HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

thanksgiving

Happy 1 Year Blog Anniversary!

one year anniversay

 

Wow! Time really does fly. It is so hard to believe that it has been one year since I began this blog. Well officially On September 25th, but why not start the celebration early right? During the past year, I have written 102 articles which averages to about 2 a week. Not too bad huh?

I started this blog as a way of giving back to a career which has given me so much joy.. Helping people disabilities, families, professionals and organizations. Working as both a speaker and a trainer in the developmental disability field I have collected loads of information pertaining to special education, special needs, and developmental disability topics and felt the time was right to share. My other purpose in creating Special Needs Resource Blog was realizing that most blogs and social media sites were created mainly from parents and special education teachers. It truly saddens me that in the year 2015, parents are still struggling to locate services and information on their own.

My other passion and joy is learning and sharing information with others. My vision for upcoming year to continue to share resources, expand and gather additional information. In the upcoming year, I will have a page for free items including templates that can be duplicated.

In celebrating Special resources 1 year anniversary, I am raffling off a few items. All are welcome to participate.

autims.magnet

Autism Car Magnet

Autism Earrings

Autism Earrings

Autism Lanyard

Autism Lanyard

Rules

  1. Contest is open to both international and domestic visitors
  2. Contest is open from September 11th to September 25th
  3. I only request that you follow me. You can follow my Twitter, Google+, Facebook Like or this blog.
  4. winner must have a valid email address. Failure to respond within 72 hours will result in a new winner being chosen.

Thanks again for all of your support and feel free to contact me.

 

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You’ll grow to love that extra chromosome! 

If only I could go back to the day our daughter was born. There’s so much I’d say to comfort myself. Hopefully, I’ll eventually help someone else at the start of their journey. I want someone to see that everything is going to be alright! You’ll survive this storm of emotions! Your baby isn’t the baby you dreamed of but I’m here to say your precious baby will be so much more than you could ever imagine!

Continue reading You’ll grow to love that extra chromosome! .

Developmental Disability Awareness Month

March is Developmental Disability Awareness Month.

Facts
  • In 2010, 5.2 percent of school-aged children were reported to have a disability
  • 15.2 million Adults (6.3 percent experience some kind of cognitive disability.
  • According to the CDC, one in six or about 15 percent of children aged 3 through 17 years have one or more developmental disabilities.

 

The Term “developmental disability” means a severe, chronic disability of an individual that:
  1. Is attributable to a mental or physical impairment or combination of mental and physical impairment.
  2. Is manifested before the individual attains age 22
  3. Is likely to continue indefinitely.
  4. Results in substantial functional limitations in 3 or more of the following areas of major life activity:
          1. Self-care
          2. Receptive and expressive language
          3. Learning
          4. Mobility
          5. Self Direction
          6. Capacity for independent living
          7. Economic self-sufficiency
          8. Reflects the individual’s need for a combination and sequence of special, interdisciplinary, or genetic services, individualized supports, or other forms of assistance that are of lifelong or extended duration and are individually planned and coordinated.
Infants and children- An individual from birth to age 9, inclusive who has substantial developmental delay or specific congenital or acquired condition, may be considered to have a developmental disability without meeting 3 or more of the criteria described in clause 4.

CDC- Learn the Signs. Act early

History of the developmental Disabilities Act

Test how much you know about developmental disabilities.

Click on the link below an print out the word search.

developmental disability game pic

disability test

 

 

Happy Holidays

The Special Needs Blog wishes you and yours a happy holiday!

happy holidays

Family Resources

Special Education- A Crash Course

Basic Special Education Rights

Disability Resource Links

Financial Resources

OSEP Resources for Families

The Families and Advocates Partnerships for Education

Planning for a Special Needs Child-** New

Understanding Dyslexia and How to Help Children Who Have It

 

The Importance of Self-Esteem for Kids With Learning and Attention Issues

 

Parenting Tips for ADHD: Do’s and Don’ts

 

How to Create an Autism-Friendly Environment for Kids

How to Discuss Puberty with Your Child Who Has Special Needs

 

Creating the Optimal Environment for a Kid with ADHD

ADHD and Addiction – What is the Risk?

Teaching the Person with Autism How to Drive

Updated September 15, 2017

Cold Weather Precautions Resources

Mayo Clinic- safety tips for exercising outdoors

Winter preparedness tips for persons with disabilities

Winter storm safety checklist

Wind Chill Chart

Tips for Winter Weather Preparedness for People with Disabilities

Early Intervention Resources

  1.  ECTA-Center- Provides national leadership in assisting states with the implementation of high-quality child and family outcome measurements for early intervention
  2. Early Intervention Definition
  3. Early Intervention (Part C of IDEA)- Describes Part C of IDEA. Focuses on early intervention including eligibility and evaluation and assessment.
  4. Parent Center HUB- A resource website that summarizes early intervention information.
  5. Autism Speaks- Describes early intervention for a child born with autism.
  6. First Signs, Inc.- A national non-profit organization dedicated to educating parents and professionals about the early signs of autism and related disorders.
  7. Early Intervention Research Institute– An interdisciplinary organization committed to investigating and improving policies and practices that support the well-being of at-risk children.
  8. Effective Practices in Early Intervention
  9. Finding Early Intervention Resources in your State
  10. Teaching Tools for Challenging Behaviors

Down Syndrome Organizations

 The internet offers a number of website that provide resources on Down syndrome. Topics including family support groups, education, medical and advocacy. For additional information, click on the links below:

down syndrome ribbon

 

 

 

Band of Angels: http://www.bandofangels.com/-

Established in 1994, Band of Angels provides support for individuals with Down Syndrome and their families. The website offers links on Down Syndrome support groups and a litany of topics including, adoption, autism and education.

Down Syndrome International https://www.ds-int.org/

A U.K. based international organization comprising a membership of individuals and organizations from all over the world. Disseminates information on Down Syndrome including prenatal diagnosis, early intervention, education, medical, health, employment, aging and human rights. Down Syndrome International also promoted World Down Syndrome Day (March 21) as a day dedicated to people with Down Syndrome.

 

Global Down Syndrome http://www.globaldownsyndrome.org/

Provides fundraising, education and governmental advocacy for the Linda Crnic Institute for Down Syndrome. Resources available on the website include, information on research, medical care and facts on Down Syndrome.

 

 

International Down Syndrome Coalition: http://theidsc.org/

Dedicated to helping and advocating for individuals with Down syndrome from conception and throughout life. Offers support to parents who are new to the Down syndrome diagnosis by connecting parents to each other.

 

National Association for Down Syndrome http://www.nads.org/

NADS is the oldest organization in the United States serving individuals with Down syndrome and their families. Also provides families with information and resources that will enable them to access appropriate services and educates the public about Down syndrome.

 

National Down Syndrome Congress http://www.ndsccenter.org/

The purpose of the NDSC is to promote the interests of people with Down syndrome and their families through advocacy, public awareness, and information. When we empower individuals and families from all demographic backgrounds, we reshape the way people understand and experience Down syndrome.

National Down Syndrome Society http://www.ndss.org/

NDSS provides resources to new and expectant parents and offers a toll-free helpline and email services. NDSS also focuses on transitions , wellness and education

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dementia and Intellectual Disabilities

Articles

Dementia and Intellectual Disabilities

Dementia in Older Adults with Intellectual Disabilities

Dementia for Carers of People with Down’s Syndrome

Down Syndrome and Alzheimer’s Disease

Alzheimer’s Disease and Down Syndrome Overview

Alzheimer Disease in Down Syndrome-Medscape Reference

Down’s Syndrome and Dementia Journal Article

Down’s Syndrome and Alzheimer’s Disease Risk