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Perspectives For Parents:
Advice & Support from Parents & Caregivers
How 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 moreRepresentative Payee: Help a Loved One with Social Security
March 20, 2017
According to the Census Bureau, there are nearly 57 million people living with disabilities in the United States. Thirty percent of American adults help provide care for a sick or disabled family member. Caregivers provide physical and emotional support for the people in their care. It’s a demanding job with its stresses and rewards,…
Read moreCould Your Child with Special Needs Benefit from Play Therapy?
March 15, 2017
Children are mini social scientists. They look at the world around them and try to make sense of it. But young children with special needs face extra challenges in interpreting this world. When they have trouble understanding what is real and what is pretend or imagined, their thoughts and concerns can be overwhelming. While poor sleep…
Read moreHelping a Child with Special Needs Cope with Grief
March 8, 2017
Love is a powerful emotion. It binds us together and guides us through even the darkest of times. What happens when you lose someone you love, though? And how do you grapple with the grief of that loss? Further, how do you help your child with special needs manage their emotions when they lose…
Read more6 College Scholarships for Students with Learning Disabilities
February 28, 2017
For many families, creating a college plan for a child with disabilities is a challenging process. Finding the right school that addresses your child's specific needs requires a great deal of research. The added layer of costs for higher education makes for a more stressful experience. However, these 6 college scholarships can help bring financial…
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…
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To Parents and Caregivers, with Love from Exceptional Lives
February 14, 2017
Valentine’s Day brings an entire month of love, appreciation, and warmth. It is a time when some celebrate, and others give a little extra care to those who matter most.This Valentine’s Day, the Exceptional Lives team wants to thank you and express our admiration for all that you do for those in your life…
Read moreFixations for Those with Autism Have Positive Effects in Later Life, Study Shows
February 7, 2017
Whether it is trains, elevators, or film, the preferred interests of those with autism bring about a unique way of interacting with the world. The reasons why those with autism choose to prefer certain objects, concepts, and language is something that is challenging to define. However, a new study shows that these fixations have…
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How 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 more4 Reasons Why OTs Should Teach Life Skills in Your Home & Community
January 16, 2017
Jane Hannafin, MS, OTR/L, RYT is the director of Skills for Life, a program of the Ivy Street School. In this post, she shares her thoughts on the pressing need for more in-home therapy options for young adults with disabilities and their families.1) There’s No Place Like HomeThe home environment provides the kind of…
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 moreParent Leadership in Autism Network (PLAN) Offers Support to Caregivers of Children with Autism
December 14, 2016
For the past four years, the Parent Leadership in Autism Network (PLAN) program at Boston Medical Center (BMC) has assisted and guided numbers of parents and caregivers of children/adolescents with autism spectrum disorder. This peer-to-peer mentorship program provides opportunities to discuss experiences, share resources, and give support to those in the urban and suburban…
Read moreUnlocking Dyslexia: NPR’s 4-Part Podcast
December 12, 2016
NPR's 4-part podcast, "Unlocking Dyslexia" dives into the misconceptions and realities of what it is like to have dyslexia. Gabrielle Emanuel shares with listeners varying perspectives, experiences, and discoveries relating to this complex disorder. Have a listen to all 4 podcasts and learn something new about a disability that affects millions of people nationwide.Millions…
Read moreSpecial Offers and Discounts for People with Disabilities
December 6, 2016
When it comes to money, the everyday expenses for people with disabilities can be overwhelming for both the mind and wallet. Fortunately, those at CouponChief have created a resource for people with disabilities that helps them find special offers and discounts in their area.Their approach to these types of discounts is: "'As with our…
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…
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