APECSCt
Association of Parents of Exceptional Children and Siblings
Connecticut
by parents for parents
WELCOME
When you first come to believe that your child is facing a number of challenges- different than those of his peers- you may feel empty, alone, confused and a bit afraid. You will find yourself looking for answers and not knowing which way to go or where to look for them. You need to learn how important and essential it is that you become as knowledgeable as you can about all aspects of your child's world - academic, social, legal, medical, etc. Unfortunately, while the questions are plentiful - the answers are harder to find.
It is my goal to try to provide you with a site where you might turn as a starting point as you seek out this knowledge.
GOOD LUCK - Please send in your suggestions and thoughts to apecsct@gmail.com
First Steps:
There are really two areas that you must simultaneously become familiar with - (1) your child's area of challenges and (2) the system within which you must learn to navigate. You really must get to know the ins and outs of your child's challenges while simultaneously getting to know the law and the system because you are going to have to work with both to address your child's needs. Here are some sites that you might find helpful in this quest.
Go To the Next Page to Learn about THE PROCESS that we must go through
Go to the following page to Learn about THE CHALLENGES our children (and their families) face
In the meantime -
Need a laugh break? Take a look at this -
on the Lighter Side of Special Ed:
If you have ever been frustrated dealing with a school, you will find this video clip
VERY FUNNY - so, take a laugh break
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A6fcIqUHz8Q&feature=autofb
THE BIG DSM V CONTROVERSY
The DSM is the Diagnostic Statistics Manual. It is the 'guidebook' by which mental health and behavioral disorders are evaluated and diagnosed. Up until now, it has been the 'Bible' of psychiatrists, etc. Trouble started during the revision of the Manual when they started to monkey around with the Autism diagnostic criteria and groupings. In addition to the appropriate standard being used for a diagnosis, huge amounts of money became involved given the potential havoc these changes might play on insurance coverage.
Here is the official page from the American Psychiatric Association (APA) explaining what they did and why:
http://www.dsm5.org/Pages/Default.aspx
Here is the official positon of the US Autism and Asperger Association (USAAA) on the matter:
http://www.usautism.org/USAAA_Newsletter/usaaa_newsletter_2013/usaaa_newsletter_051713.htm
Here is the position of Autism Speaks
http://www.autismspeaks.org/dsm-5/faq
Then, to complicate matters, the NIMH (National Institute of Mental Health) withdrew its support of the DSM V on the 'eve' of its implementation
http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/side-effects/201305/the-nimh-withdraws-support-dsm-5
Accordingly, rather than resolving issues, the adoption of the DSM V has caused more contoversy and confusion. Stay Tuned.
AUTISM-ADHD LINK INVESTIGATED
A new study shows almost 30 percent of young children with autism also show signs of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, a rate that's three times higher than it is in the general population.
http://www.pnj.com/article/20130607/NEWS01/130607009/Study-finds-autism-ADHD-often-occur-together
NEW (ALMOST) !!!
Autism Speaks has just come out with its 2012
'School Community Tool Kit' (
A Tool Kit To Assist Members of the School Community in Understanding and Supporting Students with Autism)
http://www.autismspeaks.org/sites/default/files/school_community_tool_kit.pdf
Also see -
The National Autism Center announces the release of its Autism Manual for Parents
The National Autism Center announces the release of its Autism Manual for Parents
http://www.nationalautismcenter.org/
ADHD in the News
Celebrate - ADHD AWARENESS WEEK
APECSct has been able to initiate the declaration of an ADHD Awareness Week in Connecticut - Great Job - We can make a difference !!!!!
For info on the National Awareness Week go to - http://www.adhdawarenessweek.org/
GET THE FACTS !!
The three s's ((SUNLIGHT, SCREEN TIME, AND SLEEP)) AND THEIR EFFECT ON adhd
iS THERE A CORRELATION BETWEEN tHESE 3 s'S AND AN ADHD DIAGNOSIS?
hERE ARE SOME ARTICLES THAT EXAMINE THAT ISSUE:
http://www.growingyourbaby.com/2013/05/22/researchers-suspect-3-ss-to-be-contributing-factors-in-rise-of-adhd-rates/
http://www.healthnewsdigest.com/news/adhd0/Experts-Want-To-Explore-Role-Of-The-3-S-s-In-ADHD.shtml
DO YOU TELL YOUR CHILD?
hoW & WHEN do you tell them?
a MOTHER TALKS ABOUT TELLING HER aSPERGER bOY
http://www.wrongplanet.net/article403.html
Or there is this article
https://216.47.174.185/child-aspergers/,DanaInfo=www.myaspergers.net+
Here is an interesting article on talking to a child about their autism - but really it can apply to any learning challenge
http://www.iancommunity.org/cs/articles/telling_a_child_about_his_asd
Here are the thoughts of Stephen Shore on this topic:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MmrR4UgKFyA
For more discussions on this topic, here are some links:
http://theautismblog.seattlechildrens.org/telling-your-child-they-have-autism/
http://www.smartkidswithld.org/ld-basics/beyond-the-classroom/educating-your-child-about-learning-disabilities
