Special Needs Resource - eParent provides practical advice, emotional support and educational information for families of children and adults with disabilities and special healthcare needs as well as to the physicians, allied health care professionals, and educational professionals who are involved in their care and development

Schools Must Protect Students with Disabilities from Sexual Harassment

Supporting students with disabilities means addressing sexual harassment, including sexual assault. Students with disabilities are more likely than their peers to experience sexual harassment, less likely to report it, and more likely to be pushed out of school as a result of sexual harassment. Schools must meet their obligations to address sexual harassment under both Title IX—the federal law that prohibits sex discrimination in schools—and laws that protect the civil rights of students with disabilities. […]

Williams Syndrome Disability Language Style Guide Recommendations

The WSA recommends using “people first” language as we do in our communications—language that puts the person before their diagnosis. For example, a person with a disability; not “disabled person” Individual with Williams syndrome. Not a “Williams syndrome person or child.” Put the person first. Never mention the disability at all unless it is pertinent to the conversation/communication. Families affected by Williams syndrome, and not WS families. We use the term “individual” quite a bit […]

What is stimming?

By Lori Smith BSN MSN CRNP Reviewed by Timothy J. Legg, PhD, CRNP Repetitive body movements or repetitive movement of objects is referred to as self-stimulatory behavior, abbreviated to stimming. Stimming can occur in people with autism and other developmental disabilities. Some people will stim when nervous, employing behaviors such as pacing, biting their nails, hair twirling, or tapping their feet or fingers. In this article, we will examine why stimming occurs and the different […]

Why it may be more difficult for individuals with ASD to Maintain a Healthy Weight

Rigidity, sensory sensitivities, coordination difficulties, and sleep dysfunction often go together with an autism diagnosis. They present their own challenges, but these symptoms can also put a child at risk for being overweight or obese and for diabetes or heart disease later as an adult. Although eating a balanced diet, getting enough exercise, and good sleep habits can be hard for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), there are strategies parents can use to help […]

5 Reasons to Consider a Special Needs Trust

BY Dawn Doebler, MBA, CPA, CFP®, CDFA®, Senior Wealth Advisor Here are 5 common reasons for establishing a special needs trust that applies to your family member with a disability. In my last article, I outlined the benefits of ABLE accounts. For many families, ABLE accounts sufficiently meet their desire to provide assets for special needs family members. In higher net worth families, ABLE accounts are the first step in structuring a long-term financial plan […]

Federal report highlights trend of involuntary institutionalization during and after disasters

The National Council on Disability (NCD)—an independent federal agency—today released its latest report, titled, Preserving Our Freedom: Ending Institutionalization of People with Disabilities During and After Disasters. NCD – which advises the President and Congress – examined available data from several major storms and disasters and found that people with disabilities are frequently institutionalized during and after disasters due to conflicting federal guidance; a lack of equal access to emergency and disaster-related programs and services; […]

Dr. Rader Presented Move to Include Award

American Academy of Developmental Medicine & Dentistry (AADMD) presented the Move to Include Award to Rick Rader, MD, Director, of the Morton J. Kent Habilitation Center, Orange Grove Center on June 29, 2018 at the AADMD 1 Voice Conference in Seattle Washington. Dr. Rader was presented the award for believing and acting in the purest realm of the essence of “move of include,” believing in the sanctity, value and merit of “together,” and knowing that […]

Schools Must Protect Students with Disabilities from Sexual Harassment

Williams Syndrome Disability Language Style Guide Recommendations

ALS: ‘Unique’ cells could open up new avenues for therapy

What is stimming?

High functioning autism through my eyes

Later-born siblings of children with autism or ADHD are at elevated risk for both disorders

Teen cancer patient gives back to kids with autism

Managing Multiple Sclerosis

2,000 human brains yield clues to how genes raise risk for mental illnesses

Forgetting Milestones and Learning to Measure Progress…a New Way of Thinking! #Overcoming — Part 2

Forgetting Milestones and Learning to Measure Progress…a New Way of Thinking! #Overcoming — Part 1

An Envelope Full of Kindness

About Autism, A Little Boy, and Nobody’s Fault