McGowan Special Education Advocacy Group

We're partnering with M·E·L Research to explore the experiences of dyslexic young people aged 13-18.

We’re looking for:
Dyslexic teens aged 13-17 and a parent to complete the survey together
Dyslexic 18-year-olds to complete it alone

To help us provide better support, resources, and opportunities tailored to their needs. Your voice can make a real difference! Take part here: https://bit.ly/4lzjit9

Professionals often miss or misdiagnose Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD). FASD is now considered the most prevalent developmental disability in the United States, affecting an estimated 1 in 20 school-aged children (May et al., 2018)—a rate significantly higher than that of Autism Spectrum Disorder (CDC, 2023). Despite this, most medical and behavioral health professionals receive little to no formal training on FASD. As a result, children with FASD are frequently diagnosed with conditions providers are more familiar with, such as ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD), or others. FASD shares overlapping symptoms with many of these conditions, including attention problems, emotional dysregulation, social difficulties, and learning challenges. When a person carries multiple diagnoses—sometimes referred to as an "alphabet soup" of labels—it should raise a red flag that prenatal alcohol exposure may be the underlying cause.

Why do I need a diagnosis?
https://www.fasdnetworknortherncalifornia.org/why-diagnose

'Love On The Spectrum' Moms Start Podcast In response to the countless messages they've received from viewers, two mothers are collaborating on a podcast to answer questions and share stories about raising children with autism and more.

Welcoming our first featured artist to our Main Office training room: Peter! 🎨

To help brighten the space for new and current staff, we’re featuring artists served by the Regional Center and Peter’s work is the perfect place to start.

As a young child, Peter loved the scents and textures of crayons and markers. One day, he was given a paint by number canvas and from that point on, he showed excitement with each new canvas presented to him. He's loved painting ever since and delights in finding new canvasses online. At the first art fair he ever attended, all of his paintings were purchased! His style has been called prolific, cubist and kinetic.

Peter has been a client of the Regional Center system since he was three years old. Today, Peter is in his fourth year of the Self-Determination Program where he is able to express himself through art and music classes. This Regional Center opened the door for hope, for both Peter and his family.

Currently, Peter's vibrant art can be seen at Studio ACE, TERI Campus of Life, and Play My Way .

Follow Peter on Instagram:

People with developmental and intellectual disabilities have had to fight to be seen as the rightful owners of their own lives, their own space. When you enter someone’s home as a support worker, you’re not clocking into your environment, you’re walking into theirs. That’s sacred.

It’s not about being polite, it’s about being person-centred in the deepest way. Shoes off if they ask. Quiet if they need it. Ask before moving things. Listen before doing. It’s their home, their rules, their life.

Dignity doesn’t need a policy. It needs practice.

ID: Image shows a man sitting on a chair. Words read I do not live in your workplace you work in my home.

"When I was a kid, I was resigned to a life where math was my strength and socializing was my weakness, having to accept that the world saw me differently and would treat me as such."

Austin James Wolff is an autistic self-advocate and filmmaker. To learn more about him and his film, we invite you to read his inspirational blog. Click here to learn more:
https://okt.to/EXdTpy

Jamie Oliver: ‘They called me a stupid dunce’ The chef, who has just turned 50, always struggled at school and with the ‘grown-up’ side of business. After being diagnosed with dyslexia earlier this year, he now knows why

Supreme Court Decision Lets Students Sue Schools More Easily for Disability Bias

Kids aren’t meant to sit still all day—and neither are their minds!

More unstructured outdoor play isn’t just fun—it helps them reset, recharge, and come back calmer and more focused.

Let them move. Let them explore. Let nature do its work. 🌳🛝

Shifting public perceptions one paddle at a time! We’re so proud of #TeamNDSS who took home the bronze medal at the biggest and oldest Dragon Boat Festival in the nation! 🚣 Thank you to our paddlers, cheer squad, and sponsors for such an incredible experience!