May

31

Taking a special needs child to an amusement park?

Posted by preciouschild

May 31, 2009 | 1 Comment

What? Am I crazy?
The issue with my son is this: He is easily overstimulated by fast, colorful movements and things that can overwhelm the senses.
Ahhhh, there’s the catch: An amusement park is exactly that - a smorgasbord of sensory overload!
Last week the family went to an amusement park slash water park that is about two [...]

May

31

Make a file folder for your special needs child

Posted by preciouschild

May 31, 2009 | Leave a Comment

I found this very interesting article encouraging parents to make a special file or folder to keep their child’s information together and handy.
I have never done this, but am going to. I have thought about it before, but after reading this article, I think it motivated me to get myself in gear and actually do [...]

May

28

Parenting an autistic child

Posted by preciouschild

May 28, 2009 | Leave a Comment

Here’s a very interesting article that is worth reading about  parenting an autistic child
Several great points are made and some pretty good information.
One of the hardest things about having a child with special needs - for me at least - is switching back and forth between my two daughters who have no special needs and [...]

May

27

Impulse control

Posted by preciouschild

May 27, 2009 | Leave a Comment

I’ve noticed over the past couple of weeks that K-Oz seems to be having a lot more trouble with impulse control.
He seems to be speaking and acting out quickly and seemingly without thought. For example, tonight he repeatedly kept hitting his sister’s arm - over and over and over again. Even after he was told [...]

May

25

How does a parent dealing with special needs take a break?

Posted by preciouschild

May 25, 2009 | Leave a Comment

Often caring for a child with special needs is a 24/7 job and most parents don’t get a break, a day off or even a quiet moment for themselves.
So what ways do you get a break, or find a moment of peace in the midst of chaos?
Because my son’s special needs don’t require constant vigilance, [...]

May

24

Is it OCD or tics?

Posted by preciouschild

May 24, 2009 | Leave a Comment

I took my three kids to the movies yesterday. During the flick, I noticed K-Oz doing a repetitive motion with his arm.
I saw him doing it again this evening.
I can’t figure out if this is a new tic with his Tourette’s or if it’s a part of his OCD. As I blogged earlier this week, [...]

May

20

Time for more meds?

Posted by preciouschild

May 20, 2009 | Leave a Comment

When we were at our new pediatric neurologist back in March, she mentioned that we might end up considering medication for K-Oz’s OCD.
At the time, my husband and I both felt it was unnecessary to consider more medication. The doctor said she felt that - based upon our descriptions of K-Oz’s behaviors when he is [...]

May

16

Tourette’s Syndrome Awareness Month

Posted by preciouschild

May 16, 2009 | Leave a Comment

Today - May 15 - marks the first day of TS Awareness Month (May 15-June 15).
Here’s a link with more information.
Since my son has TS, I try to stay informed and pass along information when I can get it.
The link is on the Tourette’s Syndrome Association website. TSA has a great newsletter for kids called [...]

May

14

Helping your special needs child through a natural disaster

Posted by preciouschild

May 14, 2009 | Leave a Comment

Last Friday our region (Southern Illinois) was hit with severe weather. It has been referred to as an “inland hurricane” which brought wind gusts of over 106 miles per hour.
It was a devastating event for my neck of the woods and it left us without electricity for five days, my husband was off work for [...]

May

4

A new month - reading a new book

Posted by preciouschild

May 4, 2009 | Leave a Comment

I just checked out a book from the library and have just read the first couple of pages. It is “Against Medical Advice” by James Patterson and Hal Friedman.
It is the true story of Hal Friedman’s son, Cory - and his struggle with Tourette’s Syndrome.
As a parent of a child with TS, I am very [...]