How do you explain food allergies, and how dangerous they can be, to young children? One way for parents to do that is to read a book called “Pixie’s Food for Thought”. The main character is a little girl named Pixie who has food allergies and self-confidence. Being different from all the other kids can be hard. When it comes to food allergies, kids can “blend” into their peers fairly well – until lunchtime. Situations that involve food, like lunchtime, birthday parties, and school celebrations, quickly reveal that kids with food allergies are different, even though you can’t tell it … Continue reading →

Your family is probably in the midst of enjoying their Summer vacation. The start of the new school year is just a few weeks away. Now is the time to start preparing your child for school. Transitions are often difficult for children who have special needs. Start now, and make that first day back a bit easier. Children feel more secure when they know that their day will follow an expected routine. This is especially true for children who have certain types of special needs. Kids who have an autism spectrum disorder, or ADHD, tend to thrive when they are … Continue reading →

Traditionally, the way to celebrate the Fourth of July is to observe a loud, colorful, fireworks display. Kids with certain types of special needs may have difficulty coping with what many adults see as an enjoyable form of entertainment. Here are some tips parents can use to help their child cope with the sensory aspects of Independence Day. The Fourth of July might very well be the loudest holiday of the entire year. We have bright and booming fireworks displays at night, and start the day with the screaming sirens of fire engines in the Independence Day parade. This can … Continue reading →

Every parent needs a break once in a while. It can be difficult to find a babysitter for a child who has special needs. Often, this leaves parents in constant caregiver mode, without time to spend with their spouse or by themselves. Here are some ideas about how to find a good babysitter that will understand your child’s special needs. Parenting can be an extremely rewarding experience. It can also, at times, be overwhelmingly stressful. This is true for all parents, however, parents of children who have special needs can face an additional amount of stress. There are times when … Continue reading →

The end of the school year is coming up fast! The daily structure that your child has grown used to, and relies on, is going to disappear. This will result in a period of adjustment for you child. Here are some tips that parents of children who have ADHD can use to help their child cope with Summer vacation. Children, even those without special needs, rely on structure. Knowing what will happen next can help prevent anxiety. Kids that have ADHD tend to thrive when they are following a set schedule, that includes regular meal times and a set bedtime. … Continue reading →

Food allergies can be scary. This is especially true for parents of small children who have allergies. At home, you can control what he or she eats, to avoid allergic reactions. But, what about if your child is at day care, or visiting a relative? There are plenty of allergy bracelets that are designed for children. Adults who have food allergies are able to read the ingredients on the packages of food that they are considering eating. If it isn’t safe for them to eat, then an adult will understand the reason why they have to put that tasty looking … Continue reading →

All parents can benefit from having access to some help. There are support groups that are designed specifically to help out parents of kids who have special needs. Here is a list of where many of these support groups can be found. For further information, click on the links. You can also try looking in the newspaper for support groups that are located near where you live. You can divide the types of support groups that are for parents of children who have special needs into two categories. There are support groups that are held online, and there are support … Continue reading →

Will your child’s classroom at school be having a Valentine’s Day party? This is one of those situations where you cannot be certain what foods, sweets, or treats your child will encounter. It can be a dangerous situation for children with food allergies. Fortunately, there are some allergy-friendly valentines treats to be found. If your child has food allergies, I would highly recommend that you speak with your child’s teacher before Valentine’s Day. Find out if there will be a Valentine’s Day celebration taking place in the classroom. Will the party include cookies, candy, and other treats that are sent … Continue reading →

Every parent feels at least a little bit of concern when their “baby” is ready to start college. If your son or daughter has celiac disease, or an allergy or intolerance to gluten, then you may be especially concerned about if your child will be able to find enough food while at school. Fortunately, several colleges are starting to cater to students who need to eat a gluten-free diet. Celiac disease is an autoimmune disease. If a person who has celiac disease eats a food that contains wheat, rye, or barley, that person is going to get sick. The lining … Continue reading →

Flying with young children can be stressful. It can be difficult for parents of kids who have disabilities, or certain medical conditions, to know what it will be like for their child to go through airport security. Before you fly, try calling the new TSA helpline. It might be able to answer your questions. By now, everyone has heard a few “horror stories” about parents who were hassled by the TSA, or the staff on an airplane, specifically because of their child. It is understandable that parents of kids who have special needs would feel some anxiety about traveling by … Continue reading →