The Judge Rotenberg Center, a special needs school in Massachusetts that receives much of its funding from New York State, is back in the center of controversy again. The Center is the only school in the nation that uses aversive therapy such as skin shocks as behavioral modification on its students. Many of the… Read More »
Posts Tagged: autism
NY to Require Insurance Companies to Pay for Autism Treatments
Via a press release issued by Chairman of the Senate Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Committee Senator Roy McDonald: The New York State Senate today approved legislation to enable individuals with autism spectrum disorders to receive insurance coverage for screening, diagnosis and treatment. The bill (S.4005A), sponsored by Senator Charles J. Fuschillo, Jr. (R, Merrick),… Read More »
Understanding Autism: It's Not Monkey Business
Teco, a young bonobo chimpanzee, is exhibiting signs of autistic behavior, according to BoingBoing. His famous father, Kanzi, uses symbols to communicate with humans. Both chimps can be found at The Great Ape Trust, a nonprofit foundation whose tag line is “Insights through Collaborations with Apes.” Researchers immediately noticed that Teco was not acting like… Read More »
Play Ball! Special Needs Kids on Long Island
A brand new baseball little league has been form on Long Island, welcoming disabled children. The Little League of the Islips’ Challengers team is comprised of two teams, the Hurricanes and the Cyclones. As CBS News commented, “the Field of Dreams belongs to everyone.” The Challengers are the brainchild of Kelly Pipitone and Frank Fritz. … Read More »
Early Screening Tool Could Detect Autism by Age 1
A new approach to screening for some autism spectrum disorders may be able to detect autism by the age of 1, a great advance. Earlier detection and treatment can lead to better outcomes, as parents and teachers of children with autism know. The Journal of Pediatrics has prepared a checklist to be used at baby’s… Read More »
Light it Up Blue Kicks Off World Awareness Autism Day
I was in Home Depot this morning, shopping for light bulbs, when I noticed a rack of blue light bulbs with a prominent sign “Light it Up Blue—Autism Speaks.” In an effort to raise awareness of autism, Autism Speaks is seeking to “shine a light on autism by raising awareness of autism in communities… Read More »
Apple’s iPad Proving to be a Boon to Special Needs Families
Children with speech and communication problems are benefiting from apps designed for the iPad. “Before she got an iPad at age two, Caleigh Gray couldn’t respond to yes-or-no questions. Now Caleigh, who has been diagnosed with cerebral palsy, uses a $190 software application that speaks the words associated with pictures she touches on the “tablet”… Read More »
Monica & David: Must See TV For The Special Needs Community
In the meantime, I want the special needs community to know about the film ‘Monica and David’ that premieres tonight on HBO — a love story about two adults with Down Syndrome.
New Long Island Special Needs Radio Show
Monday Evenings at 6:30PM EST Special Needs Long Island is a weekly radio program dedicated to the special needs community on Long Island. It is a forum where the latest information involving special needs will be provided. Featured guests are from special needs organizations, professionals practicing in the field, families and individuals with special needs…. Read More »
Temple Grandin–A Beautiful Mind
Temple Grandin, the child without a voice, has become the voice of reason for autism.