AbilityPath Forums / Social & Emotional Development / Parent Support

New Year! New You!

Hope at AbilityPath — Thu, 30 Dec 2010 12:53:53 GMT

New Year! New You! Share with us what you plan on doing to make 2011 all about you. What is your resolution to yourself? Is it 5 extra minutes for yourself after dropping the kids off at school? Eating that small piece of chocolate after dinner and enjoying every minute of it? Quitting the PTA and not feeling guilty about it? The first step is sharing that goal (Don’t worry, we’ll be sure to help you stick to it. That’s what friends and a community are for!)

Holiday Travel

Hope at AbilityPath — Tue, 23 Nov 2010 15:18:47 GMT

[size=3]Please share your Travel Tips & Travel Experiences with other AP Parents Here. I look forward on using these tips to expand on our current "Travel Tip" article.[/size][img]http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/msnbc/Components/ArtAndPhoto-Fronts/TRAVEL/PROJECTS/WellManneredTraveler/Vlrg_TravelWithKids.widec.jpg[/img]

Congresswoman Jackie Speier Offers FREE Toy Screening

eabjork — Fri, 10 Dec 2010 15:50:47 GMT

Concerned about the safety of child's toys? Or toys you are buying for friends and family's kids? Congresswoman Jackie Speier is offering a free screening of children's products for toxic and hazardous materials.For dates and details, [url=http://http://speier.congressnewsletter.net/mail/util.cfm?gpiv=2100066584.98591.679&gen=1]click her[/url]e.If you know of similar screenings in other cities, please let me know.

Marriage and Spouses

Abilitypath — Wed, 08 Dec 2010 18:01:27 GMT

Share thoughts, concerns and solutions for how you and your spouse or significant other tackles the problems of being a parent as well as being in a committed relationship

Best Holiday Gift

eabjork — Fri, 03 Dec 2010 03:49:19 GMT

During a time when stress is up and sleep is down, share what is the best gift you received from your child with special needs? All mothers have one - it might be inspirational, heart warming or made you smile. Any chance it was a Christmas sweater? Feel free to include photos. May the best sweater win.

Depression

Barbara Streett — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 16:13:06 GMT

Here is a great article from the Family Resource Center at Community Gatephath on some signs and symptoms of depression:http://www.abilitypath.org/articles/article/child-development/social--emotional/parent-support/depression.html

Book Recomendations

Hope at AbilityPath — Mon, 29 Mar 2010 12:43:38 GMT

I am going to kick of this Forum with a Popular Book for Parents: "My Baby Rides the Short Bus" The stories in this collection provide parents of special needs kids with a dose of both laughter and reality. This assortment of shared experiences from parents 'in the know' is a partial antidote to the stories that misrepresent, ridicule, and objectify children with special needs and their parents. This anthology of stories carefully considers the implications of raising children with disabilities.

McDonalds Shrek Glass Recall

Hope at AbilityPath — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 16:37:49 GMT

[size=6]McDonald’s is recalling 12 million Shrek glasses due to contamination concerns.[/size][size=4]Shrek-themed glasses handed out at McDonald's with a painted design of a Shrek character contain traces of Cadmium, long-term exposure to Cadmium has previously been linked to kidney problems and bone softening.There are four different designs to look out for, they all promote the upcoming movie “Shrek Forever After”, designs include paintings of Donkey, Puss in Boots, Shrek and Princess Fiona.If you own one of these glasses the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission recommend that you immediately stop using the glasses, a McDonald’s spokesman recently stated that the amount of Cadmium that the glasses contain is very slight, however “slightly above the protective level”.[/size]Here is a picture of one of the glasses:[img]http://static.product-reviews.net/wp-content/uploads/mcdonalds-pulls-12m-cadmium-tainted-shrek-glasses-recall.jpg[/img]

Children with Special Needs in Mainstream Schools

Hope at AbilityPath — Sat, 03 Apr 2010 11:23:54 GMT

[size=3]Here is a forum where parents can write about thier experiences and express thier opinions on the matter mainstreaming.Do you think the level of support and supervision is adequate for their needs? Does your child feel different in this environment?Do you think it is fair on the other children in the school if agressive behaviour is taking place?It would be interesting to hear from some teachers as well. [/size]

Financial Aid for Special Needs Children

Hope at AbilityPath — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 13:12:07 GMT

Through the Social Security Administration, the government provides two types of disability:[b]SSI[/b] payment amounts vary by state, since some states supplement federal payments. And, in most states, children receiving SSI also qualify for Medicaid to help pay medical bills. [b]SSDI [/b]is a separate program funded by payroll deductions (part of FICA). Although children sometimes receive SSDI payments if their parents are disabled, in those cases their eligibility is based on their parents' disability status, not on their own. However, after turning 22, children who were already disabled may qualify for SSDI on their own if at least one parent:Eligibility rules and definitions for SSI and SSDI are very complex. To find out if your child qualifies, call Social Security directly at 1-800-772-1213, or visit the Social Security website and search under the Disability and SSI tabs. One particularly helpful resource is "Benefits for Children with Disabilities," SSA Publication No. 05-10026.

Lay Person Advocate

Hope at AbilityPath — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 12:28:36 GMT

A Lay Person Advocate is a person who helps parents advocate for a child who has special needs, usually to obtain supports and services for a special needs child. This service is typically used by parents to obtain for his or her child a “free and appropriate education,” (FAPE) and “in the least restrictive environment” (LRE). Pleae post here Lay Person Advocates you have used and rate them - it could help out other parents on the site.

Keeping Your Head When You Feel Like Losing Your Mind

Abilitypath — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 14:30:51 GMT

Parenting has been called “the toughest job a person will ever love” and there is good reason for that! A recent survey from the American Psychological Association found that almost 70 percent of mothers reported that family responsibilities are a significant source of stress. In addition, more than 20 percent of mothers said that they are poorly managing their stress. Learn more >>