by André Picard
Because few adults with the disorder can work, the economic costs continue. Each
child diagnosed with autism will accrue about $3.2-million (U.S.) in
medical and non-medical costs over his or her lifetime, according to a
new study.
Visit www.theglobeandmail.com to read the complete article.
[added April 03, 2007]
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By Shirley Sutton Nothing causes more exasperation to an already stressed out parent of a child with special needs than the child who makes mealtimes a disaster! In my 25 tears as a pediatric occupational therapist, and a mother of three children, I know firsthand how developing socially acceptable eating and drinking skills promotes quality of life. In this article, I will share my "favourite four" clinical tips which will help restore the 'fun' around mealtimes. These tips are drawn from a variety of theoretical backgrounds, including sensory processing, Floortime/RDI, behavioural , neuro-developmental ( "NDT"), and developmental pre-speech approaches.
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An Interview With Raun Kaufman
By Maureen Bennie
Most
parents say they would do anything for their children. Their children’s
health and well being is the most important thing – the #1 family
concern. Some families are put to the test when it becomes evident
there is something wrong with their child. They have to struggle, make
sacrifices, and demand an inner strength from themselves that they
never thought possible. They are pushed to their limits and just when
they think they can do no more, they have to go further. It is when
parents are exhausted, sleep deprived, frustrated and disillusioned
that they are asked to continue on, to go the extra mile to make a
difference in their child’s life.
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by Sue Ferguson
Politicians are failing
children, especially those with special needs. IMAGINE THE STRESSES of
raising an autistic child. In the most severe cases of autism, children
shut out the world around them, behave in ritualistic ways and
communicate through shrieks and screams. Now imagine taking on the
added financial and personal strain of launching a legal battle against
a school board and/or provincial education officials...
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By Maureen Bennie
Parenting
in North America is an isolating experience. Most families do not have
extended family living with them or near by to help with childcare. We
live in communities where we barely know our next door neighbors let
alone the people three doors down. A typical family has a father at
work all day while the mother is either at home with the children or
working outside of the home for part of the day. Single parent
households are common too, usually lead by the mother. Take any of
these scenarios and add looking after small children in isolation with
one or more of the children having autism and you have a mother who is
feeling overwhelmed, down – possibly depressed.
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By Maureen Bennie
Cuts have occurred in education
over the past several years in our Alberta public education system.
While all children suffer from cutbacks, the ones most affected tend to
be the children with special needs. With class sizes growing and
classroom resources diminishing, another educational option for the
special needs child is available – homeschooling.
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By Carol Stock Kranowitz
Some of the most important
skills your child needs at school come from lessons that begin at home.
A mother tells me how excited she is about her toddler's "educational"
computer game. Just click the mouse and presto: One, two, three oranges
bound into a bucket. Isn't that a fabulous way to learn counting? What
is my opinion, as a preschool teacher?
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