From the Daily Utah Chronicle (University of Utah’s independent student publication):

In a recent lecture at the University of Utah, Emory professor Rosemarie Garland-Thomson challenged her audience to decode public images of disability and analyze the cultural messages embedded within them. Her remarks were part of the university’s first annual Disability Studies Forum.

Among the images Garland-Thomson displayed were photographs of conjoined twin slaves, a paraplegic Playboy model, a Barbie doll that uses a wheelchair, and contemporary portraiture. She discussed how different techniques, such as posing in a different way, could give the subject of the portrait dignity, value and recognition.

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From the Boston Globe:

Asians make up 9 percent of students in Boston schools, but only 3 percent of those enrolled in special education, a disparity that has led to fears that many are not getting the help they need.

Even parents with children in special-education programs face cultural and language barriers to getting proper attention for students. Many families are hesitant to ask for help because of a cultural stigma of having children with disabilities. Some are reluctant to challenge school authorities, and others simply don’t know where to turn.

… “Chinese people are a little ashamed to let others know they have a child with special needs at home,” said Zhong Ruan, who reaches out to Chinese families on behalf of the Federation for Children with Special Needs …

From the [UK] Independent, CNN, International Herald Tribune, [UK] Times:

A 77-year-old man was in custody after walking into a hospital and shooting dead his 82-year-old wife, who had been suffering from Alzheimer’s disease for 12 years.

Vitangeolo Bini, a retired policeman from Florence, raised no suspicions when he came into the ward. His wife, Mara Bini, had been admitted a few days before; Mr Bini had, for years, borne most of the burden of looking after her.
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The state of New Jersey has ordered 21 school disctricts to explain why they have placed a disproportionately high number of minority children in special education classes. Advocates have blamed the problem, which is part of a national trend, on cultural biases.

The districts are being required to divert $8.7 million of their special education funds to help kids on the edge stay in regular classes.

Here’s an article in The American Muslim with tips for families on how to regard children with autism.

Unfortunately, the Muslim community is largely unaware of the existence of special-needs children. It is imperative that the families of children who are on the autism spectrum educate the community about autism and related developmental disabilities.