by Colleen Berlingieri Does anyone else cry when they look through yearbooks? I was sitting in my living room this morning crying like a baby. My youngest son, Jacob, has given me his 6th grade yearbook to flip through. Jake: Mom! Are you crying? You are so weird! Me: Never mind – get me a Kleenex – some day you will understand! As I thumb through the pages I see this amazing kaleidoscope of kids […]
by Jessica Ebersole Babysitting can sometimes be hard enough with kids who want your attention all of the time. When you add in a special need, things can be a little more complicated. I have a disability myself but I have also babysat children with special needs. There are so many things that I could say about babysitting children with special needs but here are my top five tips. Do your research. Make sure you […]
by Marguerite Elisofon Parents who raise kids on the spectrum learn early on what causes their sons and daughters to meltdown. Whether the trigger is loud noise, bright lights, clothing tags, or fear of elevators, families need an effective game plan to deal with the autism meltdowns provoked by sensory overloads. Sometimes maturity can help a child with autism outgrow certain triggers. Although warm and affectionate, our daughter Samantha hated holding hands as a […]
By Mary Ellen Bogucki These past few weeks have been filled with so much growth for my daughter, Bree, who has high functioning Autism. Immediately, I knew that this month I had to write about HOPE! For me, raising a child with special needs has meant we are often on an emotional roller coaster. In addition to Autism, Bree also has obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), generalized anxiety, and at times depression. We moved from […]
by Jessica Ebersole A young girl rolls up in her wheelchair with her bouncy pigtails and a one thousand watt smile. A young dog with his tail wagging and a distinct zipper down the center of his nose is brought to the girl. The dog leaps on to her lap and slobbers her with kisses and it was love at first sight. Hunt was born on September 13, 2002 in California. He was then placed […]
