Special Education.

What is Autism?

What is Autism?
Children and adults who have an autism spectrum disorder look the same as other people, and due to the invisible nature of their disability it can be much harder to create awareness and understanding.
Autism and Asperger syndrome still remain relatively unknown disabilities among the general population. Yet it is estimated that autism spectrum disorders are approximately four tim  . . . more

ADD/ADHD/Dyslexia 101 Tips for Teachers/Parents

Research shows there are an estimated 3 to 5 percent of school-age children with Attention Deficit Disorder/ADD/ADHD/Dyslexia. In response to the needs expressed by teachers for teaching strategies that work with these children, the U.S. Department of Education has supported research in classrooms to determine successful teaching techniques employed by elementary (primary) schoolteachers to keep c  . . . more

DVD and children with autism

DVD promotes understanding of children with autism M?ori families of children with autism spectrum disorder have initiated the production of a video designed to raise awareness of the challenges the disorder presents and help other families to better cope. About 20,000 free copies of the DVD are being distributed to schools, hospitals, marae, social work and disability organisations througho  . . . more

Theories of Dyslexia

This section is written for literacy, numeracy and ESOL teachers who are not dyslexia specialists.  It provides an overview of current theories of dyslexia- cognitive, biological and social interactive.
http://excellence.qia.org.uk/framework4dyslexia  . . . more

Making Sense (1 year since being diagnosed with Aspergers)

The Beginning at first it?s like an immense wave of relief as every think begins to fall into place and make sense? looking back I revisit the painful memories of the past that can now be explained. Then a urgent need to over explain to everyone I may of impacted by my autism, I want them to understand, but where do you begin!How do you explain a life of horrendous, hideous, mishaps that you would  . . . more

MOE improves understanding of Dyslexia

Ministry improves understanding of dyslexia
Media release 19 April 2007
Although the majority of students successfully learn to read and write, the Ministry of Education is putting greater emphasis on assisting students who struggle in these areas, including those who have been identified as dyslexic.
Dyslexia is a term that is used to refer to a group of students with a range of persistent rea  . . . more

What is Asperger's Syndrome?

What is Asperger's Syndrome?
Shared by the Autism Society of Ontario.Reprinted by Autism Society Ontario with permission from Autism Society of British Columbia.
In 1944 Hans Asperger, an Austrian psychiatrist, described an "abnormality of personality" that he called autistic psycopathy. This term has since been replaced by Asperger's Syndrome. Asperger's work was not translated into  . . . more

Residential special schools

Residential special schools





Summary:
Eight residential special schools in New Zealand support students who are hearing or vision impaired; or who have severe behaviour needs; or educational, social and emotional needs together with a slow rate of learning. This webpage links to information on these schools.Last update: 10-Apr-2006





Eight residential special schools lo  . . . more

Common Signs of Learning Disabilities

Common Signs of Learning Disabilities
The good news about learning disabilities is that scientists are learning more every day. Their research provides hope and direction.
If parents, teachers, and other professionals discover a child's learning disability early and provide the right kind of help, it can give the child a chance to develop skills needed to lead a successful and productive life. A  . . . more

Symptoms of ADHD

What are the symptoms of ADHD? A child with ADHD Makes careless mistakes or often fails to give close attention to details. Has difficulty sustaining attention. Does not appear to listen. Struggles to follow instructions. Loses things..lots of things. Often forgets daily activities. Is easily distracted. Has difficulty with organization. Avoids or dislikes tasks requiring sus  . . . more

Traumatic Brain Injury.

Traumatic Brain Injury.
What is Traumatic Brain Injury?

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) occurs when a sudden physical assault on the head causes damage to the brain. The damage can be focal, confined to one area of the brain, or diffuse, involving more than one area of the brain. TBI can result from a closed head injury or a penetrating head injury. A closed head injury occurs when the head sudde  . . . more

Developmental Language Delay

What is developmental language delay/ developmental language disorder?
These terms are often used interchangeably to describe the general problems of children who are not developing language as expected for their age, although their development in other areas appears to be appropriate. A third phrase often used as a general term is ?specific language impairment?. The important distinction to gr  . . . more

ADHD.org.nz

A New Zealand ADHD online support group with information, causes, treatment, management suggestions, links and information about local support groups in your area.
http://www.adhd.org.nz  . . . more

Teenadders Inc.

Teenadders Inc.( a non profit organisation) offers support and assistance to ADD/ADHD teens and their families. http://www.teenadders.org.nz has information about treatment, entitlements, teenage issues, links and resources.  . . . more

Word Retrieval activities for Children

What is a word-retrieval problem?

The terms ?word retrieval problem? or ?word finding difficulty? imply that the person knows and understands the word, and has used it correctly before. However, they have difficulty retrieving such known words at times. Children and adults with language disorders are frequently found to have word retrieval difficulties. Often when a person (child or adult) is h  . . . more

Ongoing and Reviewable Resourcing Schemes (ORRS)

The Ongoing and Reviewable Resourcing Schemes (ORRS) help students who have very high or high ongoing special education needs by providing extra teaching, specialist programming and education support, wherever they attend school.

These guidelines will help you to decide whether your child or student is likely to be eligible for help under the schemes, and to complete the application form. This  . . . more

Central Auditory Processing Disorder

Jennifer, 9, seems to pay attention when the teacher works with her one-on-one. But when there are group discussions, she spends most of her time looking out the window. The teacher is complaining she doesn't participate in class, and is giving Jennifer lower grades as a result.
Shawn, 12, was supposed to be home in time for his dentist's appointment at 3:30. But when he finally walked in the hou  . . . more

Williams Syndrome

Williams Syndrome

Williams Syndrome is a rare disorder. Like Down's Syndrome it is caused by an abnormality in chromosomes, and shows a wide variation in ability from person to person.

Williams People have a unique pattern of emotional, physical and mental strengths and weaknesses. For parents, teachers, and care workers, learning about this pattern can be a key to understanding a Williams   . . . more

Spectacles (Glasses) Subsidy for Children

Enable New Zealand administers the Ministry of Health spectacle subsidy for children. This subsidy provides assistance for children with vision problems in low-income families.

Who can apply?

The spectacle subsidy can be accessed if your child:
has a disability as defined by the Ministry of Health,
is under eight years of age,
has undergone a professional eye examination and has a prescri  . . . more

Auditory Processing Disorder (APD)- An Overview

Auditory Processing Disorder (APD) is a disability that affects how the brain processes spoken language. Kids with APD have difficulty interpreting and storing information despite normal hearing. In addition to hindering speech and language development, APD can affect other areas of learning, particularly reading and writing.

What is APD?

Ask a parent, teacher, audiologist, speech-language   . . . more