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Perspectives For Parents:
Advice & Support from Parents & Caregivers
A deep dive into backyard worms, or why we are actually doing just fine
March 17, 2020
By now you’ve probably seen those schedules meant for parents who are trying to teach their kids at home while school systems are closed because of the pandemic. Science. Math. Creative time.
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This post is not about a pandemic
March 9, 2020
I don’t want to talk about the epidemic we're all talking about right now. There is a lot of information out there, but infectious disease is not my expertise so I will leave that to the experts like the CDC or Johns Hopkins. I also love this comic published by NPR.
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The Power in Wondering
February 12, 2020
We all wonder. We wonder about the future and what it holds for us and for our loved ones. We wonder about our careers, our relationships, and our contributions to our community. Some of us wonder about accessibility:
Read moreIs it behavior or is it a learning challenge?
January 29, 2020
Maeve isn’t reading at the same level as her peers. Books have always been around at our house and we try to read every night before bed. What else can I do? Won’t she just catch up?
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20 Ways to Help Families of Children with Special Needs in 2020
January 11, 2020
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.
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Gently Falling Snow… and Yesterday’s Coffee, Fresh Out of the Microwave.
December 20, 2019
’Tis the season of beautifully wrapped Hallmark movies and perfectly curated Instagram stories. Don’t get me wrong, I love to look at the festive houses, the cheerful family outings, or the snow falling gently while someone calmly and slowly sips a hot cup of tea.
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Does Anybody Else Have Very Emotional Kids This Time of Year?
December 12, 2019
This morning, after the off-to-school rush, I settled in with my computer and my coffee and started to work. Well, if I’m being honest, I opened up Facebook.
Read more5 Ways Providers Can Use Exceptional Lives’ Tools
December 9, 2019
You are a trusted resource for families. Whether you provide therapy, see children for check-ups, or provide community resource support, we have created tools to add to your toolkit.
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Why are We Obsessed with Milestones?
November 27, 2019
There’s something about your child passing a milestone that makes you feel like a successful parent. We burst with pride and want to tell the world!
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Some Weeks are Just…Extra.
October 31, 2019
I am thinking of all of you today, whether you are sitting in your car for an extended time fighting off tears before walking into work or if you’re just back from a run and feeling like you’re ready to take on the day, whatever it holds.
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Why is it So Hard to Understand Health Information?
October 25, 2019
Have you ever heard instructions from a doctor or gone to a website to learn about a health condition and had no idea what they were trying to explain? It happens to all of us constantly! Health information is complicated, period. The same goes for information on disabilities.
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Q: What Makes the Exceptional Lives’ Resource Directory Exceptional?
October 4, 2019
Our Resource Directory team is dedicated to listing accurate and up to date information for families and providers. Have you ever searched for information you need, only to click on the link and it’s not available anymore? Or called a provider but the phone number has changed? We have. And it is incredibly frustrating.
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Is Your Child Struggling in School?
September 25, 2019
At Exceptional Lives, we’ve been working hard to answer the questions you are asking. We know how hard it can be to navigate school—socially, academically and emotionally. If your child is struggling in school and you’re not sure what to do, here is a place to start:
Read moreAnother year, another IEP meeting
August 21, 2019
Every year, as our kids get older, the summer break feels different. Whether your kids have been learning in structured camps or unstructured exploration, at the beach, mountains or city streets, they are different now than they were when the last school year ended. Change and lack of structure can be hard, but think about…
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When Should I Start Thinking About Guardianship?
August 2, 2019
Is your child almost 18? If you’re wondering about different ways you can help your child with decision-making, or whether or not you need to apply for guardianship, we’ve created a short guide to discuss the options and walk you through the process.
Read moreLetter to Mica’s Class
July 12, 2019
This morning I read this beautiful note from a fellow mom to her son’s classmates. We work so hard to find the right placement, the right supports, the right accommodations (working on IEP goals? Read more here!).
Read moreUnwritten IEP Goals
July 12, 2019
Yesterday was report card day. As I overheard the neighbors talking about it, I felt a rising pit in my stomach. There are some days you just can’t take on any more. Some days you just don’t want to think about disability or challenges.
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“Please don’t climb the curtains”
June 26, 2019
Ahhh the lazy days of summer. Kids playing nicely under a tree while sipping lemonade innocently exploring together or on a mission to the corner store for a popsicle….What?!That sounds LOVELY but also unrecognizable.
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How to Keep it Together: A Guide
June 21, 2019
First disclaimer, I am one person. I’m a parent, and I’m a provider. [Image Description: An image of a black, drawn triangle. At the top of the image are the words “PICK TWO” in all caps. On top of the triangle are the words “your sanity” in red with a smiley face above them. On…
Read moreDoes Your Child Sometimes Wander Away and Get Lost?
June 14, 2019
There are things you can do to keep them safe. Here's what you can do:Use visual supports, like a social story or checklist. These can help teach your child not to wander off and what to do if they are lost.Teach your child their address and phone number if possible.Get special door locks and…
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