Stories from May 2012
Judge Cancels Debt Due To Asperger’s
In a highly unusual move, a judge has relieved one woman of $340,000 worth of student loan debt. The reason: the court found that her Asperger's diagnosis is preventing her from keeping a job.
Report: Feds Fall Short On Disability Hiring
Nearly two years after the Obama administration committed to making the federal government a model employer of people with disabilities, a new report suggests they have a long way to go.
Merits Of Sensory Processing Disorder Questioned
A major pediatricians' group says doctors should no longer diagnose children with sensory processing disorder and is questioning the value of so-called "sensory integration therapy."
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Disability Rights Treaty Gains Support
In a rare show of bipartisan support, a group of senators said they want the United States to ratify an international convention on the rights of people with disabilities.
To Teach Students With Disabilities, School Turns To Marines
Most students with disabilities will never serve in the military, but a one-of-a-kind program in Maryland is using lessons from the armed forces to help with everyday life.
DSM Committee Takes Heat Over ‘Mental Retardation’ Update
As experts behind a forthcoming update of the DSM look to revise psychiatry's definition of "mental retardation" their efforts are becoming unexpectedly contentious.
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States Struggle To Meet Community Living Goals
A multi-billion dollar federal initiative to move people with disabilities from long-term care facilities into the community has fallen far short of its goals.
Most With Autism Diagnosed Late, Study Finds
Despite advances, a new government survey finds that most kids with autism aren't diagnosed until age 5, meaning that many are missing out on critical years for early intervention.
Kids With Autism Take Cues From Teacher On The Spectrum
All of the kids in Harold Price's pre-kindergarten class have autism. Some say it helps that he does too.
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Arizona Tops 50-State Ranking Of Disability Services
Arizona's Medicaid program provides the best services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, according to a national ranking released Wednesday.
Report: ‘Ashley Treatment’ Violates Disability Rights
A first-of-its-kind report is casting a harsh light on what's believed to be a growing practice of parents utilizing controversial medical treatments to physically alter people with disabilities.
In Twist, Some Disability Activists Get Reprieve
In somewhat of an about-face, prosecutors backed off a requirement that all 74 disability activists arrested at a Capitol Hill protest last month appear in court.