Giving support to parents. Explore resources and articles helpful to parenting special needs.

Solutions, Support, and Strategies Help Students with ADHD

Solutions, Support, and Strategies Help Students with ADHD

“The Body Affects the Brain as Much as the Brain Affects the Body.” Many students who have Attention deficit disorder/Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADD/ADHD) are easily distracted, get angry quickly, experience mood swings and cannot focus and concentrate long enough to finish their work at school or at home.

Inattention in students with ADD/ADHD  will result in the following behaviors:

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Sensory Crate Holidays 2013, Sensory Gifts for Kids, Time & Money Savings for Parents

Sensory Crate Holidays 2013, Sensory Gifts for Kids, Time & Money Savings for Parents

Do you have a child with sensory processing disorder (SPD) or autism spectrum disorder (ASD) who cannot cope with the hectic holidays?  Do the holiday preparations and festivities mean just added stress to you and an upset, overwhelmed child even before you deck the halls with boughs of holly? Are you looking for the perfect sensory gifts for your child who hates the hustle and bustle of crowds or family reunions?

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Is ADHD a Learning Disability? Can a Child Have Both?

Is ADHD a Learning Disability? Can a Child Have Both?

What is Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)? What is a learning disability? Can a child have both? Yes, a person may have ADHD and a learning disability. If parents feel something is not right with their child’s behavior or development they must have him evaluated by a medical doctor as soon as possible because there are effective strategies to help children cope with challenges.

Often the first evaluations help rule out what the child may not have such as problems with hearing, eye sight, health issues, allergies, thyroid problems, etc. This post also has 5 ADHD Myths parents should be clear about. Not knowing what is preventing a child from succeeding in school is frustrating for parents, for the child and for his teachers.

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Two Picture Books, ABC and WALDY, by Brigitte Brocato

Two Picture Books, ABC and WALDY, by Brigitte Brocato

Facebook is a great place to meet lots of interesting people. On our Facebook Special Needs Book Review page we had a message from Brigitte Brocato telling us about her two children’s books, ABC and WALDYI was immediately impressed with these adorable picture books!

Ms. Brocato’s WALDY is available in three languages and ABC is designed to learn English and German. ABC is an educational children’s picture book in English and German with words in alphabetical order illustrated with colorful paintings for easy identification.

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The Benefits of Enrolling your Child in Swimming Lessons by Tamara Frank

The Benefits of Enrolling your Child in Swimming Lessons by Tamara Frank

Swimming is an important life skill that all children should learn early on. There are so many benefits in learning to swim, and your child will get pleasure from the ability throughout childhood and into adulthood. Not only is it great for their health, but it could one day save their life too. Whilst taking your child to the swimming pool yourself and encouraging them to learn, there are some things they will only learn in swimming classes, where they are taught to swim long distances, different strokes and even lifesaving skills.

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Ten Fun Fall and Winter Activities for Kids with Special Needs

Ten Fun Fall and Winter Activities for Kids with Special Needs

I love Fall and winter. There is just something about the holidays that makes me feel alive. There are so many fun activities and events in fall and winter that I just don’t know where to start. Every year my children and I have a blast coming up with new things to do during the holiday break. From playing in the leaves and the snow to hay rides and gift making we all stay very busy and happy this time of year. Here are a few of our favorite activities:

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Halloween Treat Ideas to Beat the Scary Additives Craze

Halloween Treat Ideas to Beat the Scary Additives Craze

There’s no question that trick-or-treaters get way too much candy. Halloween only comes once a year but the harmful health effects of some candy can last much longer.

Halloween candy can pose real health risks. Scary additives are plentiful. So if you DO give out candy, look for naturally flavored and colored alternatives. PGPR, Red #40, BlueLake, Yellow #5 and TBHQ are ingredients that should be avoided. Linked to the development of neurological disorders, behavioral problems, learning disabilities, insomnia and more, they are just bad. In mass Halloween quantities, scary for sure.

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Tips to Make Halloween Fun for Children with Special Needs

Tips to Make Halloween Fun for Children with Special Needs

Oct. 31st, Halloween, some even call out to friends, “Happy Halloween!”  In my memory book,  as a special needs mom and as an elementary teacher for children with special needs, Halloween is anything but a happy occasion. How can parents and teachers make Halloween fun for children with special needs?  For many of our children and students with special needs, most holidays are difficult and Halloween is one of the scariest! Halloween could be tolerated if it was only a one day event but if you listen to your kids/students, the buzz about Halloween can be heard as soon as the October calendar page in opened.

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What To Do If You Think Your Child Has Sensory Processing Disorder

What To Do If You Think Your Child Has Sensory Processing Disorder

Do you wonder if a loved one has sensory issues? Read our post and learn about the red flags for different age groups showing behaviours of individuals which could signal Sensory Processing Disorder. Oversensitivity or under sensitivity to any of the senses makes life extremely difficult for all family members dealing with Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD). One little sensitive child can disrupt the activities of the whole household: meals, dressing up times, bed times, car travels, family visits …

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Anatomy of Special Needs Children by Masters-in-special-education.com

Anatomy of Special Needs Children by Masters-in-special-education.com

The majority of our readers are parents of special needs children. Raising children with challenging needs is not easy and the more others know about the many different needs these children have the more they will understand what their parents are going through. The Infographic that follows titled “The Anatomy of a Special Needs Child” lets you see very quickly all the different needs many children and their families deal with every day.

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How Is ADHD Diagnosed? by Tyler Clark

How Is ADHD Diagnosed? by Tyler Clark

If you have a child who seems to act out more than others or who has a difficult time concentrating on homework and other tasks it may be time to find out if they have ADHD.  ADHD stands for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and effects many child and even adults in our country. But how is this disorder diagnosed? Here are some things you and your doctor should be looking for.

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Hyperactive, Impulsive, Inattentive Children Often Become Adults with ADHD Too

Hyperactive, Impulsive, Inattentive Children Often Become Adults with ADHD Too

Hyperactive ~ Is your on-the-go child always on the brink of danger running and climbing, always in trouble, always fidgeting, always talking, wiggling and jiggling…?

Impulsive ~ Do you have a child whose teachers tell you he cannot sit still, he cannot stand in line, he cannot keep his hands to himself, he cannot stop blurting comments, he often has angry outburst and temper tantrums …?

Inattentive ~ Are you worried about your child who always seems to be dreaming, who is always behind in his school work, always seems to be late, to be moody, to be forgetful, and has, once more, lost or misplaced his homework, toys or books?

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