Planning for your kids’ future can be daunting, but parents of children with special needs must take a few extra steps to make sure their children will be taken care of in adulthood. If your child is or will be receiving government benefits, be sure that any money you bequeath in your will or any […]
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Music therapy is a well-established, evidence-based professional health discipline that uses music to achieve non-musical, therapeutic treatment goals. Formal music therapy was first used in 1945 to help military service members in Army hospitals with occupational therapy, education, recreation, and physical reconditioning.1 Recognized as a related service for children with special needs, music therapy may […]
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As authors and publishers are starting to recognize the importance of representation, more children’s books now feature characters with disabilities, providing role models who represent their struggles and triumphs. The books in this list include representation of a variety of disabilities, showing all children that a disability is only a part of a person’s story, […]
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Children with autism and other special needs frequently engage in challenging behaviors, such as aggression, self-injurious behavior (SIB), and property destruction. These behaviors can range from skin-picking and slapping to head-banging, self-biting, punching, and kicking. Challenging behaviors negatively affect the whole family, and parents are struggling to properly care for loved ones who engage in […]
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Although at the present time, COVID-19 has disrupted the level of regular community activities schools are able to implement, this article is to highlight the importance of community involvement for the special needs student population. Community activities and recreation can be particularly important for the mental and physical health of children with autism. These activities […]
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For special needs children, learning daily living skills such as self-care, personal hygiene, laundry, cooking, and cleaning is fundamental to developing a greater level of independence in adulthood. These skills will help prepare them for future adult situations in the home, community, and workplace. But, because they take more time and effort for a special needs […]
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A parent’s perspectiveI am the stepparent of a developmentally delayed 11-year-old with autism, and while it’s not easy in the best of times, right now, it is a struggle. There are no easy answers to this emotionally and financially unsustainable situation. But you are not alone. For what it’s worth, here are some things that […]
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Just as all students are different, all students also learn differently. However, for some students, these differences make it more difficult for them to achieve academic success in a school setting. They may have difficulty reading, writing, performing mathematical calculations, or other skills. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) defines a learning disability as […]
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Attending Individualized Education Program (IEP) meetings is one of the important ways that you help guide and monitor your child’s progress in school. The more you know about IEPs, the more you can contribute to a positive, constructive conversation with your child’s team at school. Being prepared can help you go into the meeting feeling […]
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What a Paraprofessional does to help special needs students.As I’m sure you know, special education is quite a bit different from the standard classroom environment. Teachers use a wide variety of materials, including multi-sensory and hands-on learning activities to help each child to reach his or her full academic potential. And, importantly, students require more […]
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