inhibits the personal rights of the child, and is just trying to change their appearance to make them more "normal". The following article explains this opinion.

Cosmetic surgery for Down Syndrome Child

If you would like to know more, here is a survey from parents of children with Down Syndrome, and their opinions on this issue.

Hearing Parental Voices: survey

While interviewing a special education professional, her opinion was such that the facial features were not as important as their personal hygiene habits, and dressing. If the parents spent the time and money to get plastic surgery, why wouldn't they just spend that money on teaching and dressing instead.

We think they're cute.

We think that if the plastic surgery was for a functional purpose then it would be beneficial. An example of this would be the tongue reduction surgery. This would be appropriate if ithe child's communication was hindered by the small mouth cavity. We do not believe that it is ethical to change a child's appearance without their agreement (if they understand), and that they are individuals that deserve to not have their individuality tampered with.

If you were to have a child with Down Syndrome, would you choose to have plastic surgery done? Why?

Special Education Inclusion

2009-11-06T19:35:00.003-07:00

Despite the clarifications in IDEA, the issue of inclusion and special education is a controversial one; one that parents, districts, and even courts cannot seem to agree on. These articles discuss special education inclusion and gives cases representing both sides. Please read Ken Marlborough’s explanation of special education inclusion here . Also, please read at least the introduction, two court decisions (preferably 1 or 2 plus 4 or 5), and the research and conclusion sections of this article .

As you read, please consider these three questions:
1. What do you think of the “inclusionists” claim “that segregated programs are detrimental to students and do not meet the original goals for special education”?
2. How was the approach by Success For All different than that of the inclusionists? Which argument to you agree with?
3. Do you think cost should be a factor?

As a group, we think that those we dubbed “inclusionists” tend to be biased and are not focused on the education of the child with the disabilities. For example, Marlborough’s concluding sentence is: “Thus schools can create a cooperative learning environment and promote socialization.” Is socialization the main goal here? No! At the same time, we do think that the parent’s opinion should be regarded highly as long as it is balanced by the opinion of the student assistance team – with all having the learning of the student as first priority.

Concerning cost of inclusive versus non-inclusive settings, we think that this can be a big issue. Looking at the court cases, the courts’ responses do not always favor just one side. Recognizing the importance of managing expenses and the limitations of schools, we recommend that cost be considered, but it should not be the deciding factor.

Under-representation for the Deaf-Blind Community

2009-11-04T15:52:00.002-07:00

Abigail Breslin has been cast to potray Helen Keller in the Broadway production of The Miracle Worker which has been an uproar in the Deaf and Deaf/blind community. The advocacy groups have opposed the casting and have been disagreeing with the producer's decision since she was cast. There is more controversy with the community because the director's perspective focuses more on the teacher Anne Sullivan instead of Helen Keller. This is the director's main argument on casting Abigail Breslin.

The Deaf and Deaf/blind community is upset because a deaf/blind actress was not considered for casting for the role and they felt as a community this robbed the story of it's message and robbed a great opportunity to use an actress from the community.

Here are two articles that describe the controversy:

Article about "Miracle Worker" controversy

Article about the director

This is a Youtube video from a Deaf women who feels a deaf/blind actress should have at least been taken into consideration. She also says a hearing actress was taken into consideration because she was famous and that would bring more money into the play.

A DEAF perspective

This is the general community's response to the article the day after it was written:

New York Times readers respond

Our group felt that if the Deaf/blind community is denied opportunities to represent their community what can they do to work and express themselves as a whole? We felt the casting should have represented a more accurate role and expressed accommodation for the actress choice since this movie is about "Miracle Workers."
Do you think a Deaf/blind or Deaf actress should have been cast and do you think this is a realistic expectation from the Deaf/blind community?

Virtual Reality and TBI

2009-10-30T17:00:00.001-06:00

One recent treatment that has been used with individuals with TBI is virtual reality. Virtual reality (VR) applications “allow the user to interact with, and become immersed in,
a computer-generated environment that simulates a real world environment.” As of right now, there is little research to support the success of virtual reality in treating TBI, but there is much anticipation that virtual reality will be a successful way of achieving positive outcomes in patients with TBI. Some of these outcomes include: assessing level of functioning in real-life situations, and being trained with consistent repetitions. For more information on this topic, please see sections 1, 3, 4, and 5 of this article. It discusses some of the benefits and potential issues concerning this treatment option. Do you think that virtual reality is a viable option for those with TBI?

Our group feels that because there have been so many advances in technology, virtual reality treatments will soon become an option that is affordable and very helpful to those with TBI. As technology becomes more advanced, virtual reality may certainly allow for great advances in the treatment of TBI, and could lead to vast improvements in the cognitive and life skills areas of a student with TBI. Although there still needs to be a lot of research done on this particular treatment option, we feel that it is certainly something that needs to be further studied in order to fully tap its potential as a treatment for those individuals with TBI.

Blame the Teletubbies

2009-10-28T15:11:00.000-06:00

Recently, an economist from Cornell University named Michael Waldman has discovered a “link” between watching too much TV at an early age and autism. Read a news report regarding his ideas here.
Many parents have reacted negatively to this, as is evidenced in Barbara Fischkin’s article, which you can read here.
In another article, however, the actual results of research are conveyed.

What is your view? Do you think watching TV influences a child’s diagnosis of autism?

We think that there is not enough evidence to show a causal relationship between TV and autism. While research would suggest that the two coincide, it does not necessarily mean that all children who watch a lot of TV at a young age will have autism, nor that all children diagnosed with autism have watched a lot of TV. We agreed with the possibility that the third article presented when it stated, “that watching a lot of television before the age of three can trigger the development of autism in children who are already at risk for the disorder.”

We also think that Waldman’s cure of his child is bogus.

Autism and Medication

2009-10-23T14:20:00.002-06:00

Yet another possible treatment for children with autism is medication. On the one hand, some parents feel they have seen vast improvements in their children's behavior since they have been on medication; on the other, some parents refuse medication, feeling that it would just be "doping up" their children.

This articleaddresses both sides: it is a mother talking about her personal experience with her child that has autism spectrum disorder. She talks about how she was very hesitant to use medication, especially because other parents would say it was just "doping" your child up so you don't have to deal with them. Eventually she medicates her son and sees drastic results that are good. She concludes by saying " individuals who are not familiar with these situations please reserve your judgement until you know more about each situation." (Britany Barnes)

This video details that the most common drugs used to treat autism, the SSRI series, which mostly consist of anti-depressants. In this video they state that these drugs have no proven effect on the effects of autism. A worried mother details her worries and concerns of possible side effects. It also features a doctor from Seattle Childrens Hospital. He outlines his disappointment in not seeing ANY results within his examination of the drugs effects. (Shelly Peterson)

This article is a mother's experience of refusing to medicate her autistic son. She believes intensive therapy will be the thing that helps her son learn to communicate, and she is a believer in the gluten-free casein-free diet. Her stand is that medication only treats symptoms of autism and she would rather give her son the resources to cope with his disability instead of medicating him. (Lauren Stevenson)

Our group feels that, for the most part, medication is ineffective--it only masks the problem. Parents should medicate their child only if necessary, and that medication should be used only temporarily and used along with teaching techniques (e.g. self-modeling).

In your opinion, is medication an effective treatment for children with autism? Under what circumstances should it be given?

Pre-Natal Scanning for Down's Syndrome

2009-10-16T15:27:00.001-06:00

Pre-Natal Scanning for Down’s syndrome:

Scans are available during pregnancy that can tell you if your baby is at risk of being down with Down’s Syndrome. Doctors believe that it is a great advantage as it can help prepare parents for the expected health problems at birth, and know that extra care will be necessary. Some people believe that it leads to a greater amount of abortions as people do not “want to deal” with a child with disabilities. They believe it to unethical.

This article is about a parent of a child with Down’s Syndrome. She talks of the challenges other people’s opinions on the subject make. People ask her is she was “tested” during her pregnancy, and she has so poignant words to say on the subject:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/10/17/AR2005101701311.html

This web page has information about Pre-natal Screening and testing and why it should be done, read the sections labeled Preamble, and Screening tests:

http://www.ndsccenter.org/resources/position1.php

This web page has information about pre-natal screening and some of the issues scroll down to the 3^rd to last paragraph starting with “The screening tests establish”:

http://www.dreamessays.com/customessays/Critical%20Essays/5371.htm

We agree with the doctors who say that screening can lead to better medical care, and preparedness on the parent’s part. It would help the parents prepare with the financial, emotional, and physical demands that a child with disabilities is liable to bring. However, it does bring some people to make some decisions that we do not agree with. There is also the fact that screenings do not tell you for sure if your child will have the disease so it give you a false positive reading. Health insurance does not cover pre-natal screenings so we would be more inclined to have the screenings performed if they were covered by insurance seeing as they are rather expensive.

Considering the testimonial article and the pro and cons presented, do you think that pre-natal screening is an asset to pregnancy? Should it be required for all pregnancies?

2009-10-13T11:53:00.002-06:00

Internet Safety

Post what you have learned from the Internet Safety Video assignment.

Discuss one point you like/agree with, and one point you dislike/disagree with, and why. (2 points)
Length should be about 1/2 page in length (approximately 100 words).

Health Care and Severe Disabilities

2009-10-09T23:15:00.002-06:00

For a person who has a disability, or who has a family member with a disability, health care is really important. The need for medical attention among the disability community is usually higher and more consistent throughout the years, it is generally more expensive, harder to obtain, and sometimes, the solutions provided are even undesirable.
Ari Ne’eman talks about some instances where this has been the case and passionately defends the special needs population. Specifically, he mentioned the Community Choice Act, which was supported by Obama during his campaign, and how that would help people with disabilities get the health care they need. Unfortunately, according to Ne’eman, Obama is not following through, and Ne’eman calls for the integration of disabled citizens and the non-disabled citizens.
Read his article here: http://specialneeds08.blogspot.com/2009/08/disability-and-health-care-firsthand.html
This debate has recently been outside the walls of the White House: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IsKkAAzZgNQ
More information on Obama’s health care plan can be found here: http://www.whitehouse.gov/issues/health_care/plan/

Do Ne’eman and Laurna have a reasonable argument? Are the disabled being treated differently under Obama’s new plan?

I think that Ne’eman and Laurna’s concerns are valid. It is imperative that we ensure coverage for people with disabilities and the concern becomes even more real if that person is close to us. I know, as a future mother, that I would want to take every precaution to make sure that my child will have access to all the care he would need – without too much extra cost on my part. However, after reading President Obama’s plan, I feel that enough support is being given to those with special needs and that it would not be unreasonable difficult to obtain the needed coverage. Taking into account Ne’emans concerns, I also believe that there is a need for individualization in the process. Each individual needs to be considered on a case by case basis to determine what their specific needs are and the best way to satisfy those needs.

Gary McKinnon

2009-10-07T16:57:00.001-06:00

Read the following articles about Gary McKinnon, a man from the UK diagnosed with Asperger's, and his legal involvement with the United States:

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/160039.php

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/jul/31/gary-mckinnon-loses-extradition-appeal

Given what you know and the following article describing the implications of Asperger's, (http://www.udel.edu/bkirby/asperger/aswhatisit.html) what do you think should be done regarding Gary MicKinnon's situation? Is it fair to extradite him? Should he be held responsible for his actions?

This seems similar to the discussion involving traumatic brain injury we had a few weeks ago, yet it is much clearer that Gary McKinnon was known to have Asperger's before he committed the crime, thus it is very likely that it could have influenced his actions to some extent. Any ruling in the United States will probably be more severe than one that might occur in the United Kingdom because the US is the victim in the situation. However, if Gary McKinnon is shown leniency for the sake of his high-functioning disability, it will set a precedent that could lead to some serious future implications. Convicts in the future could fake disabilities or people with actual disabilities could be exploited and used to do illegal things because those that exploit them feel confident that they won't be punished.

We feel that, because Gary's offense was repeated many times over again and because of the high-functioning nature of Asperger's, he must suffer some consequences. Because the ruling in the UK found it appropriate for Gary to be extradited, we feel that the government should follow through with extradition and trial. While this may seem harsh considering his circumstances, we feel it will teach him that there are serious consequences for serious actions--just like we would use consequences to teach our kids in the classroom--as well as setting necessary precedent that will protect others in the future.

Chelation Therapy

2009-10-01T19:19:00.002-06:00

Mercury was commonly found in vaccinations a few years ago. There have been many controversial issues debating whether mercury is a cause of autism. Some parents have resulted to using chelation as a form of therapy to help “cure” their children of autism. Many have felt that their child has benefited from the therapy. Chelation is "the administration of chelating agents to remove heavy metals from the body. For the most common forms of heavy metal poisoning — those involving lead, arsenic or mercury — the standard of care in the USA dictates the use of dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA)." (Wikipedia) However, some doctors find it dangerous and possibly deadly. This drug can remove essential nutrients from your body and cause possible kidney failure.

Through our research we have found these sites related to chelation therapy.

This site explains what chelation’s function is, and its possible risks.

http://www.ehow.com/about_5403420_chelation-therapy.html

Scroll down this webpage to part 2 to find a video related to chelation

http://www.dmsachelation.com/autism/

Use this information to answer the following question.

What would you do as a parent of a child with a severe case of autism? Would you result to trying to solve the disability by using chelation as a treatment?

TBI AND INCARCERATION

2009-09-24T19:23:00.001-06:00

Traumatic brain injury (TBI), a form of acquired brain injury, occurs when a sudden trauma causes damage to the brain. TBI can result when the head suddenly and violently hits an object, or when an object pierces the skull and enters brain tissue. Symptoms of a TBI can be mild, moderate, or severe, depending on the extent of the damage to the brain. A person with a mild TBI may remain conscious or may experience a loss of consciousness for a few seconds or minutes. Other symptoms of mild TBI include headache, confusion, lightheadedness, dizziness, blurred vision or tired eyes, ringing in the ears, bad taste in the mouth, fatigue or lethargy, a change in sleep patterns, behavioral or mood changes, and trouble with memory, concentration, attention, or thinking. (http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/tbi/tbi.htm)

Research has shown that there is an alarmingly high prevalence of inmates with TBI. According to an article we found on braininjury.org.au, “People with acquired brain injury remain the forgotten group in the criminal justice system. Indeed it seems that brain trauma is so common among the prison population that it is not considered outside the ordinary or subject to particular attention.” Some say that more thorough screening is necessary to ensure that inmates are incarcerated for the right reasons.

The opposing viewpoint is that since these individuals with TBI are more often than not involved in substance abuse, domestic violence, and other crimes that prison is the right place for them.

Do you think that Traumatic Brain Injury is sometimes the cause of incarceration? Why? Do you think different screening procedures should be instituted before incarceration?

Take a look at these articles for more information regarding this critical issue.

http://braininjury.org.au/portal/statistics/prison---our-best-treatment-for-acquired-brain-injury---fact-sheet.html

http://traumaticbraininjury.net/wordpress/?p=342

Autism and Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)

2009-09-17T20:35:00.004-06:00

Applied behavior analysis (ABA) therapy teaches children with autism appropriate social behaviors they may not be able to acquire otherwise. The observer identifies what "triggers" inappropriate behavior, what reinforces that behavior, and then teaches the child an appropriate replacement behavior that serves the same purpose.

However, some believe that ABA does more than harm than good. Their argument is that the therapy teaches people with autism to mimic typical behavior with no understanding of it and suppresses natural behavior. The practice is barbaric, causing post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, and depression later in life. Michelle Dawson, a person with autism, elaborates in this article (read "Ethical challenges to behavior analysis" section).

Dr. Michael Morrier of Emory University's Autism Center explains ABA here.

This website provides more information on ABA therapy.

In your opinion, is ABA an effective therapy for children with autism? Why or why not?

-Britany Barnes, Shelly Peterson, Lauren Stevenson, Cassie Stoneman, Mike Thomas

Vaccination Controversy

2009-09-09T15:05:00.001-06:00

Through our personal study we have found that researchers’ perspectives on the causes of autism are not linked to MMR vaccinations, which fight against measles, mumps, and rubella. Their perspective is backed by many current case studies and research. However, many parents with autistic children claim that vaccinations can be the cause of their child’s autism. They have seen first hand the behavior changes in their children, close to the times of their vaccinations.

Watch this video of a mother’s viewpoint on this issue
http://www.wral.com/news/political/video/4528997/
Here is an article on the researchers’ point of view
www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/09/03/AR2008090303396.html

Do you agree with current researchers’ perspectives indicating that vaccinations do not cause autism, or do you agree with some parents’ viewpoints that it does? What is your opinion? Why?

Is a technocentric approach inadequate?

2009-09-02T22:02:00.003-06:00

In the article Teachers' Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge: Curriculum-based Technology Integration Reframed, Harris, Mishra, and Koehlher make a case for why a technocentric (bottom of page 3) approach to technology integration is inadequate. Explain what you think that they mean and whether you agree or disagree and why. Your response requires you to understand their main argument and why the TPCK framework supports their argument. Your response should be approximately 150 words (give or take. I will not be counting the words but this will give you an idea of how in depth I want your response)