Supporting our Community Classroom GRANTS!!
Thanks to the amazing support for our Autism Puzzle Walk the Autism Society of Nebraska has been able to expand their community grants and create yet another innovative way to improve the lives of ALL affected by autism! We are pleased to share with you our Classroom Grants!! The Supporting our Community Classroom Grant offers funding to be used for Nebraska educators who work with an individual(s) on the Autism Spectrum Disorder. These funds are available for the purchase of classroom supplies, educational toys, sensory items and technology. The Supporting our Community Classroom Grant is administered by the Nebraska Chapter of the Autism Society of America. Awards of up to $75 will be distributed with a limit of 1 award per person annually. Classroom Grants may not be used toward edible or disposable items, or curriculum items which are considered the school’s responsibility. Teachers please go to the Autism Society of Nebraska’s webpage at www.autismnebraska.org , to print off a application today!! PARENTS PRINT ONE OFF FOR YOUR CHILD’S TEACHER!!!
Radio Show by Adult with Asperger Syndrome
“Parents Corner” is a radio show, co-hosted by Brian King, LCSW. Brian is an adult with Asperger Syndrome, who presented here in the area back in January. Brian also has 3 boys on the ASD spectrum. Brian will be sharing his parenting strategies and discussing them with a panel of parents. Here is a link with all the details you'll need to tune in and call in if you would like http:tinyurl.com/3gm58h7 Check it out and pass it along. His address is: P.O. Box 994, West Chicago, IL 60186 if you would like to write to him.
Webinars about Apps
Are you interested in more information about Apps? Autism Speaks holds weekly webinars covering the technology of apps and how they can work for children with Autism. You say, but my child doesn’t have Autism! Log on anyway! Though the focus may be for children with Autism, much of what is offered can easily be adapted for children with similar or different needs. Discoveries for one area do increase the knowledge for all. http://autismspeaks.org/family-services/technology#webinars
Financial Resource for Families – FirstHand Foundation
This is a resource for families with uncovered medical needs for their children. Families can apply for individual financial assistance if they meet the Foundation’s eligibility criteria. Check it out at www.firsthandfoundation.org
Collaborative Corner on Mosaic’s website
Check out the Collaborative Corner on Mosaic’s website at www.mosaicinfo.org/services/research/CollaborativeCorner.htm Resources and publications are updated regularly. Please contact Tara Harper at tara.harper@mosaicinfo.org if you have any questions or need additional information!
Project Lifesaver in Sarpy County
The Sarpy County Sheriff’s Office implemented Project Lifesaver in 2008 to help locate missing persons. Children with Autism or Down Syndrome, who are at risk to wander, can have their safety greatly enhanced through this program. Project Lifesaver emphasizes relationships between specially trained Sheriff’s personnel and individuals enrolled in the program BEFORE the need may arise for a rescue. During an initial home visit, Project Lifesaver enrollees are fitted with a personalized wristband transmitter and family members are provided with a comprehensive overview of the program. Trained in communicating with individuals with special needs, deputies will schedule a monthly home visit to inspect and maintain the equipment and get to know the enrollee better on a more personal basis. The cost to participate in this program is minimal, at $10 a month.
For more information on Project Lifesaver, contact Lt. Griger at 402-593-2288.
Heart Heroes Capes for children with CHD, a Non-Profit here in Nebraska
Every year approximately 40,000 infants are born in the US with Congenital Heart Defects (CHD). CHD is the most frequently occurring birth defect and the leading cause of birth-related deaths. More than 50% of children with CHD will require at least one invasive surgery in their lifetime. And in the US, twice as many children die from CHD each year than from ALL forms of childhood cancers, combined! Needless to say, the survivors of CHD wear their scars like badges of honor. They are our “Heart Heroes”. Heart Heroes, Inc., is a non-profit organization that originated by a few Nebraska moms, who had children with CHD. After trying to coax their children through cardiology appointments and heart surgeries, they took comfort in the wondrous powers of “super hero” capes to comfort their children, and Heart Heroes was founded. Now, hundreds of Heart Hero capes have been draped around the little shoulders of CHD children everywhere. Consider donating a Heart Hero Cape to a child with CHD by going to www.heartherocapes.com to donate a cape. There is a perpetual wait list of children who need their capes to conquer their fears and give them courage. You can also join our Heart Heroes Facebook Group to see pictures of many of the cape recipients and hear their stories. Contact the co-founders of Heart Heroes at heartheroes@yahoo.com.
“Children hold our hands for a moment, but our hearts forever.” ~ Anonymous
Exceptional Parent Magazine
Magazine for parents of children with developmental disabilities and other special needs. You can get a digital edition of this magazine, Just go to www.eparentdigital.com type in the EMAIL: 155rw@eparent.com and use the PASSWORD: specialneeds to access editions digitally. This information is also listed in the back of OKN under Website Resources.
Learn how to adapt toys to use with a switch/button/BigMac
This workshop is for ANYONE!! You will learn how to easily & cost effectively turn the toys that your child already has, & isn't using because of physical limitations, into toys that are adapted to your child!! You will learn how to install a jack into a single function toy & convert it into a toy that is operated with a switch. You will learn how to assemble a switch. You will make a detachable cord that runs from the toy to the switch. You will be able to do this, AND you will go home with a working switch toy & switch. Best of all, your child's toy will look professionally adapted, by YOU!! You have seen that the switch operated toys are sometimes 8x as much to order, than if you could buy the toy & put the switch in for a few dollars, yourself. Dates/Times will be determined when I have 4 or more people interested in the class. This class is FREE, however donations of any kind are appreciated. Contact Aaron today at aaronmiller555@gmail.com for more information!
A & D Waiver – Aged & Disabled Waiver
HIPP Program
If your child is on this waiver, do you know that it makes your income guidelines non-existent? No cap on your income. Just have to use the 2 hours minimum respite each and every month, so you don't lose your A&D Coverage. Do you know that you can add your child, to your private health insurance (non-medicaid), and if you are on the A&D Waiver, you can get those premiums paid for for BOTH you and your child, through the HIPP program? Has to be the same family policy, but they will cover all the insurance premiums for your entire family!! For us this was $1,200 in premiums, because we are self-employed, don't have a corporate medical plan, and it was killing us. By talking with another mom, I found out about this program, and we are waiting on our reimbursement to arrive!! So cool. For 5 years we were told that our income dictated the medicaid that our son received, for us that meant we had to either stay in this little income box of like $45,000 or make an additional $100,000 to cover the expenses in therapy and medical services that our sons receives on an annual basis minimum. The guidelines to be on the A&D Waiver, I do not know for sure what they are. If you want to know, I can find out, just email me. I know that my son qualifies, and if has something to do with being fed solely by g-button, and being non-independent. If you want the contact information for the HIPP program, just shoot me an email on that also, or ask your Service Coordinator specifically about it. There are many programs out there available to help families like ours out. We just need to get the word out there for families to access that information. If you know of a program, that would benefit families, email me. ohanakidsnews@gmail.com We will research it and get the correct information out to all the families.
Swimming Lessons for Kids with Special Needs
through Madonna ProActive in Lincoln
Madonna ProActive offers both Private and Semi-Private Swim Lessons. All lessons are approximately 30 minutes in length. Private and Semi-Private Instruction clients will be matched with an instructor who best meets the needs of the individual or small group. Located at 7111 Stephanie Lane (55th & Pine Lake Road), You can purchase lessons at ProActive's front desk.
Madonna ProActive offers both Private and Semi-Private Swim Lessons. All lessons are approximately 30 minutes in length. Private and Semi-Private Instruction clients will be matched with an instructor who best meets the needs of the individual or small group. Located at 7111 Stephanie Lane (55th & Pine Lake Road), You can purchase lessons at ProActive's front desk.
Call 402-486-7791 for scheduling information and cost information.
Swimming Lessons for Kids with Special Needs
through Lincoln Racquet Club
Lincoln Racquet Club offers several swim instructors who have worked with children with a variety of special needs. If you have a child who loves the water, or if you have a child with a special need that you believe the water would benefit, you need to call Lincoln Racquet Club today!! Cost for Non-members is $24/30 minute session and for Members it is $18/30 minute session. Your child will benefit from the experience that these instructors have.
Lincoln Racquet Club offers several swim instructors who have worked with children with a variety of special needs. If you have a child who loves the water, or if you have a child with a special need that you believe the water would benefit, you need to call Lincoln Racquet Club today!! Cost for Non-members is $24/30 minute session and for Members it is $18/30 minute session. Your child will benefit from the experience that these instructors have.
For more information please call 402-423-2511.
Handmade Gowns, IV Covers, G-button covers & more!!!
Check this out!! If you have a child who is routinely in the hospital for various things (like mine is J) then you need to check this lady out!! Go to www.tubiewhoobies.com or you can visit them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/tubiewhoobies
Gluten Free/Casein Free Diet Website
Just received this information that a parent went through and put their information into a website of all the diet information they have for gluten free/casein free. I haven’t checked it out, but take a look. It is http://www.lincolntent.com/GFCF.html
Parent Group with kids with combined hearing & vision loss
The Nebraska Technical Assistance Project on Deaf-Blindness has conducted training this year specific to parents of children who have a combined hearing & vision loss. The training has been in partnership with the National Consortium on Deaf-Blindness (NCDV2.0). A total of 7 parents have participated in a series of training activities from May 2011 through October 2011. They are now working on their leadership goals & have another planned meeting in April 2012, as well as ongoing meetings in the future. They are called the Nebraska DB Parent Leadership Team, & have provided lots of support to the state deaf-blind project. It is the intent of this team to provide one-on-one interaction either via phones, technoloty or face to-face with other parents in the state who have a child birth to age 21 with a combined hearing & vision loss. If you want to be connected to one of these parents, please contact Teresa Coonts at 402-595-1810 or Teresa.coonts@nebraska.gov This is an exciting group of parents working & learnin together for the purpose of supporting other families in the future.
NCDHH – The Nebraska Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
The mission of the Nebraska Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing is to provide advocacy, communication access and information to enhance awareness and services for improving the quality of life for all who experience hearing loss. The Vision Statement of NCDHH is: Being a proactive state agency, the Commission works towards building support, cooperation and understanding regardless of hearing ability resulting in fairness and equality for all Nebraskans. Make sure to check out our website at www.ncdhh.ne.gov
Sure Steps SMO Orthotics
Having a hard time finding shoes that would fit the braces? Sure Steps makes tennis shoes that are made to fit the SMO’s. They cost about$50, but have your doctor write a script for them and you should be able to use your Flexible Spending Account funds to pay for the shoes. There is also a brand called Keeping Pace that is made for orthotics, but they cost closer to $70. Just for your information :)
JOB OPPORTUNITY: On Call Driver Needed by NeuroQuest LLC
NeuroQuest, LLC is an in home EEG service that works with patients all across Nebraska. The laptop and video camera are provided to the patient so they can record their seizure activity while in the comfort of their own home. Once the in home recording is completed, the equipment needs to be picked up and FedEx'd back to NeuroQuest for review. NeuroQuest is looking for reliable individuals who can drive to pick up the equipment and get it to the Fed Ex office for shipping. They are paying $15 per hour, plus the cost of fuel to pick up the equipment and drop it off at the Fed Ex location. This would be an on call position, when they call then you go pick it up. Reliability is a MUST. If you are interested in applying for such a position, please contact Christy Norton at cnorton@neuroquestllc.com .
Parent 2 Parent Mentor's Wanted – Please Read
Nationally over 80% of parents of children with disabilities who were mentored by an experienced parent reported it to bet he most helpful source of information on coping with the challenges of raising a child with special needs. Mentored parents report that the support of a fellow parent was so unique and personalized that it could not have come from any other source!
As the mother or father of a child with developmental disabilities, you have unique parenting experiences. Through time, training, and trial and error, you have gained valuable skills. Use your knowledge to help another parent on the journey by becoming a mentor. Parent to Parent (P2P) programs link parents of children, adolescents and adults with developmental disabilities with experienced and informed veteran parents who understand the day-to-day experiences of raising a child with special needs. Parent to Parent Omaha is offered by Ollie Webb Center, Inc., a local nonprofit agency. We are seeking parent mentors who are coping well with their child’s situation and view him or her as a valuable and developing person. Consider becoming a mentor if you’d like to help parents cope with the joys and challenges of having a child (of any age) with special needs. The time commitment involves contacting another parent (in person, -mail or telephone) once every two weeks within the fist 8 weeks and as mutually agreed thereafter. You have the knowledge and experience. We provide training as a framework to share your wisdom. The next training will be held soon and will include: Guidelines for Helping Families; Creative Coping Skills and Resiliency; Survival Tactics for Parents of Children with Special Needs; What Helps Families in High Stress Situations and Crisis; Tips for Extended Family Members and Siblings; Tips for locating Community Services; Information on Parent to Parent USA; Cultural Competence and Family Centered Care; AND Principles of Family-Professional Collaboration. To talk with someone about becoming a mentor, please contact Annie Anderson at 346-5220 ext. 23 or aanderson@olliewebbinc.org or mail your name, address, phone number and e-mail to: Ollie Webb Center, Inc | 1941 South 42nd Street | Suite 122 | Omaha, NE 68105 ?
ALLPlay Baseball for Kids with Special Needs
We are looking for children with disabilities to play in our incredible ALLPLAY Miracle League Baseball League. Last year we have over 150 kids play baseball and we are looking for MORE!! See our ad to the left for more information, and check us out at www.ALLPLAY.org You can also call Bruce at 402-305-5020.
ABC Signing Kids Teacher in the Area!!
My name is Angie Willey and I am the mother of 3 boys. I have used Signing Time with my own family since my youngest was 18 months old. My son has Down Syndrome and we knew he might have difficulties speaking, so we looked to Signing Time as a way to communicate with him. A little over a year later, we discovered that my son was learning to read from the Signing Time videos that we had. Now at age 4, my son has a signing vocabulary and sight reading vocabulary of around 300 words. There are many reasons why Signing is a great tool to help with early language development! But it is never too early or to late to start! Contact me today to find out more about attending a class!! I am centrally located between Lincoln, Omaha and Nebraska City, and am happy to serve the entire area. You can email me at: abcsigningkids@signingtimeacademy.com you can find me on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/AbcSigningKids & my phone number is 402-499-4022
Looking to start Therapy Group for Preschoolers ages 3-4
LOCATION: Williamsburg Behavioral Psychology, 3801 Union Dr., Suite 206, (Just south of the Hy-Vee at 40th & Old Cheney), LINCOLN
MORE INFORMATION: Call 402-489-2218, to get your name on the list
DESCRIPTION: Dr. Anne Tapley is looking to form a therapy group for Preschoolers ages 3-4, who are on the Spectrum. If you are looking for something like this, please call the number above to get your child’s name on the list of interested families. If you need more information, just call and leave Dr. Tapley a message.
Early Head Start Lancaster & Saunders Counties
Community Action Partnership
Early Head Start is a comprehensive federally development program offered through Action Partnership of Lancaster & Saunders serving low-income pregnant women, children 3 & under, & their families. A small number of slots are also available to families of children with verified disabilities whose families have household incomes above the federal poverty guidelines. In our home-based EHS program you & your child have the opportunity to work with a Family Educator in the comfort of your own home for 90 minutes each week. If you live in Lancaster County call Community Action Partnership at 402-875-9385 or in Saunders call Wahoo Public Schools at 402-443-4250. You can also visit Community Actions web sit at www.communityactionatwork.org
Advocacy Page for Parent's of Children with Disabilities
Now parents are invited to check out a page on Mosaic's website
www.mosaicinfo.org/services/research/CollaborativeCorner.html make sure you check out this new resource available to all our families.
Tech Tots & Tech Tools Programs Sponsored by UCP
The Tech Tots Lending Libraries provide developmental toys, adapted toys and devices to children with developmental and physical disabilities, at no cost to families. UCP of Nebraska offers over 700 adapted toys & technologies for children and teens through 4 locations (listed below). The toys are housed in libraries located in respite or rehab services environments. Primary use of the program is through families that use services at the center, and is also available to the general public. The toys are available to be taken home to reinforce learning. We have heard from families that have participated in this program consistently and the value it has brought to them. After one family in particular, has been using the program by taking 3-4 items home for their child with Cerebral Palsy. After a month of using these items, they return the items and “refresh” them with something new and interesting. It has helped increase the exposure and learning for that child by continually offering new tools. These same adapted toys are cost-prohibitive to many families, as they typically cost more than 5 times the base cost of the toy without adaptation. UCP has partnered with AT4ALL to make the entire inventory visible online. AT4ALL is offered by the Assistive Technology Partnership. A family can view the items, request them for loan, and then simply pick them up at the location. Simply go to www.AT4ALL.com, click on “Children’s Equipment” in the category. All items available for checkout from UCP of Nebraska Tech Tots Partners (& a few other agency programs) will come up. You can refine the search by location by selecting one of the UCP of Nebraska sites. Under Programs, scroll down to find the UCP Tech Tools locations. Children’s adapted items available through other agencies can also be found on this website!
Locations for Tech Tots and Tech Tools:
Children’s Respite Care Center NW, 2010 N. 88th Street, OMAHA 402-496-1000 ask for Sarah Tselentis
Children’s Respite Care Center SW, 13336 Industrial Rd, Ste 101, OMAHA 402-895-4000 ask for Sarah Tselentis
Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital, 5401 S. Street, LINCOLN 402-486-8617 ask for Michelle Wiggins
Children’s Rehab Center, 3004 W. Faidley Avenue, GRAND ISLAND 308-398-5170 ask for Carole Ostdiek
Faith Regional Health Services Rehab Services, 1500 Koenigstein, NORFOLK 402-644-7348 ext. 7396
Ask for Nikki Fischer
TOP TEN STRESS REDUCERS:
1. Don’t rely on your memory. Write down appointment times, when to pick up the kids, what to bring to the picnic, when the movies are due back, what to take to therapy, when to make a phone call, etc.
2. Ask yourself --- why am I procrastinating on this ____? If you can figure out why you are putting something off, you can overcome it. You can also determine if this is really an activity that needs to be on your to do list . . . .
3. Don’t press your luck! If you are too busy to make that doctor’s appointment, get that tire fixed, etc. What could be the outcome if you don’t do that? Remember the proverb, “A stitch in time saves nine.”
4. Turn wait time into bonus time. Waiting is a fact of life – what we do while we wait is a choice. Have something to read, or a call to make? Take in some deep breaths, and enjoy a moment without criticism and negative talk. J
5. What little things constantly aggravate you that could be fixed/replaced with little effort – a broken zipper – shoe laces – coffee pot – closet shelf . . . STOP the insanity – fix it, get rid of it or replace it!!
6. Stop working and take a lunch break, even if it is only 15 – 20 minutes. It will clear your mind.
7. Give yourself permission to temporarily disconnect. Turn off your cellphone or other electronic devices at a specific time and allow yourself the freedom to relax without the bleeps and rings and compulsion to see who/what it is requesting your time.
8. Simplify, simplify, simplify. Is a store bought dessert really that big of a deal?
9. Ask for help --- Ask for help, Is Aunt Mary’s potato salad really that bad?
10. Get the ugly out! If you are having a difficult time with something, find a trusted friend you can talk with about it and get it out and begin finding a solution rather than replay it over and over in your mind.
Remember when you were a kid and you looked forward to lazy days where the biggest worry was who you would play with that day? Find that kid inside and give yourself permission to play for a few minutes today!
Article provided by Ruth Hamlin, “Powerful Tools for Caregivers”
Magnets in iPad2 May Alter Settings on Brain Shunt Devices: Study
Effect seen only when tablet computer was within inches of the patient's head, researcher noted
By Maureen Salamon HealthDay Reporter
TUESDAY, June 26 (HealthDay News) -- Magnets embedded in the Apple iPad 2 can interfere with the settings of magnetically programmable shunt valves, which are critical devices to drain excess fluid from the brains of those with hydrocephalus and other conditions, a new study suggests.
Researchers from the University of Michigan decided to investigate the phenomenon after a 4-month-old patient with hydrocephalus was found to have a shunt malfunction three weeks after getting one implanted. The baby's mother had fed the child and used the iPad simultaneously, inadvertently placing the baby's head close to the tablet computer. "Most times, technology has helped medical care significantly. This is one case . . . where we have to be concerned about these things," said Dr. Salvatore Insinga, a neurosurgeon at the Cushing Neuroscience Institute in Manhasset, N.Y., who was not involved in the study. "We do know programmable shunts are susceptible to magnetic field fluctuations -- MRIs, for instance, can change the settings of the shunts. [But] I don't think we know all of the devices that have a magnetic influence on these things."
The study is published online June 26 in advance of the August print issue of Journal of Neurosurgery: Pediatrics.
Study author Dr. Cormac Maher, a pediatric neurosurgeon at the University of Michigan, and his colleagues tested the iPad 2 with and without an Apple Smart Cover, which contains additional magnets and is the most frequently used cover for the tablet. Exposing 10 programmable shunt valves to the iPad/cover for 10 seconds at five different distances, Maher found that the settings changed in 58 percent of the valves at distances between 0 and 1 cm (about 0.4 inches); the settings changed in 5 percent of valves when the exposure distances lengthened to between 1 and 2.5 cm (up to 1 inch). After exposure at distances between 2.5 and 5 cm (1 to 2 inches), the settings changed in just 1 percent of shunt valves; no changes were observed at higher distances.
"Once we know a valve is dialed to an incorrect setting, it's easy to set back," Maher said, noting that his infant patient suffered no lasting effects. "The impact could potentially be serious if [the changed setting] is not recognized -- there could be complications from overdraining or underdraining."
Repeated calls to Apple headquarters in Cupertino, Calif., for comment on the findings were not returned.
Maher and other experts cautioned that those with programmable shunt valves, as well as their parents and/or caregivers, should be aware that an iPad placed within a couple of inches of patients' heads could produce such an effect. “If a child uses an iPad, that's OK; they just shouldn't hold it near their head or sleep with it," Maher advised. "Routine use should be OK, people just need to be smart about it." Dr. Jonathan Zhang, a neurosurgeon at Methodist Neurological Institute in Houston, recommended that more research be done to confirm a cause-and-effect between the iPad and programmable shunt valves. "This is certainly a very intriguing and interesting finding," Zhang said. "As we use more and more technology, the world is changing and we certainly need to incorporate new findings into clinical practice. This is a cautionary tale."
