rubella

The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition | The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition. Copyright 2008 Columbia University Press. (Hide copyright information) Copyright

rubella or German measles, acute infectious disease of children and young adults. It is caused by a filterable virus that is spread by droplet spray from the respiratory tract of an infected individual. Rubella is a much milder infection than rubeola (measles) and the rash, appearing after an incubation period of two to three weeks, rarely lasts more than three days. The lymph nodes behind the ears become tender and swollen, but otherwise German measles is almost always uncomplicated. However, during the first trimester of pregnancy it is associated with an increased risk of congenital damage to the fetus, producing stillbirths, abortion, low birth weight, and such malformations as cardiac defects, eye defects (especially cataracts), and mental retardation. During the first 16 weeks of pregnancy the infection has been estimated to carry a risk of fetal damage of between 30% and 35%. Pregnant women who have been exposed to rubella are given gamma globulin in an effort to prevent the disease. Research to develop a vaccine that would confer immunity was spurred by an epidemic of rubella in 1964 and the evidently related rise in the number of birth deformities. A live attenuated vaccine has been developed and is given to girls from 15 months to puberty and often to boys as well. Approximately 13% to 15% of women develop acute arthitis from vaccination. Before the vaccine can be administered to an adult woman it must be determined that she is not pregnant, and the test for the presence of rubella antibodies (which would indicate immunity to the disease from previous exposure) is given. Birth control should be practiced for at least three months after receiving the vaccine.

Assistive Technology / Special Education Software for Schools, Kids, and Adults with Special Needs

ISER is now offering this directory of software and assistive technology for special needs kids and adults. We are a new directory and we will categorize the software by type as the directory grows. We will be listing software for people with many learning disabilities, including dyslexia, ADD/ADHD issues, vision problems, auditory problems, as well as other disabilities.
Tips for Parents -- Software for your Special Needs Child
List your special needs software or assistive technology tools and get found by Google!

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AtKidSystems --teaches color recognition, spatial awareness, directional awareness, numbers, and shapes to preschool kids with autism, developmental delays, CP, and motor challenges.
eSpecialNeeds -- a premier provider of therapeutic & special needs toys, software, strollers, learning tools and adaptive equipment for special needs children
Hotels Combined -- Compare accessible hotels from top reservation websites
Rock N Go-- Learn math and school skills through music with Rock N Go software, music and other products
Byonetics-- an "In Home" program proving successful in enhancing speech, behavioral, and occupational therapies for autistic children
SEO / Acorn Information Systems -- search engine optimization for web sites related to special education, special needs, schools, and physical and mental health professionals
Canvastic Desktop Publishing --student focused graphics/text publishing tool for schools. Perfect for Special Needs Students because its capabilities "Grow with the User's" abilities
Chester Creek Technologies -- Computer Keyboards and Mice for Children and Adults with Special Needs
Click'N'Colour -- coloring software promotes fine-motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and a calming sensation
Cognitive Enhancement Systems--COM is a subscription website providing online cognitive enhancement applications for all children ranging from gifted to those with learning disability, attention deficit, processing problems and developmental disability.
Custom Keyboarding Software -- Unique software and typing books for students with Cerebral Palsy, missing fingers, Learning Disabilities, Dyslexia, Visually Impaired, etc. on all grade levels. (Real Human Voice)
Special Education Data Tracking Software-- DDtrac eases the burden of tracking, reporting, and analyzing special education student data
Digital Voice Technologies -- Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) Devices for children with autism, cerebral palsy, developmental delay, and traumatic head injuries
Dynavox Mayer-Johnson -- Augmentive Communications Devices (AAC) for people with Autism, ALS, cerebral palsy, stroke, brain injury and other and other Speech Related Conditions
Equidel Computhera --CompuThera offers a seven-step gradual discrete approach for teaching reading for children with Autism, ADHD, Down Syndrome, and others who are visual learners.
Google Local Listings Help, from AIS to develop Google Local, Yahoo! and Bing Local listings inexpensively
Handwriting Problem Solutions, LLC --resource guide for Handwriting Solutions -- Equipment, Teaching Strategies and Educatioal Resource Recommendations for Kids with Writing Disabilities. Consultation also available

Ghotit On-line Free Spell Checker -- free access on-line context iterative spell checker for people with dyslexia or dysgraphia, or who are not native-English speakers
Innovative Speech Therapy -- helps you maximize speech therapy outcomes with the help of assistive technology and family coaching
Intellitools --IntelliTools, Inc., a pioneer in learning solutions for preK-8 classrooms and homes, producing software and adaptive hardware products for kids with learning challenges
K12 Curriculum--America's largest online education provider for grades K-12 with individualized programs
Laureate Learning Systems --specially designed for individuals with Autism, Language-Learning Disabilities, Developmental Disabilities, Physical Impairments, Traumatic Head Injury, and Aphasia.
Mobile Thinking® --mTrial® is a software program that parents of autistic children, agencies, clinics, and consultants can use to record and report discrete trial, cold probe, and verbal behavior data.
special education advocate Julie Swanson helps children and teens find the right assistive technology for their disabilities

Murphy & Associates--Comprehensive Evaluations & Instructional Technology Designs for Individuals with disAbilities
N2Reading, Inc. --Dyslexia testing, and a vision training program for children with via the internet that can reduce reading difficulties
Phonics Plus Five--the only reading system that teaches your child ALL SIX skills needed for reading success. Great for kids with dyslexia and ADD
Practice Effective Guidance Strategies (PEGS) --Software to help teachers and homeschooling parents with effective teaching strategies
Proportional Reading -- Reading Skills Remediation Software and Tutoring Help For Special Needs (LD, ADD/ADHD, Low Vision, ESL, S/L, Trauma, Anxiety). Free initial consult and help.
PST Educational Consultants --CDs for kids, parents, professionals involved with neurocognitive disorders (learning disabilities, attention deficit disorder, closed head injury, etc.)
SpellingCity.com -- free award-winning online spelling and vocabulary program
SEAS Special Education Automation Software--SEAS is a proven web-based, special education data management system designed to ease the constantly changing demands of state and federal regulations
Smart Tutor --An Effective Online Supplemental Reading and Math Software Program for Children with Special Needs

TEXTHELP Software --Accessibility software, dyslexia software and text to speech software
Time 4 Learning --Student-Paced Online Learning for Special Needs education, Preschool through 8th Grade
The Total Transformation® Program-- A guided training program to help parents manage challenging behaviors in children and teens.

Herman & Associates--southern California psychological corporation provides evaluation and sessions to try out specialized computer programs that may help circumvent specific learning disabilities such as dyslexia (reading problems) and dysgraphia (writing disorder)

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Disclaimer: Bright Media provides this information in an effort to aid parents in finding special education software to help their children. Bright Media does not recommend or endorse any product. These decisions are for parents to make. Please do your research carefully.

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Sensory Integration Disorder and Social Skills

In this interview, Lindsey Biel and Nancy Peske the authors of Raising a Sensory Smart Child, discuss social skills you can teach your child with sensory integration disorder.
*From www.childrensdisabilities.info

How can parents of children with sensory integration disorder help their children with social skills?

The first thing a parent can do for a child with sensory integration disorder and social skills issues is to acquire sensory smarts. Life is a sensory event, and there will often be times when the sensory input we take for granted will greatly affect their child's social skills and social behavior. Respect your child's sensory integration needs and teach him how he can meet his sensory needs in a acceptable, safe manner in social settings.
The second most important thing a parent can do is teach your child sensory smarts. Kids need to know that they have to be a little creative and find ways to meet their sensory integration needs without breaking the important rules of social interaction. A child with a strong sense of self can much better navigate social settings.

Why are social skills important for children with sensory integration disorder?

Social skills rules are an important subject to discuss with your child, as they will face many sensory integration challenges in social settings. For example in a social setting, if he needs to stimulate his mouth before eating, is it okay for him to stuff paper napkins in it? Is it okay when he's four, but not when he's eight? Is it okay at home, but not at someone else's house, or in a restaurant? What are the social consequences of his behaviors? If his friends are going to ridicule him, are they friends he wants to be around? Are there other, more socially acceptable ways to get his needs met?

What social skills can you teach your child with sensory integration disorder?

Social skills you can teach your chid with sensory integration disorder include:

• Teach children to respect their needs, but also the needs of others.
• Encourage them to be creative in finding ways to make social settings more comfortable for themselves without making them less comfortable for others.
• Encourage them to talk to you, and to other important people, about their choices. Maybe your child can explain to grandma why he chose to wear black sweatpants and a nice shirt to a holiday gathering instead of scratchy khakis with seams.
• Help your child feel good about herself by pointing out her wonderful qualities, and explaining that sensory integration issues are simply a physiological challenge she has to deal with.

Use your sensory smarts to encourage your child to engage in sensory diet activities he finds calming and focusing. Doing shuffle races, marching in place, doing chair pushups or pushups against the wall, and carrying heavy objects are all activities that stimulate the joints, providing proprioceptive input that many kids find calming. Let your child wear comfortable clothing, and use earplugs, fidgets, and other devices to help them get calm and focused.

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