People with Developmental Disabilities and Traumatic Stress
Posted: December 18, 2012 Filed under: News, Resources | Tags: resources for caregivers, trauma, traumatic events Leave a comment »Useful resources are available from the NYU Child Study Center on “Helping children with developmental disabilities cope with traumatic events“.
The National Child Traumatic Stress Network has a wealth of resources available on trauma and they are continually adding more. One notable example is their publication, “Facts on Traumatic Stress and Children with Developmental Disabilities”.
Prepare for emergencies and “Get Tech Ready.”
Posted: November 21, 2012 Filed under: Resources | Tags: resources for caregivers Leave a comment »Americans are relying more and more on social media and technology to learn about disasters, to seek help in emergencies, and to share information about their own well-being. One step towards getting “tech ready” is to download these “Red Cross Mobile Apps”.
Disaster-Preparedness Tips for People With Disabilities
Posted: November 20, 2012 Filed under: Resources | Tags: resources for caregivers, special needs Leave a comment »
People with disabilities need to be prepared to quickly escape their homes in the event of emergencies such as fires, floods, tornadoes and hurricanes, a Mayo Clinic expert says.
Preparations for people with disabilities are more complicated than those for able-bodied people.
“As we learned during Hurricane Katrina and other natural disasters, persons with disabilities need to consider a number of different factors, such as identifying who is in their support system, special transportation needs and what supplies to include in their emergency-preparedness kits,” clinical nurse specialist Lisa Beck said in a Mayo news release.
Beck worked with disabled patients to design patient-education materials, and she offers the following tips for people with disabilities:
- Practice getting out of the house quickly at least twice a year.
- Discuss any special needs with a local emergency-medical-services provider.
- Plan where to go for shelter and how to get there, and who may need to provide you with assistance.
- Compile an emergency-preparedness kit that can last 24 to 48 hours. It should include items such as medication lists, contact numbers, medications, catheter supplies and a first-aid kit.
- Think about shelter and supplies for your service animal.
More information
The U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency has more about emergency planning and preparedness for people with special needs.
(SOURCE: Mayo Clinic)
Dental Care Every Day: A Caregiver’s Guide
Posted: November 8, 2012 Filed under: Resources | Tags: dental care, personal hygiene, resources for caregivers Leave a comment »Taking care of someone with a developmental disability requires patience and skill. As a caregiver, you know this as well as anyone does. You also know how challenging it is to help that person with dental care. It takes planning, time, and the ability to manage physical, mental, and behavioral problems. Dental care isn’t always easy, but you can make it work for you and the person you help. This booklet will show you how to help someone brush, floss, and have a healthy mouth.
November is National Adoption Month
Posted: November 1, 2012 Filed under: Resources | Tags: parenting, resources for caregivers Leave a comment »National Adoption Month has been celebrated for 17 years. Every November, a Presidential Proclamation launches activities and celebrations to help build awareness of adoption throughout the nation. Thousands of community organizations arrange and host programs, events, and activities to share positive adoption stories, challenge the myths, and draw attention to the thousands of children in foster care who are waiting for permanent families.
In recognition of National Adoption Month the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Foundation’s All Children—All Families Initiative (ACAF) has just published their 4th edition of, “PROMISING PRACTICES IN ADOPTION AND FOSTER CARE: A Comprehensive Guide to Policies and Practices That Welcome, Affirm and Support Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Foster and Adoptive Parents“.
The guide outlines 10 key benchmarks of LGBT cultural competence and provides the framework for agencies that want to become fully welcoming and affirming of LGBT prospective parents. Once an agency has achieved each of the 10 benchmarks outlined in this guide, it will earn the All Children – All Families Seal of Recognition. Devereux Arizona is the first agency in the state of Arizona to receive the seal. Devereux Arizona’s Executive Director Lane Barker sits on the All Children – All Families National Advisory Council and is committed to implementing LGBT-inclusive policies and all aspects of welcoming, supporting and affirming LGBT foster and adoptive families.
Current and prospective LGBT foster and adoptive parents will find helpful information in the 4th edition of this guide including what to look for in an LGBT-inclusive agency and a review of LGBT parenting laws for each state.
LGBT families may also be interested in signing up for the HRC Family News to become informed of the latest resources from the HRC Family Project and news and events related to equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender families in the U.S.
Apps for Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders
Posted: October 31, 2012 Filed under: Resources | Tags: resources for caregivers, social and emotional health Leave a comment »
When looking for apps for students on the autism spectrum (ASD), it is important to look at all educational apps and not just those that are tagged as autism apps. They have many of the same learning needs that other students have. This list was developed by Mark Coppin to provide apps based on common learning characteristics and traits that are typical for students with ASD.
Mark Coppin is an Apple Distinguished Educator and the Assistive Technology Director for the Anne Carlsen Center.
When you click on the links in the outer gray circle you will be able to view the App description and price in iTunes. Some are free, others are minimally priced.
Natural Disasters call for school‑community support systems
Posted: October 31, 2012 Filed under: Resources | Tags: coping skills, parenting, resources for caregivers Leave a comment »Prompted by the current emergency in and around east coast states as a result of Hurricane Sandy, the UCLA Center for Mental Health in Schools reminds us about the importance of emergency preparedness and aftermath planning. At the UCLA Center website click on the icon labeled “Responding to a Crisis”. Of particular note see “Resources for Responding to and Coping with Hurricane Related Events“.
A wider range of resources can also be accessed from their “Quick Find Online Clearinghouse on Crisis Prevention and Response“.
Parents with very young children may want to check out the:
Family Checkup: Positive Parenting Prevents Drug Abuse
Posted: October 18, 2012 Filed under: Resources | Tags: parenting, social and emotional health Leave a comment »
As part of National Substance Abuse Prevention Month, the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) has launched Family Checkup, an online resource that equips parents with research-based skills to help keep their children drug-free.
NIDA-funded research has shown the critical role parents play in preventing their children from using drugs. Family Checkup poses questions for parents to consider as they interact with their children; highlighting parenting skills that are important in preventing the initiation and progression of drug use among youth. The resource incorporates video examples that show parents how-to and how-not-to emulate each skill with their own children. The tools were developed by the Child and Family Center at the University of Oregon.
This available for FREE from the National Institute of Drug Abuse for families.
