December 2014 – 321Foundation

Student Services: Special education focus is on inclusion in Cambridge

From Wicked Local Cambridge:

Perhaps the biggest change for parents is the level of communication they now experience, they said. Cambridge Public Schools parent Julie Messina has a son with Down’s syndrome.

Although she said she hasn’t seen much change at the school level, she’s noticed a big change in the district-wide approach to special education.

“There definitely seems to be a desire to be more responsive,” Messina said. “I understand (Dr. Greer) has taken a lot of this year to do internal housekeeping, but already we’re seeing the fruits of that labor, at least in terms of better communication to parents.”

Photo: Scokzek

December 30, 2014/0 Comments/by Other

Learning about numbers is difficult

Cognition, Education, In the Media

From Down Syndrome Education International

Most young people with Down syndrome find learning about numbers difficult and only a few acquire the number skills sufficient for everyday life. Research has begun to explore possible reasons for these difficulties but more studies are needed to better inform more effective teaching approaches.

View all examples: www.dseinternational.org/en-us/education21/

December 29, 2014/0 Comments/by Other

The ABLE Act is Law

Advocacy, In the Media

From National Down Syndrome Congress (NDSC)

As 2014 comes to a close, we begin a new chapter for people with disabilities. The Stephen Beck, Jr. Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Act was passed by both the House of Representatives and Senate by overwhelming majorities, and signed into law by President Obama late last week. This means families will be able to save for individuals with Down syndrome and other disabilities through 529-style savings accounts, without affecting their government benefits. Below is a brief FAQ to explain more about ABLE accounts.

December 23, 2014/0 Comments/by Other

Cambridge resident receives Community Partnership Award

Education, In the Media

From the Cambridge Chronicle:

March 8, 2013 – The Federation for Children with Special Needs announced that Julie Messina of Cambridge has been awarded the Community Partnership Award for her exemplary work as founder of the Learning Program Boston.

Messina, the parent of a child with Down syndrome, started the Learning Program Boston (LPB), an organization committed to the early education of children with Down syndrome. LPB focuses on parents as “first teachers,” utilizing current, evidenced-based research on effective teaching strategies that capitalize on the learning strengths of individuals with Down syndrome.

Over the last four years, LPB has grown from a few family volunteers to more than 100 parents, educators and students meeting monthly to educate and empower students with Down syndrome. Through this innovative partnership, LPB hopes to create a world more welcoming to those that are “differently-abled.”

Messina will receive her award at the federation’s annual Visions of Community Conference, to be held on March 9, at the World Trade Center, Boston.

https://www.facebook.com/fcsnfb/posts/538923852819366

December 22, 2014/0 Comments/by Other

Developing clear speech is a particular challenge

Education, Health, In the Media

From Down Syndrome Education International

Most people with Down syndrome find it difficult to speak clearly enough to always be understood by everyone around them. These communication difficulties can present obstacles to learning, friendships, employment and independence. Research has begun to explore the nature of these speech difficulties and to inform therapies. More research is need to explore effective interventions.

View all examples: www.dseinternational.org/en-us/education21/

December 20, 2014/0 Comments/by Other

Ten Things You Must Know About ABLE Accounts

Advocacy, In the Media

From National Disability Institute

On Dec. 16, 2014, the U.S. Senate overwhelmingly passed the Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Act of 2014 by a vote of 76 to 16. In recognition of this unprecedented legislation, NDI has created a list of 10 items about ABLE accounts that individuals with disabilities and their families should know.

View the full NDI press release that includes the list of Ten Things You Must Know About ABLE Accounts at: http://www.realeconomicimpact.org/News.aspx?id=460

Watch Now at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tv8kIdAovOQ

December 18, 2014/0 Comments/by Other

Learning Program Boston Lead Teacher Receives 2013 Educator of the Year Award

Education, In the Media

From Massachusetts Down Syndrome Congress (MDSC):

Maureen Blazejewski has spent an entire career working in the field of special needs, including over the last four years as Lead Special Educator for the Learning Program, Boston, an early literacy and numeracy program for children with Down syndrome serving the Greater Boston area. According to the four people who nominated her for this year’s Educator of the Year Award, Maureen is “a problem solver” and the go-to person at the Learning Program, leading brain-storming sessions and developing customized lesson plans for students who need them. On her own initiative, she offers herself as an independent resource to families, providing advice on issues related to placement or programming. She acts not just as a child’s teacher, but as a true advocate, providing holistic support to the entire family. Those who nominated her noted that Maureen always went above and beyond the call of duty and often did it on her own time.” Watch Maureen receive the MDSC 2013 Educator of the Year Award.

https://www.facebook.com/massdscongress/posts/10151725060753200

December 15, 2014/0 Comments/by Other

Social strengths offer advantages, but not always

Cognition, Education, In the Media

From Down Syndrome Education International

Educational research has identified relative strengths in early social development among children with Down syndrome. These can be advantageous for learning. However, they can also be used to avoid difficult tasks.

View all examples at: www.dseinternational.org/en-us/education21/

December 13, 2014/0 Comments/by Other

Inclusive education can provide better language and academic outcomes

Advocacy, Education, In the Media

From Down Syndrome Education International

In some countries, children with Down syndrome are educated in mainstream, or regular, classrooms alongside their non-disabled peers. Educational research suggests that there are distinct advantages to inclusive education.

View all examples at: www.dseinternational.org/en-us/education21/

December 6, 2014/0 Comments/by Other