Showing posts with label special programs. Show all posts
Showing posts with label special programs. Show all posts
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Article about College and Intellectual Disabilities
A great article can be found here about a student with Down Syndrome going to college. There is much information included about new legislation helping young adults with disabilities go on to higher education.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Helping families of special needs children understand their legal rights is the topic of New Jersey Center for Tourette Syndrome’s latest Wednesday Webinar. Attorney Rebecca Spar will discuss “Special Education and the Law,” during a free webinar which is open to all families, educators and health professionals.
This webinar will focus on how school-age children with Tourette Syndrome (and associated conditions like obsessive-compulsive and attention deficit disorders, learning disabilities, anxiety, depression and rage) may be eligible for services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. Ms. Spar will also discuss modifications that can be made to your child’s education program.
Wednesday Webinar: “Special Education and the Law”
February 25, 2009
7:30-8:30 p.m. Eastern
Register at: njcts.org/witsd-seminar-sign-up.php
All participants must have simultaneous access to the Internet and a phone. The audio portion will be available by dialing a toll-free number while the visuals will be presented online. There will be an opportunity to ask questions of the presenter. To register, or to learn more about Tourette Syndrome, please visit njcts.org.
New Jersey Center for Tourette Syndrome and Associated Disorders is collaboration among the Tourette Syndrome Association of New Jersey, Rutgers University and health professionals throughout New Jersey. Tourette Syndrome is a neurological disorder which typically manifests through involuntary movements or vocalizations known as tics. TS affects as many as 1 in every 200 children- 28,000 in New Jersey alone. Tourette Syndrome is often accompanied by other conditions like obsessive-compulsive and attention deficit disorders.
This webinar will focus on how school-age children with Tourette Syndrome (and associated conditions like obsessive-compulsive and attention deficit disorders, learning disabilities, anxiety, depression and rage) may be eligible for services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. Ms. Spar will also discuss modifications that can be made to your child’s education program.
Wednesday Webinar: “Special Education and the Law”
February 25, 2009
7:30-8:30 p.m. Eastern
Register at: njcts.org/witsd-seminar-sign-up.php
All participants must have simultaneous access to the Internet and a phone. The audio portion will be available by dialing a toll-free number while the visuals will be presented online. There will be an opportunity to ask questions of the presenter. To register, or to learn more about Tourette Syndrome, please visit njcts.org.
New Jersey Center for Tourette Syndrome and Associated Disorders is collaboration among the Tourette Syndrome Association of New Jersey, Rutgers University and health professionals throughout New Jersey. Tourette Syndrome is a neurological disorder which typically manifests through involuntary movements or vocalizations known as tics. TS affects as many as 1 in every 200 children- 28,000 in New Jersey alone. Tourette Syndrome is often accompanied by other conditions like obsessive-compulsive and attention deficit disorders.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Transition: High School to College: TRIO Support Services
A little known support that can be of use for transitioning from high school to college for young adults with disabilities is the TRIO Student Support Services.
Congress established a series of programs to help American low-income, first generation college students and students with disabilities enter college, graduate and move on to participate more fully in America's economic and social life. These Programs are funded under Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 and are referred to as the TRIO Programs.
Students who many not otherwise be accepted into universities through standard channels due to their academic records may be accepted through TRIO.
More than 1,000 U.S. colleges, universities and agencies now offer TRIO programs.
Students in the TRIO program are twice as likely to remain in college than those students with similar backgrounds who do not participate in the program.
To find out more about TRIO programs visit the TRIO homepage.
To find a list of participating schools check out the TRIO directory (a downloadable PDF file).
Congress established a series of programs to help American low-income, first generation college students and students with disabilities enter college, graduate and move on to participate more fully in America's economic and social life. These Programs are funded under Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 and are referred to as the TRIO Programs.
Students who many not otherwise be accepted into universities through standard channels due to their academic records may be accepted through TRIO.
More than 1,000 U.S. colleges, universities and agencies now offer TRIO programs.
Students in the TRIO program are twice as likely to remain in college than those students with similar backgrounds who do not participate in the program.
To find out more about TRIO programs visit the TRIO homepage.
To find a list of participating schools check out the TRIO directory (a downloadable PDF file).
Monday, January 26, 2009
Spreading the Word: Matawan Theater Alumni Association
The Matawan Theater Alumni Association is looking for people to get involved with our alumni show. You can submit an act, perform in the show, or sign up as a crew member.
Find out more by:
going to http://matawantheateralumni.org OR http://matawantheater.blogspot.com/ OR http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=58278541809&ref=mf OR
emailing info@matawantheateralumi.org or MatawanTheaterAlumni@gmail.com OR
Attending the next Interest Meeting on Feb 7th 2pm at the Barbato House - 16 Donna Place, Aberdeen NJ
Find out more by:
going to http://matawantheateralumni.org OR http://matawantheater.blogspot.com/ OR http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=58278541809&ref=mf OR
emailing info@matawantheateralumi.org or MatawanTheaterAlumni@gmail.com OR
Attending the next Interest Meeting on Feb 7th 2pm at the Barbato House - 16 Donna Place, Aberdeen NJ
Thursday, January 15, 2009
A suggestion to the district
You may have heard that the district is opening "academies" in the high school next year. This is a great move forward for the district, and the children who "make the grade" for this type of program.
My hope is that the district's next step is to create programs that will replace/reduce out of district placements and create ways to strengthen/enhance the programs that are already in the district.
What can be done? Well, I'm a parent, not an administrator, so I'm not even sure what all the options are in this district. I doubt even all the child study teams are aware of everything that is an option in this district! There seems to be no central system of keeping all the schools on the same track (maybe Dr. Lake will be able to plant the seeds of change on that note).
Here are just a few things, off the top of my head, that could make a difference for the kids with special needs in our district:
Another occupational therapist. There is one for the entire district. All sorts of kids get occupational therapy - kids with physical as well as neurological issues. How can there only be one person taking care of all the kids with that need in the entire district? There are 5 speech therapists employed by the district (most of which are assigned to the elementary aged children, and none listed for the high school. There are five secretaries for the special services department (WTF?). But one occupational therapist? Taking nothing away from the woman who holds that position, she's got the chops for the job and works well with the kids, but how can she possibly be giving the amount of therapy to all of those kids that they need?
How about an "academy" for kids with special needs? Take all that money that the district (taxpayers) are paying to ship kids out of district and bus them to those schools, and create an academy for the kids that really need the extra services. While some kids may really need to be in a very specialized situation, for medical, behavioral, etc. issues, there are many who could benefit from being brought back into an appropriate learning environment that is a part of their home school. Especially in the higher grades, where kids seem much more likely to be shipped out to other places.
How about an optional class, in each building, that is based on the educational "extras" that kids with special needs really need reinforced? Things that might be covered in classes, but that these kids need to have more prolonged and reinforced studies of. Test taking skills. Study skills. How to get organized. How to deal with stress. Typing skills. And throw in some really usable life skill areas. How to fill out a job application. How to dress for an interview. How to manage your checkbook. And definitely social skills on a regular basis from 1st grade up. How to talk about many different subjects. How to make and keep friends. How to react if you are embarrassed. How to deal with bullying (being bullied and not BEING a bully). Kids are already grouped in this district according to learning levels (and anyone who says they are not, needs to check out how many classified kids are in one room when there is an in-class support teacher in the room. Oh, and how about the enrichment classes? Can't tell me they aren't grouping these kids.) Just split up the class times to add an extra subject time.
I especially like that idea for the higher grades, as they are already set up for many different subjects. How many kids in the middle school are struggling with the "mini" classes that they are taking in 6th grade, and the languages in 7th and 8th? Let parents have an option of having their kids skip those classes in favor of a support class. Kids could be taken out of those classes for their speech, ot and social skills classes, making it so they don't lose any time in core classes.
Adding these classes to the high school would be just as simple. The kids would take them instead of an elective or in place of a language.
Anyone have any other ideas?
My hope is that the district's next step is to create programs that will replace/reduce out of district placements and create ways to strengthen/enhance the programs that are already in the district.
What can be done? Well, I'm a parent, not an administrator, so I'm not even sure what all the options are in this district. I doubt even all the child study teams are aware of everything that is an option in this district! There seems to be no central system of keeping all the schools on the same track (maybe Dr. Lake will be able to plant the seeds of change on that note).
Here are just a few things, off the top of my head, that could make a difference for the kids with special needs in our district:
Another occupational therapist. There is one for the entire district. All sorts of kids get occupational therapy - kids with physical as well as neurological issues. How can there only be one person taking care of all the kids with that need in the entire district? There are 5 speech therapists employed by the district (most of which are assigned to the elementary aged children, and none listed for the high school. There are five secretaries for the special services department (WTF?). But one occupational therapist? Taking nothing away from the woman who holds that position, she's got the chops for the job and works well with the kids, but how can she possibly be giving the amount of therapy to all of those kids that they need?
How about an "academy" for kids with special needs? Take all that money that the district (taxpayers) are paying to ship kids out of district and bus them to those schools, and create an academy for the kids that really need the extra services. While some kids may really need to be in a very specialized situation, for medical, behavioral, etc. issues, there are many who could benefit from being brought back into an appropriate learning environment that is a part of their home school. Especially in the higher grades, where kids seem much more likely to be shipped out to other places.
How about an optional class, in each building, that is based on the educational "extras" that kids with special needs really need reinforced? Things that might be covered in classes, but that these kids need to have more prolonged and reinforced studies of. Test taking skills. Study skills. How to get organized. How to deal with stress. Typing skills. And throw in some really usable life skill areas. How to fill out a job application. How to dress for an interview. How to manage your checkbook. And definitely social skills on a regular basis from 1st grade up. How to talk about many different subjects. How to make and keep friends. How to react if you are embarrassed. How to deal with bullying (being bullied and not BEING a bully). Kids are already grouped in this district according to learning levels (and anyone who says they are not, needs to check out how many classified kids are in one room when there is an in-class support teacher in the room. Oh, and how about the enrichment classes? Can't tell me they aren't grouping these kids.) Just split up the class times to add an extra subject time.
I especially like that idea for the higher grades, as they are already set up for many different subjects. How many kids in the middle school are struggling with the "mini" classes that they are taking in 6th grade, and the languages in 7th and 8th? Let parents have an option of having their kids skip those classes in favor of a support class. Kids could be taken out of those classes for their speech, ot and social skills classes, making it so they don't lose any time in core classes.
Adding these classes to the high school would be just as simple. The kids would take them instead of an elective or in place of a language.
Anyone have any other ideas?
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Kudos
Occasionally, on this blog, I want to recognize school districts, communities, and other institutions/programs that have developed programs for children with special needs.
Today I give Kudos to the Jewish Community Center in Manhattan, which has developed amazing opportunities for children with special needs and their families. From special educational classes with no more than 5 students to an instructor, to a hydraulic lift in their pool, to support groups for all family members - this seems like a truly enriched and progressive center. The center offers swim and karate for children with special needs, plus creative classes and a program called "Boost!" which looks like it should be copied in every public and private school in every district everywhere.
What an amazing program! Kudos to the Jewish Community Center in Manhattan! I challenge our community and school district to offer even one program geared towards our many students with special needs. Does anyone know of ANY programs anywhere in the Matawan/Aberdeen area that are offered specifically to children with special needs?
Today I give Kudos to the Jewish Community Center in Manhattan, which has developed amazing opportunities for children with special needs and their families. From special educational classes with no more than 5 students to an instructor, to a hydraulic lift in their pool, to support groups for all family members - this seems like a truly enriched and progressive center. The center offers swim and karate for children with special needs, plus creative classes and a program called "Boost!" which looks like it should be copied in every public and private school in every district everywhere.
Boost! will provide highly structured programming for children with autism spectrum disorder. Each class is comprised of a series of activities designed to develop critical social and day-to-day living skills, and provide remediation in common skill deficits. Structured classes offer sequenced activities and visual support materials to teach independent living, personal safety and safety within the community, leisure and recreational skills, self-care, and communication skills that can lead to greater self-sufficiency. Typical peers serve as “buddies” facilitating participation and serving as same-age models. Class activities and thematic units are designed to be fun for the children and the high level of support and carefully designed structure ensures success. Interested families should contact Jenifer Clark, director of Boost! at clarkjenif@aol.com.(Larger and bold font was added by me, for emphasis.)
What an amazing program! Kudos to the Jewish Community Center in Manhattan! I challenge our community and school district to offer even one program geared towards our many students with special needs. Does anyone know of ANY programs anywhere in the Matawan/Aberdeen area that are offered specifically to children with special needs?
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