Feb 14, 2019, Willoughby (OH) News Herald: Riverside High School hosts Valentine's Day dance for special education students https://www.news-herald.com/online_features/community_cares/riverside-high-school-hosts-valentine-s-day-dance-for-special/article_d2622db0-3086-11e9-89de-83fdf2fc8bb6.html Riverside High School turned up the volume and opened up the dance floor for a Valentine’s Day dance which placed its spotlight on their special education students. Organized by Riverside’s special education unit, the Feb. 14 dance which seeks to celebrate the uniqueness inherent in everybody, now enjoys over 10 years of tradition at the school…. Students with autism were afforded considerations that would be overlooked at typical dance events, including noise-cancelling headphones which allowed the festivities to remain enjoyable without risk of it becoming overwhelming. Multiple staff members were on hand, not only serving as chaperones, but to head off any potential sensory overload that students might experience. Attentive Riverside staff were able to take affected students aside and offer quiet one-on-one time along the bleachers until they’re ready to jump back onto the dance floor for the next song. …

Childhood Lost
Children today are noticeably different from previous generations, and the proof is in the news coverage we see every day. This site shows you what’s happening in schools around the world. Children are increasingly disabled and chronically ill, and the education system has to accommodate them. Things we've long associated with autism, like sensory issues, repetitive behaviors, anxiety and lack of social skills, are now problems affecting mainstream students. Blame is predictably placed on bad parenting (otherwise known as trauma from home).
Addressing mental health needs is as important as academics for modern educators. This is an unrecognized disaster. The stories here are about children who can’t learn or behave like children have always been expected to. What childhood has become is a chilling portent for the future of mankind.