Going to Mass and making it the entire way through the service may seem impossible, especially if your child has special needs. You may wonder if you’ll ever be able to attend Mass as a family without a meltdown. But there are steps you can take to help your child learn to sit through, understand…
Winter brings cold weather, hot drinks, and extra blankets. If your family is like mine, winter also means trying to limit our exposure to the plethora of viruses that circulate the population this time of year. Efforts to keep healthy, however, can mean limiting public outings and gatherings. Keeping the “winter blues” away sometimes requires…
Our daughter had her first seizure at four years of age. It was a febrile seizure and we were dismissed from the emergency room with assurances that it was unlikely to happen again. That prediction could not have been more wrong. Within the next year our family life was filled with more twists and turns than I…
With the holidays comes a wide array of stimulation – from Christmas music to an abundance of guests to a variety of unfamiliar foods. We are in our ninth year of managing overstimulation in these situations and, like everything else in parenting, it is constantly changing. We have, however, found some routines and boundaries that…
This post contains affiliate links. You don’t need to miss out on observing Advent just because you’re a special needs parent. Preparing for Christmas can seem overwhelming because on top of all the extra work you do as the parent of a child with disabilities you’ve now got to squeeze in all the shopping, decorating,…
While YouTube is a well-established player in social media, it’s not often the first resource that is considered when it comes to online information and research. We shouldn’t discount the amazing knowledge we can find on this platform! While YouTube isn’t made for connections the same way that other social media platforms are, YouTube’s ability…
All Saints Day is fast approaching and this year our parish is hosting its first trunk or treat for children dressed in saint or biblical figure costumes. I discovered many creative Halloween costumes online for children with special needs as well as great saint costume examples, so I wanted to suggest options that could be…
An IEP, or an Individualized Education Plan (or Program), is a plan or program that is created for your child to set school-related goals, usually for the next 12 months. The IEP outlines adaptations or modifications that your child needs to learn successfully, and states any therapy or related services that are needed to help…
Here on the East Coast, hurricane season is in full swing. This season always brings questions from my children about hurricanes and if they will come our way. Here are ten tips and resources that will hopefully be helpful as you assist your own children to prepare for natural disasters! 1. Have your child learn…
Social media can be a double-edged sword. On one hand, what is shown on social media is notoften reflective of real life. On the other hand, if vulnerable enough, great relationships can be formed, and lifelong friends can be made over thousands of miles because of common connection. n Instagram is one of the most…
