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Last week I shared the story of Amelia Rivera and her family’s struggle to get her a kidney transplant. Here are two more articles that share some of what is happening as a result of the outcry from the Special Needs Community.

Amelia Rivera and Medical Morality

Bill Targets Bias in Transplant Decisions

Parents now ‘less tolerant of disabled children in same class’

 MORE than one in five people say they would object if a pupil with an intellectual disability or autism was in the same class as their child.

The disturbing statistic marks a growing level of intolerance of these children in the education system.

Just one in 12 said they would object when a similar study was carried out in 2006.

While this story is from Ireland it makes me wonder if the attitude is prevalent world-wide. We see so much in the media these days about tolerance. And we see so much about bullying and abuse. The moral of the story? Keep on working for awareness, acceptance and inclusion. And not because it is forced upon people, but rather because they truly want to.

Which leads me to…

The power of empathy: Peer groups help veterans, police and moms of kids with special needs

The programs, offered by the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, are proving that empathy, which arises from walking in the shoes of another, creates a powerful connection and support for those in crisis.

 Special thank you to Doreen Fulton of IEP for Mom and Believe in a Ray of Hope for sharing this article.

Some suggestions for IEP goals when your child is bullied

Wish I had this wonderful list back when Matthew was bullied. Gregory Branch shares some excellent ideas to explore with your IEP Team in this article.

As we all know by now, special needs children are bullied 2 to 3 times more frequently than their typical peers. As I have mentioned in previous articles, one of the first steps that the parent of a special needs child should take is to request an IEP meeting.

Help for fragile X victims

The Murdoch Children’s Research Institute breakthrough could allow newborn screening of the world’s most common cause of inherited developmental disability.

Top Ten Most Ridiculous Comments Heard at an IEP Meeting

This article from Special Needs Advocate Denise Golberg is so important because many parents don’t realized that these statements are not only ridiculous but flat out wrong.

I have also, at times, heard some of the most outrageous statements!!! These ridiculous comments fly in the face of everything the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) stands for. What you will find below are ten of most ridiculous statements that I have heard and why they are so ridiculous.

Tips for helping your child with special education needs with their homework

For all parents helping their children with homework everyday takes time and effort. However, for parents of children with special education needs often this can turn into a long and challenging process. Some key tips to support children with special education needs in completing their homework include:

Tiger Mother to an Autistic Son

I’m including this article today, rather than in the ASD/PDD digest because it applies to Moms of all Special Needs Kids.

I’m tired of being called brave. But being the mom of a deeply autistic young man of 22, I can’t avoid it. Because I survived.

Interpreting the signs

This is an article from one of my local newspapers but I am sharing it because it is on a topic I don’t cover often – Deaf and Hard of Hearing issues. But even more important is this message:

Through my experience, research, and talking with teachers, audiologists, and therapists, I have learned the No. 1 factor that determines a child’s success: family involvement.

John Corbett Stars in “A Smile as Big as the Moon,” New Hallmark Hall of Fame Movie Airing Sunday, January 29 on ABC

The inspiring story of a high school football coach and special-education teacher who worked to achieve an impossible dream — to take a class of special-education students to NASA’s Space Camp

If you have found any great resources or stories, please share them in the Comments Section.

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