Parents & Caregivers
You do what you have to do for your loved ones with disabilities. You endure with grace (usually) the annoying platitudes of friends and family who don’t get it, who can’t get it. And though you fight not to roll your eyes when you hear once again how strong you are to manage all that you manage, you have to admit there is truth there. You ARE, in fact, a rock star.
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Latest news and stories
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How Can You Help Your Tube Fed Child Learn to Eat?
By Dr. Margueritte Dunitz-Scheer, NoTube Eating School As a senior pediatrician and developmental child psychotherapist, my expertise and passion in my professional life are helping children who have been tube fed since birth or for most of their lives to earn to eat. I love observing the diversity of tastes and textures of foods in various…
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Respite is Essential for Everyone!
By Michelle Haney, Euro-Peds National Center for Intensive Pediatric Physical Therapy Everyone needs some rest in their lives. In this day and age, we are all running around day to day filling every minute of every hour. This is true of the average person. Now add a child, or several, to the equation. Now add…
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When You Are the Parent of a Child Living a Unique Life
An interview with Karen Kain, CEO of Lorrin’s World, by Sarah Galbraith Laucks, Abilities Expo Education & Events Director In 1994 Karen Kain gave birth to a healthy baby girl named Lorrin. Two months later at her regular check-up, Lorrin received her first and only DPT (diphtheria pertussis tetanus) vaccination. Lorrin had a severe reaction to…
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3 Tips for Creating a Bedroom for Children on the Autism Spectrum
By Jenny Wise, Special Home Educator Approximately four in five children on the autism spectrum struggle with sleeping. From sensory needs and functionality to promoting independence and safety, a lot goes into making a bedroom that meets their needs and preferences. When all you want is the best for your child, guidelines and intricacies can be overwhelming as…
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Post-Diagnosis of Autism: An Era of Engagement
By Patrick Paul, Anderson Center for Autism For the 1 in 59 diagnosed with Autism, there’s an entire family impacted as well. From the moment that the words “Autism Spectrum Disorder” are said by a developmental pediatrician who has taken a child through a host of tests and parents/caregivers through a journey of seemingly endless interview…
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Preparing Your Life for a Special Needs Child
By Jenny Wise There are so many thoughts and emotions that whirl through your mind when you learn your baby has a disability. Once the initial surge of emotions has passed, it’s time to think seriously about how you’ll prepare your life for a child with a disability. These are the five things every parent…
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Accessible Dreams Do Come True!
Living in a 1,000 square foot apartment, the Copp Family committed to their dream of providing an accessible home for their two boys, Calan and Lawson. Their boys depend on mobility devices like wheelchairs and posterior walkers due to a rare mitochondrial disorder which makes it difficult to receive much support. The Copps had their…
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Transportation Initiatives That Improve Accessibility
By Adrian Johansen All people deserve the right to travel. But a disability can make it difficult to drive, fly or use public transportation. Fortunately, various transportation initiatives to improve accessibility for people with disabilities are underway. And these initiatives are making it easier than ever before for those with disabilities to get where they…
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Enraged Father Sounds Off, but Was he Heard?
By Chris Kain, kellisaspath.com It’s a constant battle; I have to dig deep not to hurt someone who is hurting Kellisa. I understand why so many families with children with disabilities stay home. It’s easy. It’s safe. My rage was on full display last Friday evening. After we passed through security at the Sacramento airport, I…
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Let’s Read Teaches Kids to Champion Disability Inclusion
Children’s books are an essential role in young lives, they not only encourage literacy but influence our minds with creativity and valuable life lessons. Let’s Read is an up and coming company created by Author/Illustrator Brenda E. Koch. Educated as an Aboriginal Child Development Practitioner and an active Early Childhood Educator, Brenda has worked and…
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Make Your Home Stress-Free for Kids with Anxiety
By Kay Carter If your child has an anxiety disorder, creating a calm and inviting home environment can help with the daily stresses and worries brought on by anxiety. Here are six ways to transform your home into a stress-free environment and make it more comfortable for your child. Create a Peaceful Haven for Rest…
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How a Caregiver Can Apply for SSI on Behalf of a Child
By Deanna Power, Disability Benefits Help Children with a wide range of medical conditions are able to qualify for Social Security disability benefits. When a child receives benefits from the Social Security Administration (SSA), these benefits are usually paid through the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program, a need-based form of disability that requires a detailed review of medical…