Search Results for: blog four ways to empower your son or daughter with a disability

Watch Out for Being Patronizing

Let’s face it, as parents most of us just KNOW that we know more than our kids. Even as our children get older, it can be hard to let go of those reigns and allow our children to be right, knowledgeable or in charge of their own lives a little. We can become patronizing and act “superior” to our children. There is a difference between having authority and commanding respect and being patronizing—and our children will respond differently to us depending on how we behave toward them… Being patronizing can be just another way of cutting into a child’s self-esteem. … Continue reading →

Teach Your Child How to Dream

I’m a firm believer that children need to be taught how to dream. By “dream,” I mean having a driving hope for the future—a clear concept or idea of what they want to do or be. Every child needs to learn this, and children with special needs are no exception. Some children develop a dream for their lives from early childhood, but many children must be taught to dream. These are the kids that shrug their shoulders and say, “I dunno,” when asked about their future plans. Why Dream? A child with a dream has greater motivation to achieve. Children … Continue reading →

Ten Ways to Help Your Child with Depression Succeed in School

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Children who have been diagnosed with a major depressive episode or a dysthymic disorder (a milder depression which lasts for a year or more) have special needs. These needs should be accommodated in the classroom in order for these children to be able to thrive and maintain their sense of self-esteem. School may be very difficult for these kids, and parents may find that some educators are insensitive to the issue and hesitant to make any classroom adaptations to assist the child. You are your child’s greatest advocate, and you have the right to insist that your child has a … Continue reading →

Questioning Everything

It seems children are born curious and inquisitive. We think it is delightful when they are infants and babies, everything is new and interesting–every day a chance to make nonstop discoveries. Then, when they start talking and gather enough language to ask questions, the “Whys” start to grate on our nerves just a bit. Then, as they reach school-age and (gasp, groan) adolescence–we wonder why they can’t ever do what they are told and stop questioning and arguing about everything. We forget how delightful and brilliant we thought they were when they were curious babes. We know in our brains … Continue reading →

Helping Children Solve Their Own Problems

Many children with behavior problems continue to get into trouble because they aren’t able to “own” their conduct. Everything is somebody else’s fault, and they feel picked on and victimized. “She made me hit her because she was laughing at me,” or “I called him a bad name because he wouldn’t let me have a turn.” “I don’t listen to my teacher because she doesn’t like me.” “My room is messy because my little brother keeps going in there and messing it up.” And my favorite: “I can never find my shoes! Somebody keeps stealing them!” “It’s Not My Fault.” … Continue reading →

Success and Your Child

I have a motto that I probably stole from somebody brilliant, but it goes like this: Success is when your work is your play. I think there’s a lot of truth in that. If your favorite thing in the world to do is look at the stars, then being an astronomer or working at NASA might turn your work into play. If you love collecting antiques, opening up an antique store might do the trick. If you’re a gardening enthusiast, perhaps you might find satisfaction working as a florist or landscape architect. “I love what I do.” If you get … Continue reading →

“It’s Nothing Personal.” Kids with Behavioral Disorders

When we parent children with problem behaviors, it’s hard not to take their actions personally. My stepdaughter, who has ADHD and suspected ODD, has tirades and vengeful behaviors which have occasionally hurt my feelings deeply. The questions that come to mind are “WHY do you have to act like that?” “WHY can’t you behave like your older brother or sister?” “WHY are you the child who keeps getting into trouble at school?” And, even more secretly, “WHY can’t I change you?” Losing it… On one occasion, I just lost it. I did. I got down on my knees and yelled … Continue reading →

Does Your Child Feel Important?

I watched a fantastic documentary last night called “The Kennedy Assassination: Beyond Conspiracy.” It uses computer animation to recreate the assassination with pinpoint accuracy never seen before. The point of the documentary is to argue that only Lee Harvey Oswald was behind the murder of President Kennedy and that there was no conspiracy. This is the greatest documentary on this topic that I’ve ever seen. A Desperate Need to Feel Important The documentary also reveals details about Lee Harvey Oswald’s life of which most people are probably unaware. This misfit Oswald had an overwhelming desire to be important. From the … Continue reading →

The WRONG Way to Praise Your Child

Is there ever a wrong way to praise your son or daughter? Every child needs to hear that he or she is loved, appreciated, and good at something. Giving your child positive feedback can build confidence, self-esteem, and create an ongoing desire to keep trying. However, if you’re not careful, your compliments can have the opposite result. Praise requires balance to be effective. Here are three “don’ts” when it comes to praising your child: Don’t use the same phrase over and over again. Saying “Good girl,” repeatedly sounds like training language for a dog. Even “good job,” “awesome,” or “wow” … Continue reading →

Orientation and Mobility for the Visually Impaired Individual

As a parent of a visually impaired child there are many challenges to meet, one of them being just the simple act of walking freely from one place to the other unassisted. There is therapy available called Orientation and Mobility therapy (O & M). O & M is very important for children and adults with visual impairments. This is what helps them to be able to walk independently in their environment, may it be a common or new environment. If a person with visual impairments is not comfortable in their surroundings it can cause unneeded stress as well as confusion … Continue reading →