FACTS: The Newsletter of LEARNS

FACTS: The Newsletter of LEARNS, The Statewide Systems Change Initiative for Inclusive Education

This issue of FACTS is a potpourri of articles that provides a glimpse of the breadth and depth of our work here at the Center for Community Inclusion and Disability Studies. The diversity of needs of people with disabilities is matched only by the richness of their unique experiences. This installment of FACTS seeks to capture that richness and complexity while highlighting important information for parents and educators on:

A Student Led IEP in Action - "I'm just not going to go ahead with the meeting!" exclaimed Laura. "If I didn't get my notice, I am just not going to have the PET!" I watched my daughter stomp away, her gait unsteady but her meaning clear: the adults had screwed up.
What is DIR/Floortime? - Many readers have probably heard of “floortime” and recognize it as an approach to supporting students with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). Technically, floortime is just one component of a larger comprehensive treatment approach called the “Developmental, Individual-Difference, Relationship-Based (DIR) Model, “developed by psychiatrist Stanley Greenspan and psychologist Serena Weider.
A LEARNS Interview with Dr. Stanley Greenspan - In this companion article to "What is DIR/Floortime", CCI staff members interview Dr. Greenspan, who conducts a weekly web-based radio program, entitled "Infants, Children and Families," focusing on critical issues for children with developmental challenges.

Early Literacy Learning: Individualizing Instruction for Every Child - The joy of a beloved story, which children know so well they can fill in the missing words, is something we hope every child will experience. Daily opportunities to listen and be heard, to benefit from the writing of others, and to share personal ideas and stories, provide children with meaningful ways to participate in developing literacy skills.

Kudos and Resources for Hard Working Maine Educators - There is much cause for celebration here in Maine! As a state, Maine has in many ways led the way in creating high quality learning standards with educational opportunities for all students as a core belief. Our successes include the development of a comprehensive system of assessment that when completed, will balance student achievement on state measures while maintaining the time honored tradition and importance of local control.

Accessibility? Who needs it? - Could Helen Keller use your website if she were around today? She could if you incorporated universal accessibility in the design and maintenance of your site. In fact, incorporating universal accessibility will help assure that all users can access and benefit from your site.

An Inclusive Model for Supporting Students With Challenging Behavior - Many educators in Maine are working to embrace and include all students. Let us introduce you to one K-8 school where students with challenging behavior are supported in positive and inclusive ways. Vassalboro Community School will describe their Student Support Center to you in the accompanying video clips and text transcript.

© 2004 The University of Maine Center for Community Inclusion and Disability Studies
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