The number of children with developmental disabilities has increased by 17% in 12 years, driven largely by big jumps in diagnoses for autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, research shows.

He’s 6 feet 5 inches tall and nearly 300 pounds, but that’s not what makes Justin Hansen such an impressive recruit for the CSU Rams’ football team.

For more than 35 years, Clare Woods Academy has been providing education to children with disabilities with a customized curriculum.

When President Obama nominated Ari Ne’eman to the National Council on Disability, many families touched by autism took it as a positive sign. Mr. Ne’eman would be the first person with the disorder to serve on the council.

As the parent of a child with autism, 2008 was a year of hope. The Legislature passed an autism insurance bill, and the governor created an autism task force.

An Oregon mother said her son wasn’t allowed on a school field trip because of his disability.

Don’t say “mental retardation” — the new term is “intellectual disability.” No more diagnoses of Asperger’s syndrome — call it a mild version of autism instead. And while “behavioral addictions” will be new to doctors’ dictionaries, “Internet addiction” didn’t make the cut.

At 35 seats, the North Park Vaudeville & Candy Shoppe claims the distinction of being the smallest theater in San Diego. And if all goes well, artistic director Summer Golden hopes someday it will be … still the smallest theater in San Diego.

It’s a ministry for a population of children many will tell you is typically overlooked or forgotten.

Today, DeBlois, 36, plays 22 instruments, and has been performing professionally since he was 9. He leads an improvisational jazz ensemble, and has made six CDs.