Sue Buswell is one of nine registered nurses who work for the Helena School District and was recently named the Montana School Nurse of the Year by the Montana Association of School Nurses.

Buswell describes her job as a provider of seamless transitions for students with acute and chronic health conditions into the school setting. She coordinates a team approach that includes family, school personnel, health care providers and the community.

NEW YORK, NY (March 18, 2010) – Autism Speaks, the nation's largest autism science and advocacy organization, today announced the launch of Version 2.0 of the 100 Day Kit, a personalized resource designed to assist families in getting through the critical time following an autism diagnosis. It has also created a separate Asperger Syndrome and High Functioning Autism Tool Kit.

AG Bell recognizes that young families with a child who is deaf have extra financial pressures. We are pleased to offer the Family Scholarship Program for deserving families who have never attended an AG Bell Convention to access information and network with other families.

The Alexander Graham Bell Association for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (AG Bell) offers financial awards for students, ages 6 to 19, to participate in after school, weekend or summer programs focused on developing skills in the arts or sciences. Programs can be offered through museums, nature centers, art or music centers, zoological parks, space and science camps, dance and theater studios, martial arts studios or any other program with a focus on the arts or sciences.

The Alexander Graham Bell Association for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (AG Bell) School-Age Financial Aid program is for students ages 6 to 21 years who are registered or currently enrolled in a parochial, independent or private school in a mainstream setting. Awards can be used to reduce educational costs such as tuition, room and board, books, equipment, auditory and speech language support services, academic tutoring, transportation, and other school-related expenses. This award is not applicable for students who are being homeschooled, or those who attend public school, or are in college.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today announced the approval of the Esteem – an implanted hearing system used to treat moderate to severe sensorineural hearing loss, a type of permanent hearing loss. Sensorineural hearing loss is usually caused by genetic factors or damage to the inner ear resulting from noise, viral infections, or aging. The results are reductions in perception of sounds and in the ability to understand speech.

The National Institutes of Health announced today that it is creating a public database that researchers, consumers, health care providers, and others can search for information submitted voluntarily by genetic test providers. The Genetic Testing Registry (GTR) aims to enhance access to information about the availability, validity, and usefulness of genetic tests.

Childhood diseases once mostly eradicated are making a comeback. And children are dying.

The doctor who launched the modern anti-vaccine movement acted "dishonestly and irresponsibly," Britain's General Medical Council has ruled. But fear not. Dr. Andrew Wakefield is still a hero to his many acolytes. And others, with curious credentials, fight on to terrify parents into not getting their children inoculated.

In a move that has been eagerly anticipated by the disability community, the Federal Communications Commission on Tuesday submitted its National Broadband Plan to Congress. The 360-page plan, which lays out a vision for high-speed broadband that’s both affordable and accessible, has wide implications for American with disabilities.

WHYY's Health and Science desk reports on the latest research, studies, and resources for families affected by this developmental disorder.

Cerebral palsy limits Hans Smith’s control of his arms and legs, but thanks to a video game, Smith is living out his dream of playing baseball for the St. Louis Cardinals. Last year Smith wrote to the creators of “MLB: The Show,” a PlayStation game which allows players to simulate the path of a professional baseball player as they work through the minor leagues and into the majors. In the letter, he thanked the creators for giving him an opportunity to participate in the sport he loves.

The Obama administration's blueprint to overhaul the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) will support state and local efforts to help ensure that all students graduate prepared for college and a career. Following the lead of the nation's governors and state education leaders, the plan will ask states to ensure that their academic standards prepare students to succeed in college and the workplace, and to create accountability systems that recognize student growth and school progress toward meeting that goal. This will be a key priority in the reform of NCLB, which was signed into law in 2002 and is the most recent reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA).

ANACONDA - Of all the artwork and posters that decorate Fred Moodry Middle School's main hall, one blue flag hangs just a little higher than the rest. Like most flags, it is a uniting symbol to those who helped raise it. It honors progress, achievement and teamwork, with bold white words that say it all: Distinguished School. The National Title I Association recently honored Fred Moodry as one of its distinguished schools for 2009. Only two schools from Montana received the award, joining 63 nationwide.

Change.  Finding common ground.  These are hallmarks of this Administration.  And today, we move one step closer to full access to books and materials for millions of Americans with print and other disabilities.  While much work remains to be done, the community of stakeholders has taken a noteworthy and important step forward. The Reading Rights Coalition, the Authors Guild, and the Association of American Publishers have issued a joint statement stating “that the contents of books should be as accessible to individuals with print disabilities as they are to everyone else.”  They further agreed to work together to reach this desired goal.

The Neuro Networking Club at The University of Montana will host Spring Hullabaloo 2, an autism awareness event, from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Saturday, April 3, in the University Center Ballroom.

The event, which is free and open to the public, will feature fun activities for all ages, including a performance by a UM mime troupe and appearances by PLUK the chicken and UM mascot Monte. Local organizations, including PLAY (Play and Language for Autistic Youngsters), PLUK (Parents Let’s Unite for Kids) and the Child Development Center, will provide information and resources on autism.

The Obama administration on Saturday called for a broad overhaul of President George W. Bush’s No Child Left Behind law, proposing to reshape divisive provisions that encouraged instructors to teach to tests, narrowed the curriculum, and labeled one in three American schools as failing.

As these latest cases illustrated, there's no doubt that autism and autism spectrum disorders place a heavy burden on many families.  We know that autism and related disorders are conditions that present many special challenges to all families touched by these disorders.  That is why the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services provides services to families with family members with autism spectrum disorder and continues to support research to better understand risk factors and causes of autism spectrum disorders and develop more effective methods of treatment.  

Despite a growing interest in comparative effectiveness research, little medical study is being done to improve this aspect of patient care

The $250-dollar scholarship will be given out for the Fall semester to a Montana resident majoring in education with at least a 3.0 grade point average. Anyone wanting to support the cause can send tax-deductible donations to the "Merry Jane Trewhella Memorial Scholarship Endowment" to the MSU Billings Foundation, 1500 University Drive, Billings, MT 59101.