Despite the DSM 5's (poor) decision not to recognize Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) as a disorder, it exists. And it affects many of our children. (One of mine included!) Fortunately, in the classroom, more teachers are becoming aware of SPD and the unique needs of children who have it. So what are helpful classroom strategies teachers are using for students with SPD ? First, let's quickly … [Read more...]
Me Time and a Wish For You
Just when I started getting my life back in balance from a tumultuous few years, September 15, JJ had a break-through seizure, or a seizure that broke through her medication. This time, the neurologist sort of kind of thought maybe, possibly her precise seizure disorder is Panayiotopoulos. Which isn't controlled by medication. And is long (20 - 60 minutes.) And, won't cause brain-damage, probably. … [Read more...]
Books About Children With Special Needs
Books About Children With Special Needs That's Like Me! Stories about Amazing People with Learning Differences by Jill Lauren M.A. If your child has a learning difference of any kind, this might be a great book to read together. Jill's collected 15 stories of children and adults (like illustrator and author, Jerry Pinkney) -- each person shares their story of having a learning … [Read more...]
Special Needs, What a Joke
Do you ever wonder what a mom feels when her child is labeled? Maybe your child has been labeled. Or maybe you'll know someone who could use your compassion and empathy. This is where I begin, sharing from my heart, what those words mean / meant to me. I wrote this in an essay writing class last month. Our in-class prompt was to end with "what a joke." I knew exactly what I wanted to write. … [Read more...]
My Son Isn’t Sick. He’s Different and So Are You
I'm calling you to action today. "He came up to me and said, I know all about your son's sickness," said my friend whose son does not have a sickness. He has Asperger Syndrome, an autism spectrum disorder. It is part of who he is. He is not sick. She said, "What if he learns he's autistic from a kid at school and not from me?" Stunned, I paused, I'd never considered the difficulty … [Read more...]