For Families and Caregivers – The News You Need This Week (4/18/12)

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Mother’s Day is just around the corner! If you find the information, resources and support here on Our Special Families Village Helpful, please consider supporting our efforts when you shop your favorite online retailers through iBakeSale.com. Thank you.

Navigating College – a Handbook for Students with Autism

Good information for any Special Needs Person heading to college. Actually there’s a lot of good info here for any Special Needs Person who wants to live more independently.

Worried about:

  • getting accommodations,
  • getting places on time,
  • dealing with sensory issues in a new environment.

Need advice on:

  • staying healthy at school,
  • good eating and sleeping habits,
  • dating and relationships,
  • independent living,
  • talking to your friends and classmates about your disability.

New Federal Agency Gives Boost To Disability Issues

I’m always skeptical about more bureaucracy but maybe this will be good…

Obama administration officials and disability advocates say the bureaucratic change could pay big dividends long-term for people with special needs by pushing disability issues up the food chain at the cabinet-level agency. Specifically, they say, a big plus is that the new head of the community living administration will have a seat at the decision-making table as an assistant secretary directly reporting to Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius.

Belonging to a Community: How Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Are Finding Joy

Belonging is defined as “acceptance as a natural member or part.” For far too long, many individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities have not had the opportunity to feel accepted or believe that they truly belonged in their communities — something that so many of us take for granted each day.

Feds Back Off Special Education Funding Plan

But when the Education Department weighed in last June about the spending standards districts must meet in the years after they fail to abide by the maintenance of effort requirement, government officials got an earful from special education advocates.

Secret stress reliever

This works – Matthew and I both do it!

No, it’s not a cure-all for stress and anxiety – but it’s a powerful tool. I was reminded of it this week via a pink paper airplane!

Where Are Your Dreams for the Future of Your Child with Autism?

This applies to all Families with Special Needs Loved Ones.

Without dreams we do not have much of a future, for as Eleanor Roosevelt reminded us, “The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.” It is important to have dreams, for once we cease to dream it becomes very difficult to remain motivated and move towards a non-existent vision.

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Down Syndrome – The News You Need This Week (4/17/12)

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Mother’s Day is just around the corner! If you find the information, resources and support here on Our Special Families Village Helpful, please consider supporting our efforts when you shop your favorite online retailers through iBakeSale.com.

Angels give Down syndrome man a chance

There is a place for everyone. Everyone has their own gifts and their own genius. And we all deserve a chance to shine.

Albert Pujols. Pu-jols! Pu-jols! He’s the best,” he said enthusiastically, knowing the Angels slugger has a 14-year-old daughter, Bella, with Down Syndrome.

Hendershot makes the connection proudly. He wants to show that his condition doesn’t keep him hidden at home or unable to do a public job well.

Facebook acts to take down vile trolling abuse of girl with Down’s Syndrome after Parentdish steps in

Bravo Parentdish and Facebook!

A Facebook spokesman told Parentdish.co.uk: “These images can and will be removed by Facebook; Liz Crowter would need to use this link to report unauthorised photos.

“Once the images are reported, they will be reviewed by our User Operations team – who are responsible for reviewing incoming reports and taking the necessary action.

“Across much of the wider web there are few controls on behaviour and the content that individuals can post. That isn’t the case on Facebook. Facebook has a real identity policy, which makes people accountable for their actions and behaviour.

“When people on Facebook do find themselves in a situation where they feel uncomfortable, we encourage them to use our reporting tools so the content or activity can be investigated.

“We also have a set of rules that set out how people are expected to behave – the Statement of Rights and Responsibilities. These rules are intended to create a balance between enabling free speech and preventing harassment and abuse.”

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

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If you find the information, resources and support here on Our Special Families Village Helpful, please consider supporting our efforts when you shop your favorite online retailers through iBakeSale.com. Thank you.

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.

Please let us know your thoughts or questions on these articles in the Comments Section or privately via the Contact Page.