Daily Mail: BBC producer who suffers from bipolar disorder, Asperger’s Syndrome, dyslexia and dyspraxia is suing after she was fired because of ‘behavioural issues’, tribunal hears (Asperger Syndrome, Dyslexia, Dyspraxia)

May 14, 2014

A sacked BBC producer who says she applied to the corporation on a scheme for the disabled is suing for disability discrimination after bosses claimed they were unaware of her mental health issues.

Jayne Lutwyche took on the role of online producer in the BBC’s religion and ethics department in 2012.
The 29-year-old, who suffers from bipolar disorder, Asperger’s Syndrome, dyslexia, dyspraxia and nerve damage, insists she told bosses about her disabilities before she started.

Read the full article here: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2628182/BBC-producer-sacked-behaviour-says-told-bosses-bipolar-disorder-Aspergers-dyslexia-dyspraxia.html 

Manawatu Standard: Long waits for extra tutoring (ADHD, dyslexia)

April 11, 2014

Children with learning difficulties could slip through the cracks due to a shortage of specialists assessing and assisting them.

The demand for help for Kiwi children struggling with learning disabilities is increasing, with service providers reporting long waiting lists of children that need to be seen.

The New Zealand Dyslexia Foundation estimates one in 10 New Zealanders experience a learning difficulty, with more than 70,000 schoolchildren affected.

The small number of specialists who assess and diagnose learning difficulties have reported a growing workload, which education psychologists say is a concern.

Learning Disabilities Association of New Zealand has two registered assessors in Palmerston North with waiting lists three months long.

President Bill Glassey, who is based in the city, said he would assess one or two children a week – many of them referred by schools – for learning difficulties, such as ADHD, dyslexia or apraxia.

Read the full article here: http://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-standard/news/9930188/Long-waits-for-extra-tutoring

BBC News: Diary of a mother of children with special educational needs (Autism)

April 29, 2014

A mother who has three children with special educational needs has recorded an audio diary of her typical morning.

Debs Aspland’s nine-year-old son has hydrocephalus and autism, her eight-year-old son is visually impaired, and her daughter has language, speech and communication needs.

Ms Aspland said her typical day was around 21 hours long and “on a good day” she could expect just under five hours sleep.

Read the full article here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-27204151

Bastrop Daily Enterprise: Bastrop High School and Morehouse Jr. High students learn bullying is not okay (ADD, ADHD, BEH, dyslexia and dysgraphia)

April 30, 2014

Students at both Bastrop High School and Morehouse Jr. High attended assemblies this week where bullying was the topic of discussion.

Keith Deltano drew on his background of working with youth in various roles as well as his own personal experiences as a child who was bullied to engage students in a conversation regarding various ways of bullying. He also teaches them how to stop and overcome the effects of this serious problem. Deltano was labeled with ADD, ADHD, BEH, dyslexia and dysgraphia and was bullied because he was “different.” Instead of letting his learning disabilities dictate his future, Deltano overcame, attended college and became a teacher.

Read the full article here: http://www.bastropenterprise.com/article/20140429/NEWS/140429605/10082/NEWS

BBC News: Admiring Autism: Busting ‘autism myths’ with a camera

April 28, 2014

Since her young son was diagnosed as autistic, Sara Dunn has been attempting to help “challenge the myths surrounding autism” with a camera.

The photographer has been documenting her experiences with her son and other families affected by autism through photography.

Ms Dunn, 27, from Chester, stays with families for 48 hours to take images and wants to stage a public exhibition of her work, Admiring Autism.

Read the full article here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-27142806

ITV News: Disney movies inspire boy with autism to communicate

April 26, 2014

A boy diagnosed with autism was inspired to talk to his father after a long period of silence through his fascination with Disney films, his father has revealed.

Ron and Cornelia Suskind had just moved to Washington D.C. with their two young children when their two-year-old son, Owen, suddenly stopped talking.

Read the full article here: http://www.itv.com/news/2014-04-26/disney-movies-inspire-boy-with-autism-to-communicate

BBC News: Dead behind bars: ‘My son didn’t think he was lovable’ (ADHD)

April 25, 2014

In the past 10 years, 80 people aged 21 and under have killed themselves in prison – the government has set up a review to find out why so many young people die in custody. One mother explains what it is like to have a child die behind bars.

Casework analysis by the charity Inquest suggests a large majority of young people who die in prison are diagnosed with ADHD, special educational needs and other disorders.

Mrs Rushton would like to see extra support for these young adults.

Read the full article here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-27067966

Croydon Advertiser: Dad of dyslexic schoolgirl calls on Michael Gove to rule Croydon’s special needs policy ‘illegal’

April 25, 2014

The father of a severely dyslexic schoolgirl has called on Education Secretary Michael Gove to compel the council to change its “unlawful” policy towards children with special educational needs.

For a child to receive specialist support, parents must show they require “significant assistance” in at least five of eight areas – only one of which is education.

Read the full article here: http://www.croydonadvertiser.co.uk/minister-review-special-education-policy/story-21006472-detail/story.html