Autism NOW site provides high quality resources and information in areas related to life in the home, job, and classroom for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) and other developmental disabilities, their families, caregivers, and professionals in the field. Areas to learn about include: Early detection, Early intervention, and Early education; Transition from high school into early adulthood; Community based employment; Advocacy for families and self-advocates; Community Inclusion; Aging Issues; Policy; Implementation of Health Care Reform, including Long Term Care Services and Supports; Family and Sibling Support; and Networking in local, state, and national arenas. This site is easy to navigate for all readers who are interested in Autism.
Deaf-blindness disability site NICHCY stands for National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities. This site offers information about deaf-blindness, help for children with deaf-blindness, and resources in your state and beyond. This site provides quality information on deaf-blindness and is easy to navigate for anyone researching or learning about deaf-blindness under IDEA. The site is also offered in Spanish for those who prefer Spanish to English. Information is offered from early years of life, through elementary and middle school, to high school and transitioning beyond into adulthood. Many additional links are provided to continue research even further.
Deafness disability site NICHCY stands for National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities. This site offers information about deafness and hearing loss, and can also be read in a Spanish version. The site is user-friendly and easy to navigate and understand for all interested in learning of deafness. In the site, there is a real life story of a child with hearing loss, as well as sections on types of hearing loss, signs of a hearing loss or deafness, causes of hearing loss and deafness, the types of help available for deafness, educational information and many additional resource links for further research and reading on deafness.
Developmental Disability site CDC stands for Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This site can be listened to on an audio podcast or can be read in English or Spanish. This user-friendly site gives facts about developmental disabilities, beginning with developmental milestones. Monitoring and screening, causes and risk factors, who is affected, and living with a developmental disability are all discussed. There are many other related pages to link to for further information. The site is kept up-to-date with current information.
Emotional Disturbance site SDE that stands for Connecticut State Department of Education thoroughly describes the disability category Emotional Disturbance (ED). The site is user-friendly with educational facts presented simply and understandingly. The definition and interpretation of ED is presented, along with the criteria for identifying ED through the behaviors and feelings exhibited, symptoms, characteristics, relationships with others, and general mood of the individual. Schizophrenia as a psychiatric disorder is presented along with the possibility of a 504 plan.
Hearing Impairment site ASHA that stands for American Speech-Language-Hearing Association believes that making effective communication, a human right, accessible and achievable for all. The main topic of the page is Early Intervention for Children with Hearing Loss and through IDEA, the children will receive a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE). The ASHA main page provides clear links to: how we hear, hearing loss, hearing screening and testing, treatment, technology and rehabilitation, noise and hearing loss prevention, dizziness and balance, and how to find a certified audiologist and speech-language pathologist in your area.
Intellectual Disability site Partnerstx stands for Partners Resource Network, empowering parents through education. This site is user-friendly, with easily readable text. The site offers three additional helpful organization links for added support. The definition of Intellectual Disability is presented, along with the topics of: what causes an intellectual disability, how common are intellectual disabilities, the signs of intellectual disabilities, how they are diagnosed, help for babies, toddlers, school-aged children, transitioning, and tips for parents.
Multiple Disabilities NICHCY stands for National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities. This user-friendly site offers information about Multiple Disabilities in English and Spanish. This page offers a true-to-life story of a young girl with multiple disabilities. Additionally, the causes, the differences, getting help for children, IDEA's definition of multiple disabilities, evaluation process, supporting children with multiple disabilities, tips for parents, tips for teachers, and multiple other resources and organization links are listed.
Orthopedic Impairment site Education.Ohio.gov site through the Ohio Department of Education has a simple format of the definition of Orthopedic Impairments (OI) that can be easily read and understood by a parent, teacher, or family member. Many helpful organizations are listed to assist the reader with additional information from the organization's links.Besides, there are ten other disability categories under IDEA listed as quick links for further education.
Other Health Impairment (OHI) is described by NICHCY, the National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities. The pdf is a publication from NICHCY Disability Fact Sheet that introduces OHI in everyday, common language. IDEA's definition of OHI is discussed, followed by information on Special Help for Children, the specific disabilities mentioned in IDEA's definition of OHI (ADHD, diabetes, epilepsy, hemophilia, heart conditions, leukemia, anemia, Tourette syndrome), and OHI not mentioned by IDEA. Addressing medical issues, life at school, planning for transitions, and finding more information is included in the article.
Specific Learning Disability (SLD) is described by idea.ed.gov by the U.S. Department of Education. The topic is identification of Specific Learning Disability.The IDEA regulations to: add procedures for identifying children with SLD, require additional group members, add criteria for determining the existence of a SLD, describe the required observation, and specify documentation for the eligibility determination are provided for the proficient reader. The site also offers other helpful links and major topic links.
Speech or Language Impairment is presented by ASHA.org, the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association that offers information to the public, audiologists, speech-language pathologists, students,and academic programs and faculty. There are three scenarios of children who are referred for a speech-language impairment. The determination for eligibility is discussed, the eligibility process, assessments, the unique characteristics of speech-language impairments, and the prevalence of children eligible for speech-language treatment is given. A Blog is available.
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) site NICHCY stands for National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities and comes in a Spanish version as well. A true-to-life story is told of a young girl with TBI. Next, sections on: What is TBI, defining TBI, how common is TBI, what are the signs of TBI, is there help available, what about school, tips for parents, tips for teachers, and a plethora of resources of more information is given. There is a listening feature so the text can be read to the reader/listener. Many hyperlinks are available more added information.
Visual Impairment Including Blindness is demonstrated by afb.org, American Foundation for the Blind. The AFB believes in expanding possibilities for people with vision loss. Offering information on educating blind and visually impaired students, background information is presented for parents and teachers to be aware that the blind and visually impaired students receive appropriate educational services in the least restrictive environment (LRE) appropriate to their needs. Evaluation requirements, IEP development (use of Braille and assistive technology) are available information.