“I hope to adopt someday.” The sentiment was real, yet my idea of adoption was romanticized and I lacked a real understanding of adoption. I pictured bringing a shy, malnourished, lonely child to my home who would transform into a...
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Christopher Knauf is the founder of Knauf Associates in Santa Monica, CA. His law firm specializes in disability rights and education-related legal disputes. He has also served as an independent hearing officer for Section 504 special education...
More I think it’s time we acknowledge the internal emotional experience of a parent of a child with special needs. This is a journey, and there are times when you will feel traumatized or in disbelief with your experience, and times when you...
More Couples who plan to adopt often look to other countries with cultures similar to their own. That is why Megan and Keith Nakamoto began the China adoption process in 2005. “My husband is Japanese, so we are familiar with the Asian culture...
More Since it began five years ago, the Special Needs Ice Hockey program in Panorama City, California, has provided an opportunity for kids and adults with developmental disabilities to learn and play hockey. Until just six months ago, it was the only...
More As a private consultant I have the pleasure of supporting families as they work to become knowledgeable members of their son’s or daughter’s IEP team. They are often anxious weeks before the scheduled date, worrying if their student will receive...
More What are the benefits of yoga for children with special needs? What is a special needs yoga class like? Is your child expected to lie still on a mat? These are questions that Alex Newell, voted LAFamily.com’s Yoga Teacher of 2010, is happy to...
More Bridgepoint Academy, located just outside of Chicago, Illinois, is a unique place that helps young adults with special needs (ages 16-21) transition from school to adulthood. By focusing on fostering each student’s life goals, Bridgepoint Academy...
More No doubt about it, when people stare at our children (or us), they make us squirm. Let’s face it, people rarely stare at us because they’re mesmerized by our great beauty. More likely, they are sizing up our glaring imperfections. For...
More According to the Children’s Defense Fund, 19 million children in kindergarten through eighth grade are regularly in nonparental care before and after school.
More Americans–including children–are taking more prescription drugs than ever before. Things can go wrong when these drugs are mixed with other prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, herbal remedies, and even caffeine. Many...
More Urban Angels, an elite UK child modeling agency, opens their books only twice a year in search of new talent. Little Taya Kennedy was one of 50 children chosen out of 2,000 applicants. The fact that she has Down syndrome “did not enter the...
More There is no reason to avoid airports and traveling because you have a child with special needs. Yes, special measures and extra planning need to be done, but with the right organization and a good attitude, flying with your special needs...
More Canine Companions for Independence is a national nonprofit organization that provides assistance dogs for people with disabilities completely free of charge. Canine Companions serves adults and children with a wide range of physical and...
More Not every 13-year-old girl with a powerful singing voice gets the opportunity to record it on an album. It is even less likely that she would have a single written for her by a noted producer. Rarer than that is when that girl wants to give a...
More As a parent and a doctor, I have plenty of experience with our fragmented and confusing healthcare system. I have seen firsthand the challenges faced by patients who navigate it. From the first sign of illness to the last medical bill, our...
More Activities that Help with Therapy and Development
More Bullying is a serious problem affecting many children and teens, but it is not likely that most children, especially those with special needs, will walk up to their parents and tell them, “I’m being bullied.” Bullying can involve name-calling...
More Estate planning and lifetime planning for parents with a child with a disability present special challenges. The goals of the parents are to utilize their assets in such away to enrich their child’s life while, at the same time, preserving the...
More Nutrition therapy for children with special needs varies greatly and must be individualized for each issue. Swallowing difficulties, positioning and nutrient deficiencies are just a few of the variables that can have an impact on your...
More Parents of children with special needs often find themselves feeling pressured to explain or apologize for their child’s behavior around the holiday dinner table. Maybe your child is a picky eater or prone to outbursts. This may cause tension if...
More . . . A strategy for helping your child with special needs learn to problem solve.Moms and Dads of children with special needs tend to take on the role of butler and maid far too long for the well-being of their son or daughter. As a consultant I...
More Successful Transitions: Moving from Childhood into Adulthood and from Pediatrics into Adult Care Whether your child is a toddler or a teenager, transition is a word you need to know. As the parent of a teenager with asthma...
More Childhood obesity is a rising problem in the United States, both for typically developing children and children with special needs. According to a Fact Sheet released by the University of Illinois at Chicago’s Department of Disability and Human...
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