Autism’s urban legend

By Rick Colosimo / February 19, 2010 /

Jen Laviano (@JenLaviano) has a post up this week that mentions my un-favorite urban legend about autism: that there are parents who get their kids a diagnosis so that they can get “extra help” from their school district. Jen talks about having discussions with parents, friends, relatives, teachers, etc. to explain the value of special…

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Quick question: who’s interested in an autism-focused IGNITE event?

By Rick Colosimo / January 15, 2010 / Comments Off on Quick question: who’s interested in an autism-focused IGNITE event?

“Ignite” talks are presentations composed of 15 slides that automatically rotate every 20 seconds, meaning they’re only 5 minutes long. Since I’ve been working on a similarly sized presentation to introduce my ideas on a comprehensive ASD curriculum planning & tracking tool, and since March 1-4 is Global Ignite Week, I wondered whether there are…

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Severe discrepancy: references

By Rick Colosimo / October 10, 2009 / Comments Off on Severe discrepancy: references

Here are some quotes from relevant laws and regulations regarding the usage of the severe discrepancy model for determining whether a child has a specific learning disability: IDEA sections: a. 20 USC 1414(b)(2) says: (2)  Conduct of evaluation In conducting the evaluation, the local educational agency shall— (A) use a variety of assessment tools and…

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ANNOUNCEMENT – Restraint Survey

By Rick Colosimo / September 29, 2009 / Comments Off on ANNOUNCEMENT – Restraint Survey

via COPAA I include this today because the thought of these activities, let alone the actual descriptions of what has happened to our children, those least able to defend themselves, to seek protection, to tell others, chokes me up every time. I’m still looking for anyone with IEP language regarding these issues. APRAIS, The Alliance…

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