On the second and fourth Thursdays of each month, a conference room in Washington is transformed into a board gamers’ haven. At promptly 5 p.m., a group of teens ranging in age from 14 to 19 starts trickling in, greeting their peers and Katie Jo…
For babies with special needs, sound sleep requires more than a lullaby and a kiss. According to pediatrician William Sears, MD, author of The Baby Sleep Book and The Fussy Baby Book, infants with special needs sleep differently than their peers, typically taking longer to…
As the school year comes to an end, we are looking for camps that serve both of our boys, one with 22q11.2 Deletion. In years past, we’ve learned a lot by trial and error. Here are key factors to ease summertime stress and help find…
Emily Dolton’s son Aidan is having the best school year of his academic life. He’s thriving at Innovation Middle School but school wasn’t always this good for Aidan, who has special needs. The 12-year-old was born with 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome (22q), a chromosomal disorder caused…
Performing and listening to music is often lauded as a great way to enhance math skills. Therapists now realize the full significance of tapping into the music memory centers of the brain to enhance language, emotional cognition, social understanding and sensorimotor perception. Benefits of Music…
Nick and Stitch Nick is 15 years old and has high functioning autism, which causes difficulty connecting with peers. As a young child, Nick had delayed social skills and often spoke using repetitive language. For a long time Nick’s parents struggled to help their son…
Homeschooling is something I swore I’d never do with my kids. Many of my siblings were homeschooled and I had strong (negative) opinions about it—until I had children of my own. Both my sons—one who is non-speaking and Autistic and the other who struggles with…
The Brain and the Digestive Tract: Recognizing the difference between a fussy eater and a problem feeder Kids with ADHD, OCD, Tourette’s, Asperger’s, Autism, learning disabilities, and other neurological issues are all problem eaters, to one degree or another. Is it coincidental that children with…
With an increasing number of college programs and supports available, more and more students with disabilities are exploring college as an option post-high school or transition. The thought of attending college is exciting, but preparing for the experience can be an overwhelming process. Identifying a…
Our family is excited about Halloween (my youngest son has been decorating since February!), but as much as I love this time of year, picking out a costume for my kids with special needs can be a challenge. Here are tips from friends whose kids…