Studies show that kids with special needs spend less time outdoors than typical children. Barriers like inaccessibility and the need for additional supervision might keep them from enjoying the incredible benefits of the natural world. Outdoor spaces provide a feast for the senses—billowing breezes, crunchy…
When I tell friends I was recently diagnosed with autism, some of them scoff and call it nonsense. They say I function fine, that I smile, laugh and socialize. I’m a mother who is active in the lives of my three sons; I have published…
There are many variables involved in obtaining prescription medications during times of disaster, including the overall state of the emergency, type of medication, federal regulations, insurance authorization, corporate pharmacy policies, transportation issues, electronic access, phone communications and more. The best way to prepare is to…
As a certified yoga instructor, I have long been aware of yoga’s ability to benefit a person’s mind and body. However, it was not until my daughter, who has special needs, trained to receive her certification to become one of the first teen yoga instructors…
Do you travel with a loved one who has special needs? Planning a wonderful family vacation should be fun, not stressful. Here are some destinations that go above and beyond to accommodate every member of your family. Morgan’s Wonderland, San Antonio, TX This San Antonio theme…
My daughter does a flip turn at the other end of the pool. Screaming erupts among teammates, competing teams, parents and coaches as she and the swimmer next to her break the water’s surface in unison. My daughter rises higher, her arms out wide before…
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…