Aggressive or violent behavior can be a very difficult and discouraging issue to manage, especially for special needs parents and caregivers. Violent behaviors hinder progress in IEPs, in learning plans, and in becoming mature in personal...
MoreActivities of Daily Living for Special Needs Children
Many parents for special needs children know the term “activities of daily living,” also referred to as ADL. These activities are the basic tasks of everyday life, and they include tasks such as eating, bathing, clothing, and...
MoreSensory Boards for Special Needs
Sensory processing disorders cause children to have a distorted sense of their surroundings, which often interrupts their learning and exploration of their world. Sensory integration is our brain’s ability to interpret and respond to...
MoreCerebral Palsy — An Adoption Story
“I hope to adopt someday.” The sentiment was real, yet my idea of adoption was romanticized and I lacked a real understanding of adoption. I pictured bringing a shy, malnourished, lonely child to my home who would transform into a...
MoreWhat is Recreation Therapy?
Recreation therapists plan and direct leisure activities for individuals with disabilities or illness. These leisure activities can be a myriad of things, including arts, music, sports, movement, dance, games, wellness, and exercise.
MoreMusic Therapy for Children with ADHD
According to the American Music Therapy Association, “Music Therapy is the clinical and evidence-based use of music interventions to accomplish individualized goals within a therapeutic relationship by a credentialed professional who has...
MoreSpecial Needs Schools
All children have different learning styles. Some are visual learners, who require charts and other graphical representations of information to learn well, and don’t typically understand or retain information when they hear it without...
MoreTen Asperger’s Traits of Women
1) We are deep philosophical thinkers and writers; gifted in the sense of our level of thinking. Perhaps poets, professors, authors, or avid readers of nonfictional genre. I don’t believe you can have Aspergers without being...
MoreWorking with Special Needs Children
Many people spend their lives searching for a career that be not only financially lucrative, but also emotionally fulfilling. For those who want to make a difference in the lives of others, and earn a special place in someone’s heart...
MoreResources For Children With Special Needs
This is a great place to find resources for children with special needs. We are an informational haven for parents who are starting out or going through any of the many phases of raising a special needs child. The many different articles, books...
MoreAuthor Rebecca Woods an Inspiration to All Moms
It seems like so rarely do we see autism in fiction, and when it’s done as well as Living Through Charlie, one has to wonder at how much truth really lies behind the story. While it might have started out more like a memoir, author Rebecca...
MoreThe Journey of the Parent with a Special Needs Child
I think it’s time we acknowledge the internal emotional experience of a parent of a child with special needs. This is a journey, and there are times when you will feel traumatized or in disbelief with your experience, and times when you...
MoreThe Benefits of an Inclusive Classroom
In the educational field, “inclusion” means that children with and without identified disabilities are taught together in the same classroom to the greatest extent possible. Services such as speech, physical therapy, or assistive technology are...
MoreWhat is Hyperactivity?
Hyperactivity is the state of excess activity and might be manifested by fidgeting, jumping, nervousness, or inability to sit still. Hyperactivity is a common symptom of ADHD, or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.
MoreWhen is it Attention Deficit Disorder?
Attention deficit disorder, commonly called ADD amongst the general public, is a disorder characterized by distractibility, impulsivity, and hyperactivity. Attention deficit disorder is the same as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder...
MoreMusic Appreciation for Every Need
The American Youth Symphony performed their first of three concerts in the Elfman Project, a series that features the work of beloved film composer Danny Elfman. The audience was a varied group of AYS members, the player’s families, UCLA...
MoreWhat Exactly IS Dyslexia?
The word dyslexia was coined in 1895 but didn’t come into common usage until the 1960s. The word comes from the Greek roots dys, meaning “abnormal” or “difficult,” and lexis, meaning “word” or “speech.” At its most basic level, dyslexia literally...
MoreTransitioning 2 Life Skills – From HS to Adult
Meet Transition Mandates with Transition 2 Life What happens when your child graduates from high school with a diploma but no functional skills to live as an adult?
MoreLA2015 Is Here! Southern California is Celebrating Special Needs Athletes From Around the Globe
What a grand sight​ to see as a marching band begins the procession of athletes from Mongolia, San Marino, St. Vincent & the Grenadines and Tajikistan, all who are participating in this years Special Olympics World Games LA2015.
MoreSSI Benefits for Children with Disabilities
The Social Security Administration, or SSA, offers some benefits for children with disabilities. SSI, or Social Security Income, is typically paid to adults who are 65 and older and who meet low income and limited resources requirements...
MoreCHADD: Children and Adults with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
CHADD is a non-profit organization that serves children and adults with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder. With 16,000 members and over 200 chapters across the United States, CHADD is the largest organization that serves the children...
MoreSummer Camps for Special Needs Children
“Special needs” is a phrase that is often used to describe any child who is physically, mentally, emotionally or behaviorally different from his or her peers. It can refer to a wide variety of conditions, illnesses or difficulties, and is...
MoreSpecial Needs App of the Day: MyVoice Communication Aid
This review is courtesy of Wynsum Arts’ Every App Has a Story, the stories behind Wynsum Arts’ distinguished apps.
MoreActivities for Kids: Chase Games
Most of us have played the classic game of tag at some point in our lives, and we continue to pass on this activity to our kids. Make this classic chase game more fun with a few variations. Balloon Tag
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