Information and Resources | Our Special Families Village

For Families and Caregivers – The News You Need This Week (4/4/12)

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Raising a kid with special needs: On parent delays and development

I thought about how the nurse has, for the past couple of years, pushed me to be more diligent about training Max. I could have done this a long time ago. But I wasn’t ready. And I’m just not going to feel guilty about that (although guilt has crossed my mind). I’ve got a lot going on in life, like any parent of a kid with special needs. I do my best.

It’s that time of year – crunch time! But maybe this will help take the sting out of the process…

Income Tax Deductions for Children with Special Needs

Before claiming tax deductions on your special needs child, consult your tax attorney or the Internal Revenue Service. The Internal Revenue Service has the right to audit any individual’s annual tax returns for up to six years after it was filed; keep all documentation pertaining to your return for at least that long.

Self determination: the ingredients

Clearly, kids are going to make some mistakes when they make their own choices and speak up for themselves. And it takes some effort on our part to give them opportunities to try. And sometimes to fail. And to try again.

Inclusion Done Right, and Gone Wrong

When done right, inclusion can be a terrific experience for all students, allowing every learner to get needs met and be challenged to work at the best of his or her ability. At its worst, it’s no good for anybody. It’s hard for parents to know, though, what good inclusion is supposed to look like if the only model they have is wanting.

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Filed Under: Information and Resources, Parenting Information and Resources, Special Education, Special Needs Caregivers Tagged With: Advocacy, Inclusion Programs, Parenting Special Needs Kids, Special Education, Special Needs Law

What’s Wrong with Using the R-Word?

By Sandra 3 Comments

I’ve been an avid follower and proponent of the Spread the Word to End the Word campaign to end the use of the word “retard.”

But I’ve been thinking lately that maybe we’re on the wrong track here. Maybe campaigning to end the use of the R-Word is nothing more than putting a Band-Aid on a cancer.

We used to describe people with mental illnesses as being crazy. And then suddenly the term “crazy” became a derogatory one.

At one time the term mentally retarded was nothing more than a medical term like ALS or Multiple Sclerosis. Now we’re being told that we need to use terms like “intellectually disabled” or “cognitively impaired.” There’s even a lot of confusion and disagreement about which of those terms is the best.

But here’s the truth…

The term isn’t the problem.

The problem is the way our society views those who are different. For example, if you’re a geek in a school were jocks are cool, or perhaps a jock in a school where geeks are cool, then you are seen as being different in a bad way.

I think the important thing to keep in mind here is that everyone is different and that’s what makes our world so wonder-ful.

And that’s the word we should be spreading.

Eventually we will let eliminate the use of the R-Word but what word will we need to eliminate next?

Blond?

Filed Under: Information and Resources, On A Personal Note, Village News Tagged With: Developmentally Disabled, Intellectual Disability, mentally retarded, R-Word

Down Syndrome – The News You Need This Week (4/3/12)

By Sandra Leave a Comment

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Baby Developmental Milestone: Noah Sits Up By Himself!

I love Noah’s Family’s Celebrate, don’t compare philosophy!

Our neighbors must think we’re crazy because of all the loud screaming that comes from our house. I’m sure anyone walking by our house can hear it. It’s loud. Why so much noise you ask? Well, because we celebrate like crazy around here! It doesn’t matter how big or small(no accomplishment is a small accomplishment in my book) we celebrate every win in our house.

Take a few moments out of your day to watch this. But get the tissues first.