Jan 29, 2010 Posted by Jolene

Three Ways to Maximize Services for Kids with Special Needs

In the previous post, you met Jennifer Peter, an Iowa professional learning and leadership consultant. If her explanation of the difference between Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) and 504b plans was helpful, you’ll also appreciate her answer to this question: What advice do you have for parents about how to maximize services for their children with special needs? Services for... read more

Jan 27, 2010 Posted by Jolene

Which Does Your Child Need: IEP or 504b?

In a recent interview with Iowa professional learning and leadership consultant, Jennifer Peter. She explained the difference between an Individual Education Plan (IEP) and a 504b plan. Her explanation was so elegant and clear-cut, you deserve to hear it, too. IEP Schools are required by federal law to create IEPs for any school-aged student who has been tested and identified as needing special education... read more

Jan 25, 2010 Posted by Jolene

Why Doesn’t John Crowley Think He’s a Hero?

The movie, Extraordinary Measures, was released a few days ago. I haven’t seen it yet, but I’ve been reading about the family that inspired the movie. John & Aileen Crowley Two of the Crowleys three children, Megan and Patrick, were born with Pompe disease. At the time of their diagnosis, their prognosis was terminal. Researchers were slowly closing in on a cure, too slowly to save the the... read more

Jan 22, 2010 Posted by Jolene

Brain Researchers find PTSD Marker

As I’ve mentioned in previous DifferentDream.com posts, (PTSD Treatment Can Change Your Child’s Life, PTSD and NICU Parents: What About You?, and Critically Ill Kids and War Veterans Have What in Common?) war veterans aren’t the only people who suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It also affects children who have endured invasive medical treatment, and  PTSD can affect... read more

Jan 20, 2010 Posted by Jolene

iPod and iPhone Apps for Special Needs Kids

The saying, “once a teacher, always a teacher” certainly holds true for me. I left education in 2003 after twenty-five years in the classroom, but the mention of new and effective teaching tools still excites me. Speech-Language Pathology Sharing Recently I stumbled upon a blog where speech pathologists share methods, ideas, and technology. One of the blog entries is a nicely organized catalog... read more