Empowering the Special Needs Community
Bullying can affect all children, but children with special needs are far more likely to become targets and the impact on them tends to be longer-lasting and far more severe . We’ve put together 5 practical tips on how you can protect your child from bullies.
In the autism community, one of the most fiercely debated topics is how to refer to people on the spectrum. While some prefer the term ‘people with autism’, others lean towards ‘autistic person’. Then there are those who remain indifferent, and prefer to take a tomato [tomayto]; tomato [tomahto] view of things. When a post in our Facebook group sparked fervent discussion, we realized this isn’t a simple matter of semantics. We felt it was important to get to the bottom of this because there’s no denying the power of words. More than simply conveying meaning, words convey sentiment and ultimately shape how people are perceived.
We recently polled a group of AngelSense GPS Tracker customers asking them how they benefit from it throughout the school year. The answers revolved around three main areas: school bus safety, wandering prevention and knowing exactly when your child is due to arrive home.
Water safety is one of the most important skills you can teach your special child. This becomes especially essential during summer when water is irresistible. Not only do most children with autism have a fascination with water, but they also lack any sense of danger.
Last week, the U.S. House of Representatives approved Kevin and Avonte’s Law (H.R. 4919) which aims to protect children with special needs from the dangers of wandering. While this marks a significant milestone for the special needs community, the bill still has a ways to go before becoming law.
A family getaway can be a great way to expose children with special needs to new experiences without overwhelming them. It will also give you an opportunity to bond with your special child away from the stresses of everyday life.
By Lisa Byrom Brown, Customer Care Specialist at AngelSense
School is out, and even summer school is ending soon. In our case that will mean three weeks’ worth of time to fill. Now don’t get me wrong, I love spending time with my eight-year-old twins, but what are we going to do for THREE WHOLE WEEKS??
What started off as a typical Saturday almost ended in tragedy for this Los Angeles special needs family. Last week, Cris and Paul Houghtaling were 20 minutes into their exercise routine at a local gym when they were informed by an employee that Julian, their non-verbal child with autism, was nowhere to be found.
For many special needs families, summer doesn’t have the same ring to it as it does for other families. With disrupted routines and new sensory experiences, summer vacation is particularly challenging for children with special needs. As a parent, you can do your best to help your special child adjust, but safety remains the top concern for many.
Summer vacation is an opportunity to reconnect and spend some quality time with your special family. With enough planning and some creativity, summer can be a rewarding and rejuvenating time for the entire family. And the best part is that you don’t have to go far to experience the wonders of summer. You’ll be amazed at how much fun your entire family can have in the comfort of your backyard or a nearby park.