In the Community: Finding a Social Life for Your Child
So much of children's lives these days are driven by their after-school activities -- soccer and Little League, Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts, church groups and cliques. But what do you do if your child isn't physically or developmentally able to participate? Integrating your child into extended family gatherings or community events isn't always easy, either. Here are some suggestions for giving your child a social life -- and making your community more open to people with special needs.
Kids Create a New Friend for Arthur
The Arthur/All Kids Can Character Search challenged children 6-12 to create a friend for Arthur, one with a disability but also strengths and personality. The winner, Connor Gordon, created Lydia Fox, who uses a wheelchair and loves basketball. Meet Connor and the nine other finalists.
The Arthur/All Kids Can Character Search challenged children 6-12 to create a friend for Arthur, one with a disability but also strengths and personality. The winner, Connor Gordon, created Lydia Fox, who uses a wheelchair and loves basketball. Meet Connor and the nine other finalists.
Book Review: Person-Centered Planning Made Easy
Review of a book. written for professionals, that explains finding placement in the community using a future-centered approach.
Review of a book. written for professionals, that explains finding placement in the community using a future-centered approach.
Fear of Escalators
Is your child afraid of escalators? Reluctance to step aboard that moving staircase can lead to anything from frustrated persuasion to irate shoppers lined up behind you to a full-blown tantrum. It may seem like a small deal to you to find your moment and jump aboard, but don't assume your child's just being stubborn or a scaredy-cat. There can be legitimate reasons for escalator reluctance.
Is your child afraid of escalators? Reluctance to step aboard that moving staircase can lead to anything from frustrated persuasion to irate shoppers lined up behind you to a full-blown tantrum. It may seem like a small deal to you to find your moment and jump aboard, but don't assume your child's just being stubborn or a scaredy-cat. There can be legitimate reasons for escalator reluctance.
Book Review: Next Chapter Book Club
Review of a book that tells how to create "a model community literacy program for people with intellectual disabilities."
Review of a book that tells how to create "a model community literacy program for people with intellectual disabilities."
Dealing With Staring
Most parents of children with special needs resent the stares of strangers, but in her book "Breakthrough Parenting," author Judy Winter puts a more charitable spin on the reasons people look.
Most parents of children with special needs resent the stares of strangers, but in her book "Breakthrough Parenting," author Judy Winter puts a more charitable spin on the reasons people look.
Worshiping with a Special Needs Child
Making it through a church service with a child with special needs can be a spiritually trying experience, but setting appropriate expecations and incentives can give you a prayer of success.
Making it through a church service with a child with special needs can be a spiritually trying experience, but setting appropriate expecations and incentives can give you a prayer of success.
Before You Go to the Mall With Your Child
Malls can be overwhelming places for children who have trouble with noise and activity and keeping their hands to themselves. These five tips will make your trip shorter, smoother, and less stressful.
Malls can be overwhelming places for children who have trouble with noise and activity and keeping their hands to themselves. These five tips will make your trip shorter, smoother, and less stressful.
Dealing with Toxic People
You can't believe some of the things people say to you about your special-needs child or your parenting. If you can't avoid those folks who can't say anything nice, you can manage their behavior -- and yours -- more effectively.
You can't believe some of the things people say to you about your special-needs child or your parenting. If you can't avoid those folks who can't say anything nice, you can manage their behavior -- and yours -- more effectively.
Warning Labels
Does your child need to avoid certain foods, shrink from certain sensory experiences, or otherwise require people to know what not to do to him or her? Print out one of these warning labels, tape or pin it on your child's shirt, and put everyone on alert.
Does your child need to avoid certain foods, shrink from certain sensory experiences, or otherwise require people to know what not to do to him or her? Print out one of these warning labels, tape or pin it on your child's shirt, and put everyone on alert.
How to Help Kids Contribute
Wondering how your child can contribute to the Hurricane Katrina relief effort? Every little piggy bank helps. Coinstar machines -- the ones that let you dump your pennies and get cash -- can also help you donate your nickels and dimes to the American Red Cross. Here's how to help your child gather coins for the cause.
Wondering how your child can contribute to the Hurricane Katrina relief effort? Every little piggy bank helps. Coinstar machines -- the ones that let you dump your pennies and get cash -- can also help you donate your nickels and dimes to the American Red Cross. Here's how to help your child gather coins for the cause.
How to Be a Music Monitor
Making sure your kids aren't hearing lyrics that might disturb them (or you) got easier with Parental Advisory Stickers, but harder with online downloads. Here's how to really find out what your child is listening to.
Making sure your kids aren't hearing lyrics that might disturb them (or you) got easier with Parental Advisory Stickers, but harder with online downloads. Here's how to really find out what your child is listening to.
Sites of the Day: Special Programs
Listing of sites on programs for children with special needs that have been featured as a About Parenting Special Needs Site of the Day.
Listing of sites on programs for children with special needs that have been featured as a About Parenting Special Needs Site of the Day.