Mar
10

Give Your Child with Special Needs Some Space

posted by admin in Reflections/Ruminations/Random Thoughts 0 comments

Has anyone ever said to you that you’re smothering your child?

I was reading a special education thread today where a mom related an incident with her son’s therapist involving how the therapist told her that she needed to give her son some space.  The mom really was upset about the therapist’s remarks.   Here she’s spent years handling her son’s needs and now she’s asked to step away and to let go.  She wondered whether she was enabling her son or helping him.

I can relate to her feelings.  I started to think about my family.  For ten years now I have helped my child with everything from brushing her teeth to putting on her shoes.  At times, I serve as her translator due to her severe articulation issues.  While I am anxious to see her realize an independent and abundant life, I admit that the thought of letting her go terrifies me.

Think about flying in an airplane and how the flight attendant reviews the safety instructions and tells you that in the event of a loss of cabin pressure to secure your air mask before assisting your child.  Then he comes over to you, makes eye contact and gets your promise to follow this instruction.  Well, I admit that I readily make this promise every time, but I always wonder to myself whether I just lied to the flight attendant.  Everything about his instruction goes against my motherly instincts.  I think about how my child who has motor planning issues will have a hard time orienting the mask to her face, attaching the straps around her ears and how the mask may cause her sensory system to freak out!  

Letting go, even when the experts tell you to do so, is hard.  How do you know the right time to step away?

 

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Mar
09

Organic Wellness Drinks For Kids

posted by admin in Special Needs Diets 0 comments

Is your child lactose intolerant or suffer stomach aches regularly?

Organic B.R.A.T. Feel Better Drinks are made with ingredients that settle upset tummies, calm diarrhea and restore electrolytes and nutrients.  B.R.A.T. is an acronym for bananas, rice, applesauce and toast; that age old doctor recommended diet for stomach aches.

Greg and Lisa Toepfer created Organic B.R.A.T. Feel Better Drinks after their girls developed the stomach flu.  Their children’s pediatrician recommended the B.R.A.T. Diet to settle their daughters’ upset stomachs.  But, the girls complained throughout the day about wanting to drink milk.  The Toepfers, unable to calm their girls, were inspired to create a product that settled their tummies, provided nutrition and rehydration.  They used brown rice, banana puree, apple puree, vitamins and minerals.  Their girls loved the new drink and kept asking for more long after healing from the stomach flu.  Then, Organic B.R.A.T. was born!

Organic B.R.A.T. Feel Better Drinks are all-natural, non-diary drinks, available in 32 oz. packages in four flavors, Original, Vanilla, Chocolate Honey and Cinnamon Toast.  According to B.R.A.T. LLC, children with celiac disease, gastro-intestinal issues related to autism, food allergies, and many more health issues will benefit from drinking Organic B.R.A.T. Feel Better Drinks.

You can buy Organic B.R.A.T. Feel Better Drinks at Rice Epicurean Markets, Safeway, Whole Foods Market, Albertsons and through Amazon.com.  For more information on Organic B.R.A.T. Feel Better Drinks, visit the website.

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Mar
08

Tax Time Tips for Families of Children With Special Needs

posted by admin in Special Needs Resources 0 comments

Are you ready for tax time?

Your family may work with a good accountant, but consulting a qualified special needs planner at tax time can solve complicated questions about taxable income affecting people with disabilities.  According to the Academy of Special Needs Planners, http://www.specialneedsplanners.com, all income is not taxable.  For example, Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits, Social Security Disability Insurance Payments (SSDI), funds paid through a qualified Dependent Care Assistance Program and Veterans Administration disability benefits are not considered taxable income.

Further, if you are your child’s caretaker, you may qualify for a refundable tax credit.  A refundable tax credit can reduce tax owed and result in a refund.  You can see up to 35% of your childcare expenses refunded through the child and dependent care tax credit.  Also, parents of children with special needs can claim an Earned Income Tax Credit, depending upon your family’s income.

Lastly, tax rules for special needs trusts vary.  Your child, you, the special needs trustee and the special needs trust may owe taxes on trust income. 

To learn more about tax savings for families of kids with special needs, click here: http://www.specialneedsneighborhood.com/wordpress/?p=118.

Have you saved on your taxes?  If so, what other tips can you offer?

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Mar
06

State-of-the-Art Theme Park for Children With Special Needs to Open in San Antonio, TX

posted by admin in Special Needs Resources 0 comments

When you make your spring break and summer plans include Morgan’s Wonderland as one of your destinations.  It’s located in San Antonio, TX. 

Morgan’s Wonderland is  the world’s first ultra accessible family fun theme park.  http://www.morganswonderland.com.  It opens on April 10, 2010.  Admissions to the Park require an online reservation or call 1-210-637-3434.

Morgan’s Wonderland is part of a 106 acre sports complex.  The Park will contain playscapes with custom ramp access for wheelchairs, swing areas with over 30 traditional and adaptable swings, shaded pavilions for quiet time or parties, a sensory village and, more. 

The Gordon Hartman Family Foundation spear-headed this Park project.  The Foundation seeks to establish more ultra accessible family fun theme parks around the U.S.  Sports Outdoor and Recreation (SOAR) was created to raise funds for the Park, including funds for its maintenance and operation.   The Park addresses the need for millions of children and adults with cognitive and physical needs to participate daily in outdoor recreation and, overcomes accessibility issues so every visitor can have fun. 

 

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Feb
25

Internet Freedom versus Kids with Special Needs

posted by admin in Special Needs News 0 comments

Yesterday an Italian court convicted 3 Google Executives for failure to comply with the Italian privacy code.  The court found that the Executives violated the code when a 2006 video was uploaded to YouTube that showed an Italian boy with autism being bullied.  See, http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2010/02/serious-threat-to-web-in-italy.html. 

How can we use innovations like YouTube to increase society’s tolerance for children with differences?  Likewise, how can we encourage innovators like Google  to inform and to empower kids with special needs through technology?

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Feb
23

Science Shows Music Helps Speech Development for Kids with Special Needs

posted by admin in Special Needs Resources 0 comments

 
read music notes diagram

 

The American Association for the Advancement of Science, www.aaas.org, met this past weekend.  The scientists agreed that a connection exists in the brain between words and music.  They said that music education can help children with developmental delays, including autism, to use speech more accurately. 

Dr. Gottfried Schlaug, Associate Professor of Neurology at Harvard Medical School, told the meeting that music is a  multisensory experience that activates several links to parts of the brain.  Nina Kraus, Director of the Auditory Neuroscience Laboratory at Northwestern University, reported that new studies show that musical training enhances the brain’s ability to do other things.  For example, playing an instrument may help youngsters better process speech in noisy classrooms and to process social nuances.

Have you tried music with your child?

To learn more about music therapy benefits for kids with special needs click here: www.specialneedsneighborhood.com/wordpress/?p=111.

To find a music therapist in your area, See: www.musictherapy.org.

 

 

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Dec
20

Holiday Gift Ideas for Moms of Children with Special Needs

posted by admin in Special Needs Parenting, Special Needs Resources 0 comments

This year I’m giving myself a gift for the holidays.  I’m getting a puppy!  I’m excited about having another companion but I’m terrified about adding more responsibility to my already full plate.  But, I’ve met the little puppy and now I’m head over heels for him.

I encourage you to treat yourself special this holiday season and to give yourself a gift.  Here are a couple of gift ideas for busy moms of children with special needs like me:

a)  Concierge/House Help Services - Hire a concierge service for around your house to plan and to prepare meals, run errands, shop, organize your home, clean or supervise vendors.  Here’s an example of concierge services being offered on Special Needs Neighborhood.com: http://www.specialneedsneighborhood.com/welcome/resource_view/435.

b) 2010 Self Renewal/Exercise Class - Sign up for a 2010 class on self help, balanced living or exercise.  Commit yourself to finding more time for you.

 What gift are you giving to yourself this holiday season?

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Dec
17

Things to Consider When Buying Toys For Children With Special Needs

posted by admin in Special Needs Resources 1 comment

What toys are you buying for your kids with special needs this holiday season?  Do you target toys that appeal due to their uniqueness, your child’s likes and dislikes, because they relate to your child’s therapeutic goals or, all of the above?  If you’re unsure about what things to consider when buying toys for children with special needs, The National Lekotek Center recommends the following things to think about when toy buying for kids with special needs:

 ”1. Multi-sensory appeal

Does the toy respond with lights, sounds, or movement to engage the child? Are there contrasting colors? Does it have a scent? Is there texture?

2. Method of activation

Will the toy provide a challenge without frustration? What is the force required to activate? What are the number and complexity of steps required to activate?

3. Places the toy will be used

Will the toy be easy to store? Is there space in the home? Can the toy be used in a variety of positions such as side-lying or on a wheelchair tray?

4. Opportunities for success

Can play be open-ended with no definite right or wrong way? Is it adaptable to the child’s individual style, ability, and pace?

5. Current popularity

Is it a toy that will help the child with disabilities feel like “any other kid?” Does it tie in with other activities like books and art sets that promote other forms of play?

6. Self-expression

Does the toy allow for creativity, uniqueness, and making choices? Will it give the child experience with a variety of media?

7. Adjustability

Does it have adjustable height, sound volume, speed, and level of difficulty?

8. Child’s individual abilities

Does the toy provide activities that reflect both developmental and chronological ages? Does it reflect the child’s interests and age?

9. Safety and Durability

Does the toy fit with the child’s size and strength? Does it have moisture resistance? Are the toy and its parts sized appropriately? Can it be washed and cleaned?

10. Potential for interaction

Will the child be an active participant during use? Will the toy encourage social engagement with others?”

 For more information about toy buying tips for children with special needs or fun ways to play together with kids with special needs, click on this link to The National  Lekotek Center: http://www.lekotek.org/. 

 How are you making toy buying decisions this season?

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Dec
12

Holiday Gift Ideas for Kids with Special Needs

posted by admin in Special Needs Parenting, Special Needs Resources 1 comment

Do you know what gifts your kids want for the holidays?  Let me recommend a couple of favorites around my house:

1) Bop It TM by Parker Brothers - This toy is loads of fun for all ages. It came out a few years ago but Parker Brothers has updated its look and added slightly more functionality. Bop It TM is an electronic toy that you can play solo or with friends. As the toy calls commands, your child has to react fast to turn, twist, pull or shout her way to victory. This toy is good for practice with oral directions, motor planning, reaction time and social skills. There’s an extreme version too that offers more challenge.

Amazon sells the toy for $17.78, but I found it at Target for $14.

 2) Rush Hour ® by Think Fun - This block puzzle is designed to challenge kids of all ages. The object is to drive the “target vehicle” out of the playing grid to win. But, you will need to shift all blocking trucks and cars out of your way to exit. This game is good for improving logical thinking skills, memory, attention, focus, language, visual perception, spatial reasoning and reaction time; just to name a few things. Try out the free online versions at http://www.puzzles.com/products/RushHour/RHfromMarkRiedel/Jam.html.  Keep in mind that the online samples may be harder for kiddos with visual perception challenges.

Also, Toys R Us publishes a toy catalog for kids with special needs.  Here’s the link: Visit the Toys “R” Us Toy Guide for Differently-Abled Kids. 

What gifts do you buy for your kids with special needs?

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Oct
26

Parenting Tip: Kids with Special Needs Can Enjoy Halloween

posted by admin in Special Needs Resources 0 comments

Ready, set, GO! Are you ready?? The holidays are here!

With Halloween just a few days away, it’s time to prepare yourself and your family for the upcoming holiday season. Halloween can be a challenging time for children with special needs. There are lots of things to contend with…sugar, spooky costumes, crazy schedules, parties…so planning is key to keeping things from getting too scary.

Here are some tips for making Halloween “a treat”:

  • Write a social story around Halloween that explains what people do on Halloween–they wear costumes, they say “Happy Halloween”, they might try to pretend to scare you, they go trick-or-treating in the neighborhood, include details on what your family does.
  • Plan for schedule changes at home, school, and with extracurricular activities. Some schools have parties and therefore, the school day is disrupted. For many children with special needs, these disruptions are very difficult. Prepare your child for what the schedule will be in advance by creating and reviewing a calendar of events.
  • Provide healthy treats to replace sugar candies where possible. Here’s my GF/CF trick for “trick-or-treating”…I carry one bag and my son carries another…when we get to the door, if I see it is something he cannot have, it goes in my bag (that he never sees again) and if it is something he can have, it goes in his bag.
  • And finally…accept peacefully if this year’s holiday festivities are too much for your child–they may be ready another year.

These are some of our ideas…

Do YOU have any ideas or tips to share?

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