What It Is: "This November, for National Epilepsy Awareness Month (NEAM), the Epilepsy Foundation is asking you to Talk About It! Epilepsy affects people of all ages and races, and represents one percent of the population in this country--almost 3 million people. And although 50 million people worldwide have epilepsy, we are still reluctant to Talk About It! NEAM will focus on the power of personal stories and encourage communities of all sizes to talk about epilepsy together."

Who's In Charge: "The Epilepsy Foundation of America is the national voluntary agency dedicated solely to the welfare of the almost 3 million people with epilepsy in the U.S. and their families. The organization works to ensure that people with seizures are able to participate in all life experiences; to improve how people with epilepsy are perceived, accepted and valued in society; and to promote research for a cure."

Why It's Worth Checking Out: From the site, you can download materials for National Epilepsy Awareness Month, learn of events in your area, and share your story online.

Where to Start: What's "It" to Me

More Sites of the Day

+ Page of the Day: Epilepsy News and Views +

_{Image courtesy of the Epilepsy Foundation}

"Marlee Matlin #1 on Google Trends!" That was a blog headline from Jamie Berke, the About.com guide to Deafness, this morning. Though seeing a deaf actress atop the Google heap might be a "historic" moment, it's too bad that it came not because of her acting ability or her advocacy, but because she participated in a little good-natured self-spoofing on Fox's live Family Guy special last night. You can view a video of her appearance on Entertainment Weekly's PopWatch blog, but the gist of it is that, in the middle of a live sketch mocking her way of speaking, Matlin came onstage in a pretend rage to yell at the actress imitating her voice, sling some ridicule in return, and show a little not-safe-for-prime-time "sign language."

It's probably a good thing for Matlin to show she can take a joke and play along, but I found the whole thing pretty uncomfortable. Mocking her speaking voice was the focus of two little skits, with the performers joking in between about how naughty it was to make fun of people with disabilities, and the audience laughing merrily throughout. There appears to be a perception that having the person you're making fun of come onstage and smack you makes the making fun of okay, and I'd disagree. There was a whole lot of laughing at before that laughing with.

I have a little more hope for another Fox show this week. Wednesday's episode of Glee, with the title "Wheels," features an exercise in which the glee-club classmates of a high-schooler who uses a wheelchair all have to use wheelchairs for a few hours a day and perform in them, and a subplot involving a student with Down syndrome trying out for the cheerleading squad. Here's hoping that the laughing at/with balance will be significantly less uncomfortable.

Did you see the Family Guy special? Will you be watching Glee on Wednesday (if you miss it, you can catch it on Hulu)? Share your thoughts in the comments.

Also new today: Site of the Day | Today's News and Views | Tip of the Day

_{Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images}

Read: "Our language can build children up or tear them down. It can model respectful and caring social interactions or just the opposite. Effective language encourages and supports students in their learning, rather than criticizing them for their mistakes." -- Angela Maiers, from her blog post "Two Powerful Words: I Notice"

Reflect: Is the language I use with my child more about building up or tearing down? Do I focus so much on correction that I become too critical? Can I try today to say more positive than negative things today?

Respond in the comments with your own thoughts on this quote and how it applies to your life with your child.

Every weekday, take a moment to read, reflect, and respond to a passage from a book, blog, or article. ... More Reflections

Also new today: Site of the Day | Today's News and Views | Tip of the Day

We're heading into a time of year that's often a minefield of family get-togethers and stress-filled celebrations. Right now, while you have a little breathing room, start thinking about how you're going to move your child successfully through the holiday season. It may involve figuring out what activities your child or your family can skip. It may involve plotting exit plans for endless evenings. It may involve purchasing attractive playthings in advance of Christmas so your child will have something to do at otherwise boring events. You've likely survived enough of these in years past to know how it will go. Thinking things through now, before your head is full of gift lists and carols and headaches and horror stories, may give you a shot at a little peace on earth. See "Special-Needs Kids and Special Occasions" for ideas on how to do that.

More Parenting Tips: Tips of the Day | Holiday Survival Kit | Parenting Book Reviews

_{Image by Terri Mauro}