Act Immediately if you Think Your Child May Require Special Education (Special Needs Answers - 1/5/10)
If your child is having trouble in school but has not yet been diagnosed with a learning disability, or if you think that your child's special needs may require help at school, it is never too early to request an evaluation to determine if the child is eligible for special education services provided by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

An Interview with Sandee Winkleman: About a Supreme Court Decision (Education News - Nov. 2, 2007)
A lawyer tells about a case heard by the Supreme Court involving his son's educational special needs.

Attention Deficit Disorder (NPR - Sept. 18, 2008)
NPR has recently focused a number of stories about students with disabilities starting college. Here is one focusing on Attention Deficit Disorder - other stories about students with different conditions are linked at the end.

Best Buddies Program Offers Lifelong Relationships, Lessons for Students (Central MI Life - 2/1/10)
Best Buddies is a nonprofit organization that allows students to form friendships with those who have intellectual and developmental disabilities.

CEC Adopts New Policy on Physical Restraint and Seclusion
The Council for Exceptional Children (CEC), the leading association for special educators, has just released a policy on physical restraint and seclusion in school settings. In its policy, CEC states that while these procedures can be effective when dealing with children with behavioral issues, they should be implemented only as a last resort when a child or others are in immediate danger.

Center to Open for Inclusive Education (The Daily Orange - 10/27/09)
Syracuse University received a $1.1 million gift ...The money will go toward the Lawrence B. Taishoff Center for Inclusive Higher Education, in the School of Education for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The center will focus on research and training for teachers in inclusive education, said Wendy Harbour, an inclusive learning and teaching professor.

Charting a Course After High School (Education Week - 3/13/09)
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act calls for schools to help students develop a plan that will carry them to college or the workplace, but the requirement remains a challenge for familes and educators alike.
Patti's Comment: This article frustrates me because it is so sad and so true. Schools still do a poor job of transition planning for students with disabilities.

College Savings for Students with Special Needs (Special Needs Answers - 1/5/10)
Faced with the increasing cost of higher education, students and their families must begin saving for college from an early age -- often from birth.

Cyber Safety for Special Needs Students (MangoMom blog - 6/4/10)
Here you will find a variety of resources you can use in your classroom or pass along to parents to teach and inform about online safety.

Developmentally Disabled Rally at Capitol to Urge Funding (NewsOn6 - 5/6/10)
Fear of losing millions of dollars to disability services in Oklahoma caused hundreds of Oklahomans with developmental disabilities, their families and advocates to march on the steps of the state Capitol.

Disabilities Fight Grows as Taxes Pay for Tuition (New York Times - Oct. 27, 2007)
A case that became a flash point in special education, pitting parents against school systems that say they cannot afford to pay to privately educate disabled children whose parents reject their proposed placements.

Feds Issue Swine Flu Guidelines for Special Education Students
If schools must close due to swine flu, special education students will stay home just like their peers, but may qualify for extra assistance once school resumes, according to guidelines developed by the Department of Education.

Feds Say Chicago's Stimulus Spending Needs More Oversight (Catalyst Chicago - 3/2/10)
A recent federal audit of stimulus spending in Illinois schools calls for improvement in state oversight, noting that two of the three districts examined by auditors—including Chicago—did not track any spending of so-called State Fiscal Stabilization Funds.

Guardians Can Help People with Disabilities (Oakland Press - 3-27-10)
Our laws provide for two distinctive types of guardianships for adults. One type is for “legally incapacitated individuals,” which we have recently written about. The other type is a guardianship over an individual with developmental disability. (Although there is a movement to change the terminology to “intellectual disability,” Michigan law currently uses the term “developmental disability.”)

How Can I Get the School to Provide an Appropriate Program? (WrightsLaw)
Unfortunately, school culture often prevents school staff from realizing that sometimes, parents really do know what their children need. Teachers who need training in research based programs often do not get support from their administrators so they do not get the training they need.

LD and Math: What To Do When Working Memory Isn't Working (Reading & Other Learning Disabilities - 5/13/10)
For students who have working memory difficulties we often look for alternative algorithms, short cuts, or calculators to help support students’ memory needs. All too often working memory, short term memory, or long term memory deficits are common for students who experience difficulty learning mathematics.

My Child Struggles with Writing - Can Typical Writing Evaluations Hurt Him?
If your child struggles with writing, this post might help you and your child’s school identify the type of writing instruction your child needs. It will do this by first discussing critical but often ignored areas of diagnosis, then discussing a typical but inadequate diagnostic process that can do more harm than good, and finally suggesting actions you can take.

Outing the Prejudice: Making the Least Dangerous Assumption (Inclusive Solutions)
Because of the presence of a disability, a person may act, get around, look, dance, smile, read, learn, show what she knows, or communicate differently. The key here is that this is a difference and not a deficiency.

Parenting Through Special Education (Forbes.com - 8/5/09)
A special needs child adds a whole other layer to the familiar working mother balancing act.

Prior Written Notice
Patti's Comment: These sources answer the question "What is prior written notice?"
  How to Use a "Parent IEP Attachment" (WrightsLaw)
  Understanding Prior Written Notice (Special Needs and Special Gifts)
  Part B - Prior Written Notice (U.S. Dept. of Education)

Recess Skills for Children with Special Needs (Bella Online)
Many children on the playground do not know even how to get into a game, whether they have special needs or not. There is a certain etiquette that is often based on local or regional ways of doing things or may be unique to a certain age group or gender, whether it is waiting in line, 'do-overs' or 'start-overs' or what is considered good sportsmanship.

School Law (Steve Friedman)
Parents have independent rights under IDEA.

Special-Ed Funds Redirected (Wall Street Journal - 1/6/10)
School districts shift millions of dollars to general needs after getting stimulas cash.

Special Education Law 101 - (Special Education Law Blog - 5/20/10)
A series of five articles on the basics of special ed law: Part I - Part II - Part III - Part IV - Part V

Study Links Anesthesia to Learning Disabilities (NPR - 3/25/09)
Children who have had multiple surgeries under general anesthesia by the age of 4 may be at a higher risk of developing learning disabilities, according to a new study by scientists at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn.

Supreme Court Splits on Private Tuition (ABA Journal - Oct. 2007)
Upholds a ruling by the New York City 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals that allowed reimbursement even though the parents had not received special education services in the public schools.

Teaching Handwriting to Children (Bella Online)
Children with special needs may struggle with learning handwriting because they have physical or neurological challenges, developmental delays or associated learning disabilities, lack of opportunities to learn or practice, or inadequate support, modifications and accommodations. Also see: Printing, Cursive Handwriting and Special Needs.

Teaching Math Skills (Bella Online)
There are many types of teaching strategies for math as for other subjects - often children who have difficulty understanding math concepts at school are quite adept at understanding what they need to know at home and in the community.

The 2009 Year in Review (Legislative update from National Center for Learning Disabilities)
We have worked on several pieces of legislation introduced by the U.S. Congress, commented on federal regulations and participated in a variety of vital federal policy activities. All of our work focuses on improving opportunities for children, adolescents and adults with learning disabilities.

The Day After Graduation (Special Ed Justice)
At one moment, a child is learning to walk or talk. In the next moment, the child is about to graduate from high school. Because time flies so quickly, graduation occurs much sooner than parents expect. Unfortunately, many children with disabilities, particularly those with neurological and cognitive impairments, are not ready to graduate this year because they have not mastered basic life skills. Doubly unfortunate is the fact that hundreds, if not tens of thousands, of mentally impaired children have graduated from school without having mastered basic life skills.

The Dollars and Cents of Disability (Disability Scoop)
Caring for a person with a developmental disability includes far more than just paying for therapy. With lifelong needs at play, caregivers must consider who will one day fill their shoes and how.
Patti's Comment: This is a nice article written by a colleague of mine.

The IDEA Classification Debate: ED or OHI?
What is the most appropriate classification of students with bipolar disorder under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act?

The Next Attention Deficit Disorder? (Time.com - 11/29/07)
Info on Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD).

Two Cities: Are Charters Opting Out of Special Ed? (NPR - 5/20/10)
A look at what lessons Detroit Public Schools may be able to learn from New Orleans' schools. The majority of schools in New Orleans are charters, and a big criticism of charter schools is that they don't adequately serve special education students.

Understanding Dysgraphia (WrightsLaw)
Dysgraphia is a specific learning disability that affects how easily children acquire written language and use it to express their thoughts.

U.S. Supreme Court Declines Review of Two Special Ed Cases (Special Education Law Blog)
In LM, et al v. Capistrano Unified Sch Dist 538 F.3d 1261, 50 IDELR 181 (9th Cir. 8/19/2008), the Ninth Circuit held that the school district violated state law by limiting the time that a psychologist could observe the student's placement to 20 minute increments, the parents were not thereby deprived of a meaningful opportunity to participate in the IEP review process. Therefore FAPE was provided by the district. The Supremes let the Ninth Circuit decision stand.

What Are Advocates and How Can They Help Me?
Question: I’ve been told that I need an advocate at a meeting I have with my daughter’s school. I don’t really know what advocates do or how it would help to have an advocate at the meeting. Answer: The term “advocate” has many meanings and individual interpretations. Advocates can fill a spectrum of needs from providing appropriate self-advocacy information to zealously representing an individual client’s wishes in legal and quasi-legal processes.

When It Hurts (TeenAutism.com)
Sometimes, when you’re the parent of a teen with autism, you have to write letters like this...

Why Johnny and Jenny Can't Write: Disorders of Written Expression and Children with Bipolar Disorder (The Bipolar Child Newsletter)
It is estimated by some who treat and test children with bipolar disorder, that at least half of these children have disorders of written expression.

A Review of Technology-Based Approaches for Reading Instruction (National Center for Technology Innovation)
Describes the development of the Reading Matrix, a searchable database that presents evidence-based technology products that support instruction for students with reading disabilities.

Acronyms
Like all professions, education and special education have their own "language." Sometimes in the interest of efficiency, we use abbreviations or acronyms, which can be confusing - so we offer this partial list of frequently used acronyms.

ADA Q&A...Back to School (Pacer Center)
While it is true that the ADA does apply to schools, both public and private, it is important to remember that the ADA is foremost a civil rights act with a broad application.

Auxiliary Aids and Services for Postsecondary Students with Disabilities (US Dept. of Education)
Higher education's obligations under Section 504 and Title II of the ADA.

Building a Bridge - A Resource Manual for High School Students
Information to help parents play a meaningful role in guiding your child for the future. Under the Individuals with Disabilities Act, transition planning is required as part of your child's IEP (Individualized Education Program).

C.N. vs. Willmar Public Schools, et al
Because a third-grader's BIP allowed her teacher to use seclusion and restraint as behavior management techniques, a parent could not show that the teacher's use of those techniques violated the child's constitutional rights. The 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed a decision that the teacher was entitled to qualified immunity on the parents' Section 1983 claims

Costs and Outcomes of Community Services for Persons with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
University of Minnesota Policy Research Brief.

Dear Colleague Letter: Access by Students with Disabilities to Accelerated Programs (U.S. Dept. of Education)
A letter from the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights advising of an issue involving students with disabilities seeking enrollment in challenging academic programs.

Developmental Disabilities & Dementia (Iowa Senior Resource Digest)
2009 Power Point presentations from the American Association of Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities.

Disconnect, the Real "D" Word: A School Practitioner's Perspective on Dyslexia (Int'l Dyslexia Assn.)
The term dyslexia has created much long-standing confusion and conflict between parents and school systems across the country.

Dyslexia: A Brief for Educators, Parents, and Legislators in Florida
The purpose of this technical assistance paper is to briefly describe what is currently known about dyslexia.

Forensic Interviews of Children Who Have Developmental Disabilities - Part 1 and Part 2
Patti's Comments: If you ever feel you are dealing with situation re: a child who may have been abused in a school or elsewhere, you should read this free article and provide cc's of them to any police and prosecutors who may be dealing with (or trying to avoid dealing with) the case. I would especially recommend this if you believe a child has been abused via school restraint/seclusion or, as we hear more and more often lately, a kid who has been duct-taped to some chair or plain old slapped or punched around by a paraprofessional or aide.. At least it may help in getting cops and prosecutors to take these cases seriously.

Expectations for Students with Cognitive Disabilities: Is the Cup Half Empty or Half Full? Can the Cup Flow Over
The publication explains the fallacy in setting expectations based on intelligence testing including:
- IQ test scores only account for 40% to 50% of current expected achievement.
- 50% to 60% of student achievement is related to variables “beyond intelligence.”

Free Appropriate Public Education for Students with Disabilities: Requirements Under Section 504 of The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (U.S. Dept. of Education)
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 protects the rights of individuals with disabilities in programs and activities that receive federal funds. Section 504 provides that: “No otherwise qualified individual with a disability in the United States . . . shall, solely by reason of her or his disability, be excluded from the participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance . . .”

Higher Education Act, as reauthorized by the Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA), includes information on the eligibility of students with intellectual disabilities to participate in the Federal Pell Grant, Federal Work-Study and Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants programs. Institutions that offer a CTP program can apply to have that program approved so that eligible students may receive Federal Pell Grant, FWS and FSEOG funds. To be eligible, an institution must already participate in the Federal student aid programs and offer an approved CTP program. For more information visit this link from Disability.gov.

IDEA Regulations Released by US Department of Education (12/1/08)
Regarding special education services under IDEA.

Key Policy Letters Signed by the Education Secretary or Deputy Secretary (ED.gov)
This Letter is the result of a decision (January 7, 2008) by the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit in School District of the City of Pontiac, et al. v. Secretary of the United States Department of Education (No. 05-2708). This case is about a Michigan district and it is supposed to provide guidance to states and school districts while this matter works its way through legal proceedings.

Learning Disabilities Advocate's Guide (National Center for Learning Disabilities)
Offers invaluable information and step-by-step guidance for both first-time and experienced advocates.

Learning Disabilities Sourcebook
Basic consumer health information about learning disabilities, along with facts about educational issues and resources for further help and information.

Letters Regarding Special Education Matters (RespectABILITY)
Sample letters to use for various issues regarding special education

Lost at School (a book by Ross W. Greene, Ph.D)
Why our kids with behavioral challenges are falling through the cracks and how we can help them.

Office of Special Education Programs letter (U.S. Department of Education)
Answers to questions re: rules to determine eligibility for special needs education and related services.

Managing Life Threatening Food Allergies in Schools (Mass. Dept. of Education)
The number of students with life-threatening food allergies has increased substantially over the last 5 years. As with all children with special needs, it is important that students are able to access all education and education related benefits.

Medicaid School-Based Administrative Claiming Guide (Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services)
The school setting provides a unique opportunity to enroll eligible children in the Medicaid program, and to assist children who are already enrolled in Medicaid to access the benefits available to them.

Overview of Transition
Preparing for transition should begin very early in children's lives and continue until they are able to be on their own. The parent's role is to help their children gradually achieve mastery of the skills necessary for functioning independently. Here is a suggested timeline for transition activities.

Preparing for Special Education Mediation and Resolution Sessions: A Guide for Families and Advocates
The guide provides a comprehensive article on preparing for special education mediation and resolution sessions, including tips for both families and advocatesl. It includes a flowchart of mediation and resolution session to support the understanding of how these two processes work and intersect. For additional insight, it provides both an interview with a seasoned special education mediator and a summary of a study that sought to identify the factors that contribute to parent-school conflict. It includes communication tips for building strong partnerships and additional resources for locating further information.

Protecting Students with Disabilities (U.S. Dept. of Education)
Frequently asked questions about Section 504.

Prohibited Disability Harassment (U.S. Dept. of Education)
Reminder of responsibilities under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Reading & Writing Disabilities: Free Information About Paired Reading, Writing, and Thinking
Free resources from the book "Thinking Reading Writing: A Practical Guide to Paired Learning With Peers, Parents & Volunteers" by Keith Topping.

Research Press Publishers
Books and videos in school counseling, special education, psychology, counseling and therapy, parenting, developmental disabilities and grief counseling.

Safe Schools Initiative (Georgia Advocacy Office)
We invite members of the community to come hear about the State Board of Education rule promulgation process and how they can become involved through public comment. Several related links are provided here.

Special Education Matter - Final Decision (Alaska Dept. of Education)
For a summary of this case, click here.

Special Education Parent Handbook (Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District)
A handbook that was developed by parents of special ed kids in Malibu/Santa Monica for other parents. I think its written in a manner that's more accessible for parents than many other documents, so it might be useful to parents that want to learn more about the special ed process.

The Dyslexia Handbook - Procedures Concerning Dyslexia and Related Disorders (Revised 2007)
From the Texas Education Agency.

The Ultimate Guide to Special Needs Teaching: 100+ Resources and Links (Teaching Tips.com)
Whether you have an entire class of students with special needs, or you’ve welcomed a student with a disability into your traditional classroom, this massive list of resources will help you research different disorders and conditions, review special lesson plans, and find the support you need to work with your students and help them succeed.

Tip Sheets: Positive Ways of Intervening With Challenging Behavior (Univ. of Minnesota)
To assist teachers and parents in providing the best possible educational opportunities to children who engage in challenging behavior.

Transition of Students with Disabilities to Postsecondary Education: A Guide for High School Educators (US Dept. of Education)
For students with disabilities, a big factor in their successful transition from high school to postsecondary education is accurate knowledge about their civil rights. The purpose of this guide is to provide high school educators with answers to questions students with disabilities may have as they get ready to move to the postsecondary education environment.

Administration on Developmental Disabilities (ADD)
U.S. Government organization responsible for implementation of the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 2000, known as the DD Act.

Adult ADD/ADHD (HelpGuide.org)
Most children with ADD / ADHD don’t outgrow their disorders; rather, they become disorganized, inattentive adults. If you’re an adult with ADD / ADHD, your symptoms may be holding you back at work, impacting your relationships, and keeping you from accomplishing your goals.

Alliance to Prevent Restraint, Aversive Interventions and Seclusion
What can you do to protect your child? It is important that you make it clear to your child’s teachers or other program staff that you expect an environment free of aversives, non-emergency restraint, and seclusion. View a sample No Consent Letter linked here.

American Assn. of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilties (AAIDD)
Professionals working to support individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Apraxia-Kids
Mission is to strengthen the support systems in the lives of children with apraxia, so that each child has their best opportunity to develop speech

Attention Deficit Disorder Association
Provides information, resources and networking to adults with AD/HD and to the professionals who work with them.

BookShare
A free service for all U.S. students with qualifying disabilities providing accessible books and periodicals.

Center for Effective Collaboration and Practice
To support and promote a reoriented national preparedness to foster the development and the adjustment of children with or at risk of developing serious emotional disturbance.

Center for Learning Differences
A not-for-profit organization dedicated to providing information to families, educators, physicians, and other professionals in the New York metropolitan area about issues they face in dealing with children who learn differently.

Center for Special Education Finance
Their mission is to address fiscal policy questions related to the delivery and support of special education throughout the United States and disseminate up-to-date information to stakeholders at all levels.

Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder (CHADD)
A national non-profit organization providing education, advocacy and support for individuals with AD/HD.

Chime
Grounded in its promise of a quality education for all children, Chime is a national leader in the development and delivery of quality inclusive education.

Council for Exceptional Children (CEC)
The voice and vision of special education.

Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates
A national voice for special education rights and advocacy.

Dan Marino Foundation
Established to support medical research, treatment, and outreach programs for children with chronic illnesses and developmental disabilities.

Do-It Programs and Resources (University of Washington)
Many capable individuals with disabilities face challenges as they pursue academics and careers. They are underrepresented in many rewarding career fields, including science, engineering, business, and technology. DO-IT (Disabilities, Opportunities, Internetworking, and Technology) serves to increase the participation of individuals with disabilities in challenging academic programs and careers.

Family and Advocates Partnership for Education (FAPE)
Helping parents and advocates improve educational results for children with disabilities.

Headsprout
To help children master basic academic skills with fun, interactive learning programs that work. Every hour of every day, in schools and homes across the country and around the world, children are learning to read with Headsprout.

Individualized Education Program (IEP) Checklist iPhone application
The IEP is an individualized program designed to support the educational needs of school aged students with disabilities. This new IEP app helps parents of students with special needs become better-informed advocates by making IEP information easier to access. The IEP app is offered free of charge in both English and Spanish. To download the IEP Checklist app, visit the Apple iTunes store, and type IEP Checklist in the search box. YouTube demonstration.

International Dyslexia Association
A non-profit organization dedicated to helping individuals with dyslexia, their families and the communities that support them.

Learning Disabilities Association of America
If you are a parent or teacher of a child with a learning disability – or have learning disabilities yourself - you are not alone. Typical learning difficulties include dyslexia, dyscalculia, and dysgraphia – often complicated by associated disorders such as attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder.

National Center for Learning Disabilities
Provides essential information to parents, professionals and individuals with learning disabilities, promotes research and programs to foster effective learning and advocates for policies to protect and strengthen educational rights and opportunities.

PATINS Project (Promoting Achievement through Technology and Instruction for all Students)
Designed in Indiana to develop organization and professional capabilities within school systems in order to effectiver deliver AT services and implement Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles.

Project Evolve: Expanding and Validating Options for Learning Through Variations in Education (Univ. of Vermont)
This grant was awarded to the Center on Disability and Community Inclusion at the University of Vermont by the U.S. Department of Education Office of Special Education Program under the funding category, Model Demonstration Projects for Children with Disabilities.

School to Prison Reform Project to help at-risk children get special education services, avoid incarceration.

The Arc Michigan
Mission is to ensure that people with developmental disabilities are valued in order that they and their families can participate fully in and contribute to their community.

The Sparkle Effect
A nonprofit corporation that provides guidance, peer mentoring, and online tools to enable high school students across the United States to create cheerleading squads for students with special needs and to fully integrate those squads into the high school sports curriculum.

Student Mental Health and the Law (The JED Foundation)
A comprehensive resource developed in collaboration with leading experts in higher education law, administration and mental health. This guide provides clarification of FERPA, disability law and other legal issues colleges face and includes "good practice" guidelines for addressing campus mental health and working with students in distress.

Using Technology to Raise the Achievement of ALL Students
A major leadership initiative of the Consortium for School Networking. The goal is increased achievement and success for all students through the unlmited and effective use of accessible technologies.

University of Montana Rural Institute: Center for Excellence in Disability Education, Research and Service
Part of the national network of programs funded by the Federal Administration on Developmental Disabilities (ADD) committed to increasing and supporting the independence, productivity, and inclusion of persons with disabilities into the community.
Marsha Rose Katz
Social Security Advisory Board
400 Virginia Ave., SW, Suite 625
Washington, DC 20024
Telephone: 406-243-2821
SSAB Phone: 202-475-7700
Fax: 406-243-4730
ADAPTMT@aol.com

100 Useful Tools for Special Needs Students and Educators
With all of the new trends and tools in education technology, there’s no reason for special needs students and their teachers and parents to be left behind. This list of 100 useful tools can help anyone with a learning disability like ADHD, dyslexia or test anxiety, as well as students with visual or hearing impairments, use the Internet and other technology systems to help them with reading, math, organization, social skills, and more.

2e: Twice-Exceptional Newsletter
The newsletter is “a bi-monthly electronic publication for those who raise, educate, and counsel high-ability children with learning issues such as AD/HD, dyslexia, Asperger’s, and so forth.”

Anna's Blog
Anna’s Blog aims to be a space where educators can share ideas and advise to help better serve students with disabilities.

Anne's Learning Disabilities Blog
Another About.com blog. This one offers more tips for the special-education teacher and parent.

Apace of Change
Damian Bariexca, a school psychologist and former teacher, shares reflections on education, using technology in the classroom, research, career pathways, and more.

Assistive Technology Rocks! (Cecilia Garcia blog)
An article asking the question "Why is inclusion important both to the student with special needs and the culture of the class?

AT Cubed
Brian Wojcik, an assistive technology specialist, shares reflections and commentary about using assistive technology in the classroom. Many of the posts aim to start discussion about the needs and use of assistive technology, and pose thoughtful questions.

Barto’s World
This personal blog, written by a special-education teacher, shares information about teaching children with special needs to help them become more creative thinkers.

Bilingual Special Ed
Claudia Rinaldi writes this blog, which includes article and book reviews, findings from industry conferences, news, suggestions, and more.

Clear Helper
A self-advocacy educational and networking website for people with intellectual disabilities.

Developments in Special Education Law
Attorney H. Jeffrey Marcus runs this blog, which focuses on federal and New York State law that pertains to special education.

Diagnostic Criteria for Attention Deficit Disorder
From David Rabiner, Ph.D., Senior Research Scientist at Duke University.

Disability Scoop
The first nationally focused online news organization serving the developmental disability community including autism, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, fragile X and mental retardation, among others.

EBD Blog
Emotional and behavioral disorders are the focus of this blog, which offers news, commentary, resources, and more.

EdTech Solutions
Karen Janowski, an assistive and educational technology consultant, writes this blog. She states that her goal is “to remove the obstacles to learning for all students.

Education on the Plate
Deven Black writes about his experiences as a special-education teacher — a career that he came to later in life.

Eide Neurolearning Blog
This blog shares weekly articles “related to brain-based learning and learning styles, problem-solving and creativity, kids, families, and parenting, gifted and visual learners, dyslexia, attention deficit disorders, autism, and more.”

Free Resources From the Net for Every Learner
The blog is exactly what its name says: A compendium of resources for teachers. There are videos, curriculum, books, apps, and more.

Frequently Asked Questions About Developmental Disability (St. Louis Arc)
From "What is a development disability" to "How can I help people who have development disabilities."

Harbor House Law Press
Develops user-friendly publications about special education law and advocacy.

IEP Advocate 4 You (Carol Sadler blog)
A professional parent advocate assisting parents of disabled children in school meetings and helping them understand their rights under IDEA, 504, SST and ADA.

I Speak of Dreams
Liz Ditz writes this blog about effective parent, learning disabilities and more. She shares news, reviews, and resources about learning disabilities, with a focus on autism.

Jerry's Special Education Blog
Jerry Webster writes this blog for About.com. The blog features news and reports about special education, mixed in with some guidelines on teaching strategies.

KPS 4 Parents
Anne M. Zachry is the author and moderator of this blog, which aims to “enlighten and empower all responsible adults to ensure that all children, regardless of disability, receive a Free and Appropriate Public Education.”

Learning Disabilities, ADHD and Education Support
Link above is to a forum discussion that answers the question "Are you using your most effective advocacy tool?" with suggestions for communications with schools regarding evaluation, including information on the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

Learning Disabilities, Dyslexia, and Vision (Pediatrics in Review - 7/27/09)
A new resource available that endorses only scientifically-proven interventions for dyslexia and learning disabilities. Notes and Quotes from an Advocacy perspective.

Mentor Matters / Collegial Support in Desperate Times
Blogmaster Mrs. Ris writes about her experiences as a veteran emotional-disabilities teacher. Her posts range from inspirational to informational, as she shares the ups and downs of her job, as well as useful information for other educators.

No Limits to Learning
This assistive technology blog guides teachers and educators through the use of technology such as the iPhone, web applications, and software.

Online Summer Reading Sites for Students With Special Needs (MangoMom blog - 5/28/10)
A list of websites with online reading games and activities and booklists that you can pass along to parents for summer reading for students, including students with special needs.

Overcoming Obstacles, Encouraging Abilities
The Developmental Disabilities Association is a community living agency that provides over 50 community-based programs and services to children, adults and their families with developmental disabilities in Vancouver and Richmond.

Reading Disabilities
Because schools, reading disabilities, and education laws are complex, most parents of children with reading disabilities feel overwhelmed and intimidated. They want to help their children, but don’t know how. A new blog for parents, Learning & Reading Disabilities, shows parents (and teachers) how to improve the odds that their children can succeed in reading.

School Behavior
Learn about a variety of conditions and get helpful tips for accommodations and strategies for students with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, anxiety disorders, tics and Tourette's Syndrome, Depression, Bipolar Disorder and more.

SMD Teacher
Alicia has been teaching children with multiple disabilities for 14 years. Her blog shares her experiences, as well as reviews, activity and game ideas, curriculum, project ideas, technology links and ideas, useful blogs, and more.

Special Classroom
Gillian, a teacher of students with multiple disabilities, provides a lot of useful tricks and teaching strategies on this blog.

Special Education and Learning Differences
PCI Education manages this blog, which aims to help with teaching build basic academic and life skills.

Special Education Law & Advocacy
Attorney Myrna Silver focuses exclusively on special education law, helping special needs children receive the focus and attention they need to thrive.

Special Education Law Blog (Jim Gerl)
A fresh look at special education law - mostly in understandable English. Jim Gerl is a consultant for a number of state education agencies, and he is a frequent speaker on special ed law topics.

Special Education MangoMon Blog
This blog is an offshoot of MangoMon, which discusses online curriculum for all types of students. The Special Education blog offers numerous resources for special-education teachers and parents, technology reviews, ideas, useful Web sites, and more.

Special Education News
In-depth, timely news related to educating students with disabilities.

Special Education Strategies and More
Michelle, a special-education teacher in Florida, created this blog as a means to help “teachers and parents of children with special needs to find positive strategies that promote academic, social and emotional growth.”

Speech-Language Pathology Sharing
Eric Sailers, a speech-language pathologist, uses this blog to share resources to help teachers and parents address speech-language skills.

SpeEdChange (Ira Socol blog)
A prolific blogger and writer on AT and special ed issues.

SpedPro
A group of academics write this blog, which includes news, commentaries, information about jobs and conferences, and more.

Teach Effectively
This resource-focused blog shares evidence-based teaching methods for helping students who are at risk or who have learning disabilities or special needs.

Teacher Ponders
This blog was originally created to track one teacher’s question to become a special-education administrator. Now this blog is used by Liberty Rose, a special-education teacher and mother to an autistic child, to share her experiences and frustrations.

Teacher Sol
Maria Angala is a special education teacher in Washington, D.C., and this is her personal blog. She shares her personal experiences and thoughts, as well as news, reviews, links to useful sites, and more.

Teachers At Risk
Elona Hartjes is a special-education teacher who writes about her experiences and shares strategies to help teachers help students.

Teaching Learners With Multiple Special Needs
This resource-rich blog aims to help “teachers of learners with severe, profound, intensive, significant, complex or multiple special needs.”

The DD News Blog
News, information, and commentary for families and friends of people with developmental disabilities.

The Language Fix
Speech therapy is the focus of this blog, which can be used to help children with special needs or children in standard courses.

The Life That Chose Me
Daniel Dage is a high-school special-education teacher and is the father of two boys with ASD. His blog is personal and heartfelt, and it shares his experiences with special-needs children, both as an educator and as a parent.

The Wrightslaw Way - to Special Education Law and Advocacy
“Eligibility for Special Ed: Grades, IQ Scores, Evaluations,” “Assistive Technology for the Struggling Notetaker,” and “Changing Schools and IEPs – Tips for Civilian & Military Families” are some of the topics you’ll see on this blog, which focuses on legal issues and advocacy for special education.

WrightsLaw
Reliable information about special education law, education law, and advocacy for children with disabilities.

Your Mama's Mad Tedious: Diary of a Special Ed Teacher
This personal blog, written by a special-education teacher, features news, commentary, shared resources and links, and more for teachers and parents of special-education children.