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January
Extreme Prejudice
Dr. Phil did a show on Asperger syndrome and Tourette syndrome entitled "Extreme Disorders," prompting responses like this one from advocates who felt the coverage was misinformed and misleading.
Truth in Packaging
FDA regulations took effect that required allergens to be listed on food packaging -- although only eight allergens: milk, egg, peanuts, tree nuts (to be specifically listed by type of nut), fish (to be specifically listed by type of fish), shellfish (to be specifically listed by type of shellfish), soy and wheat.
Another Memoirist Bites the Dust
Though it didn't draw as much media attention as James Frey's memoir meltdown, the revelation that Nasdijj was neither a Navajo nor an adoptive father shook those who had been movied by his FASD memoir The Blood Runs Like a River Through My Dreams.
February
The Wheel Deal
Murderball, an R-rated documentary about wheelchair rugby players, made the cut to become one of the final five nominees for a Best Documentary Oscar, though it ultimately lost to some film about penguins.
Hoop Dreams
Jason McElwain, a high school senior with autism, scored 20 points for his school in a varsity basketball game, prompting a much-Googled news report, an ESPN award, a visit with the president,movie offers, and even his own bobblehead doll.
Doctors vs. Families, Part 1
The saga of Baby Charlotte continued with doctors once again winning the right from the courts to discontinue "futile care" if the now-two-year-old took a turn for the worse. The girl ultimately survived well enough to be sent home from the hospital, but by then her parents had split up and she had nowhere to go.
March
McDreamy's Dyslexic
Patrick Dempsey, who potrays Dr. Derek Shepherd on Grey's Anatomy, talked about his experience with dyslexia in a Barbara Walters interview.
Kissing Not Fatal After All
A Canadian coroner confirmed that a girl with peanut allergies was not in fact killed by a kiss from her boyfriend, who had eaten peanut butter -- despite numerous news reports and blog discussions saying that she was.
Super Sized Insensitivity
Morgan Spurlock, the documentarian behind the film Super Size Me, caused a stir when, while giving a speech for students at a Philadelphia high school, he made a reference to the "retarded kids in the back wearing helmets" -- prompting teachers to take the special education students who had been sitting in the back row out of the auditorium.
Discriminating Against Diabetics
Excluding a diabetic girl cost a sports camp $50,000 after her parents sued for discrimination. U.S. Attorney Michael Sullivan wrote that "Diabetes, nor any other disability should keep children from participating in summer camp. Camps and child care providers should be on notice that their policies and practices cannot limit or preclude the participation of children with disabilities."
April
ADHD Patch A-OK'd
The FDA OK'd an ADHD patch for children that distributes methylphenidate, the stimulant used in Ritalin, through the skin and into the bloodstream over the course of nine hours. Marketed as Daytrana, the patch eliminates the need for lunchtime pill-taking at school, and may help kids maintain optimum levels of attentiveness without crashing.
Farewell to Frank
A family that sold "Frank Must Die!" bumper stickers on eBay to finance their son's cancer treatment ("Frank" is the name they gave to his brain tumor) celebrated when the boy received a clean bill of health from doctors.
Her Heart Will Go On
A Welsh 12-year-old with cardiomyopathy made history by having the heart transplant she received at age two reversed. The transplant had augmented her own heart, which was now healthy enough to work on its own.
May
Autism Adds Up
The Centers for Disease Control released a report stating that one in every 175 U.S. kids has an autism spectrum disorder, for a total of about 300,000 children.
More Worthy Than Thou
A New York Times article detailed the infighting between advocates for people with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes, with Type 2 fundraisers saying that Type 1 got too much research money, and parents of children with Type 1 claiming Type 2 sufferers were giving diabetes a bad name.
Meds on the Rise
More children than ever are on antipsychotic meds, according to a study released this month that marked a 73 percent rise in all antipsychotics and an 80 percent rise in atypical antipsychotics in particular.
June
Unsportsmanlike Conduct, Part 1
PONY Baseball League bigwigs proved themselves bad sports when they denied a deaf 11-year-old player access to his sign-language interpreter -- his father.
Cancer Tales
A documentary on the struggles of children with cancer and their families debuted on PBS. Called A Lion in the House, the two-part program followed five families over six years.
Idol Confessions
American Idol winner Katharine McPhee talked about her struggle with eating disorders in People magazine. She revealed that her problem with bulimia started when she was 17, and almost wrecked her voice.
July through December
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