When autism diagnosis hits, parents often find themselves in uncharted territory. Irisa Leverette, warrior mom to Darius, felt hopeless and uncertain about her son’s future. In our podcast, Irisa shares her journey of navigating denial and questioning, ‘why our child?’ Start here: be patient with yourself, and don’t hesitate to seek support.
Families thrive when daily routines offer balance and flexibility. To keep your child’s summer days organized, try using the Lil Planner – Visual Schedule app, a free tool that helps create a visual representation of activities and appointments.
Traveling with a child who has a disability that you can’t always see can feel lonely and stressful. But one simple symbol is making a big difference – the Sunflower Lanyard. This discreet signal helps families communicate their extra needs, making outings and travel more inclusive and less overwhelming.
When summer camp searches return no results, it’s easy to feel defeated. For families like ours, finding inclusive camps for kids with disabilities is an ongoing challenge. Some summer camps may claim to be ‘inclusive,’ but upon further review, they’re often not prepared for children with higher support needs.
Calming the senses, one room at a time. For autistic children, a sensory-friendly home can be a safe haven, reducing overwhelm and promoting calm. In the living room, try swapping harsh overhead lighting for table lamps or strings of fairy lights, and adding soft throw blankets to encourage cozy snuggling.
Starting small can give your child a big boost in building confidence and independence. Try breaking down daily tasks, like laying the table or packing a snack, into manageable steps. You can also create a visual checklist with pictures or symbols to make it easier for them to understand what’s expected.
Turn your home into a beach day road trip adventure, even without leaving the house. Get excited, just like you would on a real road trip.
Managing Menstruation for Girls with Disabilities: A Guide For many girls with special needs, menstruation can be a overwhelming experience. Their brains might struggle to connect physical sensations with emotions, leading to anxiety and frustration. Consider using visual schedules to help them understand and prepare for period days. Dr.
School Nurses Support Whole-Child Health: Here’s What You Need to Know. Managing a child’s health in school can feel overwhelming, especially if they have daily medical needs. School nurses play a critical role in supporting families, from developing individual health care plans to monitoring students’ mental health and nutrition.
When kids with special needs explore their world, they may not understand personal boundaries. A simple way to address this is by using gentle touch examples. For instance, explain that it’s okay to hug a family member, but not okay to touch a stranger’s body without permission.
