Special Needs Resources

[Kim2005]

This is a post from FabTXMomma from the old board.

Here are some links to resources. I will be editing and updating this list as I find new things. I hope it helps!

U.S. Special Education Law:
Wrights Law (http://wrightslaw.com/)

Parent Support and Information:
Parent 2 Parent USA (http://www.p2pusa.org/)
Parent Training and Information Centers in the US (http://www.taalliance.org/centers/index.htm)

Occupational Therapy Catalogs:
Southpaw Enterprises (http://www.southpawenterprises.com)
Pocket Full of Therapy (http://www.pfot.com/)
Intergrations (http://www.integrationscatalog.com/)
Abilations (http://www.abilitations.com/)

Special Needs and Spirituality:
Disability Concerns (http://new.gbgm-umc.org/umcor/work/health/disc/)- United Methodist Church site with articles on accomodating people with disabilities so they can more fully participate in church life.

DISC (Disability Concerns) is a resource for persons living with physically or mentally challenging conditions, their friends, families, caretakers, lay associates, and clergy. This page offers information related to disability concerns with the dimension of spiritual care. Here, you will find material on developmental disabilities, mental illness, creative writing, and resources in the area of disability ministry for individuals and faith communities.

Special Needs and Finances:
Schwab Learning - Tax Benefits for Parents of Children with Learning Disabilities (http://www.schwablearning.org/articles.aspx?r=1130)

[FabTXMomma]

Some more:

Books on Sensory Integration Issues:
Sensational Kids by Lucy Jane Miller, Ph.D., OTR (http://www.amazon.com/Sensational-Kids-Children-Processing-Disorder/dp/0399533079/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/104-4270783-9978346?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1191941218&sr=1-1)
The Out of Sync Child by Carol Stock Kranowitz (http://www.amazon.com/Out-Sync-Child-Recognizing-Processing/dp/0399531653/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/104-4270783-9978346?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1191941088&sr=8-1)
The Out of Sync Child Has Fun by Carol Stock Kranowitz (http://www.amazon.com/Out-Sync-Child-Has-Revised/dp/0399532714/ref=pd_bbs_sr_2/104-4270783-9978346?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1191941088&sr=8-2) - Activities for kids with sensory processing problems

Online information on Sensory Integration Issues:
http://www.spdnetwork.org/home.html
http://www.out-of-sync-child.com/

[FabTXMomma]

This is a resource on the Autism Speaks website. (http://www.autismspeaks.org/index.php) It contains video clips of children demonstrating various symptoms of autism. It's useful for parents who suspect their children may have autism. While it is not a diagnostic tool, it can help by allowing them to compare the symptoms they see in their own child to the videos of documented symptoms of autism. If you suspect your child has a combination of the symptoms presented, it would probably be a good idea to see about getting an evaluation done.

Here's the link:
http://www.autismspeaks.org/video/glossary.php

You do have to register, but it's totally free.

[FabTXMomma]

Originally posted by ChristiW:
I have been researching this subject like crazy as I wait for my dd's evaluations to be completed. I thought I would share with anyone who thinks their child may struggle with reading/dyslexia. Here are the links I have found helpful. I hope this can help someone someday!

http://www.ldonline.org/

http://www.interdys.org/forum/default.asp

http://www.kidshealth.org/teen/disea.../dyslexia.html

http://www.dys-add.com/symptoms.html#goodfields

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/dys...224/DSECTION=1

http://www.ldworldwide.org/?gclid=CO...FRaqIgodmQa5yw

http://www.dyslexia-parent.com/magazine.html

http://www.dyslexia-parent.com/

http://www.brightsolutions.us/

http://interdys.org/
__________________
Blessings,
Christi
Mom to Baylee 12.5.97 and Drew 3.2.00
Wife to Terry 7.31.93
Check us out on the web http://www.4willsons.com/

[FabTXMomma]

First off, I am not a doctor, and I have no way of knowing your child's particular situation or medical history. PLEASE talk with your doctor first before using any supplement or medication with your child.

This has been my experience using melatonin to help my child to sleep, and the advice that I was given based on his case and medical history. I am sharing it here because questions about using melatonin for children have come up several times on the board over the time I have been here, and it would be easier for me to point someone to a post than to keep retyping the same info.

The advice I was given when we started using melatonin:

Give it about a half hour before bedtime.
Start with half a milligram. Use that dose for 3 nights. If you're not seeing an improvement after 3 nights, increase the dose by another half a milligram to 1 milligram. Use that dose for 3 nights. If you still don't see it working, try 1.5 mg, and so on and so forth until you hit the right dose for your child.

I was told up to 10 mg has been found to be safe in children. Honestly, we've not gone past the 3mg that is generally recommended for adults. That is the dose that Connor uses now.

Most people do build up a tolerance so it's best to skip it a couple of nights a week if you can.

Connor does not build up a tolerance. There's a theory that some ppl with autism don't produce enough melatonin to help set their own internal clocks for sleeping. And I believe it with Connor - he has always had an unbelievably hard time getting settled down to sleep.

And remember that melatonin only works to help you fall asleep. It will not keep you asleep all night. You can also help the child's body to produce it's own melatonin by dimming lights, reducing the noise level in your house and engaging in soothing, calming activities about 2 hours before bedtime.

You should be able to find a liquid form at any health food store or you might be able to find sublingual tablets that dissolve under the tongue.

I use three of the 1mg sublingual tablets from GNC. They are cherry flavored and Connor chews them up. They work great for us.

[FabTXMomma]

SSI - Supplemental Security Income
http://www.ssa.gov/pubs/10026.html
Families who have children with disabilities may qualify to receive SSI from Social Security. In Texas, if a child qualifies for SSI, they also receive Medicaid. If you already have private insurance, then Medicaid will cover whatever your primary insurance doesn't, including office visit copays.
Begin the application process online:
http://www.ssa.gov/applyfordisability/child.htm
2 things to know:
1) There is an income limit so they will look at your finances first, and be prepared to continue reporting you and/or your spouse's income monthly to maintain eligibility.
2) Many people's applications get rejected on the first go-round because their doctor does not adequately fill out the report that Social Security sends to them. Make sure your doctor is aware that Social Security will be contacting them, and then follow up to be sure they send back in the required documentation of the child's disability - and be sure to thank them for taking the time to do so!