Saturday, March 2, 2013

Jeff Grisamore Not: Grisamore votes yes to make it more difficult for individuals to prevail in discriminiation cases.

Thursday, February 28, 2013

Lee's Summit R-7 School District: Lees Summit's Restraint and Seclusion Policy

Wednesday, February 27, 2013

Jeff Grisamore Not: HB 513 Protection of Parental Rights

Sunday, February 24, 2013

CaringBridge / Debra Shaumeyer / My Story

CaringBridge / Debra Shaumeyer / My Story

Everyone, I have news to share. I have Hodgkin's Lymphoma Cancer. I struggled with going to the doctor alot the last 2 years with staph infections, with it being hit and miss. I believe the compromised immune system of mine over this time period gave me just enough disposition that opened the door for cancer. I have started Chemo Therapy February 22 and will fight a tough fight. Thank you for visiting my CaringBridge site. Your support and caring is wonderfully appreciated...Thank you <3

Federal Anti-Bullying Legislation to Be Reintroduced—Again - Rules for Engagement - Education Week

Federal Anti-Bullying Legislation to Be Reintroduced—Again

By Nirvi Shah on February 22, 2013 9:43 AM | No comments

Will the current Congress be any more accepting of federal anti-bullying legislation?

Democratic Sen. Bob Casey of Pennsylvania is once again pushing for a federal law that would, among other things:

Require schools and districts that receive federal funding to adopt codes of conduct banning bullying and harassment—specifically prohibiting harassment on the basis of a student's actual or perceived race, color, national origin, sex, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or religion;

Require states to collect information on bullying and harassment and report it to the U.S.Department of Education;and,

Require states to make this information readily available to the public.

This week, Casey visited schools in his home state to tout the legislation, including Harding Middle School in Philadelphia, where he was joined by representatives of the Cartoon Network. The network encourages kids to take a pledge that says they'll speak up if they see something that seems like it's bullying. And the network is sending out flags like the one Casey helped hoist over Harding Middle that carry the campaign logo. (Get one for your school here.)

MO Speaker Series Featuring Tom Bloch February 28, 2013 | StudentsFirst.org

Top 10 snappy answers to annoying comments about autism

Lisa Jo Rudy

If you're a parent with a child on the spectrum, you've probably responded to the same annoying remarks and questions a thousand times. Here's a handy list of responses that...you'll probably never use out loud (but are fun to imagine using)!

1. He can’t be autistic -- he can talk! (or make eye contact, smile, engage)
And yet, amazingly, he’s still autistic! Y’see, autism is a spectrum disorder, and that means …

2. Oh, she must be SO good at math! (or science or music)
Actually, her great talent is in memorizing and reciting lines from Sponge Bob videos! (Or those annoying Thomas the Tank Engine songs!)

3. All he needs is more discipline, and he’ll get the message.
Yup, it’s true -- if you give a child enough time outs, he’ll just stop being autistic. And if I speak French to you loudly enough, you’ll become fluent!

4. You poor thing, it must be so upsetting to have a child with a disability.
Yes, it can be hard. And pity really helps me to get through the day and feel better about myself and my child. So…thanks so much!

5. Will he be able to go to college (or get married or hold down a job)?
Hm. Good question. By the way, has your daughter’s divorce been finalized yet? And I’m so sorry to hear that your son was recently laid off from his job…

6. I have a friend whose child was autistic, and she cured him!
Wow! So I guess she’s enjoying the millions she made after figuring out how to cure autism? I bet her second home is a yacht!

7. If she can’t behave properly, you shouldn’t BRING her to the grocery store!
Wow -- that would be great. Should I fax you my grocery list, or send it by email? I’ll really enjoy the delivery service!

8. We can’t include him in typical classes, it wouldn’t be fair to the other kids.
Hm, that’s an interesting perspective. So I guess you have a pretty big endowment to pay for all the law suits? That must be great!

9. We can’t accept her at our school because she doesn’t have a learning disability
Ohhhh… what a shame! Oh, wait, look, she’s suddenly developed dyslexia! Can she come to your school now?

10. You should make more time for yourself!
You’re so right! So will you be babysitting tonight or tomorrow night?

Courtesy Lisa Jo Rudy's About.com blog. About.com is a part of the New York Times Company.

Faces of Autism