Welcome to our interview with Sandra from Respite, Inc. We talked about the importance of taking time for rest, relaxation, rejuvenation and renewal. But it’s not always easy. Many states offer Respite services so you can have a paid caregiver, that you trust, care for your Special Needs Family Member while you take a break – date night, a massage? Sound good? Here’s how to make it happen not only for your benefit but for your loved ones, too.

Sandra-Respite Interview.mp3

Listen here or right click to download.

For more about Respite, Inc. check out their website here.

If you are not in California, check with your state’s Disabilities Services to find out what Respite Services are available to you.

And for more on how you can take care of yourself, check out my interview with Doreen Fulton of IEP for Mom.

Click here for information on iBake Sale and how to support Our Special Families Village.

I forgot to mention this in the video but AnnaLaura Brown of Special Needs WAHMs interviewed me. Listen in here.

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Loud and Clear: A Special Needs Conversation

Although Medicaid is available only to those having limited income and assets, once an individual with disabilities reaches the age of 18, family assets are no longer considered, making it an important consideration in all special needs estate planning.

Special Needs Resource Magazine – Special Educators Toolkit

Share this with your child’s teachers!

Cindy Golden, a seasoned special educator, administrator, and psychologist with almost 30 years of experience, has based this teacher-friendly toolkit on her popular OMAC (Organization and Management of All Classrooms) system an innovative approach to creating effective classrooms for students with all types of disabilities. Special educators will get step-by-step, ready-to-use guidance on managing six key aspects of their daily work:

The Special Needs Future is now! 11 Tips to make sure you are prepared

But how do you, as young parents already overwhelmed by care-giving, begin such a task? Start by educating yourself while the kids are still young…

Children with Reading Problems? Perhaps it’s Irlen Syndrome

Finally, Jennifer’s parents, who were determined to help their daughter, discovered something called Irlen Syndrome, a visual processing disorder. They looked it up on the Internet and found a testing center near their home. They wanted to see if perhaps Jennifer had this “little known” disorder that they later found affects as many as 18% of the population. Sure enough she had Irlen Syndrome.

From Project Julia’s World – What Is A Deaf Child’s Bill of Rights?

 Eleven states in the U.S. have already passed a Deaf Child Bill of Rights to ensure the choice of communication mode of deaf/hard of hearing children is respected and to ensure these children have fully accessible educational opportunities through an IEP focused on language and communication needs.

Early Intervention for Children under Three through IDEA Part C

Did you know that eligible children under age three can get special education support? They can, through the Early Intervention Program of Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)!

How to Bully-Proof Your Child with attorney and author Greg Branch.

If you have found any great resources or stories, please share them in the Comments Section.

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The TOP 10 Reasons to Hire an Individual with a Developmental Disability

This was put out by Clallam County, WA Health and Human Services but it applies everywhere. Share this with business in your home town.

Sheltered workshops for developmentally disabled should be revisited 

With the State developmental centers facing political and functional oblivion, many individuals with overt disabilities will be transferred to the community, ostensibly without appropriate support. Yet, sheltered workshops may not only provide a wage, but professional supervision, as well.

If you have found any great resources or stories, please share them in the Comments Section.

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Procedures To Use The Treadmill Training In Infants With Down Syndrome

Check out this Free Downloadable Treadmill Training Protocol from Noah’s Dad.

National Running Program Launched by Research Down Syndrome Foundation to Support Down Syndrome Cognitive Research

Building on successful marathon and other race events during 2011 in major cities, including New York City, Chicago and San Diego, RDS is expanding its running program to greatly increase its research funding, and has been accepted as a charity partner in multiple marathons across the country. Shorter fun races are being organized as well. “We are grateful for the enthusiastic support we received in events during 2011,” states Dr. Robert Schoen, RDS President, “Our goal is to support persons with Down syndrome by significantly increasing our fundraising in 2012.”

Adults With Down Syndrome Can Live Independently And Have A Satisfying Life

According to Craig Kendall, co-author of “How to Live, Love and Succeed with Down Syndrome” parents should develop a transition plan a year or so before their your loved one leaves school. Every person with Down syndrome is different, of course, so no two life courses will be the same. Kendall recommends that at least a year before a child is getting ready to leave school, the parents meet with school officials and try to develop a transition plan for them.

 Hanby’s inclusiveness provides an education

Now 14, Rogers’ daughter Ariel, who was born with Down syndrome, spends more than 80 percent of her day in mainstream classes with her peers at Hanby Middle School in Gold Hill.

Northridge’s Gabriel provides unlimited inspiration

 Allison Gabriel is an 18-year-old senior guard for the Lady Jaguars. She’s not the leading scorer or rebounder. She’s not the tallest or fastest player, and she doesn’t start. What she brings to the program is an inspirational attitude.

Dad with Down syndrome son: Don’t feel sorry

Smith wants to de-stigmatize Down syndrome in his blog, NoahsDad.com.

I started off today’s post with one from Noah’s Dad and I want to close with this interview with him. Rick is an amazing inspiration for all of us with Special Needs Family Members.

If you have found any great resources or stories, please share them in the Comments Section.

Help make The Village Your Village but sharing your thoughts, ideas and suggestions in this short survey. It’ll only take a few minutes but I appreciate your time very much.

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Cerebral palsy boy’s silence broken thanks to ‘Hawking’ talker

Great story!

Young Joshua Lindley has begun a modelling career after a speaking machine helped him find his voice.

Was it right to ban this boy’s assistance dog from school?

Interesting commentary about this Story: Cerebral Palsy Boy’s Assistance Dog Banned From School

In a word – No. Just my opinion.

Genetic Abnormalities May Cause Cerebral Palsy

For years it was thought that a difficult birth and other perinatal factors were the leading causes of cerebral palsy (CP), a group of disorders that can involve brain and nervous system functions such as movement, learning, hearing, seeing and thinking. Now, researchers at Geisinger Health System find that the majority of cerebral palsy causes may in fact be caused by genetic abnormalities.

If you have found any great resources or stories, please share them in the Comments Section.

Help make The Village Your Village but sharing your thoughts, ideas and suggestions in this short survey. It’ll only take a few minutes but I appreciate your time very much.