IR Dev, Author at IBCCES

Why professional certifications for teachers in K-12 education are becoming the norm

The need for education and professional credentials today is very different from what it was just fifty years ago, when what you needed to get a good job was a high school diploma. That diploma provided a meal ticket that enabled a worker to get a good job that supported a family, paid the mortgage, bought a car, and provided a two-week family vacation each year. At that time, only 5% of American adults earned a bachelor’s degree, while 52% held a high school diploma. Over the years, high paying jobs in manufacturing disappeared. To get the good jobs, you needed a bachelor’s. By 1990, nearly 10% of adult Americans had a bachelor’s, and the pay gap between what they earned and what high school grads earned grew dramatically. The college degree replaced the high school diploma as a basic meal ticket.

8
MAR

THE STAGGERING CONNECTION OF ASD AND CRIME LEADS TO LEGAL SPECIALTY

By: Carol S. Weinman, Esq., CAS, Autism Expert & International Speaker

When I initially chose to concentrate most of my law practice on cases involving those with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) who are arrested or have encounters with law enforcement, I often received the same inquiry. “You mean there are that many of those cases that you can focus your practice on that?” The resounding answer is, unfortunately, “yes.” And, the numbers keep on increasing, including those who are incarcerated. Continue Reading →

18
FEB

Helpful Holiday Hints

By Elayne Pearson, C.A.S, Special Needs Preparedness Specialist

I love the classic Christmas song “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year.” But let’s be honest, December can be a difficult month for most of us – with all the juggling, jingling, jangling, and jostling of added obligations and opportunities. For people affected by a challenging special need or disability, it can be extremely difficult. Between the extra-long list of “to-dos” for everyone, the sugary treats, decorating, shopping, junk food, programs, and family gatherings — the toll exacted from individuals with fragile systems can feel like pure drudgery instead of pure joy. School teachers often observe goal-digression in students instead of progress and harmony. So, if you’re a professional, feel free to pass this little piece on to similar parents of special needs loved ones.

13
DEC

Guest Blog

Giving Families A Reason To Travel: A Certified Autism Travel Professional’s Perspective

Posted with permission from Joanna Hinrichs, All About You Tour & Travel

I have always wanted to be a travel agent since I was 18 and graduated from high school. My first trip was to Mexico with my cousins, and I was hooked. I went to travel school in the late 80s and had the privilege of working for AAA Nebraska for 5 years. I decided to open my own home-based travel agency about 12 years ago in a little town in Nebraska with a population of 450 people. I also have a teaching degree and substitute teach in our local K-12 grade schools. I have a lot of experience working with kiddos on the Autism spectrum, ranging from low to high-functioning.

20
NOV

Florida Sheriff’s Office to Undergo Autism Training & Certification

The International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES) will be conducting autism training for deputy sheriffs and first responders for the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office in St. Augustine, FL beginning January 2018. Over 400 St. Johns County law enforcement officers will take part in the training, which will address what Autism Spectrum Disorder is, how to recognize and communicate with an individual who may have ASD and how to reduce risk.

17
OCT

Traumatic Brain Injury in Childhood

By Taveesha Guyton

When a child is diagnosed with Traumatic Brain Injury, otherwise known as TBI, this diagnosis is devastating to the family, as well as the community in which the child lives. Traumatic Brain Injury leads to death and long-term disability and expands across all social and economic levels. “Traumatic brain injury in childhood is the most prevalent cause of death and long-term disability in children and affects all socioeconomic levels” ( Bond Chapman, 2006). The cost of TBI is expensive to the child, the family as well as to the supports which serve the children.

10
OCT

Unraveling Crime and Autism Spectrum Disorder

By: Carol S. Weinman, Esq., C.A.S., Autism Expert and International Speaker

The question on the minds of so many people I encounter is: “So, how did this happen?”

Misunderstandings can Lead to Legal Consequences

When the facts of a given case are exposed, it is often difficult to imagine how an individual with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) could have landed in this predicament. What occurred that resulted in their being arrested, handcuffed and charged with child pornography, sexual assault or terroristic threats? For those of us who understand ASD, we may be bewildered by the thought of what could have taken place that led to an arrest and possibly imprisonment. After all, we know that generally speaking, individuals with ASD are not violent nor of a criminal nature. Rarely do they intend to harm another person or intentionally pursue others with the purpose to harass or terrorize them.

29
SEP

When Your Child with Autism Has Challenging Behaviors

By: Kerry Magro – Self-Advocate, National Speaker, and Author

Growing up on the spectrum, one of the struggles I had to deal with the most revolved around communication. However, one area that I sometimes don’t bring up is some of my challenging behaviors. I was recently reading a tool kit from Autism Speaks called the Challenging Behavior Tool Kit that truly resonated with me. Often when I go out to speak at events, one of the main questions that comes up is, “How can I get my child to speak?” Challenging behavior questions often fall through the cracks.

18
SEP

The Special Needs Student: Looking at It From Both Sides

By: Carol S. Weinman, Esq., C.A.S., Autism Legal Expert and International Speaker

For parents or guardians of a child with special needs, the thought of how their child is faring at school is never far from their mind. This time of year is always of concern and often very anxiety producing. Tweaking the IEP is often the focus of those concerns. What needs adding? What needs changing? What needs improving? What isn’t working? And, how do I go about getting the IEP revised? Most parents or guardians feel scattered and scramble for time to be sure it is all in place from day one of the new school term.

31
AUG