Empowering the Special Needs Community
Guest Post by Jackie Nunes Jackie Nunes is a blogger at WonderMoms.org. She is a former pediatric nurse and now a full-time homeschool educator. She and her husband have three children. Their middle child suffered a traumatic brain injury when she was 4. Now 11 years old, she is hearing impaired and uses a wheelchair. Jackie and two other
Back-to-school time can be difficult for children with autism, who rely so heavily on routine and structure to get through their days. When the routine changes and school starts, it’s not just the kids who feel anxiety. Parents of children with autism spend a lot of time agonizing over ways to prepare their child for
Transitions are difficult for any child, but for children with developmental disabilities, reactions and responses to change are often more extreme. The summer can be a blissful period for parents of children with special needs. They can attend directly to their child, offer developmentally appropriate activities that the child enjoys, and ensure safety at all
Sending a special needs child to school is hard enough, but when you can’t control the unexpected, it’s even more stressful. One of the most difficult experiences for a child on the autism spectrum to handle is a lockdown drill, yet they are becoming far more prevalent in American schools. For parents and educators, the
A mother is her child’s biggest advocate. What parent isn’t a staunch supporter of their child? Disability or not, every parent fights for their child’s well-being and safety. However, these words carry more weight when that parents has a child with autism. There are unique challenges to parents of special needs children, and it can
Risk development is important to any child, regardless of the other challenges that they may struggle with. Of course, for parents of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), it can be a little harder to take that necessary step back. Worrying is normal, but children with autism crave the satisfaction of independence just like any
Swimming is a favorite summer activity, but if you have a child with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), there are extra dangers that need your attention. Children with autism are more likely to wander, and in those cases, they are often drawn to water. Drowning is a leading cause of death for children with autism, and
According to the latest data available, the prevalence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in children has increased 15%, from 1 in 68 to 1 in 59, according to a new report from the Center for Disease Control released April 2018. Among boys, the prevalence of ASD is 1 in 37 Among girls the prevalence of
It is easy to see why many children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) are captivated by water. The number of stimuli associated with water hits all the senses! The feel of water, the sounds of waves and splashes, the visuals of light reflecting off the surface, and even the smell can all be so enticing.
After years of bipartisan legislation, Kevin and Avonte’s Law has finally passed. This law was named in honor of two young boys with autism that wandered from their homes and drowned in nearby bodies of water. For the growing population of children diagnosed with autism, this law is an incredible step forward in improving quality