Search Results for: blog five things to do when your child is diagnosed with autism

Bar Mitzvah Help For Kids With Special Needs

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Churches, from many different faiths and religions, are starting to recognize the importance of including children who have special needs into their services and teachings. There is a website called “On Eagles Wings” that specializes in helping special needs children to learn what they need to in order to have their Bar or Bat Mitzvah. The Jewish religion is one of the many faiths that require children to attend classes that teach them more about their religion. These classes are called Hebrew School, and involve teaching children how to speak and understand the Hebrew language. This is very important to … Continue reading →

Interview with Danyelle Ferguson – Diagnosing Autism

Today I’m joined by Danyelle Ferguson, author of the new resource book, (dis)Abilities and the Gospel, for parents and teachers who have students with a variety of cognitive disorders. I asked Danyelle to share some information with us today. The things she shares will be incredibly useful for both homeschool and public school parents. Danyelle, when did you first realize your son should be tested for autism – how old was he, what were the tell-tale signs, etc.? Actually, we thought our son just had speech delay. Looking back now, we had a rather typical experience. From birth, our son … Continue reading →

Mom Who Withheld Medication Sentenced

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A Massachusetts mother has been sentenced this week to eight to ten years in prison for attempted murder. The mom intentionally withheld chemotherapy medications that her autistic son needed. Raising a child that has special needs and a serious illness cannot have been easy. It is vitally important for parents to seek out help before a tragedy like this one happens. It is an incredibly sad story that many lessons can be learned from. Kristen LaBrie, who is currently 38 years old, had son named Jeremy Fraser. Jeremy was autistic, and was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma when he was just … Continue reading →

Autism and Genetics

Autism is the collective name for a group of developmental disorders called the “Autism Spectrum Disorders”. People with autism spectrum disorders often have a great deal of trouble communicating and often have difficulty with social interactions. Autism symptoms can be very subtle, or they can be rather debilitating. Autism does tend to run in families. Autistic children often have autistic siblings, especially if they are twins. In fact, if a family has one autistic child, there is a one-in-five chance that their next child will have autism too. Because autism tends to run in families, there is likely a genetic … Continue reading →

Health Insurance Companies Required to Cover Autism

Many states have new requirements for insurance companies this year. In several states, it is now mandatory that health insurance policies will cover the costs of diagnosing and treating autism. The new laws will have a big impact on families who have children who are on the autism spectrum. It can be overwhelming to learn that your child has autism, especially if you don’t have a very clear idea of what that means, or what to do to help your child. The expense involved with diagnosis, treatment, and working with the variety of specialists that your child needs can quickly … Continue reading →

New Magazine Aimed at Helping Children with Special Needs

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Children with special needs often have a difficult time learning at the pace people expect, or in the manner that their peers do. This often leads to frustration on the part of child, parent and teacher. Children with special needs end up being treated as if they can’t learn, rather than being given the benefit of the doubt and as children with potential. HOPELights Media has introduced a new magazine designed for children with special needs including autism, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, cognitive delays and sensory related challenges. The magazine is for children, and is designed to help them learn … Continue reading →

Helping Young Adults and Adults with Special Needs Be Independent

In Tennessee, a group called The GEAR Foundation is working hard to help young adults and adults with disabilities and special needs find jobs and become independent. Their mission is simple: “to provide individuals with disabilities work experiences, which will enable them to discover and develop their unique capabilities and potential, and to help them achieve the highest degree of independence and self respect.” Individuals with disabilities are often overlooked when it comes to finding a job. Their abilities can be vastly underrated and they are left to live a life dependent on others with no hope for their future. … Continue reading →

Parents of Children with Autism Need More Support

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New research has shown that mothers of children with autism and behavioral problems have stress levels similar to military personnel in combat. The study, published by the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, reports that mothers of children and adults with autism who were observed for eight days were found to have extremely low levels of a hormone associated with stress. This hormone is also low in soldiers who had been through combat and people who are dealing with chronic stress. This low hormone level has been linked to chronic health issues. So what can be done to help ease … Continue reading →

Children’s Books about Disabilities

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We all know that reading to children benefits them in multiple ways. It helps with bonding when they are young. It helps with the bedtime routine and most importantly, it helps prepare children to learn to read for themselves. Reading to a child also opens new worlds to them and helps them to understand life as it is happening around them. If your child has a disability or knows someone who does, reading can help ease any anxiety and answer questions that he may have. One particular series of books Friends with Disabilities by Amanda Doering Tourville explores disabilities and … Continue reading →

Helpful Insight for Parents of Children with Autism

Being a parent can be a wondrous, joyful, miraculous experience. This does not mean that every day will be perfect. I think all parents benefit from having resources on hand that they can consult in times of stress. This is especially true for parents of children who have special needs. Everyone needs a little advice from time to time, and what better source than from adults who have the same differences that your child does? If your child has Asperger’s Syndrome, or has been diagnosed as being on the Autism spectrum, you may want to read the Wrong Planet parenting … Continue reading →