The Definition of Autism – How Will Possible Changes Affect Special Education Services?

There has been much talk about the potential changes to the Autism Diagnosis in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) when the updated, fifth version is published (the projected date of publication is May of 2013). One of the expected changes is to combine several disorders including, Autism,Asperger’s Syndrome and Pervasive Developmental Disorder-Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS) into one category called Autism Spectrum Disorder. Although this change concerns some people, most people in the fields of medicine, community services and education already lump these diagnoses together.The major concern is over the potential changes to the specific criteria that people will have to meet to receive the official diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder. In the current manual, a person can qualify for the diagnosis by exhibiting six or more of 12 specified behaviors. The proposed changes to the criteria narrow the field; a person would have to exhibit three or more deficits in social interaction and communication and exhibit at least two repetitive behaviors. The fear is that this will leave out a large group of people who are considered high functioning (including a huge portion of children with the current diagnosis of Asperger’s Syndrome and PDD-NOS). Currently, scientific, trial testing of the new criteria is under way and this data will be used to make final recommendations.Although changes to the diagnosis will likely affect service delivery in the medical field and the community services field they are not projected to make significant changes in the education field because qualification for special education is not based on a particular diagnosis but on educational needs. Currently the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) defines the educational category of Autism as “a developmental disability significantly affecting verbal and nonverbal communication and social interaction, generally evident before age three, that adversely affects a child’s educational performance. Other characteristics often associated with autism are engagement in repetitive activities and stereotyped movements, resistance to environmental change or change in daily routines, and unusual responses to sensory experiences.” Each state has their own interpretation of this law so it is worthwhile to search for your state’s educational definition of Autism.Some people fear that a change to the official DSM diagnosis will give school districts a way to stop or decrease services for certain students who currently qualify for services. If schools attempt to do this, many experts believe that children who are on the higher functioning end of the Autism spectrum may still qualify for special education under the category of Other Health Impaired. It is also important to note that a school district cannot discontinue providing a service such as Speech Therapy or Occupational Therapy unless the child exhibits significant improvement and there is no longer a need for remediation in that area.

S&P 500 Rallies As U.S. Dollar Pulls Back Towards Weekly Lows

Key Insights
The strong pullback in the U.S. dollar provided significant support to stocks.
Treasury yields have pulled back after touching new highs, which served as an additional positive catalyst for S&P 500.
A move above 3730 will push S&P 500 towards the resistance level at 3760.
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Pfizer Rallies After Announcing A Huge Price Hike For Its COVID-19 Vaccines
S&P 500 is currently trying to settle above 3730 as traders’ appetite for risk is growing. The U.S. dollar has recently gained strong downside momentum as the BoJ intervened to stop the rally in USD/JPY. Weaker U.S. dollar is bullish for stocks as it increases profits of multinational companies and makes U.S. equities cheaper for foreign investors.

The leading oil services company Schlumberger is up by 9% after beating analyst estimates on both earnings and revenue. Schlumberger’s peers Baker Hughes and Halliburton have also enjoyed strong support today.

Vaccine makers Pfizer and Moderna gained strong upside momentum after Pfizer announced that it will raise the price of its coronavirus vaccine to $110 – $130 per shot.

Biggest losers today include Verizon and Twitter. Verizon is down by 5% despite beating analyst estimates on both earnings and revenue. Subscriber numbers missed estimates, and traders pushed the stock to multi-year lows.

Twitter stock moved towards the $50 level as the U.S. may conduct a security review of Musk’s purchase of the company.

From a big picture point of view, today’s rebound is broad, and most market segments are moving higher. Treasury yields have started to move lower after testing new highs, providing additional support to S&P 500. It looks that some traders are ready to bet that Fed will be less hawkish than previously expected.

S&P 500 Tests Resistance At 3730

S&P 500 has recently managed to get above the 20 EMA and is trying to settle above the resistance at 3730. RSI is in the moderate territory, and there is plenty of room to gain additional upside momentum in case the right catalysts emerge.

If S&P 500 manages to settle above 3730, it will head towards the next resistance level at 3760. A successful test of this level will push S&P 500 towards the next resistance at October highs at 3805. The 50 EMA is located in the nearby, so S&P 500 will likely face strong resistance above the 3800 level.

On the support side, the previous resistance at 3700 will likely serve as the first support level for S&P 500. In case S&P 500 declines below this level, it will move towards the next support level at 3675. A move below 3675 will push S&P 500 towards the support at 3640.

Skin Care Cream – Should You Go Natural?

Your skin is perhaps a part of yourself that you often take for granted. We forget, that with the amount of pollution, UV rays, dirt and dust the skin is exposed to everyday, in order to have beautiful skin, one has to take proper care of it. With the availability of skin care cream products, looking after your skin has become much easier.A skin care moisturizer cream is more than just any moisturizer. Although it does increase the level of moisture of your skin, it will also help to maintain and control the amount of sebum exuded from the sebaceous glands of the skin. Using a skin care moisturizer cream makes skin soft and supple and diminishes the signs of aging.Be very careful while choosing a skin care cream. You must, at first find out what your skin type is and then select a cream that goes best with it. Keep in mind that skin is an absorbent and much of what you apply to your skin gets into your bloodstream.Unfortunately too many people opt for chemical based skin care products which are harmful to your skin. No matter how attractive the sound of a chemical based skin care cream is, avoid purchasing it. They contain toxics and often include ingredients originating from petroleum which are carcinogenic and should be avoided.The wrong choice of skin care cream, more so those with sweet scent and appealing color can give you allergies. Do not get tempted into buying products which have artificial colors in them. There is no restriction as to what a manufacturer can add to a skin care cream or moisturizer but you as the consumer must be more cautious.In order to have beautiful skin, you must also lead a healthy life. Cut down and if possible quit smoking and drinking. Eat healthy and drink plenty of water. Try not to expose your skin to excessive sun light because it tends to age your skin faster and is a major cause of skin cancer.Use a natural skin care cream and you will start noticing a marked difference in your skin. A good skin care moisturizer cream will also reduce fine facial lines and wrinkles. These creams generally contain herbal extracts and essential oils to give you the best possible results. Remember that not only should a skin care cream diminish signs of aging, but also heal and nourish your skin. Skin care cream should rejuvenate your skin, generate new skin cells, cleanse pores, maintain the pH level, improve texture and suppleness while making sure that age spots, wrinkles and fine lines are reduced considerably.Taking care of your skin is not as simple as you think it is. But this guide line should help you to take care of your skin better. The first thing to keep in mind is to know your skin well enough before you buy any skin care cream!