Katie Alexander is a journalist based in Gillingham, United Kingdom.

Santa Cares event at Walden Galleria brings holiday joy to children with special needs

01 Dec 2019  |  News 4 Buffalo  |  English  |  Special Needs Accommodations

The Walden Galleria in Cheektowaga, N.Y., hosted the first of two 'Santa Cares' events on a Sunday morning, catering specifically to families of children with special needs. The event provided a sensory-friendly environment with low lights and no music, allowing children like 8-year-old Dominic, who is non-verbal and has autism, to meet Santa without the stress of large crowds and noise. Dominic's foster parents, Darryl and Kathryn Brennan, are set to adopt him in a few weeks, adding to the holiday joy. The event, which attracts an average of 30 families, ensures that all children, regardless of their ability to communicate verbally, can share their holiday wishes with Santa. Another event is scheduled for December 8, and donations to Autism Speaks are being accepted during these times. Santa will be available for all children and pets through Christmas Eve at the Galleria.

Tags:

Special Needs Accommodations Community Events Holiday Season

Majak Daniel Kuany Alier is a journalist based in Juba, South Sudan. 

I have more than four years of experience in print and electronic media and I am a compassionate journalist with more much focus on human interest stories, peace, human rights. I also create good content for corporate and PR ...

Sharifah Fadhilah Alshahab is a journalist based in Singapore, Singapore.

Meet the music therapist inspiring young people with special needs in Argentina

11 Sept 2023  |  www.euronews.com  |  English  |  Special Needs

Ralf Niedenthal, a music therapist in Argentina, leads 'We All Make Music', an NGO comprising individuals with disabilities such as cerebral palsy, Down's syndrome, blindness, and autism. The organization includes bands like THM, Jade, and Sabadabadú, which perform across Buenos Aires. Music therapy has shown remarkable benefits, improving mental health and confidence among participants like Angy and Paloma Facchini. Ralf utilizes technology to enable severely disabled members to compose music. The organization, which has been touring Argentina, recording albums, and has published a book since 2007, aims to provide band members with a source of income through their performances and recordings.

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Special Needs Music Therapy Inclusivity

Daniel Brown is a experienced journalist based in Paris, France. For the last 30 years he has traveled the world reporting in cultural, political and sporting fields, essentially in English and French. His features and reports regularly feature in publications in England and the US, and he has been ...

Why The Armview is more than a place to dine | SaltWire

26 Jan 2024  |  www.saltwire.com  |  English  |  Special Needs Services

The article discusses a survey conducted by the Public Schools Branch (PSB) in Prince Edward Island (P.E.I.), which indicates that a minority of the 45 participating schools feel they are adequately meeting the needs of students with special needs. Carolyn Duguay, the PSB's researcher, and Terri MacAdam, the director of student services, highlighted the need for better support in areas such as behavior and mental health. The survey is part of an effort to develop more effective, evidence- and skills-based models for services in English schools across P.E.I. The PSB plans to finalize a report with recommendations for an updated model by the end of the year, which will include further surveys and public meetings for parental input.

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Special Needs Services Education Survey Results School Administration

Elaine Cromie is a visual journalist based in Detroit, MI, United States and Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico.

She specializes in photojournalism, documentary photography, videography and long form investigative stories. Previously Elaine worked in Detroit as a photographer for MLive Media Group....

Special needs kids get customized bikes at Beaumont Children's Hospital

01 Jun 2015  |  www.mlive.com  |  English  |  Special Needs

Special-needs children, including 17-year-old Khyle Torillos, received custom-made bicycles and tricycles at Beaumont Children's Hospital's Bike Day. The event, supported by The Kevin Degen Open Road Foundation and other groups, provided the bikes at no charge. These customized bikes, which can cost up to $6,000, offer significant physical and psychosocial benefits, allowing children to participate in age-appropriate activities with their peers and families. Over 781 bikes have been distributed to Detroit-area families in the past 11 years.

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Special Needs Community Support

Factual

Factuality Scale

Armed with ten years of experience on the field as a journalist based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, I now assume my role as a independent broadcast journalist. I recently hosted for VICE News in Malaysia and when I am not on camera, I produce news packages and documentaries for international news ...

From Hong Kong to Malaysia and India, how online learning failed special needs students during the Covid-19 pandemic

26 Feb 2022  |  South China Morning Post  |  English  |  Special Educational Needs

The article discusses the challenges faced by children with special educational needs (SEN) during the shift to online learning due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It highlights the struggles of children with conditions such as ADHD, autism, and hearing impairments, who find it difficult to focus and learn in a home environment. The article covers stories from various countries in the Asia-Pacific region, including India, Malaysia, Hong Kong, and the Philippines, illustrating the increased anxiety, regression in behavioral gains, and isolation these children experience. Educators and experts express concern about the widening educational gap and the lack of support for SEN children. The article also touches on the negative impact on parents and caregivers, who are under immense stress without the respite that in-person schooling provides. Despite these challenges, some children have found benefits in online learning, and the article shares a few positive experiences. However, the overall consensus is that the pandemic has significantly disadvantaged SEN children, particularly those from poorer backgrounds who lack access to online resources.

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Special Educational Needs Online Learning COVID-19 Pandemic Children with Disabilities Educational Challenges

Gabrielle Fahmy is a multimedia reporter and videojournalist.

Off-island English schools breathe sigh of relief with announcement of $300 million in new funding

17 Jun 2021  |  montreal.ctvnews.ca  |  English  |  Special Needs Education

The provincial government has announced $300 million in funding for off-island English-language schools, including a long-awaited expansion for Reach, a St-Lambert school for special needs children. The funding will be distributed among a dozen schools, with the Riverside School Board and Lester B. Pearson School Board among the beneficiaries. This move addresses the growing enrollment and need for expanded facilities, particularly in the South Shore area.

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Special Needs Education Education Funding

Informative

Factuality Scale

Nicholas Fearn is a journalist based in Neath, United Kingdom.

Autistic pupils: can schools support children with autism?

01 Oct 2023  |  living360.uk  |  English  |  Special Needs

A significant disparity exists in the UK education system's ability to support autistic children compared to non-autistic children, largely due to a lack of specially trained staff and funding. Parents face long waits for autism diagnoses and specialist support, often resulting in their children being isolated or excluded from education. Experts argue that local authorities are not fulfilling their legal obligations to provide adequate support, and systemic changes, including better training for teachers and a fundamental overhaul of the school system, are necessary to address these issues.

Tags:

Special Needs Education Autism

Interpretive

Factuality Scale

Center-Left

Political View

Aaron Fedor is a Director , Producer and DP and journalist based in New York, United States of America.DP , In addition a licensed professional Drone Pilot and Photographer. Travels a lot and willing to travel anywhere for clients . Born in Mexico raised in Los Angeles and London within dual ...

Autism Transit Project

01 Sept 2023  |  www.voanews.com  |  English  |  Special Needs Education

Jonathan Trichter, inspired by his personal connection to autism, transitioned from a finance career to create the Autism Transit Project, a rapidly growing special needs platform. The project, which began in New York, has expanded to Connecticut and Washington, and involves autistic children recording subway announcements for Autism Awareness Month. The initiative aims to provide special needs children with opportunities to advance, become more independent, and participate in civic life. The project has received support from the Metropolitan Transportation Authority and has been well-received by the community, highlighting the potential for similar initiatives in other cities worldwide.

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Special Needs Education Autism Public Transportation

Balanced

Factuality Scale

I am a Bristol-based freelance journalist. I previously worked for The Bristol Cable, a local member-owned media co-operative. Here, I worked as an Early Career Journalist and started writing my first stories.

I now work as a freelancer and alongside the Cable my work is featured in  The ...

Bristol SEND crisis: from isolation to family

13 Mar 2020  |  The Bristol Cable  |  English  |  Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) Crisis

The article discusses the crisis in Bristol's provision for children with special educational needs and disability (SEND), highlighting the city council's system as 'not fit for purpose' according to a CQC-Ofsted report. It details the extensive delays in processing Education, Health and Care Plans (EHC Plans) and the council's plan to invest an additional £1.3m in services. The piece also focuses on the isolation and community-building efforts among parents of children with SEND. It features the stories of parents like Amera from Albania and the work of local initiatives such as Autism Independence and Bristol Autism Support, which provide support and create a sense of community for these families. The article touches on the stigma associated with autism in various cultures, the mental health of parents, and the importance of parent groups in providing emotional support and practical advice.

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Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) Crisis Community Support Stigma and Autism Parental Mental Health Educational Support

Resha Juhari  is a freelance Indonesian photojournalist for editorial coverage and reportage. He started his career as a photographer at a local newspaper in 2012. In early 2021, he decided to become a freelancer. His photography focuses on documenting social issues, cultural issues, conservation, ...

Special Needs Students Participate in National Exam at SLB Negeri Pangkalpinang

24 Apr 2019  |  bangka.tribunnews.com  |  Indonesian  |  Special Needs

Four special needs students from SMP Luar Biasa, Sekolah Luar Biasa Negeri (SLBN) Girimaya in Pangkalpinang participated in the paper-based National Exam (UNKP) on April 24, 2019. Among them was a visually impaired student who was assisted by a teacher to work on braille exam questions. The school principal, Warsih Sri Wahyuni, noted the difficulties faced by the students, particularly in understanding the Indonesian language, and mentioned that visual aids are often used to facilitate comprehension. The exams, which ran smoothly, were held over four days from April 22 to April 25, 2019.

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Special Needs Education

Factual

Factuality Scale

Megy Karydes is a journalist based in Chicago, United States of America. Her byline has appeared in USA Today, Fortune, Forbes, Rodale's Organic Life, National Geographic's The Plate, The Atlantic's CityLab, Sierra, Midwest Living magazine, Travel + Leisure, Chicago Tribune, among others.

Chicago theaters and museums set the scene for families with special needs

19 Mar 2020  |  Chicago Health  |  English  |  Special Needs

Chicago's cultural institutions like Steppenwolf Theatre Company, Field Museum, Chicago Children’s Theatre, and Studio Movie Grill are creating sensory-friendly environments to accommodate families with special needs, particularly those with children on the autism spectrum. These organizations are adjusting sound and lighting, providing quiet spaces, and offering special programming such as Sensory Saturdays and relaxed performances. They aim to make the arts accessible to everyone, including those with sensory sensitivities, by removing barriers such as loud noises, bright lights, and financial burdens. The article highlights the positive impact these initiatives have on families, allowing them to enjoy cultural experiences together without fear of disruption or discomfort.

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Special Needs Arts & Culture Accessibility

Harpreet Kaur is a journalist who has worked in Singapore, Australia and New Zealand.

Don’t behave “special” with special kids

12 Sept 2023  |  medium.com  |  English  |  Special Needs

The text emphasizes the importance of treating children with special needs the same as other children, highlighting a personal anecdote involving a student named Aditya who was integrated into a regular classroom setting.

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Special Needs Education

Opinionated

Factuality Scale

I am an experienced international journalist and moderator currently living in New Zealand. I am bilingual in English and French.
I am currently anchoring Euronews flagship Euronews Tonight evening news programme. 
I am the presenter and main researcher of Euronews' flagship programme The Global ...

For parents of autistic kids, lockdown is business as usual

26 Jan 2024  |  euronews  |  English  |  Special needs education

Isabelle Kumar, a journalist and President of Autisme Ambition Avenir, discusses the challenges faced by parents of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in France during the COVID-19 lockdown. With schools closed, these parents are forced to home-school their children, which is a continuation of their 'normal' due to the lack of specialized school placements. Kumar shares personal experiences and conversations with other parents, highlighting the isolation and difficulties in managing children's anxiety and behavioral issues. She also mentions the support from medical staff and the importance of establishing new routines. Psychologist Aurelie Guilloneau advises parents to set realistic goals and use positive reinforcement. The article also notes the efforts of specialized teaching establishments and therapists to provide support during the crisis.

Tags:

Special needs education Autism Spectrum Disorder COVID-19 pandemic Home-schooling

Laura Lynott is a senior journalist based in Dublin, Ireland who has worked in national and local newspapers for 15 years.  Laura has worked freelance for almost three of those and has written for magazines and websites in the U.K. and Ireland.
Throughout her lengthy career, Laura has written ...

Schoolgirl activist Cara Darmody presses opposition TDs to lean on Government over special needs assessment waiting list

01 Oct 2023  |  www.independent.ie  |  English  |  Special Needs

Cara Darmody, a schoolgirl activist, urges opposition parties to pressure the Government to fund private assessments for children with special needs, highlighting a broken promise to these children, including those with autism. She seeks the support of Sinn Féin's leader to bring attention to the issue.

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Special Needs Government Funding Activism

Interpretive

Factuality Scale

Left

Political View

Olga Mecking is a writer, journalist, and translator. Originally from Poland, Olga lived in Germany and is now based in The Netherlands. Olga's interests include:

Into the Water

27 Apr 2022  |  Mamalode  |  English  |  Special Needs

A mother reflects on her younger daughter's journey of overcoming her fear of water, celebrating her sensitivity and unique pace of development. The narrative highlights the child's progress, resilience, and the mother's admiration for her daughter's growing independence and adventurous spirit.

Tags:

Special Needs Parenting Child Development

Opinionated

Factuality Scale

Jeremy Morton is a journalist.

Future Horizons Leeds 'Requires Improvement' after First Ofsted Inspection

27 Oct 2023  |  South Leeds Life  |  English  |  Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND)

Future Horizons Leeds, an independent specialist college for young adults with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), has received its first Ofsted inspection, which concluded that the college 'Requires Improvement' overall. The CEO, Beckie Loosemore, expressed satisfaction with the positive feedback, particularly regarding students' personal development and behavior. The report praised the college for working closely with the local authority to provide more opportunities for students with high needs and for the accurate self-assessment by trustees and the senior leadership team. However, it also highlighted areas for improvement, such as target setting, monitoring student progress, securing high-quality work placements, and providing access to therapeutic services. The college is taking steps to address these issues, including hiring new specialist tutors and instructors.

Tags:

Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) Education Ofsted Inspection

Janet Otieno-Prosper is an award winning journalist based in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. She  holds a Masters degree in Communication Studies from The University of Nairobi.She developed passion for writing at a tender age. Janet joined the media industry (Kenya News Agency) as a News Reporter in 2006 ...

Celebrating a great mother

10 Aug 2018  |  www.thecitizen.co.tz  |  English  |  Special Needs

A mother from Lushoto is celebrated for her unwavering dedication to ensuring her 12-year-old son with special needs receives an education. Despite societal stigma and abandonment by her in-laws, she prioritizes her son's education, performing menial jobs to afford transportation and personally assisting him at school. Her determination and resilience are highlighted as she navigates daily challenges to support her child's learning.

Tags:

Special Needs Human Interest Education

Interpretive

Factuality Scale

Marian Rosado is a journalist based in Cáceres‎, Spain.

The fight for a TEA classroom for Mario

22 Apr 2021  |  www.elperiodicoextremadura.com  |  Spanish  |  Special Needs

Fernando Rodríguez, father of a five-year-old with autism, is fighting for a specialized TEA classroom at CEIP San Isidro de Guadiana, where his son and two other children with autism study. Despite regulations mandating such classrooms, the school lacks one, leading to frustration among parents. The Consejería de Educación de la Junta claims existing measures are sufficient, but parents disagree, citing unmet needs and inadequate responses from the administration. Supported by local associations and the AMPA, the families continue their advocacy, with the PP raising the issue in the Assembly.

Tags:

Special Needs Education

Interpretive

Factuality Scale

Center-Right

Political View

Reliable professional journalist based in central Florida. I report for NPR and its central Florida affiliate, covering  daily news and am a strong feature reporter. Gathering audio--be it through tape syncs, vox pops, or live, one-on-one interviews--is my forte. I also have strong editing skills.

Happy Aging: The Challenges of Caregiving for Adults with Special Needs

30 Aug 2023  |  Word In Black  |  English  |  Special Needs Support

The article discusses the challenges faced by caregivers, particularly those aged 50 to 80, who support adults with special needs. Sequaya Tasker, Senior Executive Officer of Programs Innovation at The Arc, shares insights into the commonality of this situation and the difficulties caregivers encounter, such as planning for the future and navigating limited resources. Tasker emphasizes the importance of self-care for caregivers and the need for difficult conversations about future care plans. She also touches on legal aspects like guardianship and supported decision-making. The article suggests that while some improvements have been seen, accessing resources remains complex and state-dependent. It also points to AARP and The Arc as sources for further information and support for caregivers.

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Special Needs Support Aging Caregiving

Anuradha Sharma is a journalist based in Kolkata, India.

A teacher’s crusade to make sign language the 23rd official language of India

05 Jun 2023  |  www.gaonconnection.com  |  English  |  Special Needs Education

Loknath Chhetri, a teacher at the Niswarth School for Deaf and Mute in the Dooars region of West Bengal, is dedicated to educating deaf and mute children. The school, founded by Harsh Kumar, is the first English-medium institution for the deaf in the area and aims to provide better opportunities for children from tea garden workers' families. Chhetri, who is also an activist, emphasizes the importance of education and sign language for the deaf community. The school faces challenges such as transportation for remote students, but it has made significant strides, including organizing screening camps for disability certificates and offering vocational courses. The article also highlights the broader issues of sign language recognition and the need for educational policies that address the language development of deaf children.

Tags:

Special Needs Education Education for the Deaf Sign Language Recognition Disability Rights