In the early 1980’s, there were important advances in the design and application of interventions for challenging behavior. These advances were driven by research on innovations in approaches for behavior change and shifts in cultural values about the use of aversive and dehumanizing intervention practices with vulnerable populations. The non-aversive technology that emerged in the late 1980’s and early 1990s for addressing the challenging behaviors of individuals with severe disabilities was referred to as positive behavioral support (PBS). This approach included the use of functional assessment, antecedent manipulations, teaching strategies, and changes in reinforcement contingencies with a focus on achieving lifestyle changes as the outcome of intervention.

Occupational therapy (OT) teaches you how to adapt. It can help you perform any kind of task at school, work, or in your home. You’ll learn how to use tools (you may hear them called assistive devices) if you need them.

Unemployment Rate People with disabilities: 8.8% People without disabilities: 3.5%

Early Signs of nonverbal learning disorder

NICHCY is a national information and referral center that provides information on disabilities and disability-related issues for families, educators, and other professionals.

The other components of mental illness listed below are important to consider when looking holistically at your, or another’s, mental health. Knowing these different factors — and how they can contribute to making a mental health condition more severe — can help shape treatment plans. Please note that this list does not, and could never, include everything that connects to mental illness. But we will do our best to continue adding more information.

The NCDDR is operated by SEDL, a private, nonprofit education research, development, and dissemination (RD&D) corporation based in Austin, Texas. The NCDDR partners with organizations such as the Campbell Collaboration and the Cochrane Collaboration to provide training and technical assistance for researchers.

Numbness or weakness in one or more limbs that typically occurs on one side of your body at a time, or your legs and trunk Electric-shock sensations that occur with certain neck movements, especially bending the neck forward (Lhermitte sign) Tremor, lack of coordination or unsteady gait

Frequent falls Difficulty rising from a lying or sitting position Trouble running and jumping Waddling gait Walking on the toes Large calf muscles Muscle pain and stiffness Learning disabilities Delayed growth

Local Education Agency (LEA)

Learning disabilities are disorders that affect the ability to understand or use spoken or written language, do mathematical calculations, coordinate movements, or direct attention. Although learning disabilities occur in very young children, the disorders are usually not recognized until the child reaches school age.

The involvement and progress of the child with a disability in the general curriculum. All related services for which the child qualifies. Appropriate educational accommodations necessary for the child to be successful. The child's present levels of educational performance. Measurable annual goals and objectives for the child's education.

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) ensures that all children with disabilities are entitled to a free appropriate public education to meet their unique needs and prepare them for further education, employment and independent living. Prior to IDEA, over 4 million children with disabilities were denied appropriate access to public education. Many children were denied entry into public school altogether, while others were placed in segregated classrooms, or in regular classrooms without adequate support for their special needs (Katsiyannis, Yell, Bradley, 2001; Martin, Martin, Terman, 1996; U.S. Department of Education, 2010).

"Hard of hearing" refers to a hearing loss where there may be enough residual hearing that an auditory device, such as a hearing aid or FM system, provides adequate assistance to process speech.

Functional behavioral assessment (FBA) is a process schools use to figure out what’s causing challenging behavior.

All qualified persons with disabilities within the jurisdiction of a school district are entitled to a free appropriate public education. The ED Section 504 regulation defines a person with a disability as “any person who: (i) has a physical or mental impairment which substantially limits one or more major life activities, (ii) has a record of such an impairment, or (iii) is regarded as having such an impairment.” 3

   (A) An inability to learn that cannot be explained by intellectual, sensory, or health factors.      (B) An inability to build or maintain satisfactory interpersonal relationships with peers and teachers.      (C) Inappropriate types of behavior or feelings under normal circumstances.      (D) A general pervasive mood of unhappiness or depression.      (E) A tendency to develop physical symptoms or fears associated with personal or school problems.”