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A medical professional stands looking down at a cellphone.

A medical professional stands looking down at a cellphone.

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Chronic Illness

1y

The Advice I’d Give Chronic Illness Patients After Shadowing a Gastroenterologist

I was reading Dr. Stefano Guandalini’s “Textbook of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition” when I saw a woman with a stethoscope walking anxiously towards my desk. My hands reached for my notebook, hoping she would rescue me from the dullness of the book. She motioned me to come and I realized this would be my first [...]

Story

Teacher looking at schoolchildren touching globe.

Teacher looking at schoolchildren touching globe.

Adriana L. White

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Autism Spectrum Disorder

1y

The Surprising Childhood Event That Made Me Suspect I'm on the Autism Spectrum

NewI have been teaching special education for about four years now. When I first began my job, I was told that most of the students I would have in my class were on the autism spectrum. Eager to prepare myself for the challenge of teaching these kids, I became fixated on researching and reading all [...]

Story

Primary school students sitting in a classroom

Primary school students sitting in a classroom

Amelia Blackwater

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1y

Hey Educators, Let's Stop Comparing Our Students' Disabilities

I’ve been working in special education for almost 10 years, and one of the things that frustrate me the most is when I hear teachers compare their student’s abilities to that of other students. I was once a student with a disability in the education system. Growing up, I always had trouble in school. I [...]

Story

Child playing with wood blocks

Child playing with wood blocks

Amanda Snyder, LCSW HSV

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Autism Spectrum Disorder

1y

Parents, It's OK to Need In-Home Help for Your Autistic Child

Supporting my son on the autism spectrum doesn’t stop at 3:30 in the afternoon when my workday is done. It continues through the evening and into the morning before my workday begins. I’m setting timers, following routines, and using positive reinforcement to help him get out the door with a minimal amount of arguments. After [...]

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A woman with long auburn hair wearing a black-and-white striped shirt writes on a blackboard while holding a folder.

A woman with long auburn hair wearing a black-and-white striped shirt writes on a blackboard while holding a folder.

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2y

4 Coping Skills That Can Help Teachers With Their Mental Health

Other educators might agree with me when I say I surely did not learn how to teach during a pandemic when I was going to college. I teach middle school, and I have now been teaching for about 17 years. Last year and this year have been the toughest years yet — by far. There [...]

Story

Special education teacher standing by desk in art class and assisting diverse group of elementary students

Special education teacher standing by desk in art class and assisting diverse group of elementary students

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Intellectual Disability

2y

What I Have Learned About the Heart of Teaching

“I have come to believe that a great teacher is a great artist and that there are as few as there are any other great artists. Teaching might even be the greatest of the arts since the medium is the human mind and spirit.” – John Steinbeck In high school, I drew the picture on [...]

Story

Teacher in class full of students.

Teacher in class full of students.

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2y

How We Can Make Disability Accommodations in Schools More Equitable

As an educator, I work with students with IEP and 504 plans. IEPs support students with disabilities with specialized instruction, while 504 plans are for students who need support but do not necessarily need specialized instruction. As an educator and somebody who has needed accommodations in school due to severe anxiety and severe depression, I [...]

Story

ADHD Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder written in notebook on table.

ADHD Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder written in notebook on table.

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2y

AskMe: We Asked an Expert All of Your Questions About ADHD

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) doesn’t just involve being easily distracted and having excess energy — it’s a complex neurological condition that can affect everyday functioning and may even symptomatically interact with comorbid conditions. We spoke with Dr. Ellen B Braaten, Ph.D., an associate professor at Harvard Medical School and Understood Expert on ADHD, and she answered [...]

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Maria Zuccarello

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@maria-zuccarello

SpecialEducators 2y

And it keeps going in circles

I've been a SPED teacher for 20 years. I also claim a disability as my own since I was in school as well. I am trying my best to change the paradigm of SPED and my students. But it is so frustrating when I continue to hear from my some of my colleagues "It is always the SPED students who... (insert something the kids should not do.). I've changed a lot of attitudes (I think). But some people continue with ableist comments. What to do?
#SpecialEducators

Story

The Boy With Muscular Dystrophy Who Inspired Me to Write a Children's Book

The Boy With Muscular Dystrophy Who Inspired Me to Write a Children's Book

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Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy

2y

The Boy With Muscular Dystrophy Who Inspired Me to Write a Children's Book

I’ve been a special education teacher for 21 years, developing a passion for disabilities by growing up with my brother who has cri-du-chat syndrome. For 14 years, I taught students with moderate cognitive impairments and loved when I came across a book with disabilities I could share, but always wished the stories weren’t just about [...]