As a parent, you dream of your child pursuing higher education and a career, making your caregiving days numbered. However, being blessed with a child with special needs makes your caregiver days continual. Parenting is already an exhausting endeavor. Being a parent of a child with special needs, an identification or medical condition takes things to a whole other level of fatigue. Hospital and doctors’ visits are not just a few times a year; they may be a few times a month while therapy may be weekly. In your spare time, you may be researching new treatments or advocating in the medical and educational system. Even with proper sleep, diet, exercise and some time off to re-energize, there can be a level of emotional and physical tiredness that seems to always be there.
Being a parent of a child with special needs, an identification or medical condition takes things to a whole other level of fatigue. Hospital and doctors’ visits are not just a few times a year; they may be a few times a month while therapies maybe weekly. In your spare time, you may be researching new treatments or advocating in the medical and educational system. Even with proper sleep, diet, exercise or some time off to reenergize, there can be a level of emotional and physical tiredness that seems to always be there.
Vizually Speaking understands. Current research has shown the benefits of using visual aids and strategies in your child’s daily life. They assist you with communication, clarification, organization, completing daily tasks, explaining rules, clarifying expectations and transitions, while teaching appropriate behaviours and calming techniques. Using visual aids and strategies will alleviate some of the daily challenges you endure while increasing independence, self-esteem and quality of daily life by the user. Contact us today for your FREE consultation.
Join The Conversation
Are you supporting a challenging child? What is the greatest challenge you deal with as a parent supporting a child with special needs or a child with an identification? Leave me a comment here, and join the conversation on Facebook where I asked, “The greatest challenge about parenting a special needs child or a child with an identification is_____________.”
Workshop Presentation - Visual Aids and Strategies for Parents/Caregivers
Contact Vizually Speaking today to learn how Visual Aids and Strategies for Caregivers/Parents can decrease the undesired behaviour(s), improve communication, promote independence and increase self-confidence. Through our dynamic presentation you will:
✓ Uncover the importance of using Visual Aids and Strategies.
✓ Discover the benefits of Visual Aids and Strategies.
✓ Learn how to overcome communication barriers.
✓ Promote independence and decrease undesired behaviours.
✓ Be introduced to NEW resources.
EVEYONE benefits from Visual Aids!
Vizually Speaking understands that finding time in today’s high demanding world to create visual aids and strategies can be a great challenge. Vizually Speaking is committed to collaboratively work together providing a step by step support, assisting in the development and implementation of individualized visual aids and strategies. For a FREE consultation contact us today.
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RELATED LINKS:
ABCs of Mental Health
Mental health resource site for parents and teachers to help answer questions about children’s behaviour and ways to respond.
http://www.sickkidscmh.ca/ABC/Welcome
Ability on Line
A free monitored online community for friendship, support and skill development opportunities for youth with disabilities/chronic illness, their friends and family.
ADHD Resource Centre
ADHD parent resources on the Hospital for Sick Children’s Aboutkidshealth website.
http://www.aboutkidshealth.ca/en/resourcecentres/adhd/pages/default.aspx
Council for Exceptional Children Ontario
A group that promotes educational outcomes for individuals with special needs. http://www.cecontario.ca/
Education Law Project
A free legal service for low-income children and families in Ontario who face challenges to their legal rights at school. Volunteer lawyers trained in education law are paired with eligible families to provide summary advice and/or representation on issues such as: Unfair or unlawful suspension, expulsion or exclusion from school, Denial or difficulty accessing special education services, Difficulty enrolling in school, School safety, bullying and harassment.
https://www.probonoontario.org/education_law/
Gerrard Resource Centre
The website links to news, publications, upcoming events, and resources that support parents, caregivers, early childhood and family supports professionals, policymakers, researchers, and students in their roles as facilitators and advocates for child and family well-being. The GRC also publishes a monthly e-bulletin for professionals, policymakers, and researchers that highlights additions to the website.
https://www.ryerson.ca/ecs/grc/
Human Rights Legal Support Centre (HRLSC)
Persons who want to make an application to the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario (HRTO) may ask for advice from the Human Rights Legal Support Centre. The Centre is independent of the HRTO and offers free services throughout the province, giving legal advice and other assistance to individuals who believe that another individual, an organization, corporation, or government agency or department has violated their rights under the Ontario Human Rights Code.
https://www.ryerson.ca/ecs/grc/
Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario (HRTO)
Since the Human Rights Code Amendment Act, 2006 came into effect on June 30, 2008, human rights complaints are filed directly with the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario (HRTO), instead of with the Ontario Human Rights Commission (OHRC), which previously investigated complaints and decided whether to refer a complaint to the Tribunal.
Integra Program
An accredited Children’s Mental Health Centre located in Toronto, dedicated to helping children and adolescents who experience social, emotional and behavioural problems related to their learning disabilities. Free tips sheets available under Resources.
http://www.sjto.gov.on.ca/hrto/
LD@home
New LDAO website with free resources for parents, students and families dealing with LDs.
LD@school / TA@l’école:
English and French resources for educators who work with students with learning disabilities, including summaries of research, videos, webinars and podcasts.
LD Online
A comprehensive American web site on learning disabilities and ADHD, with many articles on a variety of topics.
http://www.ldonline.org/indepth
Learning Disabilities Association of Canada
The national branch of the Learning Disabilities Association is LDA Canada (LDAC). Their website is fully bilingual.
National Center for Learning Disabilities
NCLD.org is a useful American website with articles about LDs at home, school, college or work.
National Educational Association of Disabled Students
(NEADS) NEADS advocates for increased accessibility so that students with disabilities may gain equal access to college or university education. Websites contains results of surveys and research, and lists of scholarships and bursaries.
Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP)
Information on accessing income and employment supports for individuals with disabilities in Ontario.
https://www.mcss.gov.on.ca/en/mcss/programs/social/odsp/index.aspx
Ontario Human Rights Commission (OHRC)
OHRC has a mandate to engage in proactive measures such as public education, policy development, research and analysis in the area of human rights.
Ontario Ministry of Education, Special Education
Information for parents and educators on how special education works in Ontario, including legislation, policies and resource documents.
http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/parents/speced.html
Ontario Skills Passport
The OSP offers high school students, adult learners, job seekers, workers, employers, teachers, trainers, practitioners, job developers and counsellors a common language, resources, and tools that help build competence, confidence and connections.
http://www.skills.edu.gov.on.ca/OSP2Web/EDU/Welcome.xhtml
Ottawa Network for Education – Assistive Technology
Free online resources and how-to-videos to help students, teachers and parents use computer-based assistive technology. Links for K-12, Transition and Postsecondary sections.
http://www.onfe-rope.ca/programs/assistive-technology-support
PAAC on SEAC
The Provincial Parent Association Advisory Committee on Special Education Advisory Committees (PAAC on SEAC) brings together provincial parent associations to communicate and co-operate on issues pertaining to SEACs, which in turn advise their school boards on special education issues.
Parent Information in English, French and 25 other languages, from the Ontario Ministry of Education.
http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/parents/multiLanguages.html
People For Education
People for Education is an independent parent-led organization, working to improve public education in Ontario’s English, Catholic and French schools.
http://www.peopleforeducation.ca/
Smart Kids with LD
Smart Kids with Learning Disabilities® is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing useful, authoritative information from experts, practical advice and support from parents, and inspiration from successful adults living with LD and ADHD.
http://www.smartkidswithld.org/
SNOW – Special Needs Ontario Window
SNOW offers news, resources, commentary and online courses on special education, adaptive technologies, inclusive design, and web accessibility. SNOW is an educational outreach service of the Inclusive Design Research Centre, OCAD University.
The Yale Center for Dyslexia & Creativity
This website was developed by Drs. Bennett and Sally Shaywitz, well-respected researchers at Yale University. It features articles for parents and for educators.
TVO Parents
The TVO Parents site has information and video clips for parents on a variety of topics related to School & Learning, Health & Development, and Social & Emotional issues.
