Special Child: For parents of special needs children, finding out the “why” behind the behavior isn’t always clear-cut and easily definable. Professor and researcher V. Mark Durand addresses this challenge, along with a host of others, in his new book, “Optimistic Parenting: Hope and Help for You and Your Challenging Child.” Comment.

Special Child: More and more families are turning to the gluten- and casein-free diets to help with autism spectrum disorders and a host of other diseases and disorders. Here’s a cheat sheet to make it easier to omit these foods. Comment.

Special Child: Positive behavior support is becoming common practice in schools across the nation and has been successful in improving students’ social and academic performance. Unfortunately, parents are often unaware of how positive behavior support is being used and how they can take an active role in their children’s schools. This article describes this model and how parents can partner with educators to help students. Comment.

Special Child: How to help your ADD or ADHD affected child without medication. Comment.

Letter from the Publisher: This month, we are toasting the fifth anniversary of a special publication: Special Child! Comment.

Letter from the Publisher: Having a child under ideal circumstances (is there anyone who does?) paints a picture that is rosy, easy and carefree; where everyone loves each other all the time, no one ever quarrels or bickers, no one is ever cranky, bossy, or in a bad mood; there is all the money, time and patience one needs, and perfection is a daily given. Comment.

Special Child: When your kid feels like a loser, help him cultivate a winning attitude Comments (1).

Special Child: Author advocates effectively incorporating social and communication skills intstruction in special education classes. Comment.

Special Child: Coach shares joys of team sports with special needs adults Comments (3).

Special Child: Regular exercise should be a part of every educational and therapeutic curriculum for youngsters on the autism spectrum, but vigorous physical play is often missing from their daily routine. The hurdles on the way to that goal have to do with the current, myth-riddled state of physical education, fitness, and physical culture in the U.S. Comment.

Special Child: Six key questions to ask when hiring a special education attorney Comment.

Special Child: Proposed law to help educators of at-risk students Comment.