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Statewide Conference Highlights
On December 13, 2008, Families Together's Wichita Center hosted an annual statewide inclusion conference. This year's theme was "Under Construction: Building Inclusive Schools and Communities". The conference provided information and resources to help parents, students, educators, and other service professionals achieve the goals of inclusive practices in their schools and communities.
For rest of story click here. spring newsletter 09 |
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Oral Health
Children and youth with special needs often take prescriptions and over-the counter medications that cause dry mouth. New findings are showing that dry mouth increases the risk of dental decay and gum disease. Our saliva helps remove food stuck around our teeth and gums. In addition, to relieve dry mouth sensations, we're tempted to suck on hard candies, chew gum and drink juices and soda, all laden with sugar... the decay producing villain. Here are steps to take to address dry mouth and keep teeth and gums healthy:
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Family Story
I always wanted an exceptional child - a child who excelled academically, athletically and socially. Little did I know that my dreams of that exceptional child would come true, but not in the way that I dreamed. The terminology "exceptional" would be used throughout the challenge of discovering with what exceptionality exactly my child would be labeled with. My partner and I tried diligently for well over a year to try to get assistance for our then 3 ½ year old son. He was exceptionally irritable and exceptionally sensitive to touch, smell and sounds.
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Put Your Goals in Writing
I expect that you are putting into practice your resolution for the new year and are writing your goals! Did you know that studies reveal that only 3% of North Americans worry about establishing goals and writing them. Now, can you imagine in Latin America where themes related to personal improvement are just starting? How many people would do it?
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Meet the Families Together Parent to Parent Staff
Kayzy Bigler is the new Parent-to-Parent Coordinator in the Topeka Center. She and her husband, John, have three grown children, Shanna, Johnny and Jake and two (soon to be three) grandchildren. Like many of you, Kayzy has children with exceptionalities. For this reason, she is very excited to be part of the Families Together staff - especially to be connecting parents together to provide support for each other. Kayzy realizes how important that support can be and is eager to help parents connect with each other.
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Education Advocate Update
Spring is on it's way and it's the time of year that many IEPs are reviewed. Here are some reminders and tips for those of you who are getting ready to plan another educational year for your student.
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Project Life Span Institute Research Project
The primary purpose of this NIH-funded project is to determine predictors of communication success in children who do not speak, or say very few words. Participants will include children ages 3 to 5 years (at start) who attend preschool programs and are speaking very few words. Results will improve assessment and intervention practices for these children by identifying potentially important intervention components that lead to communication success.
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