Special Needs Kids and Genetic Mutations

Following is an article I found on Complexchild.com emagazine.  I am always interested in genetics since so many of the kids I work with have genetic mutations.  I had never given any thought to this aspect of genetics. 
Click "read more" to read full article

Never Judge a Fat Guy

My daughter got an ipod touch for Christmas which has been difficult to pull out of her hand. Recently on an airplane she wrote this on her ipod and emailed it to me.

"Never judge a fat guy by his look. Today while sitting on the airplane
a fat guy sat down next to my mom, me being in the window seat glanced
over to see a fat guy sitting next to her.

The guy was very big with gray hair sticking out from his dark brown hair
and a mustache a little more gray then brown. My first thought was, that
sucks for my mom. About 20 minutes after, my mom had her computer out
(she had been working on a drawing for her architects) the man leaned
over and asked her what program she was using because he was an architect.

My mom told the man and they talked about it for about five minutes, my
mom then proceeded to have the man help her with the design she was working
on and they then talked for another twenty minutes.

I know it sounds cheesy that I'm saving this but I'm a loser who ALWAYS
forgets stuff and I felt bad because he was very nice. I'm still listening
to them talk. I think my mom made a new friend. "

I did make a new friend.

I think people that look different are judged by their outward appearance. It is everyone's responsibility, especially mine as a parent to role model that everyone is valuable and important and outward appearance doesn't always reflect the beauty inside.

In this case, my new friend brought me new insights and knowledge and helped me overcome design obstacles with which I was wrestling. Thank you friend.

10 things I learned working with developmental disabilities

It's good to periodically review some of the lessons life teaches you... here are a few of the things I am learning as a student in occupational therapy working with kids that have severe cognitive impairments...

10. It’s good to wash your hands

A lot of the kids I work with think that putting soap on their hands and rinsing it off is enough… learning how to wash hands independently is an important skill that should not be overlooked!

9. Don’t be afraid of the obvious

I learned yesterday from a young man that it is important to choose your battles.  I wanted to have him practice putting his coat on and off…. He only wanted his coat on.  After a few minutes – I had to settle for the obvious… he was going to win this battle and his coat was gonna stay on – so… we began learning how to zip coats instead 

8. Don’t be afraid of a mess

This lesson was from the kids that I teach how to use utensils at the table.  It’s okay to be a little messy as long as you are learning… long towels work as good bibs too 

Click "read more" for more...

Mother with Aspergers shares insight into autistic behaviors

An Article Found at: "Autistic Self-Advocacy Network"

"Melody is not only raising two sons with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), she also lives with one herself. Like my 7-year-old son Ethan, Melody lives with Asperger's Syndrome. Thanks to her unique point of view, Melody often has very helpful ideas and suggestions for other parents raising kids living with ASD.


Click "read more" to complete the article 

Playing with Severely Impaired Special Needs Kids - Part 1

As professionals working with children that have severe disabilities we have found that there are ways to play with common toys and connect with your loved one and motivates them to move and do things you may not have seen before!  These short clips reveal just that - simple techniques of how to make "play time" with your child more fun for both them and you.  

This video is embedded through YouTube. 
What do you find that severely impaired kids like to play with?

Playing with Severely Impaired Special Needs Kids - Part 2

As professionals working with children that have severe disabilities we have found that there are ways to play with common toys and connect with your loved one and motivates them to move and do things you may not have seen before!  These short clips reveal just that - simple techniques of how to make "play time" with your child more fun for both them and you.
This video is embedded through YouTube

Playing with Severely Impaired Special Needs Kids - Part 3

As professionals working with children that have severe disabilities we have found that there are ways to play with common toys and connect with your loved one and motivates them to move and do things you may not have seen before!  These short clips reveal just that - simple techniques of how to make "play time" with your child more fun for both them and you.
This video is embedded through YouTube.

One Handed Kitchen Container

As someone with cerebral palsy on the left side of my body, I have found that the tasks that prove the most challenging for me are in the kitchen.  One simple product I found that made cooking less frustrating for me was the OXO "POP Container"

This way I do not have to struggle at all to open a container for my sugar, flour, or anything.  The frustration it saves me is well worth the price.  I am excited to get more for Christmas!

Features & Benefits

• Airtight seal with the press of a button
• Modular stacking system for optimal countertop and pantry organization
• Set includes: 1 4.0-quart Container, ideal for a 5 lb bag of flour or sugar. 1 2.5-quart Container, ideal size for rice, pasta, breadsticks. 1 2.4-quart Container, ideal for cookies, crackers. 1 2.1-quart Container, ideal for spaghetti, linguini, lasagna. 2 0.9-quart Containers, ideal for brown sugar, nuts. 2 0.5-quart Containers, ideal for tea bags, candy, sugar cubes. 2 0.3-quart Containers, ideal for spices, dried chilies, bouillon.
• Square shapes maximize space-efficiency
• Container corners allow for easy pouring
• Pop-up button serves as handle to lift off lid
• Also great for use in the garage, sewing room, play room and more
• Silicone gasket is dishwasher safe, hand wash other parts
• BPA-free

  

Independent Living - Alternative Options

The following is an article from NPR:

What do you think -  Should a 22 year old be living in a Nursing Home???

After a year in a nursing home, Mathew Harp got his wish and moved out. He now lives in an Atlanta neighborhood with a woman who provides his attendant care.


Click "read more" to read article

Standing Wheelchair

A standing wheelchair

Yesterday we put a very energetic young man with severe cognitive and physical developmental disabilities in a standing wheelchair.  As soon as the breaking mechanisms were loosed, this young gentleman sprung to his feet – literally!  A big smile spread across his face with the realization that he could stand up himself for the first time!

How does the standing wheelchair work?
Click "read more" to find out

Home Help Services for the developmentally disabled

HOME HELP SERVICES

Are you concerned about taking care of yourself and continuing to live in your own home?

Are you eligible for Medicaid?

This program may let you hire someone to help you with your essential daily activities.

Down's Syndrome & Occupational Therapy

When your child is an infant, your immediate concerns relate to his health and growth, development of the basic motor milestones, social interaction with you and others, interest in things going on around him, and early speech sounds and responses. At this stage an OT may become involved to:

• 

- assist with oral-motor feeding problems (this can also be addressed by Speech Pathologists). Due to hypotonia and weakness of the muscles of the cheeks, tongue and lips, feeding is difficult for some infants with Down syndrome. OTs suggest positioning and feeding techniques, and can be involved in doing feeding studies, if necessary.

                 

What is CP?

Diagnosis of Cerebral Palsy

Cerebral Palsy (CP) simply means that there has been some injury to the brain during development which has resulted in difficulty transmitting the necessary impulses from the brain to the muscles for coordinated movement.

Many children born prematurely will develop some movement difficulties related to early neurological injury.  These impairments emerge slowly over time and are typically not evident during the newborn period.  Most mild motor abnormalities noticeable during the first few months of life will improve and may completely resolve with time.  When motor impairment persists, a diagnosis of cerebral palsy may be considered. 

 About 10% of children born at birth weights of less than 1000 grams will eventually receive a diagnosis of cerebral palsy (McCarton, et. al, 1996; O'Shea, et. al., 1998), a permanent condition.  

Diagnosing cerebral palsy in children born prematurely is often a difficult process which requires observing the child's development over time.

Course of Rett's Syndrome

Rett Syndrome is a neurological syndrome that effects girls almost exclusively, and may be misdiagnosed as autism or cerebral palsy


  The course of Rett syndrome, including the age of onset and the severity of symptoms, varies from child to child. Before the symptoms begin, however, the child generally appears to grow and develop normally, although there are often subtle abnormalities even in early infancy, such as loss of muscle tone (hypotonia), difficulty feeding, and jerkiness in limb movements. Then, gradually, mental and physical symptoms appear. As the syndrome progresses, the child loses purposeful use of her hands and the ability to speak. Other early symptoms may include problems crawling or walking and diminished eye contact. The loss of functional use of the hands is followed by compulsive hand movements such as wringing and washing. The onset of this period of regression is sometimes sudden


Children with Rett syndrome often exhibit autistic-like behaviors in the early stages. Other symptoms may include walking on the toes, sleep problems, a wide-based gait, teeth grinding and difficulty chewing, slowed growth, seizures, cognitive disabilities, and breathing difficulties while awake such as hyperventilation, apnea (breath holding), and air swallowing.

What are the stages of the disorder?

Scientists generally describe four stages of Rett syndrome.

Down Syndrome Symptoms

General characteristics

Most children with Down syndrome have some of the following physical traits:

• Short stature. A child often grows slowly and, as an adult, is shorter than average.
• Weak muscles (hypotonia) throughout the body. A child may seem to have less strength than other children of the same age. Weak abdominal muscles also make the stomach stick out.
• A short, wide neck with excess fat and skin. Usually, this trait is less obvious as the child gets older.
• Short, stocky arms and legs. Some children also have a wide space between the big toe and second toe.
• A single crease across the center of the palms of the hands. This is called a transverse palmar crease or simian line.

Facial features

Down syndrome often results in distinct facial features, such as:

• Small, low-set ears.
• Irregularly shaped mouth and tongue. The child's tongue may partly stick out. The roof of the mouth (palate) may be narrow and high with a downward curve.
• A nasal bridge that looks pushed in. The nasal bridge is the flat area between the nose and eyes.
• Tissue buildup on the colored part of the eye (iris). These areas are known as Brushfield's spots and do not affect the child's vision.
• Irregular and crooked teeth that often come in late and not in the normal sequence.

(found at http://children.webmd.com/tc/down-syndrome-symptoms)