Patti's Blog - Advocate for Elders, People with Disabilities and Their Families

Parenting: Disabilities - isolation and support

Excerpt from: ABC news (click for full article)

 

Having a child with disabilities can cause grief, stress and loneliness - so how do parents cope?

Steve Austin spoke to three parents who have learned to find support networks and outlets to help them get through every day.

 

Click on the above link to listen to the audo clip.

Video: Autism has made me a better parent

Excerpt from: Autism Speak Network (click for full article)

 

 

Parents should lay down law on importance of bike helmets

Excerpt from: The Oakland Press (click for full article)

 

Not wearing a bike helmet to be “cool” is knuckling under to peer pressure. Those parents should use this opportunity to explain peer pressure and its consequences to their son.

He needs to understand that he must make decisions for himself, and his “friends” should accept him for who he is. He needs to learn to stand his ground and be who he wants to be despite what others think of him. He also needs to learn to make decisions that affect his life based on facts, and not follow the crowd. True friends will most often make the same sound decisions that he makes, or accept his decision without pressuring him.

One other comment: Require the kid to wear a helmet or forfeit the right to ride a bike. It’s called “tough love” and although it is tough, it is also rewarding. More parents need to have sound, well-thought-out rules and stick to them. — PARENT FIRST, FRIEND SECOND

Stress in Children and Adolescents: Tips for Parents

Excerpt from: National Center for Learing Disabilities (click for full article)

 

How Parents Can Help

• Be aware of your child’s behaviors and emotions.
• Build trust with your child.
• Be available and open to talk with your child when they are ready.
• Encourage the expression of feelings.
• Teach and model good emotional responses.
• Encourage them to tell you if they feel overwhelmed.
• Encourage healthy and diverse friendships.
• Encourage physical activity, good nutrition, and rest.
• Teach your child to problem solve.
• Remind your child of his or her ability to get through tough times, particularly with the love and support of family and friends.
• Keep your child aware of anticipated family changes.
• Monitor television programs that could worry your child and pay attention to the use of computer games, movies, and the Internet.
• Use encouragement and natural consequences when poor decisions are made.
• Help your child select appropriate extracurricular activities and limit over-scheduling.
• Make your child aware of the harmful effects of drugs and alcohol before experimentation begins.
• Monitor your own stress level. Take care of yourself.
• Contact your child’s teacher with any concerns and make them part of the team available to assist your child.
• Seek the assistance of a physician, school psychologist, school counselor, or school social worker if stress continues to be a concern.

Aging parents worry about adult children with disabilities

Excerpt from: The Sacramento Bee (click for full article)

 

The Funkhousers are diligently putting together employment and independent living skills for Jessica. She has worked for Pride for six years, a little longer than her father has coached other employees – but not his own daughter – on their product assembly skills.

Her parents say that Jessica's patience and social proficiency have improved over that time. Now, with the help of her Pride counselor, she's working on becoming more punctual.

But she's in no rush to live on her own.

"I've thought about living independently many times," she said, "but I go right back to the fact that I want to live with Mom and Dad. I depend greatly on my Mom. When I'm away from home, I feel lonely. I want my Mom. I'm just not comfortable."

Read more here: http://www.sacbee.com/2013/03/03/5231706/aging-parents-worry-about-adult.html#storylink=cpy

Autism, honesty & lying

Excerpt from: Autism Support Network (click for full article)

 

It’s certainly not that those with Autism can’t find something pleasant to say, or that they’re not capable of “lying” for the sake of being nice, but chances are that if you ask for their opinion on something, you’ll get an honest answer.

It’s not that I want to be mean, I knew he’d change his tune (not exactly that he’d see a caterpillar though) and I really don’t want to teach him to lie exactly but learning to share a nice word of encouragement is a pretty important skill.

This hasn’t been the first time, not by a long shot. And you never really realize just how hurtful honesty can really be when all you’re trying to do is get someone to acknowledge your hard work… and you’re 3.

Over time, I’m sure he’ll learn to throw a “ya, that’s nice” just to avoid getting into trouble again but I also know that in the back of his mind, it’ll always be a conscious decision that he’ll have to make any time someone asks for his opinion.

"Parent Coach" Bonnie Bogen - a resource for parents of kids on the autism spectrum

Excerpt from: Autism Support Network (click for full article)

 

 

Decoding Dyslexia: How a New Jersey Parents' Group Started a Movement

Excerpt from: Huffington Post (click for full article)

 

One group of parents in New Jersey decided to do something to address these issues. Just a little over a year ago, twelve parents met in a local library in central New Jersey to launch Decoding Dyslexia-New Jersey. This group came together with the ambitious mission to "raise dyslexia awareness, empower families to support their children and inform policy-makers on best practices to identify, remediate and support students with dyslexia in NJ public schools." These parents knew that if they continued to see their challenges as unique and personal, there was a slim chance that the situation for dyslexic children and their families would change. Galvanized by their common struggles, they endeavored to change their state laws so that children like theirs could get the education that they deserved.

One should never underestimate a group of determined parents.

Volunteers needed to help foster children with disabilities in local schools

Excerpt from: Nevada Business (click for full article)

 

Some of the most vulnerable children – children in the foster care system with disabilities – need someone to make sure they get necessary services to excel in school. A six-year-old program is providing that support but needs more volunteers to meet the growing demand for children who have no one else to help them in local schools. Sponsored by the non­profit Legal Aid Center of Southern Nevada, the Educational Surrogate Parent Program trains volunteers to serve as student advocates during school meetings and for special education issues.

“We have found over the years that having an Educational Surrogate Parent is a critical piece of the education puzzle for children in foster care,” said Buckley. “This program was created to address a gap in educational services available to children in foster care. There is still a failure to evaluate children or develop an appropriate education plan for children who are diagnosed with behavioral, learning, and physical disabilities. Education Surrogate Parents truly make a difference in the lives of these children.”

Volunteers will learn advocacy skills, school district procedures, Individualized Education Programs, and laws governing special education and how to use the law to support children with disabilities. They also will learn how to support children in the foster care system with behavioral issues and special education needs such as learning and physical disabilities. Experienced Educational Surrogate Parents will attend the sessions and share their experiences.

How To Get Fussy Kids To Eat Good Food

Excerpt from: About.com (click for full article)

 

Yes, for sure it's not an easy task that we're faced with as parents. It doesn't matter how nutritionally aware we as parents and how much knowledge we possess about what our children should be eating. Coping with a fussy eater and ensuring your child gets appropriate nutrition isn't easy - - especially if you have a very thin child, on the verge of becoming underweight. Further, children with sensory disabilities, oral motor problems, and food allergies make ensuring good nutrition even more of a challenge.  These tips can help!