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"LEADER" On-line: Vol. 7, No. 2 |
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| Video Producer Grace Hanlon Focuses Her Camera on Special-Needs Children |
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| Working with parents of her special-needs students, educator Grace Hanlon was struck by the stress and heartbroken feelings they expressed upon learning that they had a child with a disability. "Often parents just go numb and they are paralyzed by fear," she says. "It is just heart-wrenching. Your brain shuts down because your heart is overwhelmed." It is just at this crucial time—when parents are reeling from emotions and are not aware of their child's rights—that they must begin to play a vital role in advocating for their child. |
 Video producer Grace M. Hanlon, M.S.Ed. |
| Empathetic and energetic, Hanlon has always been drawn to the needs of special-needs children. A college internship at PBS allowed her to research methods of integrating special-needs children into "Sesame Street" program segments featuring Big Bird and friends. Then, after earning a master's degree in special education from the University of Pennsylvania, she was hired to open the first public school for autistic children in New Jersey. Four years later Hanlon left the classroom to spend time with her own children and to present parent advocacy workshops. In 1996 she started Edvantage Media to produce a video to help parents get the right services for their child as soon as possible after diagnosis. "I wanted to take the mystery out of the system so that children would not lose precious years of development because their parents were not informed about their rights." The first video, "The 3Rs for Special Education: Rights, Resources, Results" was soon followed by "A New Idea for Special Education" to help parents and educators understand changes to the Individuals with Disabilities in Education Act (IDEA). Next in the series was "Successfully Parenting Your Baby with Special Needs" followed by "A+ Guide to Transitions from High School to College for Special Education." |
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 Actor Anthony Edwards, host of "Autism & the New Law" |
With national recognition behind her, Hanlon was approached by Cure Autism Now to produce a video about components of The 2000 Advancement of Pediatric Autism Research Act. This video, "Autism & the New Law: Resources for Treatment, Hope for a Cure," features researchers discussing the latest autism research and revolutionary treatments and services, as well as parents talking about their hopes and aspirations for their autistic children. It is narrated by actor Anthony Edwards, of TV's "ER," who is an active board member of Cure Autism Now. |
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Currently, Hanlon is working on "Successfully Parenting Your Pre-Schooler with Special Needs," to give parents nuts and bolts knowledge about the Preschool Handicap Program. Knowing that she is helping thousands of special-needs children live happier, more productive lives, motivates Hanlon to keep looking for new video projects. She is also helping to train the next generation of special-education teachers as well—her videos are now included as a companion to Exceptional Children, the leading special education textbook. by Diana King Related links: |
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Reprinted from Leader magazine. |
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