Are you the parent of a young child, who is receiving special education services, that is concerned about whether your child has the needed skills, to learn how to read? Are you a parent of an older child with autism or a learning disability, that is concerned about your child’s reading success. This article will discuss 5 skills that No Child Left Behind (NCLB) states, are identified by research as critical to early reading success. These skills were found in the No Child Left Behind parent Guide.
Skill 1: Phonemic Awareness: Is the ability to hear and identify sounds in spoken words.
Skill 2: Phonics: Is the relationship between the letters of written language and the sounds of spoken language.
Skill 3: Fluency: Is the capacity to read text accurately and quickly.
Skill 4: Vocabulary: Is the words students must know to communicate effectively.
Skill 5: Comprehension: Is the ability to understand and gain meaning from what has been read.
You should make sure, that any reading program that is used for your child with a disability, to teach them how to read, contain these 5 skills. No Child Left Behind requires that any educational program used should be scientifically research based. What this means is that the education program (reading program), must have research to show that the program is effective to teach children to read.
In 2000 the Report of the National Reading Program identified these 5 skills as critical to children learning to read early. In April 2000 these research findings were reported in the National Reading Panel, they have now been written into the NCLB law. Reading first is the program that was started under No Child Left Behind, to help school districts to improve reading achievement.
By making sure that your child’s reading program contains these five skills, you will be increasing your child’s chances of learning to read. You must be involved with your child’s education to ensure that the child continues to make academic progress, and learns to read. Reading gives children a chance at a fulfilled life!
By: JoAnn Collins
Posts Tagged ‘What This Means’
Parenting Tips – 5 Skills That NCLB State Are Critical to Early Reading Success
March 19th, 20102 Autism Screening Tools That Every Parent Should Know About!
March 12th, 2010
In 2007 the Center for Disease Control’s Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Network (ADDM) found that 1 in 150 8 year olds in different parts of the country have an Autism Spectrum Disorder. Years ago autism was believed to occur in 4 to 5 per 10,000. This means that the prevalence of autism has increased to epidemic proportions in the last several years. This is the reason why every parent needs to be educated about autism screening tools, in case their child is showing signs of autism. This article will discuss 2 autism screening tools that I find are most effective in diagnosing autism.
Autism is a complex developmental disability that usually appears during the first three years of a child’s life. It is defined by a unique set of behaviors and is considered a “spectrum disorder.” What this means is that a child can have different symptoms that go across a spectrum.
Autism is often diagnosed by physicians, health care workers, or special education personnel. Two effective screening tools to diagnose autism are the CHAT which stands for the Checklist for Autism in Toddlers, and the CARS which stands for the Childhood Autism Rating Scale. Both will be discussed now, as well as who can use these tools to diagnose autism.
1. CHAT Checklist for Autism in Toddlers is a short questionnaire which is filled out by the parents and a primary health care worker (usually the child’s Doctor). The CHAT is recommended to be given to all children at their 18 month check up. The Chat consists of two sections: the first nine items are questions answered by the parents and the last five items are observations made by the primary health care worker.
These items look at behaviors which if absent at 18 months, put a child at risk for a social-communication disorder. These behaviors are: a. joint attention, including pointing to show and looking to where a parent is pointing, and b. pretend play. The items are then scored, and a determination of pass or fail is given. Children who fail are rescreened in one month, and if they fail again should be referred to a specialty Dr. or Clinic for further testing.
2. CARS Childhood Autism Rating Scale is a 15 item behavior Rating Scale that helps to identify children with Autism and to distinguish them from other children with a disability. Professionals such as physicians, special educators (after age 3), school psychologists, speech pathologists and audiologists who have had only minimal exposure to Autism, can easily be trained to use the CARS. This is one of the reasons that I like it so much, it does not take lengthy training before use.
Each of the 15 items covers a particular characteristic, ability, or behavior. The person performing the CARS will ask the parents questions. based on the 15 items. The parents answers will be used to give the child a score.
Children who score above a given point are categorized as having autism.
The CARS also gives a determination if the child has mild, moderate, or severe autism, based on the child’s score on the CARS. This is a wonderful bonus for parents because it helps them understand what their child’s needs are related to having autism.
By understanding what effective autism screening tools are available, parents will be able to ask their Doctor to use one of the screening tools, if they are concerned. If your child fails either of these tests, you should take them to a specialty clinic or physician, who is experienced in treating children with autism. They should order a complete battery of tests to determine what your child’s strengths and weaknesses are, as well as what special education services they need. Do not take these screening tools in lieu of further testing, but it will help you get started. Good Luck!
By: JoAnn Collins
What Is Autism And How Do I Know If My Child Has It?
February 18th, 2010
Are you the parent of a young child that is concerned about their
development? Does your child, have unusual behavior, delays in speech,
refuses or is limited in their contact with you and their peers? This
article will briefly discuss the definition of autism, diagnostic tools
used to diagnose it, and resources to get more information.
Autism is a complex developmental disability that usually appears
during the first three years of a child’s life. It is defined by a
unique set of behaviors and is considered a spectrum disorder. In fact
some people refer to it as Autism Spectrum Disorder. What this means,
is that a child can have different symptoms that go across a spectrum.
You will also hear terms like pervasive developmental disorder
not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS), asbergers syndrome, retts syndrome.
Pervasive Developmental Disorder refers to the overall category and is
not a label for diagnostic purposes.
6 Signs:
1. Speech delay or communication problems (using and understanding
language.
2. Repetitive body movements or behavior patterns. Also motor
mannerisms such as hand flapping or spinning toys or bottles.
3. Lack of spontaneous or make believe play, or unusual play with toys
and other objects.
4. Lack of interest in peer and family relationships.
5. Little or no eye contact.
6. Difficulty with changes in routine or familiar surroundings.
These definitions were found at NICHCY http://www.nichcy.org. and
http://www.autism-society.org. Both sites contain a lot of information,
including treatment.
The Autism Society of Americas Web site contain information on
screening and diagnoses. They also state that the rate of the disorder
is 1 in 150 children.
For Screening they recommend that the child’s Doctor use a tool called
The Checklist for Autism in Toddlers (CHAT). This tool uses a short
questionnaire that both the parents and the doctor fill out. I
recently heard that the American Medical Association is encouraging
all doctors to screen their children patients at 18 months.
For Diagnoses they recommend the childhood autism rating scale, which
is also called the CARS. I often ask for the CARS when I suspect
that a child may have autism. This scale also gives a rating of mild,
moderate or severe, which is helpful to parents and special education
personnel. Do not confuse the CARS with the GARS! GARS stands for the
Gillium Autism Rating Scale, and is used in older children and adults.
Some school districts do not like to diagnose children with autism. I
am not sure why, (perhaps they are afraid that parents will ask for a
lot of services). Do not accept special education personnels “opinion”
that your child does or does not have autism, ask for the CARS rating
scale.
Autism is a life long developmental disability that will affect your
child for their entire life. But studies show that early diagnosis and
treatment will lead to much improved outcomes. You must make sure,
that your child receive treatment as early as possible, for the best
life outcome!
By: JoAnn Collins
