Californians for Olmstead, a project of the California Foundation for Independent Living Centers, is proud to present a five-part training series on developing public policy to support a robust system of home and community-based services that prevent institutionalization.
See more HERE.
The CAC sponsors this blog for everyone in the Mount Diablo Unified School District community who has an interest in special education and students with special needs.
Showing posts with label back to school tips for special needs parents. Show all posts
Showing posts with label back to school tips for special needs parents. Show all posts
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Friday, February 11, 2011
10 Tips for Selecting Guardians
Certainly it’s difficult enough to think about not being there to take care of your child, but for a moment consider the thought of someone like a court choosing the guardian of your child without your input. Further consider the distinct probability of your relatives arguing in court over who gets your child or they may eventually agree but not on the people you would have selected.
That is why it is so critically important to nominate a guardian now while you are alive and competent and to do so by stating your intentions clearly in your will. Here are TEN tips for you to consider in making your decision when selecting a guardian(s).
Read CPA James Di Gesu's blog article in About.com HERE
That is why it is so critically important to nominate a guardian now while you are alive and competent and to do so by stating your intentions clearly in your will. Here are TEN tips for you to consider in making your decision when selecting a guardian(s).
Read CPA James Di Gesu's blog article in About.com HERE
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Don't blow your top during the holidays! 8 helpful strategies for parents
Parenthood has challenges. Holidays can be stressful. Here are 8 strategies you might find helpful.
1. Make lists and keep them in a place that you can find them. It is difficult to keep things in your head when times are hectic. Even if you forget your shopping list at home and you are in the store scraping a screaming child off the floor or away from the beautifully glowing candy aisle, you might actually remember to get milk.
2. Cross things off your list or simplify them. Cross things off as you have completed them. Also, cross things off that you wanted to complete if you were in an alternate universe- like wrapping 50 little boxes of cookies to pass out to the neighbors. Cross these things off or make them easier. Perhaps, you can simplify. Put the homemade cookies on a paper plates and pass them around. Place store bought cookies on one plate and pass that around. Put store bought cookies on a plate and leave them outside your door and yell out your window, “Happy Holidays! Cookies are on the porch!”
3. Accept help. When someone asks, “What can I do to help?” give them something to do. Look at your list (see above), and pick something appropriate for them to do. Let your mom or sibling fold your laundry if they want to (it will also give them a place to sit down when it is done.) If someone cleans out your dishwasher, you can think of them fondly throughout the year while you search through all your utensil drawers for your spatula.
4. Ask for help. It is better to ask for help than to be yelling, “Help” out the car window with your child wailing in the background. If you are talking to a good friend and they are going to the toy store and you need something, ask them if they wouldn’t mind getting it for you. Ask your guests to bring food to your gathering; they will enjoy contributing to the celebration.
5. Get enough sleep. You will need it. If you have the choice between staying up late and writing out your holiday cards or going to bed because you are exhausted, choose going to bed. Your cards can go out late. Better yet, date them for next year and they will be early! (See number 2.)
6. Eat good food. If 5 year old, Sarah has 5 cookies and you have 2, how long will it take you to run down the street after Sarah has escaped out the door? (Show all your work.) If you have forgotten to eat altogether because you ignored suggestion #2, Sarah will have ran .265 miles and it will take you 10 minutes to discover that she has left the house. Remember, coffee is not yet a food group.
7. Book a spa day or a massage. Okay, you can stop laughing now. It will be like a mini vacation. If that is too much to arrange, take a nice soak in the tub while the children are asleep. If you start to doze, don’t worry, someone is likely to wake you up to use the bathroom. Enjoy those 5 minutes. If you don't have 5 minutes, try soaking your feet in warm, scented water while you are writing those holiday cards, at midnight.
8. Enjoy your children and know that you are the best parent you can be today.
Please post some of your own helpful tips!
1. Make lists and keep them in a place that you can find them. It is difficult to keep things in your head when times are hectic. Even if you forget your shopping list at home and you are in the store scraping a screaming child off the floor or away from the beautifully glowing candy aisle, you might actually remember to get milk.
2. Cross things off your list or simplify them. Cross things off as you have completed them. Also, cross things off that you wanted to complete if you were in an alternate universe- like wrapping 50 little boxes of cookies to pass out to the neighbors. Cross these things off or make them easier. Perhaps, you can simplify. Put the homemade cookies on a paper plates and pass them around. Place store bought cookies on one plate and pass that around. Put store bought cookies on a plate and leave them outside your door and yell out your window, “Happy Holidays! Cookies are on the porch!”
3. Accept help. When someone asks, “What can I do to help?” give them something to do. Look at your list (see above), and pick something appropriate for them to do. Let your mom or sibling fold your laundry if they want to (it will also give them a place to sit down when it is done.) If someone cleans out your dishwasher, you can think of them fondly throughout the year while you search through all your utensil drawers for your spatula.
4. Ask for help. It is better to ask for help than to be yelling, “Help” out the car window with your child wailing in the background. If you are talking to a good friend and they are going to the toy store and you need something, ask them if they wouldn’t mind getting it for you. Ask your guests to bring food to your gathering; they will enjoy contributing to the celebration.
5. Get enough sleep. You will need it. If you have the choice between staying up late and writing out your holiday cards or going to bed because you are exhausted, choose going to bed. Your cards can go out late. Better yet, date them for next year and they will be early! (See number 2.)
6. Eat good food. If 5 year old, Sarah has 5 cookies and you have 2, how long will it take you to run down the street after Sarah has escaped out the door? (Show all your work.) If you have forgotten to eat altogether because you ignored suggestion #2, Sarah will have ran .265 miles and it will take you 10 minutes to discover that she has left the house. Remember, coffee is not yet a food group.
7. Book a spa day or a massage. Okay, you can stop laughing now. It will be like a mini vacation. If that is too much to arrange, take a nice soak in the tub while the children are asleep. If you start to doze, don’t worry, someone is likely to wake you up to use the bathroom. Enjoy those 5 minutes. If you don't have 5 minutes, try soaking your feet in warm, scented water while you are writing those holiday cards, at midnight.
8. Enjoy your children and know that you are the best parent you can be today.
Please post some of your own helpful tips!
Friday, November 20, 2009
Practical Tips for Managing Holiday Stress
WHO: Contra Costa Child Care Council
PRESENTERS: Debbara Monroe (RCEB ASD Psychologist) and Carrie Chapman (Behavior Specialist)
WHAT: Stress, Mind-Body Health and Practical Tips for Managing Holiday Stress: helping children with autism and special needs cope with holiday stress
WHEN: Wednesday, December 16
TIME: 7pm - 9pm
WHERE: Contra Costa Child Care Council #100A
COST: None
RSVP: Cecilia Tosoni, 676-5442 x3105 or workshopregistration@cocokids.org
MORE INFORMATION: HERE
PRESENTERS: Debbara Monroe (RCEB ASD Psychologist) and Carrie Chapman (Behavior Specialist)
WHAT: Stress, Mind-Body Health and Practical Tips for Managing Holiday Stress: helping children with autism and special needs cope with holiday stress
WHEN: Wednesday, December 16
TIME: 7pm - 9pm
WHERE: Contra Costa Child Care Council #100A
COST: None
RSVP: Cecilia Tosoni, 676-5442 x3105 or workshopregistration@cocokids.org
MORE INFORMATION: HERE
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
What Teachers Wish Parents Knew
As a middle school teacher, it was common for me to have between 30 and 40 children in my classroom. Most years, about a third of my students had IEPs. Here are some things that I discovered on the way to learning about inclusion that I pass on to parents:
1. Write a short description of "Care and Handling tips" and include a photo of your child. This will help the teacher learn names and place children strategically when making a seating chart. Include a large print list of most essential things to place on the desk or lesson plan book. For example, "Maria has a snack at nutrition break so her blood sugar stays even." or "Collin has ear plugs for silent reading time." If you have any articles or resources (websites, books) related to your child's disability, share them! Most teachers love to learn!
2. If your child has a buddy who knows him or her who can be a partner for group work, let your teacher know! Otherwise, tell him or her what kinds of kids your child gets along with so they can help identify a helpful classroom buddy.
3. Keep a communication notebook with your student, you and the teacher. Help your child create a communication book (it can be a spiral, a composition book or a section in a binder). Let your child decorate it (stickers, photos!) and add an envelope with incentive stickers for the teacher to use. Help your child (take dictation for younger students) write a letter to the teacher introducing him or herself and describing things that are important. For example, "I need you to be patient and wait for me to answer, sometimes I need time to think and if you rush me I get nervous." Send notes back and forth about accomplishments ("We got homework done in 20 minutes with no fussing!!") and concerns or important information ("did not want breakfast. Extra snack in bag."). Encourage your child to write his or her own notes ("I am nervous about the field trip!") Ask the teacher to write a quick note daily-- even "great day!" or "sensory defensive today!" is helpful. Make sure you check it and write back-- "great morning" or "grumpy today" is helpful for the teacher to know!
The most important thing is to keep in touch. Discuss best ways to keep in contact with the teacher and the aide. (Email? Cell phone? Written notes?) Establish a strong relationship with the school office staff and teacher, the bus driver and aide. Visit at school as often as you can. Invite the school team to contact you with questions, concerns and good news too!
Something to keep in mind is this: although class size reduction has been very popular, the research on its impact has been very mixed. It seems that the most important thing when it comes to student achievement may just be quality teaching and a positive connection to the teacher. Help your child's teacher be the teacher your child needs, and help your child develop a strong positive relationship with the teacher.
Wrightslaw also offers great tips for a successful school year.
Coming on Thursday, our last post in our "Back to School Series": Keeping Track of all your paperwork
1. Write a short description of "Care and Handling tips" and include a photo of your child. This will help the teacher learn names and place children strategically when making a seating chart. Include a large print list of most essential things to place on the desk or lesson plan book. For example, "Maria has a snack at nutrition break so her blood sugar stays even." or "Collin has ear plugs for silent reading time." If you have any articles or resources (websites, books) related to your child's disability, share them! Most teachers love to learn!
2. If your child has a buddy who knows him or her who can be a partner for group work, let your teacher know! Otherwise, tell him or her what kinds of kids your child gets along with so they can help identify a helpful classroom buddy.
3. Keep a communication notebook with your student, you and the teacher. Help your child create a communication book (it can be a spiral, a composition book or a section in a binder). Let your child decorate it (stickers, photos!) and add an envelope with incentive stickers for the teacher to use. Help your child (take dictation for younger students) write a letter to the teacher introducing him or herself and describing things that are important. For example, "I need you to be patient and wait for me to answer, sometimes I need time to think and if you rush me I get nervous." Send notes back and forth about accomplishments ("We got homework done in 20 minutes with no fussing!!") and concerns or important information ("did not want breakfast. Extra snack in bag."). Encourage your child to write his or her own notes ("I am nervous about the field trip!") Ask the teacher to write a quick note daily-- even "great day!" or "sensory defensive today!" is helpful. Make sure you check it and write back-- "great morning" or "grumpy today" is helpful for the teacher to know!
The most important thing is to keep in touch. Discuss best ways to keep in contact with the teacher and the aide. (Email? Cell phone? Written notes?) Establish a strong relationship with the school office staff and teacher, the bus driver and aide. Visit at school as often as you can. Invite the school team to contact you with questions, concerns and good news too!
Something to keep in mind is this: although class size reduction has been very popular, the research on its impact has been very mixed. It seems that the most important thing when it comes to student achievement may just be quality teaching and a positive connection to the teacher. Help your child's teacher be the teacher your child needs, and help your child develop a strong positive relationship with the teacher.
Wrightslaw also offers great tips for a successful school year.
Coming on Thursday, our last post in our "Back to School Series": Keeping Track of all your paperwork
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