April has a lot to offer when it comes to autism awareness and acceptance. In case you missed some of these special PBS shows, never fear! They are still available for you and your family to watch via streaming. So pop a bowl of popcorn and enjoy the show. Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood: Max “Daniel Tiger’s…
The pandemic continues to drive both education and related legislation. In February, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and federal Department of Education released documents intended to provide guidance for reopening schools safely, noting evidence that shows it is possible to do so with precautions. President Biden signed the American Rescue Plan into…
The 2021 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) became law at the beginning of 2021. What does this mean for military families and, more specifically, for the Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP)? The most important takeaway is that the Act standardizes the EFMP. This means that EFMP families should find it easier to get services after…
As school closures and other public health measures due to the pandemic continue across the country, so too do the effects on special education. A ParentTogether Action survey found that in the spring, more than half (59%) of students with disabilities were receiving only some or none of the services to which they were entitled,…
A routine hearing test administered to newborns around the world may also be able to alert doctors and parents to autism, according to a study, “Prolonged Auditory Brainstem Response in Universal Hearing Screening of Newborns with Autism Spectrum Disorder,” published in the journal Autism Research in October. As noted in an article on the Spectrum…
Three recent studies highlighted in the news have focused on healthcare and autism, with implications for autistic adults, young adults, and children. Chronic Physical Health Conditions A study by researchers at the University of Cambridge, United Kingdom, found that adults with autism are more likely than others to have chronic physical health conditions that…
This school year has created many challenges for parents. Should I send my kids to school? Or let them learn at home virtually? In many cases, families don’t even have choices. For families that include autistic children, the challenges are multiplied. Recent news stories have highlighted one of those challenges: wearing face masks. As noted…
In this unprecedented situation that COVID-19 and the associated lockdown have brought about, autistic people and their families are disproportionately affected. Increased Responsibilities and a Lack of Resources As noted in an article on the Disability Scoop website, a recent report done by the National Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Family Support at…
For parents of students with special needs, including those with autism, the decision about returning to school is magnified. On the one hand, remote learning is the safest option in the midst of the ongoing pandemic. On the other, getting kids who need specialized services back into the classroom is critical in order to make…
With a new school year drawing closer, school districts across the country are weighing difficult decisions about the best way to continue education for their students while keeping them safe and stopping the spread of COVID-19. From remote learning to in-person classes to some hybrid of the two, educators are weighing a variety of solutions…
