Happy new year everyone!
January 7, 2011 in Around the Site by Admin Dawn
Here’s what’s been happening around our community since we last updated:
Are you in Atlanta?
Join us on March 5th for our first (but definitely not last) In Real Life Connect event! We will be adding details over the next month as we finalize speakers but you can get a head start on registration here! Keep an eye out for our updates!
On the Forums
Julia is looking for tips on helping her son with his confidence issues. Have ideas for her? Please share them here.
Andy asked for (and got!) some tips on getting a new digital camera. (Did you know you can share pictures in your profile? Get more info on that here!)
Siobhan is offering a New Year’s discount on Creative Memories scrapbooking supplies! Go here for details — offer ends January 31st!
Melanie would like to hear from community members with experience changing a child’s behavior meds over here.
We have lots of new members! Welcome!
Vicky: “I am a mom to two dtrs who are my world. I am a nurse who currently works in a childcare center.”
Karen Yaughn: “I am a 48 year old single mom of a 7 year old daughter diagnosed with Freeman Sheldon Syndrome with Arthrogryposis, glenoid hypoplasia, midline cleft in the soft palate (repaired).”
The Domestic Goddess: “I am a Domestic Engineer, Total Babe and SAHM to two boys with autism, ADHD, OCD and a variety of other acronyms. I was a band geek in high school, live vicariously through computers and prefer dogs to people, which means I have STELLAR social skills.”
Renee Pratt: “I am a 29 yr old single mom. I have little boys who are my world. My 6 yr old has several disabilities. We currently live in Gwinett & are trying to build a support network with other social need families. My son attends Kanoheda. He is in 1st grade. He has trouble being social but does well doing one on one with a similar diagnosed child.”
Julie Tutwiler: “mom of 2 kids – son has Down syndrome, ADHD and AV Canal defect; daughter has some ADHD and mostly LOTS of attitude”
Laura LaPlante: “My name is Laura and I have 3 wonderful kids! My oldest who is 10, has Lyme’s disease, my middle who is 4 has moderate Sensory Integration Disorder along with Lyme’s which was passed through via pregnancy and my youngest who is now 18mths has severe “intolerances” to all Dairy and Soy products (both food and non food items). We remain active to the best of our ability. I have a wonderful, supportive Husband who tries his best. My jobs as both Mother, Wife and Employee to Sprint make my life non-stop.”
Jennifer: “Mother to 4. 2 That are differently-abled. My oldest is nearly 20, my 2nd(ASD-PDD-Nos) 15, my 3rd (severe verbal childhood apraxia, global) is 7 and my 4th is almost 4!”
Jennifer Giroux: “Mom and advocate of 3 children, the oldest of whom has hydrocephalus/strabismus/amblyopia and all the LDs that go with it: NVLD, apraxia, cognitive delay.”
Dana Sears: “I am a Blog designer and a Mom of three boys under five. My second son Mason has been diagnosed with Smith-Magenis Syndrome and PDD-NOS.”
Carolyn Dagliesh: “My husband and I are the parents of two wonderful children. I have a home organizing business – Simple Organizing Strategies and I offer in home organizing support for general organizing, paperwork management and closet design. The larger part of my business is my Systems for Sensory Kids business – http://www.systemsforsensorykids.com. As the parent of a “sensory” child, I have learned the importance of organizing supports for “Sensory” Kids in the home. Sensory kids—like those with anxiety disorder, sensory integration dysfunction, learning challenges, ADD/ADHD, obsessive/compulsive disorder, high-functioning autism, Asperger’s syndrome, or other sensory challenges—often look at the world through a different lens. It can be challenging to connect with them, and little things can often turn into major stress points. Learning simple ways to create structure and routines as well as ways to connect and communicate can be life changing in your day-to-day living experience – something that can make the whole family more successful!”
Meagan Watts: “I am the mother of a 3 yr old with Childhood Apraxia of Speech and Sensory Processing Disorder. He’s making tremendous strides and working hard, but we have longer to go before he’s actually able to communicate with others.”
Christie Roberts: “I have two special needs grandchildren. I am a grandmother to ten children.”
I know we’ve missed a lot of new members since our Great Big Wish List giveaway derailed our community updates! If you would like a special shout-out for your intro, please contact me so I can add you to our list for our next update.
Meanwhile, did you know you can search member profiles? Just go to our members page and put your search term in the search box at the top of the list. You can also list members by new registrations, too, to see who has joined us recently.
We’re looking for your input!
What do you want to see on the site in 2011? So far we’re hearing you’d like more livechats! Michelle Howard has stepped up to volunteer to host a Rant Chat Thursdays at 8pm EST. Just drop in! You can check out Michelle’s blog including her Ranting Sessions for Stress Relief here!
As a behavioral childhood feeding specialist, I work with lots of families struggling with feeding. From picky eating to weight and nutrition concerns, parents are working hard, frustrated and scared. While I have worked mostly with typically developing children, Ellyn Satter’s Division of Responsibility in feeding is appropriate for almost all children, including those with special needs, from Type I Diabetes, to autism. Families with children who are extremely selective have called in despair- months of therapy and the problems seem to be getting worse. I’ve had families say they “tried” family meals for a few weeks and they “didn’t work.” I am pleased that Satter’s latest newsletter specifically addresses children with ASD and SI issues and look forward to more of her work addressing the concerns of special needs families.
