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FDA Grants ‘Breakthrough Therapy’ Status to Potential Autism Drug – AcceliBEAT Weekly Round Up

February 2, 2018

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Happy February! This week the FDA granted a ‘breakthrough therapy’ designation to the first drug that could improve social interaction and communication for individuals with ASD. Also big news this week, 8,800 teachers whose work permits depend on the DACA program face an uncertain future, as Congress and President Trump decide on the fate of the program in the coming weeks. In other news, a recent report highlights the real reasons special educators leave the classroom, an inclusive physical education class in a MN school district has proven wildly successful, and Target released a new line of clothing for women with disabilities. All this and more in this week’s AcceliBEAT.


fda building and signFDA Grants ‘Breakthrough Therapy’ Status to Potential Autism Drug
A major pharmaceutical company says it has received a designation from the FDA to help expedite what could be the first drug to treat the core symptoms of autism.



hispanic or latina young teacher in classroom dacaNearly 9,000 DACA Teachers Face an Uncertain Future
Of the 690,000 undocumented immigrants now facing an uncertain future as Congress and President Trump wrangle over the DACA program are about 8,800 school teachers.



drawing of teacher who is erased with students on a chalkboardWhy Special Educators Really Leave the Classroom
A 2012 survey of rural school superintendents and special education teachers found a marked disconnect between why administrators thought their teachers were leaving their job and the reasons teachers cited.


hands pointing to paperWe’ve Got to Train Special Education Teachers to Be Leaders as Well as Educators
Is this the lifeline that can keep at-risk students in the system?



down syndrome student with gen ed student hugging and smilingHow Inclusion Became One of the Most Popular Classes at School
Filtering into a final-period physical education class at Wayzata High School in Plymouth, Minn., students put on heart-rate monitors, then mingle quietly until class begins and each finds a partner.



support staff in a dark room

For Low-Wage School Workers, Lessons in Survival
The boy’s mother, Anastasia Kim, said that had it not been for McCall, “I could have a dead child on my hands, quite honestly.”



autistic kid cleaning inside of a car

Program Creates Social Enterprises Supporting Neurodiverse Individuals
“We truly believe that social entrepreneurship is the key to independence, purpose, and fulfillment for people on the autism spectrum.”


target ad with women of color and disabilitiesTarget Adding Clothing for Adults with Special Needs
Target is expanding its clothing options for people with disabilities beyond children with a new collection of jeans and tops in adult sizes.




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