Disability Related Information (Characteristics)
These pages provide information and resources on a wide range of disabilities and medical conditions.
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Description: The Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic and Treatment (EPSDT) benefit provides comprehensive and preventive health care services for children under age 21 who are enrolled in Medicaid. EPSDT is key to ensuring that children and adolescents receive appropriate preventive, dental, mental health, and developmental, and specialty services. Early: Assessing and identifying problems early. Periodic: Checking children’s health at periodic, age-appropriate intervals. Screening: Providing...
Description: Are You A Military Family Relocating To Virginia With A Child Who Has A Disability? Military Families – Things to Know When Moving to Virginia Military Families of Exceptional Family Members (Birth to 5 years) – Things to Know When Moving to Virginia
Description: This includes contact information for the School Liason(s) for Air Force, Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Coast Guard and National Guard personnel.
Description: Adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) report mental distress almost five times more often than adults without disabilities. Despite the prevalence, little is known about the best approaches for supporting the needs of people with IDD and co-occurring mental health challenges. In the stories shared in this issue of Kindred Stories of Disability, we see consistent themes. Tennesseans with co-occurring disabilities and mental health concerns face: Increased stigma due to...
Description: As we get to know the children and their families in our program, we share their joys as well as their challenges. And sometimes there’s a child who we feel worried about. Maybe it’s something about their behavior, or maybe their development and skills. We all know it can be challenging to talk about worries like these with parents. But we also know how helpful intervening early can be when we have a concern. We’re going to look at raising a concern with a parent about their...
Description: Pursuing postsecondary education is a cognitively demanding activity and the decided majority of postsecondary students with traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) report difficulties with the academic demands of their studies (Rumrill et al., 2019). A targeted approach like cognitive support technology (CST) is a logical framework for helping students with TBI overcome cognition-related difficulties in their academic and career-preparatory pursuits.
Description: TBI Today is published quarterly by the Virginia Commonwealth University TBI Model System. Features include Model System project updates, profiles of regional provider agencies and faculty, survivor "tips," FAQs, an advice column ("Chat with Pat"), events calendar, and a fun activity (e.g. word game, crossword puzzle, etc.) Our team has worked to make all issues of the TBI Today accessible. If you need additional accommodations to access this information, please contact us at...
Description: Curated in conjunction with Mary Anne Prater, the author or co-author of seven books and dozens of academic journal articles on teaching students with developmental difficulties as well as special and general education topics, this search tool contains information and synopses of children’s and young adult literature about or having to do with people with disabilities. This information includes the name of the author and illustrator, year of publication, publisher, appropriate grade...
Description: The Virginia Department of Education’s website houses vital information to support students in the Commonwealth. The dyslexia page shares the VA regulations definition, mandatory training and implementation of the Dyslexia Advisor.
Description: The Virginia Concussion Initiative (VCI) aims to protect and support all young minds by sharing knowledge, tools, and practical guidance that promotes the tailored implementation of concussion best practices in homes, schools, and communities Resource Library: Whether you want to learn about reducing concussion risk, helping a child recover from a concussion, or improving your concussion program, VCI has resources to meet your needs. The VCI Resource Library contains resources based on...
Description: The Brain Injury Association of Virginia is a statewide, primary source of information and personal support for individuals, families, and professionals whose lives have been impacted by brain injury. Community Resource Directory Looking for a brain injury service or program in your area? Search our database for support groups, therapists, rehabilitation providers, attorneys and more. You can search by keyword, category, and/or address. Self-Paced Online Courses The Brain Injury Association of...
Description: Brain Injury Awareness Month is a time for education, connection, and awareness. The More Than My Brain Injury campaign, created by BIAA, provides a platform for educating the public about the incidence of brain injury. It aims to de-stigmatize the injury, highlight the diversity of the brain injury community, and empower those who have survived. Self-Paced Online Courses The Brain Injury Association of Virginia is excited to provide our new library of self-paced online courses! ...
Description: Less than 1% of school aged students with disabilities are identified with traumatic brain injury. OSEP‘s latest Fast Facts takes a closer look at data from the data collections authorized under IDEA Section 618, including those collected through child count, educational environments, discipline and exiting data collections with a lens on students identified with traumatic brain injury. Highlights from OSEP Fast Facts: Educational Environments of School Aged Children with Disabilities...
Description: “Traumatic brain injury” means an acquired injury to the brain caused by an external physical force or by other medical conditions, including stroke, anoxia, infectious disease, aneurysm, brain tumors, and neurological insults resulting from medical or surgical treatments, resulting in total or partial functional disability or psychosocial impairment, or both, that adversely affects a child's educational performance. Traumatic brain injury applies to open or closed head injuries...
Description: Every community is affected by traumatic brain injury (TBI). Causes as diverse as falls, sports injuries, vehicle collisions, domestic violence, and military incidents can result in injuries across a spectrum of severity and age groups. Just as the many causes of TBI and the people who experience it are diverse, so too are the physiological, cognitive, and behavioral changes that can occur following injury. The overall TBI ecosystem is not limited to healthcare and research, but includes the...
Description: BrainLine provides: TBI Basics Interactive Brain, What i a TBI? Do I have a Concussion? Newly Diagnosed. Now What? You Are Not Alone Brain Injury Topics A-Z Personal Stories and Blogs Expert Q & A Resource Directory BrainLine is a national service of WETA-TV, the flagship PBS station in Washington, D.C.
Description: This includes: RCPS Traumatic Brain Injury/Concussion Response Process - Flow Chart Concussion Symptoms and Accommodations CMT-1 CDC Concussion Signs and Symptoms CMT-2 RCPS Concussion Symptom Monitoring CMT-3 RCPS Concussion Notification to Teachers CMT-4 RCPS Concussion Academic Monitoring CMT-5 - Recommendations for Referral to Student Study Due to Long Term Symptoms CDC Traumatic Brain Injury and Concussions And more....
Description: BICSV enhances the lives of individuals affected by brain injury through cultivating connections with information, services, and resources. BICSV provides no-cost case management services for children, youth, and adults who have sustained a traumatic and/or acquired brain injury. BICSV serves the following counties: Augusta, Bath, Highland, Rockbridge, Rockingham, Page, and Shenandoah, and the cities within.
Description: This informative article, shared in the CASD CHAT E-Newsletter, was written by recent VTAC/CAR graduate, Dr. Ashley Muskett, a clinical psychologist specializing in the assessment and treatment of autism in children.
Description: This month is Dyslexia/LD/ADHD Awareness Month, and the author had the honor of sitting down with Resha Conroy, a parent of a child with Dyslexia. She is also a member of the National Center on Improving Literacy Family Engagement Advisory Board and has started her own non-profit, Dyslexia Alliance for Black Children.
Description: Self-advocacy is an important skill for even young kids to develop. But sometimes it’s hard for grade-schoolers to know what to say. Here are some sentence starters you can teach kids with dyslexia to practice so they can speak up for what they need.
Description: The Federal Emergency Management Agency has videos on personal disaster preparedness for people with disabilities. The videos give tips on how to be prepared and suggest some items to bring with you in an emergency based on your particular disability.
Description: More than a decade ago, a group of youth with disabilities requested that Virginia officially recognize October as Disability History and Awareness Month (DHAM). These dedicated youth also developed a credo: “Disability history education and awareness will promote positive attitudes in schools creating a culture of mutual respect, understanding, and equalopportunities for all.” This month, Virginians across the Commonwealth will join with others nationwide to increase awareness,...
Description: One of the ongoing challenges of helping children with autism thrive is understanding behaviors that can seem baffling.These resources may help to clear up some common misunderstandings. Autism experts explain how repetitive or self-harming behaviors may have medical causes, how sensory processing issues can trigger meltdowns, and what is behind picky eating and other mealtime challenges. And we discuss ways to help kids on the spectrum build communication skills, so they can express their own...
Description: Each of the following National Association of Special Education Teachers' (NASET) professional development courses entitle you to CE Study Hour. Each NASET CE Study Hour is based on the requirements of each course which are rated in hour(s) for reading, comprehension and the completion of an exam at the end of the course. Topics include: Classroom Management Disorders and Disabilities in Special Education IEPs Inclusion/Integrated Co-Teaching New Teacher Courses And many more!
Description: For 57 years and counting, the Autism Society, including our nationwide network of affiliates, connects people to the resources they need through education, advocacy, support, information and referral, and community programming. Mission: We create connections, empowering everyone in the Autism community with the resources needed to live fully. Vision: Creating a world where everyone in the Autism community is connected to the support they need, when they need it.
Description: People with Autism and other developmental disabilities and their families are disproportionately impacted by the ongoing public health and economic emergency caused by COVID-19. The Autism Society of America believes that increasing vaccine confidence is a crucial step towards improving the lives of people with Autism, their families and communities as we all work towards ending the pandemic. Through its Vaccine Education Initiative (VEI), the Autism Society is committed to increasing vaccine...
Description: This booklet defines Special Education Terms (Birth to 22) as well as General Disabilty Terms.
Description: Digital Portfolio for Families (2022)- PEATC’s Digital Portfolio allows parents and guardians of individuals with disabilities the ability to organize personal, educational, medical, and legal information and documentation in a portable digital format. The portfolio provides users with easy access, reduced stress, no more binders, and less paperwork to store. Digital Portfolio for Military Families (2022)- PEATC’s Digital Portfolio for Military Families allows service...
Description: Autism Speaks virtual series designed for autistic people, families, care providers and anyone seeking information on how to best navigate a new diagnosis. In these recorded videos, participants can hear from parents, topic experts, self-advocates and others sharing their personal experiences and expertise.
Description: This information is for school professionals who may teach or provide therapy, counseling, and/or other services to children with disabilities. It outlines the kinds of evidence that the Social Security Administration (SSA) needs to determine disability for a child under the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program. The SSI program can provide valuable monthly cash payments to children who are disabled under SSA rules and whose families have little income or resources. Determining...
Description: This tookit, compiled by the Spiral Foundation, is designed to help adults with sensory processing difficulties better understand their diagnosis and advocate for themselves and their needs. “A Guide to Sensory Integration for Adolescents and Young Adults” is a free downloadable handbook for teens and young adults who have recently been diagnosed with Sensory Processing Disorder or who suspect they may have sensory processing problems. It provides a brief introduction to the history...
Description: The world's largest movie theater chain is adding onscreen captions at hundreds of U.S. locations in an effort to make moviegoing more accessible. AMC Theatres announced that 240 of its locations — in more than 100 U.S. markets — are adding open captioning to certain showings. The change took effect last week and is aimed at improving the viewing experience for people who have hearing loss and for whom English is not their first language.
Description: Among children with combined vision and hearing loss (deafblindness), cortical visual impairment (CVI) is the most common condition of visual impairment. This session of CVI for the TVI and Other Professionals will focus on the unique implications of cortical visual impairment among children and youth with combined vision and hearing loss, with a major focus on applying best practices from the field of deafblindness to the unique identification, assessment, and intervention needs of...
Description: This self-paced tutorial has been developed for parents and professionals who are just beginning to learn about CVI. In this tutorial you will view interviews with parents, engage in web searches to expand your resources, and view presentations related to each module’s topic. Along the way, you will build an individualized action plan for your child to address Diagnosis Assessment Intervention Teamwork / collaboration IEP Development Advocacy This workshop is available in an...
Description: Typical characteristics of students who represent the 1% of the population who should participate in the VAAP are outlined in the following inventory questions. IEP teams are responsible for discussing these characteristics and making decisions about whether the student demonstrates significant cognitive disabilities. It is important to keep in mind that it is the combination of some or all of these characteristics that may justify a decision for the student to participate in VAAP. Having...
Description: Ready is a National public service campaign designed to educate and empower the American people to prepare for, respond to and mitigate emergencies, including natural and man-made disasters. The goal of the campaign is to promote preparedness through public involvement. Ready asks that individuals: stay informed about the different types of emergencies that could occur and their appropriate responses make a family emergency plan and build an emergency supply kit, and get involved in your...
Description: CVI stands for Cortical Visual Impairment/Cerebral Visual Impairment. CVI is a brain-based visual impairment caused by damage to the visual pathways or visual processing areas of the brain. Learners struggle with visual attention and visual recognition resulting in a lack of access for understanding the world around them. CVI is known to be the leading cause of visual impairment in children in the United States. With CVI, the eye’s connection to and in the brain doesn’t work...
Description: Keeping children and teens healthy and safe is always a top priority. Whether you are a parent, youth sports coach, school coach, school professional, or health care provider, this site will help you recognize, respond to, and minimize the risk of concussion or other serious brain injury. What is a Concussion? Concussion Danger Signs, Concussion Signs and Symptoms, Recovery from a Concussion, Returning to School, Returning to Sports and Activities, Learn More, HEADS UP for Specific Sports,...
Description: The National Resource Center for Supported Decision-Making (NRC-SDM) builds on and extends the work of Quality Trust's Jenny Hatch Justice Project by bringing together vast and varied partners to ensure that input is obtained from all relevant stakeholder groups including older adults, people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD), family members, advocates, professionals and providers. The NRC-SDM partners bring nationally recognized expertise and leadership on SDM,...
Description: LEND program provides interdisciplinary training to professionals, family members and self-advocates with an aim to provide integrated services to families and children with disabilities. The purpose of the LEND training program is to prepare trainees from diverse professional disciplines to assume leadership roles in their respective fields and by ensuring high levels of interdisciplinary clinical competence. Providing an interdisciplinary training the...
Description: Understanding Disability Categories and Differentiation Ideas for English Learners with Disabilities (VDOE) The intended audience for this document is teachers of English Learners (EL) who do not have a formal background with special education. The purpose of this document is to provide a foundation for professional conversations about appropriate supports according to a specific category of need that is influenced by a specific disability or combination of disabilities. Consider the Disability...
Description: The purpose of these guidelines is to provide resources and suggestions to enhance the provision of services to students who are deaf and hard of hearing in order to support their educational goals. These guidelines are written for special and general education administrators, teachers of students who are deaf and hard of hearing (referred to by Virginia teacher licensure regulations as HI teachers and generally referred to as teachers of the deaf and hard of hearing-TODHH), general educators,...
Description: Lucy Beadnell from The Arc of Northern Virginia reviews the Basics of DD and CCC Plus Medicaid Waivers in Virginia. Lucy describes what Medicaid Waivers are, eligibility, services, applications, and waiting lists and takes questions from families. (Recorded March 3, 2021)
Description: ASD & Regulation: The Brain, Meltdowns, and Evidence-Based Practices Part 1 The majority of learners on the spectrum experience self-regulation and sensory issues that can lead to meltdowns. This escalating sequence seems to follow a three-stage cycle: (a) rumbling, (b) rage, and (c) recovery. This sequence can be problematic as many children and youth with ASD often endure the cycle unaware that they are under stress. This session will overview the issues related to self-regulation and...
Description: The Technical Assistance Center for Children Who Are Deaf and Hard of Hearing is funded by the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) to provide training and technical assistance in the area of deafness and hearing impairment. Assistance is available to local public school systems as well as state-operated programs including early intervention through the Virginia Network of Consultants for Professionals Working with Children Who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing (VNOC) in areas such...
Description: Looking for a brain injury service or program in your area? Search this database for support groups, therapists, rehabilitation providers, attorneys and more. You can search by keyword, category, and/or address.
Description: Module One: Virginia Legislation Related to Dyslexia and Reading, and the Definition of Dyslexia, Module Two: Prevalence and Characteristics of Dyslexia, Module Three: Screening and Assessing Students Around the Basic Foundational Skills of Reading, Module Four: Appropriate Instructional Match, Module Five: Social Emotional Impact of Dyslexia, Module Six: Accommodations and Assistive Technology to Address the Needs of Students with Dyslexia
Description: Understanding Autism: Professional Development Curriculum The Understanding Autism: Professional Development Curriculum is a comprehensive professional development training tool that prepares secondary school teachers to serve the autism population. This page includes two presentations: Understanding Autism: Professional Development Curriculum Characteristics and Practices for Challenging Behavior Strategies for Classroom Success and Effective Use of Teacher Supports Understanding Autism: A...
Description: VCU-ACE has resources for families about raising and supporting young children with ASD. They also have resources for educators and providers as they learn more about ASD and how to use evidence-based practices. For Parents: Raising a child diagnosed with ASD can be confusing and overwhelming. Many times, parents and family members struggle to understand the diagnosis, how to support their child's success, and how to problem-solve through challenges. Information from our seminars, webcasts, and...