More Schools Requiring 'Psych Clearances' For Kids To Stay In Class

 A growing number of schools are requiring students with disabilities to get evaluations — often called "psychiatric clearances" or "risk assessments"— to return after discipline incidents, advocates say. Read More >

Test Commonly Used To Diagnose Autism May Be Unnecessary

 A test that's often required for children to receive an autism diagnosis may be unnecessary and eliminating it could make the process faster, easier and cheaper, researchers say. Read More >

Black Children Wait Longer For Autism Diagnosis

 New research shows that it often takes three years and visits to multiple providers before Black children are diagnosed with autism, denying them a critical opportunity for therapy. Read More >

New Documentary Questions IQ As A Measure Of Intelligence

A film challenging what it means to have intellectual disability is set to screen at theaters across the country. Read More;

Advice on addressing challenging student behavior

Educators can best tackle challenging student behavior by finding the reason behind it, Margaret Shafer, a classroom teacher with special-education experience, writes in this blog post. She shares advice, resources and links for teachers to collect data and find solutions, including tips for students with autism and those affected by trauma.  Teaching Channel

When It Comes To Diagnosing Autism, Even Experts Miss Signs

Autism has attracted a huge amount of attention in recent years, but many families who suspect their child may be on the spectrum continue to face barriers. Read More >

Company designs, tests game as possible ADHD diagnostic tool

Minneapolis startup CogCubed is testing a video game designed to collect sensory data on 70 different variables that can then be used to help diagnose and treat cognitive impairments, such as attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Thirty-seven students with ADHD are helping the company test the game. Star Tribune (Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minn.) (8/3)  http://www.startribune.com/business/218183262.html

Educator explores effects of labels

Intelligence is more than a student's IQ score, teacher Jessica Lahey writes in this commentary where she looks at both the pros and cons of labeling students. On the one hand, she writes, labels help educators differentiate instruction and meet students' unique needs. On the other hand, labels can lead some to believe a child's intelligence is fixed, leading to less focus on helping the student grow academically. The Atlantic online (7/11)  http://www.theatlantic.com/national/archive/2013/07/the-perils-of-giving-kids-iq-tests/277715/

35% of young children with ASD retain diagnosis under DSM-5

Data on 237 children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder by age 3 based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-IV revealed that just 35% of them retained the diagnosis under the DSM-5 criteria. These children had a substantially higher Childhood Autism Rating Scale scores and lower cognition, researchers reported at the Pediatric Academic Societies meeting. Family Practice News (5/29)  http://www.familypracticenews.com/single-view/dsm-5-criteria-at-odds-with-early-autism-diagnosis/96460bc5b8bf74feb15bcbd5e64b55ee.html

Canadian program offers autism services for all ages in one location

With the help of a $100 million endowment, The Child Development Centre in Calgary, Canada, offers free services ranging from diagnosis to therapy for children and adults with autism. For instance, the Ability Hub, housed at the center, offers training in independent living and job skills to help teenagers transition to adulthood. Ottawa Citizen (Ontario) (2/17) http://www.ottawacitizen.com/health/Calgary+stop+shop+autism+services/7972263/story.html

Portable tool measures comprehension in children with autism

A technique called portable intermodal preferential looking assessment, developed by psychologist Letitia Naigles, is showing promise as a way to help parents and physicians identify language understanding among children with autism. In a recent study that presented children with two videos side-by-side and audio that corresponded with one of the videos, researchers found that those with autism were less likely to watch the video that matched the audio. PsychCentral.com (12/17)   http://psychcentral.com/news/2012/12/17/video-test-aids-assessment-of-autistic-children/49218.html

Assessment of Preschool Early Literacy Skills.

 

This resource, Assessment of Preschool Early Literacy Skills: Linking Children's Educational Needs with Empirically Supported Instructional Activities, explores how early childhood assessment informs instruction and intervention, highlighting screening, diagnostic, and progress monitoring assessments.  http://tinyurl.com/985yooe

Diagnoses of child bipolar disorders rise amid concerns

More young children are being diagnosed with bipolar disorder, though a lack of understanding about the disorder in younger individuals is raising concerns that some children may be misdiagnosed. At a recent conference, Mary Fristad, a psychologist at Ohio State University Medical Center, warned that a proper diagnosis takes time and expertise in mood and behavior disorders to distinguish bipolar symptoms from those of other diagnoses, such as attention-deficit/hyperactivity or oppositional defiant disorders. The Columbus Dispatch (Ohio) (10/30)  http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2011/10/30/health/bipolar-diagnoses-rising-among-children.html

Utah company improves technology to assist in speech therapy

A mouthpiece with 124 sensors that is linked to a microprocessor could help children overcome speech problems early, says Andy May of CompleteSpeech. The devices, called palatometers, track movements of the tongue while a person speaks and then transmits to a screen that the person and therapist can view. The technology has existed in research labs for decades, but May said CompleteSpeech has made the devices more affordable and practical for real-world use. The Salt Lake Tribune (Utah) (7/12) http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/news/52169340-78/speech-therapy-banks-completespeech.html.csp

Autism Screening at Very Early Age may lead to Inaccurate Diagnosis

A study of babies born before 28 weeks of gestation found that 18% of 152 toddlers tested had positive diagnosis in three screenings for autism spectrum disorders at 18 months old, but only 10% of 116 toddlers did at 30 months old. BusinessWeek.com/HealthDay News (5/1) http://www.businessweek.com/lifestyle/content/healthday/652444.html

Simple Checklist may Lead to early Autism Diagnosis

An easy, five-minute checklist could help doctors identify autism in children as young as 12 months, offering kids an important head start on treatment, researchers said this week. http://www.disabilityscoop.com/2011/04/29/simple-checklist/13004/?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=April+29%2C+2011%3A+News+from+Disability+Scoop&utm_source=YMLP&utm_term=