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Happy New Year! In this January Capable Kids Newsletter you will find resources on involving dads in the life of their special needs child, ways to answer disability questions as a kid, a must watch video explaining the importance of Complex Rehab Equipment for those with disabilities, and an article about educational team members supporting teens and their family through a PCA transition.
Don't forget to visit our EasyStand Blog to check out recent posts. Our blog is growing and our archive of past posts are numerous and educational!
Capable Kids Clubhouse Blog:
Awkward: Growing Up & Away From A Parent PCA Dealing With Nosey People Involving Dads In The Life Of Their Special Needs Child NCART Video - Complex Rehab Technologies Top EasyStand Blog Posts Of 2011 Explaining Spinal Cord Injury to Kids More From The EasyStand Blog: Can I Get A Little Help, Please? Standing Up: Healthy and Confident! Can't Study Abroad? Make A Documentary Podcast - Jennifer Longdon, An Advocate With Heart Dream, Believe, and Work to Achieve! Get Your Motor Runnin' Clinicians - join us at these upcoming tradeshows: APTA CSM Booth #1016, Feb. 9th-11th in Chicago, IL ISS Booth #58,59, March 7th-8th in Vancouver, BC Canada
Visit Events Calendar.
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| Special Needs Parenting |
Involving Dads In The Life Of Their Special Needs Child
Fathers play an important role in their child's development and even more so for a child with special needs. Research studies show that dads not only challenge their children to do more, but also help build language skills. Many dads have wonderful relationships with their children, but some dads have difficulty connecting with their child who has a disability. When men get together in the workplace or at the neighborhood barbeque, discussions often turn to the accomplishments of their children in academics and sports. As the accomplishments of special needs children are very different, dads begin to withdraw from these conversations. Some fathers still mourn the loss of their own expectations for their child. It is difficult for the dad who lives and breathes football to connect with the child who is physically unable to play, or the NASCAR dad whose son can't bear the noise of the race cars roaring down the track. The father is at a loss for ways to engage his child. In this article we'll learn some of the reasons why this happens, plus a few strategies for getting dads to take a more active role in their child's life.
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Kids Like Me
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Dealing With Nosey People
When you use a wheelchair, people like to stare. They also like to ask what's wrong. People are nosey and hey, it can hurt our feelings. When a stranger asks why you can't walk, how do you feel...inside? Mad, embarrassed or annoyed? What do you say? My mom told me growing up to be nice to everyone, so when people ask what's wrong with me, I'll tell them my legs don't work because I hurt my neck. What do you like to say? Humans love to ask questions. It'll always be this way. You should always have an answer ready, but I know, explaining your disability is hard. Here are my favorite ways to answer this crazy question.
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Disability Video
| NCART Video - Complex Rehab Technologies, What Is It? By Nancy Perlich
Like many of you, I have had the privilege of working (for many years) in an industry that creates products to improve the lifestyles and livelihoods of those who are unable to stand or walk - simple things many of us take for granted daily. Unfortunately, few outside this environment truly understand what Complex Rehab Technologies are until they or someone they love must use this technology. An 11 minute video produced by NCART raises awareness about what we in this industry do to help those with disabilities lead more active, normal and healthier lives. Take a moment to glimpse into the lives of people with disabilities and understand that Complex Rehab Technologies are essential for health and daily living. Nothing quite explains CRT like the people who use it every day. Watch Video |
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Pediatric Therapy
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Awkward: Growing Up & Away From A Parent PCA
For high school students with Special Education services, team meetings should address plans for post-secondary education, employment, living options, as well as the type of support required for success in these areas. During Tina's meeting, there was something about her non-verbals that made me think she was excited about the prospect of all the things we were discussing, with the exception of one significant detail. I suspected it was about who would be cast in the role of "Personal Care Attendant" in the future she imagined. Her mother currently provides the bulk or Tina's PCA services. Mom is an energetic, attentive, kind, and funny woman, but that does not mean Tina necessarily wants that much of mom's attention in her bedroom, in the bathroom, using transportation, at a job, or on a college campus. As educational and medical teams, we can support Tina by asking questions at natural times during discussions about the future and how she sees herself being supported in her activities of daily living. We can be asking Tina and mom how satisfied they are in their Caregiver/Care Recipient roles. They may decide mutually that their professional relationship is putting a strain on their personal relationship. We can direct them to agencies that find additional care for Tina and other flexible employment for mom. Read More |
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This newsletter is written specifically for special needs parents, teachers and pediatric clinicians. If you are interested in receiving the adult-focused newsletter, please Update Your Profile. Thank you!
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