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Perspectives For Parents:
Advice & Support from Parents & Caregivers
Supporting 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…
Read moreMore than a Best Buddy
November 7, 2016
Richie isn’t just a 52-year-old man with a severe cognitive learning disability.Richie is a passionate New England Patriots fan, an avid swimmer, and a master at small talk. Richie navigates Boston like a subway operator, he frequents Cheers in Faneuil Hall, and he never jaywalks.Richie is also one of my dearest friends.I joined the…
Read moreFederal Employment Stats Pass Hiring Goal for People with Disabilities
November 3, 2016
In 2010, President Obama shared a plan that hoped to hire 100,000 people with disabilities over the next five years.This week, the U.S. Office of Personnel Management stated that the federal government has hired 154,000 people with disabilities in the United States, between 2011 and 2015 -- far passing Obama's original goal.Of these positions, 2/3 of…
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”…
Read moreSSI Benefits to Go Up in 2017
October 24, 2016
Due to a rise in the cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) in the United States, persons with disabilities who recieve Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits will see a 0.3% payment increase -- starting in January 2017. This increase will affect the 8 million people in the United States who currently SSI benefits.Want to see if your child qualifies for SSI…
Read moreWhat My Daughter with Autism Taught Me About Empathy
October 24, 2016
What started as just another night of reading before bed turned into an eye-opening experience for one mother and her daughter with autism. She learns that her daughter's struggle with reading emotions or feelings is not because she doesn't care - she just doesn't want to assume how the other person is feeling.This one moment between…
Read moreMAC Helps Break Down Recent DESE Advisory on Transition Services
October 17, 2016
Over the summer the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) wrote about the need for making life after high school better for students with disabilities. Massachusetts Advocates for Children (MAC) help explain the DESE advisory and what it means for parents, advocates, and people with disabilities.Bill Crane, a lawyer at MAC with years of experience in…
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