Autism Spectrum Disorder

Special Education Opinion The Challenge of Leading in a Profession Where Labels Matter
The difficulty lies in mediating the arbitrary, but important landmark standards, and the variability of children's readiness to meet them without the adults using labels to separate.
Jill Berkowicz & Ann Myers, April 10, 2018
3 min read
Personalized Learning Opinion Do Students Understand What Teachers Are Asking of Them?
Guest blogger Jacob Lewis says, "I think sometimes the manner of communication creates a disconnect between teachers and students. There's no way language can communicate what it's like to think with my brain or to view an idea or concept exactly the way I do."
Jill Berkowicz & Ann Myers, February 13, 2018
4 min read
Special Education Autism Insurance Mandates Expand Access to Treatment, At Substantial Cost
A study finds that children in states where private insurers must pay for autism treatment access services at a greater rate, and at a larger cost, than children in states not subject to such mandates.
Christina A. Samuels, November 1, 2017
3 min read
Special Education Opinion To Teachers Who Worry That My Brother Is in Their Class
People assume kids with disabilities are all the same. They often see us as intentionally disruptive, rude and a hindrance to other kids' learning. This is not true.
Jill Berkowicz & Ann Myers, September 28, 2017
4 min read
U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos speaks with members of the media last month in Washington.
U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos speaks with members of the media last month in Washington.
Alex Brandon/AP
Special Education DeVos Invested More Money in 'Brain Performance' Company, Despite Weak Evidence
U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos recently invested as much as $5.5 million in Neurocore, a company that experts say makes questionable claims based on weak scientific evidence.
Benjamin Herold, August 7, 2017
6 min read
Special Education Video Three Ways Teachers Can Support Kids With Autism
A psychologist explains practical ways teachers can support children with autism.
April 10, 2017
4:18
Special Education DeVos-Backed Company Questioned on ADHD, Autism
President Trump's nominee to head the U.S. Department of Education is a major backer of a company claiming its neurofeedback technology can "fix" autism and ADHD.
Benjamin Herold, February 7, 2017
5 min read
Special Education Autistic Children Over-Diagnosed With ADHD, Study Suggests
A study from the Center for Autism Research finds autistic children may be over-diagnosed with ADHD, partly because a common ADHD screening tool may mistake autism-related social impairments for inattention.
Julie Depenbrock, November 2, 2016
3 min read
Special Education Level of Benefits at Issue in Special Ed. Case
In Endrew F. v. Douglas County School District, the U.S. Supreme Court will weigh how much students should benefit from special education.
Christina A. Samuels, October 11, 2016
5 min read
Special Education Clinton Pledges More Economic Support for People With Disabilities
People with disabilities don't want pity, they want a paycheck, the Democratic presidential candidate told a crowd of supporters in Orlando, Fla.
Christina A. Samuels, September 21, 2016
1 min read
Curriculum Opinion Does Everyone Get to Be on Stage in Student Performances?
Teachers are not always good at deciding who gets the spotlight and who is benched (or forced to stay home) when trying to present their best face to the public. Often, students rise to a special occasion. Can what's best for a difficult child also be good for his classmates, as they learn about getting along, performing and making music--a community activity? Could this be a teachable moment?
Nancy Flanagan, April 30, 2016
3 min read
School & District Management Autism Research Misses Minorities as Study Subjects
An examination of more than 400 studies of evidence-based interventions for autism, finds that researchers rarely identify the race of their study subjects--and when they do, most of the children studied are white males.
Christina A. Samuels, April 12, 2016
2 min read
School & District Management Autism Prevalence Stable, But Varies Widely Among Communities, Groups
The autism rate between 2010 and 2012 remained at 1 in 68 8-year-olds, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says, with differences among communities, races, and ethnicities.
Christina A. Samuels, April 4, 2016
1 min read
Special Education Opinion Distinguish Between Opinion and Fact: A Leader's Responsibility
The leader needs to both listen and educate with sensitivity, skill, a substantive understanding of the research, and a sensitive capacity to publically differentiate fact from opinion.
Jill Berkowicz & Ann Myers, March 31, 2016
5 min read