Don't look to past to treat learning disabilities

In her keynote address at the 44th annual Learning Disabilities Association (LDA) conference in Pittsburgh last week, Naomi Zigmond, a University of Pittsburgh professor of special education, called for "unconventional thinking." According to the Post-Gazette's Feb. 15 article ("Expert Swims Against Trend of Special Ed Students in Mainstream Classes"), Dr. Zigmond asserted that children who have disabilities should be "separated from the general school population and given intensive, relentless instruction."

This idea is not "unconventional thinking." It's old-fashioned, outdated, conventional thinking that conflicts with the law mandating placement in the "least restrictive environment." In the wake of an epidemic of childhood disabilities, where one in six children has a behaviorial or learning problem (according to a CDC report this month), few parents would agree with this option.

The article also quoted a Maine educational consultant's reaction to Dr. Zigmond: "I don't believe plunking learning-disabled kids in a classroom with a teacher who can't meet their needs is beneficial to students. Putting them in a self-contained class with a special ed teacher who's not informed isn't beneficial either."

There are alternatives, however. How about supporting regular classroom teachers with aides and educating them about techniques that respect students' needs? How about returning recess and physical education to every school day to allow kids the movement their nervous systems and brains need to learn? How about reviving a developmentally appropriate curriculum that does not require that kindergartners read and write, and then be labeled "learning disabled" when they can't? How about educating kids and their families about the need for 8-10 hours of sleep and protein for breakfast as foundations for learning?

Today, thousands of children can learn despite disabilities because of new understanding of how the brain develops. I remember in the 1970s, when we knew little about possible causes of learning disabilities, this conference drew over 10,000 attendees. The LDA needs to step into the 21st century and realize that neither parents nor teachers are interested in their old-fashioned ideas.

PATRICIA S. LEMER, M. ED.
Executive Director
Developmental Delay Resources
Squirrel Hill

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Bush lies

In his State of the Union address, President Bush proposed plans for a tax deduction that would allow a greater opportunity for lower income families to afford health insurance. A few sentences later, he added, "States that make basic private health insurance available to all their citizens should receive federal funds to help them provide this coverage to the poor and the sick."

Not even a month after his address, the president's proposed budget includes an overall reduction in State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) funding. Additionally, the budget proposal would limit the eligibility for new SCHIP enrollees to children in families with annual incomes less than 200 percent of the federal poverty level, or about $38,000 for a family of four.

This president is a liar and his deceit is shameful.

MARK BYRNE
Castle Shannon

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Watch out!

It would seem that our elected officials are no longer representing the people of this great nation but rather focusing on the ideals of party affiliation and personal interest. The public theft (state legislators' pay raise) wake-up call was not our first awakening. Our energy alarm sounded years ago. It's inconceivable that our country, with all its technology capabilities and resources, is being held hostage.

Where were our elected officials implementing actions to resolve the energy crisis? When the government spent the Social Security surplus (over a trillion dollars) with no regard for fiscal responsibility or future requirements, not one representative openly declared, "Not on my watch"!

Where were our representatives when our president challenged insurgents to "bring it on" in Iraq? The result of that war: more than 3,000 lives lost, countless injured, over $500 billion spent and international alliances crushed. Will we remember who represented us when we are no longer the most powerful nation in the world, when we become a secondary market or when the Euro replaces the dollar as the international currency standard? Is there still time to refocus attention and our tax dollars to solve our domestic critical issues (health care, education, tax reform, fiscal responsibility, energy, hurricane areas and our borders)?

Should we just shrug our shoulders? Or empower and support those representatives who have openly demonstrated the ability and courage to forgo the politics, and personal interest so they can declare: Not on My Watch!

MARTY KAPLAN
Upper St. Clair

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Idea source

When folks say two heads are better than one, they tend to assume both are heads full of ideas. But this old saying doesn't apply when all the insight, innovation and wisdom are coming out from under only one thinking cap.

Brian O'Neill, who claims that it doesn't matter so much if either city Councilman Bill Peduto or interim Mayor Luke Ravenstahl wins the upcoming mayoral election, does not seem to care that all the great ideas he cites in his Feb. 15 column ("2 Pittsburgh Mayoral Candidates in Search of a Difference") originated from Mr. Peduto's diligent work.

I would like to emphasize to him that, if Mr. Ravenstahl ends up finishing the remaining two years of this term, Pittsburgh will be left to flounder with a man who has not yet presented the city with a promising initiative of his own (although he's attached his name to plenty).

On the other hand, if this election brings Mr. Peduto into the mayor's office, with him he'll bring all his policy expertise and his ability to keep coming up with fresh ideas. The city's future is in the balance, from its financial straits to its aging population to keeping the Penguins here. It matters deeply who wins this election.

Developing creative ideas that will address the challenges our city faces is a mark of sound leadership. Shouldn't we choose the candidate of innovation rather than the one who just copies him?

JONATHAN FOBEAR
South Side

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Copycats OK?

Columnist Brian O'Neill ("2 Pittsburgh Mayoral Candidates in Search of a Difference," Feb. 15) says that it is OK that Mayor Luke Ravenstahl keeps stealing Councilman Bill Peduto's ideas.

How would he like it if he saw his ideas in someone else's column?

CELESTE BEHREND
Oakland

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Mind your manners

In reference to the letters concerning Myron Cope's comments to the Penguins ("Mario, Do the Right Thing," Feb. 7 Midweek Perspectives): I think it was unfortunate that one of the writers chose to address Mr. Cope as a "fossil" ("Days Gone By," Feb. 12). We should certainly include the opinions of the younger members of our community, but this need not be at the expense of other generations.

Statements such as "maybe if the Post-Gazette would stop giving fossils like Mr. Cope a voice and start giving voice to a younger, active generation, your paper would have some meaning" are inappropriate for the discussion. Perhaps the more disappointing issue is that the Post-Gazette would choose to print them.

WAYNE MULLER
Ross

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Gov. Rendell's budget helps mentally disabled people and families

As a parent of a young woman with severe mental disabilities, I would like to personally thank Gov. Ed Rendell for his brave commitment to getting people off the waiting list for mental retardation community-based services ("$27 Million Allotted for Mental Retardation Waiting List," Feb. 12).

The governor's proposed budget, which allots $27 million to provide emergency services for 204 people, will truly change the quality of life for the individuals it will serve. I urge the state Legislature to pass the governor's budget.

My daughter is one of the fortunate few who has been able to obtain home and community-based services that enable her to remain living in the home of her choice. Without these services and support, my daughter, and many like her, would have no day program to attend, no caregivers in the home to assist her with her activities of daily living and no private duty nursing coverage for her many physical problems. Her family would also have no respite and both parents would not be able to work.

After over 10 years of being my daughter's primary caregiver, I was able to return to work solely due to the services and supports offered by these federal and state funds. By supporting the 204 individuals who are in need of emergency services, the governor's proposal also supports the families and friends who support those individuals.

The impact on these families cannot be underestimated. While this is only the beginning, it shows a commitment to people with developmental disabilities and their families that we have not seen in a long time. Thank you, Gov. Rendell.

PAULA LACKORE RULE
Indiana Township