AbilityPath just posted an article on pertussis (whooping cough) in California. It is worth noting that it is most dangerous for infants (who haven't yet been vaccinated for pertussis) but children with special needs, especially those whose respiratory systems are compromised, can also be at increased risk if they have not completed their vaccinations. Some news sources are linking this outbreak to the fact that many families decide to delay vaccinating or refuse vaccinating for pertussis all together. If you think you or your child may have been exposed, here is a link describing the classic symptoms: http://children.webmd.com/pertussis-whooping-cough-10/risks-danger.

Time to check your cribs again to see if you are affected by this latest recall of over 2 million cribs. See the CPSC's homepage for the listing of cribs recalled: http://www.cpsc.gov/

Just read that Ari Ne'eman's place on the National Council on Disabilities was officially (and unanimously) confirmed by the Senate today. He is the first person with autism to serve on the Council. All of President Obama's other nominees were confirmed earlier this year but put on hold and it is speculated that the delay in his confirmation might have been due to the controversial nature of his views on recognizing neuro-diversity and not trying to cure autism. He also seems to be involved as an ''cross-disability' advocate and his efforts should have wide-reaching benefits.

What do other Abilitypathers think about his nomination? Take a look at our forums today for more information on this topic.

I just read in the Press-Enterprise, that California is requiring that approximately 25,000 special education teachers in the state obtain additional training in order to have students with autism in their classes. Two sites in California have already been approved as providers of the training (Cal State San Bernadino and UC Riverside) and school districts will have to comply with insuring their teachers meet the new standards for training by July 2011. University programs educating new special education teachers generally include course work specific to teaching children with autism as part of the credential. I think this is a good step forward especially for veteran teachers who may not have the opportunity to stay up to date with the latest research and recommendations, even for simple things like visual schedules or using social stories, for working with this growing population of students.

The New York Times ran a story today on a small clinical trial of an experimental drug that was seen as successful in improving behaviors associated with hyperactivity, repetitive motion, social withdrawal and inappropriate speech-- symptoms associated with mental retardation and autism in people with Fragile X syndrome. This is very exciting news for anyone with a family member with Fragile X syndrome, mental retardation or autism but it should be noted that the trial was very small and that the drug is likely to be years away (if ever, should further trials fail) from being approved for use, especially in children. Read the full details here: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/30/health/research/30fragile.html

I want to make sure that anyone that this recall affects is aware of it. Apparently the crib had a hardware failure leading to a child being suffocated. Here are the important details to know about the crib recall:

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission also says there is a risk of suffocation and strangulation due to mattress malfunction. The recall affects products sold between February 2007 and March 2010. The cribs were sold at Wal-Mart, Target and Babies R Us.

The recall affects seven different models listed below:

Ashleigh Drop Side 3280142, 3280154, 3280181
Hampton Drop Side 3080136
Jason Convertible Drop Side 3290235, 3290254, 3290281
Kendal Drop Side 3570170, 3570181
Lauren Drop Side 3250235, 3250242, 3250247, 3250254, 3250281, 3250282 , 3150281, 3150282
Rachel Convertible Drop Side 3300236, 3300281
Sarah Drop Side 3000135, 3000136, 3000142, 3000147, 3000154, 3000181
Shannon Drop Side 3010136, 3010154, 3010181
Tifton Drop Side 3090136, 3270136

Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled cribs and contact LaJobi at www.LaJobi.com to get a free hardware retrofit kit that will immobilize the drop side. CPSC urges parents and caregivers to find an alternative, safe sleeping environment for their baby.

Like so many people who work with children with special needs, I've had more and more parents asking me about social skills groups. They want to know--are they right for my child, who should lead them, what model is the most effective, and will my insurance pay for them? These are parents of a very diverse group of children too--children from 3-15 years old with autism, Asperger's, learning disabilities, ADHD, and Down syndrome to name a few. Then I was asked to facilitate the start up of a new social skills group with a team of psychologists who have created a new model. Many groups are based on model like Michelle Garcia Winner's Social Thinking, Second Step Curriculum or Pamela Wolfberg's Integrated Play Groups. What I've learned is that there are not many groups available that incorporate the parents and this really seems like an essential piece of any successful program as it is the parents who know their child best and are with their child daily to follow up on practicing and reinforcing program goals. This new group is lead by a licensed clinical psychologist (TIP: many insurances offer payment coverage for these groups under mental health services because its lead by a psychologist and not a social worker or therapist!) and the psychologist works with the children for half the session and then the parents (who have been watching the class from a closed-circuit camera) for the second half of the session. Groups of older children do not use the closed circuit camera but the parents will meet with the psychologist to focus on what was learned in the group and how to follow up a home. From the feedback I am getting, parents are excited to have the opportunity to be involved in their child's group and are delighted to receive practical suggestions on ways to incorporate the group goals and to have methods to facilitate their child's social development in real life daily situations.