What's happening out there: news to know, stuff to make you smile

A not-too-random roundup of news that'll help you or your child, make you think or just make you smile.

The above Minneola, Florida moms celebrated back to school. "Some of you are sad," Shawna Genua posted on Facebook. "We will be juuuuuuust fine." Can you relate? Yep. #ByeFelicia (Photo from Shawna Genua.)

The U.S. Labor Department has issued an opinion letter stating that parents and guardians can take family/medical leave intermittently to attend IEP meetings. In other IEP news, this Oklahoma mom—who struggled to get her high-school son an updated IEP—resorted to a little-known federal law and filed a complaint directly to the state, skipping mediation and the whole due-process thing.

Some so-called people have been peddling a product known as Miracle or Master Mineral Solution, among other names, as a treatment for autism, reports Disability Scoop—but when combined with citric acid, as recommended, it becomes dangerous.

Check out this great piece by Greta Harrison on why teachers need to become advocates for children with disabilities.

The Philadelphia eagles opened a sensory room for fans with autism at their home stadium, Lincoln Financial Field—one of the first sports franchises to do this. The 500-square-foot room has noise-cancelling headphones, fidget tools, verbal cue cards and weighted lap pads.

Photo: Philadelphia Eagles

Nashville author Jeremy Scott has created a series, The Ables, in which the characters all have super powers and disabilities.

"Did you know that Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA 2004) requires IEP teams to consider the assistive technology (AT) needs of all students with disabilities?" posted Education Team Allies. They shared this great graphic from NC's Parent Center.

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ICYMI: A girl in a wheelchair spots a model in a wheelchair—the story behind the viral photo.

Oh, and Japanese artist Ryo Yamakazi makes hats for cats out of their own shed hair.

Photo: Ryo Yamakazi