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

A Story, A Song And A Kiss

BY KIMBERLEE RUTAN MCCAFFERTY He stands hesitantly at the door, my littlest love, watching as Justin and I rock gently back and forth on the glider that serves as our throne as I read his teen-aged brother one of his beloved Eric Carle books. I see him mid-sentence, and figuring he wants more pretzels or juice or something consumable I pause and ask him what he wants. “I want to say goodnight to Justin,” he […]

Is a Parrot a Service Animal?

AMERICAN ACADEMY OF DEVELOPMENTAL MEDICINE & DENTISTRY BY H. BARRY WALDMAN DDS, MPH, PHD, BEVERLY L. MUNTER, STEVEN P. PERLMAN DDS, MSCD, DHL (HON), MATTHEW COOKE, DDS, MD, MPH “Mitchell Slaugh takes his parrot, Kai, with him everywhere because he is his registered support animal. Saturday, Mitchell was kicked out of the WinCo on Clearwater for bringing his parrot inside. ‘She’s my baby. She’s a companion…I need her and she needs me.’ Mitchell is cleared […]

EXTENDED SCHOOL YEAR It’s More Than Just “Summer School”

BY DIANE WISCARSON, ATTORNEY AT LAW “My child is behind, and could really benefit from summer school!” This is a common sentiment of parents of children with IEPs, and certainly true in many cases. Being behind can indicate that a student should indeed attend summer school or engage in other learning activities during break times from school. What many parents may not realize, though, is that there are certain circumstances under which a school district […]

Children With Special Healthcare Needs: Preventing And Addressing Obesity

BY BRENDA L. FIGUEROA, FANNY OCHOA, MICHELE TYLER AND LAUREN AGORATUS, M.A. There is raised awareness that our nation’s children are facing an obesity epidemic. However, many are not aware that children with special needs are even more likely to be overweight or obese than their typical peers. The latest data from the Lucille Packard Foundation showed that while 30% of children are obese, over 35% of children with special needs are obese.1 Data from […]

Safety For A Child With A Severe Movement Disorder

BY LUKE ROSEN No matter how relentless we are about making our home accessible, Susannah’s movement disorder is responsible for teaching her where to go when she feels the danger of her changing coordination. I’m thankful to her disease for that — for doing my job in some strange way. For somehow teaching her to be safe. Keeping our kids safe is every parent’s number one job. Even as an adult I associate protection and […]

Military Widow, Veteran, Mom & Avid Golfer On How She Overcame Her Greatest Tragedy

Wesley Bauguess, an army widow, veteran, golfer – and spokesperson for Folds of Honor and Patriot Foundation spokesperson – shares the incredible path that has been forged in her life as a result of losing her husband, Army Major Larry Bauguess. This is all recounted in her new book, God, Country, Golf: Reflections of an Army Widow, which was released by WestBow Press on May 14, 2017, the 10-year anniversary of her husband’s death. Ten […]

New Beginnings

EP Magazine’s aim is to reach the widest possible audience with our award-winning content – so please help us spread the word. As we enter our 46th year of continued publication, I would like to take this opportunity to thank each one of you for your continued support of EP Magazine (Exceptional Parent), as well as for your advocacy and contributions to the special needs community. As EP’s new Publisher, I can assure that you […]

Honoris Causa

ANCORA IMPARO BY RICK RADER, MD ■ EDITOR-IN-CHIEF If my work in the disability arena over the last 20 odd years is deserving of an honorary doctorate from this respected medical-dental university, the honor belongs to the disability community. My stock has just risen to new heights. I now have something in common with the Dalai Lama, the spiritual leader of Tibet; Nelson Mandela, the leader of the movement that defeated apartheid in South Africa; […]

FUN2GO TANDEM

The Fun2Go Tandem is a side-by-side, three-wheel tandem tricycle in which the users ride tandem and sit beside each other, designed for use by organizations, institutions, and individuals who want to provide social contact and movement for a person with a disability by cycling outdoors. One person steers, and both can pedal. Riders can easily adjust the seat to the required distance with a lever. There is also an optional electric engine to assist a […]