Category Archives: Uncategorized

Combating Obesity in Children with Special Needs

Obesity is a global issue. I was fascinated yet disappointed as I read some of the findings from the 31st European Congress on Obesity.  Highlights included:   There are several contributing factors to obesity in children with special needs. Some of the … Continue reading

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Parent Autism Support Group Offers Resources, Hope for Families

Parents of children with a diagnosis of autism can find themselves with a myriad of questions and may feel overwhelmed as they work to find the appropriate treatment and care for their children. It’s easy to have uncertainty about the … Continue reading

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Can Autism Be Reversed with Diet and Lifestyle Changes?  

Recently, I was dismayed when I read an article that made claims that environmental and lifestyle factors are a key contributor to the rise in autism in recent years. The article, which was written by someone in the field of … Continue reading

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Data Supports Special Education Enrollment Has Reached All-Time High

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) ensures students throughout the country are provided with free appropriate public education. Recent data suggests that 15%, or 7.5 million, children ages 3 to 21 are receiving services under IDEA.  During the 2012-13 … Continue reading

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The Growing Landscape of AI in Education and Its Potential  

It’s hard to go a day without noticing information in the news and online about the advances in technology and artificial intelligence (AI) tools. Educators are one group who are benefiting from AI and its seemingly endless array of features. I’d … Continue reading

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PNC Grow Up Great’s Impact & The Changing Dynamics of Early Childhood Education

PNC Grow Up Great is a $500 million initiative through the PNC Foundation to strengthen early childhood education programming for children birth to five years.  To celebrate its 20th year, it is providing $10.5 million in grants to create outdoor … Continue reading

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Retention Strategies in Special Education Are Key to Long-Term Success

Although we have just completed the 2023-24 school year, we are already planning for the 2024-24 school year. Recruitment is certainly a major focus area. We know that there are significant shortages in the high demand fields of special education … Continue reading

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Celebrating the Class of 2024 

This week has been a celebration of our graduates who have made tremendous strides leading up this this monumental moment. We have two ceremonies, one for our Early Childhood (PreK Counts and Happy Hearts) graduates (33 students) and one for our … Continue reading

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Message of Prosperity, Promise from PA Secretary Valerie Arkoosh  

The Barber National Institute had the distinct pleasure of welcoming Dr. Valerie Arkoosh, Pennsylvania’s Secretary of Human Services, along with other elected officials across the Commonwealth, yesterday for a day of productive conversations surrounding the future of services for adults … Continue reading

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Eunie’s Buddies: Pioneering Support for Families

The Today Show had Anthony Shriver, the founder of Best Buddies, on to discuss Eunie’s Buddies, a pioneering initiative within the Best Buddies Family Support. Watch the Today Show segment. Some of you may remember that Dr. Gertrude Barber worked … Continue reading

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