diversity – Page 7 – Stepping Stones Center

October 9, 2026· Inclusive Education

New "Trump Accounts" Offer Savings Boost for Families, but Experts Warn of Hidden Risks for Children with Disabilities

Special savings accounts that recently debuted may be a boon for families seeking to build long-term financial security, but policy experts are warning that without careful planning, these new investment vehicles could severely compromise access to critical disability benefits as children transition into adulthood. The newly created Trump Accounts, which officially became available in July,…

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October 9, 2026· Inclusive Education

New Federal Savings Program Poses Hidden Risks to Disability Benefits, Experts Warn

Special savings accounts recently introduced to help families build long-term financial security could inadvertently jeopardize vital government benefits for children with disabilities, policy experts are warning. While the newly established investment vehicles offer a promising start for many households, advocates stress that without meticulous planning and timely intervention, the program could lead to the loss…

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October 9, 2026· Inclusive Education

Researchers and Stakeholders Push for a Standardized Definition of ‘Profound Autism’

The "profound autism" label has gained significant traction in recent years as a descriptive term for individuals situated on the more severe end of the autism spectrum. However, as the terminology becomes more widely used across clinical, research, and policy settings, a concerted effort is now underway to clarify exactly who qualifies for the designation.…

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October 9, 2026· Inclusive Education

Researchers and Advocates Push for a Standard Definition of "Profound Autism" Amid Growing Debate Over the Label

The "profound autism" label has gained significant traction in recent years as a descriptive term for individuals on the more severe end of the spectrum, but a concerted effort is now underway to clarify exactly who qualifies for the designation. As the debate over categorization continues to shape clinical work, federal policy, and advocacy efforts,…

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October 8, 2026· Inclusive Education

New Definition Proposed For ‘Profound Autism’

The term "profound autism" has gained significant traction in recent years as a descriptive label for individuals on the more severe end of the autism spectrum. However, despite its growing usage in clinical, academic, and policy discussions, researchers have often relied on varying criteria when attempting to study this specific population, prompting a fresh effort…

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October 8, 2026· Inclusive Education

Researchers and Advocates Push for a Standardized Definition of "Profound Autism"

The term "profound autism" has gained significant traction in recent years as a way to describe individuals on the more severe end of the neurodevelopmental spectrum, but a fresh effort is now underway to establish a clear, universally accepted consensus on exactly who qualifies for the designation. The label first came to widespread prominence through…

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October 8, 2026· Inclusive Education

Researchers and Advocates Push for Standard Definition of "Profound Autism" Amid Growing Debate

The "profound autism" label has gained significant traction in recent years as a descriptive term for individuals situated on the more severe end of the autism spectrum. However, as the terminology becomes more widely used across healthcare, research, and public policy, a concerted effort is underway to clarify precisely who qualifies for the designation. The…

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October 7, 2026· Inclusive Education

From a Terrifying Traffic Stop to State Legislation: How ‘Mason’s Law’ Aims to Protect Drivers with Autism and Disabilities

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — A routine traffic stop nearly turned fatal on an autumn afternoon not far from a Northland apartment complex. A police officer with a drawn weapon shouted orders for a young man to exit his vehicle, creating a high-stakes encounter fueled by a misunderstanding of neurological differences. Today, that terrifying incident has…

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October 7, 2026· Inclusive Education

How A Cop Drawing His Gun Led To Safeguards For Drivers With Disabilities

Ten months after that terrifying afternoon, Megan Brown still wells with tears when she reflects on the tragedy that might have unfolded. Her son, Mason Ott of Kansas City, North — who was 21 at the time and diagnosed with autism — found himself at the center of a tense police encounter just days before…

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October 7, 2026· Inclusive Education

How A Cop Drawing His Gun Led To Safeguards For Drivers With Disabilities

Ten months after that terrifying afternoon just before Thanksgiving, Megan Brown still feels tears welling in her eyes when she reflects on the absolute tragedy that could have easily unfolded. Her son, Mason Ott of Kansas City, North — who was 21 years old at the time and diagnosed with autism — was simply driving…

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