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Perspectives For Parents:
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18 Ways to Help a Special Needs Family in 2018
January 11, 2018
Why special needs families need help:Before I became a parent, I thought a little extra hard work would be enough to make it through the valleys of parenthood. When I became a special needs parent, goodness, I realized how wrong I was. M. Lin says it well in this post: Parenting is already an…
Read moreMy Child Has an IEP, What Are Next Steps?
November 1, 2017
Now that you have an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) for your child, which puts services and supports in place to help meet their needs in the classroom, what happens next? Once signed, your child's IEP becomes a legal contract between you and the school. And it's time to take next steps. So, what are the next steps?Your child's…
Read morePreparing a Vision and Goals for Your Child’s IEP
October 3, 2017
Now that you've determined your child qualifies for special education services, first and foremost pat yourself on the back! You've taken a huge step toward getting the services and support your child needs in the classroom, and that is no small task! You're opening doors to his or her future success in school and that is awesome.…
Read moreBack-to-School Ideas to Balance Your Child’s Nervous System
September 12, 2017
This week, our son Jack returned to school after 6 months of medical leave. In November 2016 he developed an infection that led to PANDAS (Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections). As time went on, we learned that strep was not the only trigger for the flares, and he was diagnosed with both PANDAS and PANS (Pediatric Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric…
Read moreHow to Reduce Back to School Stress
August 16, 2017
Around the United States, families are getting ready for the first weeks of school. Our family is in the middle of helping our oldest son re-enter mainstream school after a semester of medical leave, while also preparing our daughter to begin kindergarten. As soon as August arrived, we felt the stress rise.New teachers, classrooms, expectations, and classmates – and…
Read moreThe Importance of a Summer Boredom Balance
August 7, 2017
Three years ago, I was pregnant with our youngest of three. We lived in a small house with many diagnoses under one roof‑including autism, ADHD, a connective tissue disorder, hypotonia, anxiety, Crohn's, Celiac's, and severe food allergies. Many of the diagnoses were new and we had upwards of sixteen therapies and appointments per week…
Read moreTravel Tips for Special Needs Families
July 12, 2017
This past week, our family traveled from Boston, MA to Atlanta, GA. We made our way south and back by plane, train, bus, and car…and lived to tell the tale! Traveling with a special needs child can feel overwhelming, but it doesn't have to be. Here are some useful tips to make your travels smooth sailing this…
Read moreWhat is Stress and How Can I Unwind?
June 14, 2017
I held his hand as the anesthesiologist put a small mask over his mouth and nose, and I watched him fall asleep. I squeezed his shoulder and kissed his cheek as his eyes lost focus and gently closed. After four days of GI, my oldest son, Jack, was "under" for his colonoscopy and endoscopy. As I mentioned…
Read more4 Ways to Confidently Communicate with Your Child’s Doctors
May 31, 2017
When our son Jack developed a mysterious illness in November of last year, our world turned upside down. Our once funny, vibrant, energetic boy could hardly get out of bed. Within a few short weeks, he was no longer able to attend school or participate in activities he had once loved. Over the course…
Read moreHow To Balance Young Children’s Needs During a Sibling’s Hospitalization
May 2, 2017
As I mentioned in this recent post, giving time to your special needs child's siblings each day is important. But what happens when emergency strikes? How do you balance time with each of your children when a hospitalization or medical emergency comes into play?This spring, our oldest son who has autism and ADHD was diagnosed with a…
Read moreConnecting Resources with MA’s Special Needs Families
April 20, 2017
Four years ago, my oldest son was diagnosed with autism. Soon after, our family moved from Atlanta to Boston. We did not live near any family or friends when we moved to the South Shore. Fortunately, we found a practice near us that specialized in the services Jack needed in those early days. The practice was open, honest,…
Read moreSupporting the Twice Exceptional Child
February 20, 2017
Does your child have special needs? Is he or she also exceptionally bright or gifted in certain areas? If you answered "yes" to both of these questions, your child may be twice exceptional.What Does Twice Exceptional Mean?Wrightslaw defines twice exceptional (2e) children as those who "are gifted [with] above average abilities [and] have special…
Read moreHow to Uncover Your Special Needs Child’s Gifts
February 7, 2017
When your child is diagnosed with special needs, often our primary focus as parents are the therapies, services, and specialists they need in order to help them develop and grow. While all of these are (very) important, I believe it is equally important to help them identify and uncover their gifts. Each child has…
Read moreHow to Create an Effective IEP & Build a Strong Team
February 1, 2017
When my son was diagnosed with autism, our doctor told us he would need an "IEP." At the time, I had no idea what an IEP was or how to go about getting one. It wasn't until later that I started to understand what an IEP, or an Individualized Education Plan was.Today, I am…
Read moreHow to Love your Child with Autism When They Don’t (Seem to) Love You Back
January 22, 2017
As I shared in this post, finding out your child has special needs is an emotional process. The journey often comes with challenges and pressures, including ongoing therapies, services, arrangements for special education, and medical care. I'd like to peel back another layer and address a topic that often isn't discussed but deserves attention and empathy. I…
Read moreHow to Support the Special Needs of Special Needs Siblings
January 9, 2017
Siblings of children with special needs are often placed in a difficult position, but as parents, we can turn this around with a few simple acts of love each day.Commit time to your child each dayTake a few minutes with your "typical" child each day. Five minutes of uninterrupted, focused attention with your child…
Read moreAccepting Your Child’s Diagnosis
December 28, 2016
Four years ago, I sat on the floor of a pediatric neurologist's office holding my son in my lap while he confirmed what I already knew in my heart was true - my son has autism.Hyperdrive modeAt first, I went into hyperdrive mode. I asked the neurologist what we should do next and pursued…
Read moreHow to Communicate Your Child’s Needs In An Inclusion Classroom
November 21, 2016
Entering an inclusion classroom can feel stressful. You may be wondering how to communicate with your child's peers and their parents about your child's needs. Here are five (or six) actionable steps you can take to communicate effectively with your child's class. STEP 1: ACKNOWLEDGE YOUR FEARSWhen my son entered kindergarten, I felt nervous.…
Read moreFood Allergies 101: Tips for a Safe and Fun Holiday Season
November 15, 2016
If your child has food allergies, chances are you’ve been asked, “Can he try just a little bit of it?” or “Are you sure it’s an allergy? I’ve never heard of someone being allergic to carrots before.” and “How severe is the nut allergy? Pecan Pie is nana’s favorite. Can you just watch him so…
Read moreThe “Honesty Gland:” How My Son with Autism Tells It Like It Is
October 31, 2016
When our new Floortime therapist walked through the front door, I told my son, “This is our new friend, Nikki. Can you say hi to Nikki?”“Hi Nikki,” he said. “You are tall and can never be small.”Nikki and I both looked at each other and laughed because, while it was not a “socially acceptable”…
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