Meredith Jaeckel Consulting

04/06/2018

This is so cool!

I loved taking my kids to Sesame Place. I'm so glad that Sesame Place has made it possible for even more children and families to make great memories with their pals from Sesame Street.

Pennsylvania's Sesame Place has become the first theme park in the world designated as a Certified Autism Center (CAC), saying it has committed to special training for workers and assistance for families...

02/27/2018

A new indoor play space, designed for children with Autism and other special needs, has opened in Sterling.

Brother and sister Shraiya, 5, and Kushal, 13, play at We Rock the Spectrum, a sensory-safe gym designed for children with autism, special needs and neurotypical development. [Douglas Graham/Loudoun Now] Biz Education MorningMinute News Sterling Gym Designed with Autism in Mind 2018-02-202018-0...

02/20/2018

Integration Station (IS) is an Arlington County Public School program that offers special education preschool to students ages 2-5. Integration Station is co-located with The Children's School (TCS) at the Reed School site. The Children's School preschool program is intended for students without disabilities. The programs' shared space has provided the opportunity for students with disabilities to integrate with their non-disabled peers for over 20 years.

The Reed School site is going to be redeveloped and turned back into a neighborhood school to address overcrowding in North Arlington. The change will force both IS and TCS to relocate. The County has committed to accommodate the programs together at a new space for 2 years. However, proponents of the model are encouraging parents, parents of former students and community members to reach out to the School Board to ask for a longer-term commitment to co-locate and support these long-beloved APS programs.

Below is a link to School Board contact information.

In writing A copy of all correspondence received is provided to each Board member. Please include full name and e-mail address. Email – [email protected] U.S. Mail – Arlington Education Center, 1426 N. Quincy Street, Arlington, Virginia 22207 Fax – 703-228-7640 By Phone Call 703-228-6015 t...

01/12/2018

This article from the Washington Post contains helpful tips about how to support a child with a learning difference. I agree with the author that it's important to trust your parental instincts. Too often, parents dismiss their concerns because they "aren't experts." Parents are experts on their children. They should not be afraid to push for answers when something doesn't feel right.

Questioning whether a chid has a learning issue or how best to support a child who does, is difficult and can be overwhelming. It can help to have someone in your corner. If you or someone you know could benefit from an experienced educational counselor to answer questions or help you navigate the process, I am available to help.

When to find help and how to support a youngster who is struggling.

11/21/2017

I’m a big fan of the “Cat and Jack” clothing line at Target. I buy their brand for my kids all of the time because of the cute designs and reasonable prices. I had no idea they were made with accessibility in mind.

It’s great to hear they are expanding the line. And props to them for consulting with parents and kids to make sure they are designing products that actually work well.

Target's new "Cat and Jack" adaptive clothes will feature 40 accessible friendly items ranging from pajamas to jackets. Sizes will be available in 2T

11/21/2017

The Smithsonian has announced their 2017 American Ingenuity Award Winners. The awards honor individuals who are transforming American culture. This year, Sesame Street is being honored in the "Social Progress" category for their introduction of Julia, the first Muppet with autism.

A Family Fun Celebration will be held to honor Sesame Street at the National Museum of American History on November 30, 2017. Activities will include story time, a Walkaround with Julia, and making your own Sesame Street inspired character mask.

See the link below for detailed list of activities, and the link to RSVP (the event is free).

Smithsonianmag.com places a Smithsonian lens on the world, looking at the topics and subject matters researched, studied and exhibited by the Smithsonian Institution -- science, history, art, popular culture and innovation -- and chronicling them every day for our diverse readership.

11/16/2017

It was announced in October that the Department of Education withdrew over 70 guidance letters regarding special education. Understandably, this caused a lot of worry on the part of parents in the special needs community. Many parents worried that removing the guidance letters would open the door to schools interpreting IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act) in ways that would limit access to services. The attached article is a useful summary about what the impact may be (thankfully, minimal, as most of the withdrawn letters were out of date and no longer relevant) and what to keep our eyes on going forward.

The U.S. Department of Education recently withdrew 72 special education guidance letters. Get answers to parent FAQs on what it means for special education students.

10/14/2017

Is your child’s school dyslexia-friendly? If it doesn’t seem like it is, this article provides a useful framework for finding places to make improvements.

Students with dyslexia should be able to find the right type of support in the classroom. Do you know what types of schools will help, not hinder, their learning?

10/05/2017

Registration is now open for the first Arlington Dyslexia Conference being held on October 28, 2017. It is free and open to the public, with priority going to Arlington families/staff. You can register for some or all of the sessions. The sessions look interesting and useful. It promises to be a great conference.

October 28, 2017: 9:00am – 3:00pm Kenmore Middle School 200 S. Carlin Springs Road, Arlington, VA 22204 Please save the date for Arlington Public Schools’ first Dyslexia Conference, which will address building knowledge, interventions, accommodations and more! Mark your calendars. Registration will…

09/12/2017

7297 responses to: Where did your child attend school during the 2016-2017 School Year? (Select using the "dropdown" box below.), What was your child's grade level during the 2016-2017 school year? (Select using the "dropdown" box below.), What was your child's age, in years, at the beginning of the...

09/05/2017

07/25/2017

In an era where the pendulum has swung so far in favor of inclusion, this mom's post may strike some as surprising. I agree with her. Inclusion is wonderful for kids who benefit from it. Schools and other public institutions should be finding ways to include children and adults with disabilities in meaningful ways. But children are individuals and their needs vary from child to child. Inclusion, at the exclusion of other options, is hurting, not helping, some members of the special needs community. If we are going to meet the educational, emotional and social needs of all children with disabilities, we need to be creative and not proceed with a one size fits all approach.

Inclusion Sucks. Or, Why My Son with Severe Autism Has Nowhere to Swim this Summer. New on our blog, by Feda Almaliti. http://www.sfautismsociety.org/blog/inclusion-sucks-or-why-my-son-with-severe-autism-has-nowhere-to-swim-this-summer