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

August 28, 2013

“Who Cares About Kelsey” – An Interview with Dan Habib – The Inclusive Class Podcast

ADHD, Blog, Parenting all kids, sleep depression school, Special needs children

Nicole Eredics, host of The Inclusive Class Podcast, is pleased to announce that filmmaker, Dan Habib, will be returning to their show this Friday, August 30 @ 9 AM EST to discuss the themes and purpose of his recent film, Who Cares About Kelsey? The film follows Kelsey Carroll, a high school student, who transformed from a “problem student” to one who became motivated and self-confident with the help of caring, supportive adults.

August 27, 2013

How to Get a Teen to Talk to You by Christine Maddox

ADHD, Asperger's, Autism, Bipolar Mental Health, Blog, Parenting all kids

When kids reach the teen years, especially if they have special needs, they have trouble talking to their parents. It is a hard time in many children’s lives as they struggle to find out where they fit in and how they should become an adult. The urge to talk to them and guide them in their path is strong, but many teens will not accept your help. How can you get your teen to open up and talk to you so that you can help them? Try these tips:

August 21, 2013

Learning Tips For a Child With Dyslexia & ADHD: Through our Interview with Kristen DeBeer

Blog, IEP Accommodations School, Parenting all kids, sleep depression school, Special needs children

I Believe in You: A Mother’s Message to Her Son with Learning Differences by Kristen DeBeer is one of those children’s books that make me wish, a little, that I was still teaching. I Believe in You would have been one of my favorite go-to children’s book to read to the class to open up discussions on various topics that upset some students. I would have made sure there were copies of I Believe in You in our school library and on my classroom book shelf. Why? In each grade level we have students facing challenges because of their learning differences that need to hear Kristen Debeer’s encouraging message.Their peers also have to hear how some children have learning differences and different strengths. They have to hear these lines taken from I Believe in You so they can understand. Understanding fosters acceptance and compassion.

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August 19, 2013

Sleep problems In Teens Helped by Lifestyle Changes and Changes to Their Bedroom

ADHD, Asperger's, Autism, Bipolar Mental Health, Blog, mental health, Parenting all kids, sleep depression school, Special needs children, Tourette Syndrome

Is your teen always tired? Does your teen find it difficult to get going each morning and cannot stay focused on school work or homework? Is your teen anxious, depressed, and irritable? Has he difficulty making and keeping friends? Have you considered that all the above could be caused by not enough hours of sleep or poor quality sleep? Sleep problems in teens can be caused by lifestyle choices and having a sleep environment not conducive to sleep.

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August 14, 2013

Parenting Children with Special Needs: Tips from Ellen Notbohm’s Books and Interviews

ADHD, Asperger's, Autism, Blog, Sensory Processing Disorder, Special needs children

This post is to tell you about Ellen Notbohm and her books on parenting children and young adults with autism spectrum disorder. The goal of this blog and our Special Needs Book Review site is to help those parenting children with special needs. For the launch of our new Special Needs Book Review site we invited authors to participate in an Author Interview Series. This series has been so popular that it is ongoing. We ask authors to tell us about their books, their work, and their lives.

August 7, 2013

Autism Support for Parents and Siblings by Ken Myers

Asperger's, Autism, Blog, Sensory Processing Disorder, Special needs children, special needs moms

It’s a fact: parents of autistic children often feel lonely, misunderstood, are physically and emotionally exhausted, question faith and beliefs, and may be worried about finances. If you are a friend or family member of a parent with an autistic child, one of the best ways to help initially is to offer emotional support as these families tend to feel disconnected from people who don’t fully understand autism. In addition to offering emotional support, you can offer to baby-sit, help with household chores, be an autism awareness advocate, and help locate support groups and respite resources. Here are some other ways to help lighten their load:

August 5, 2013

Public Libraries a Free Resource for People of Any Age

Blog, Parenting all kids, Special needs children

Parents are constantly searching for the next best thing for their children. Many would fight tooth and nail to have access to a free facility open almost every day of the year that offers free enrichment programs and resources for all age groups. They would advocate to be allowed to take home the resource material and be able to use the on-site, cutting-edge technology. They would line up to enroll their children in the homework help programs, craft programs and music and story appreciation sessions. Yes, support groups would spring up to sponsor and clamor for such sought after resource centers. Well, parents, you already have this next best thing…it is your local, public library.

August 3, 2013

Learn to Have Fun with Your Senses, The Sensory Avoider’s Survival Guide by John Taylor, PhD

Asperger's, Autism, Blog, Sensory Processing Disorder, Special needs children

When I read a book intending to write a review afterwards, I jot down page numbers and interesting points to reread before writing. When I finished reading Learn to Have Fun with Your Senses: The Sensory Avoider’s Survival Guide by John Taylor, PhD my notes stopped after the first chapter. Why? Like being free in a candy room, I could not choose because all was important, informative and immediately beneficial to families coping with Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD). This amazing book is for kids, tweens, or teens who are sensory avoiders and their parents or other caregivers.

July 31, 2013

KidCompanions Chewelry Giveaway and Review by As They Grow Up

Why All Families Need Good Vacation Experiences by Lisa Harrington

Asperger's, Autism, Blog, Sensory Processing Disorder, Special needs children

Not making time for a family vacation is a real shame for any family. For a family with a child who has a disability or a special needs, the summer can seem like the time to schedule in any additional support or educational need the child may require. Of course, providing extra care and support, particularly around schooling, is a priority for such families. Nevertheless, going on a vacation is never wasted time for families with a special needs child.

July 24, 2013

Summer Camp and Kids with Special Needs by Chloe Trogden

Asperger's, Autism, Bipolar Mental Health, Blog, Feeding problems, Sensory Processing Disorder, Special needs children

Summer camp is a time-honored tradition that most kids enjoy. They get to go away for a few weeks or a few months and enjoy life away from mom and dad while also getting to meet new friends, explore new places, and participate in a variety of fun new activities.

July 22, 2013

Read Aloud Books for Blind Children – Guest Post by Lisa Harrington

Blog, Special needs children

It is just as important for blind or near blind children to participate in story book reading as it is for any other child. The ritual of sitting reading a story, particularly at bedtime, is one that has been practiced for generations around the world, and is not only a time of bonding and re-affirming that bond between parent, or carer, and child; it is a time of exploration for the child. What are the choices in books for blind children?

KidCompanions Chewelry & SentioCHEWS