Grandparents can be a wonderful support network for families and their grandchild with exceptional needs. They need to be acknowledged and celebrated for standing with us on our journey, as we, as families attempt to navigate a path that can often have many different routes. I  have included a couple of different links here, that talk about tips for Grandparents: 

http://www.autismspeaks.org/blog/2014/06/25/five-tips-grandparents-child-autism

and also while on the site, I found some suggested resources, books, articles that are about being Grandparents of a loved one with special needs as well as Autism.  I have not read these books, but sometimes, having links ready at hand, may make navigating somewhat easier. 

http://www.autismspeaks.org/family-services/community-connections/celebrating-grandparents

If you have discovered good sites, blogs, resources, please share with us, the more we can connect and support each other, the we can be prepared for our journey. Thank you, and please remember you are not alone, we are here to support, connect and walk with you. 

Eye See ... Eye Learn Program

New program that was announced: be sure to check it out, and let any of your friends, family know who may be eligible for the free eye exam, and glasses if needed. Here is the link to the health PEI site, and also the link that has the brochure, that also explains it out. 

To ensure children get the best start in their education, the Eye See…Eye Learn® program provides a free eye exam and a free pair of glasses, if needed, to Island kindergarten students. 

• Kindergarten children are eligible for the program from July 1- June 30 each year. 

• As of January 2015 children who started kindergarten in September 2014 are eligible. Children who entered grade 1 or 2 in September 2014 are also eligible until June 30, 2015. 

• Call your Doctor of Optometry to book your child’s appointment for an eye exam. If you don’t have one, visit www.peioptometrists.ca to find one. 

• Bring your child’s health card to the appointment. 

• Those with private health insurance may have to pay up-front and be reimbursed based on the individual’s policy coverage. 

http://www.healthpei.ca/eyesee-eyelearn

http://www.gov.pe.ca/photos/original/hpei_eyesee_eng.pdf

1. Communication- it is the key to our interaction with each other. The spoken word is just a small part of it. A great deal of our communication with each other is nonverbal.  Every day, we respond  and communicate with each other through our facial expressions, eye gaze, gestures, body language, tone of voice, the way we dress, and our behaviors. If you are supporting, working with, or have a loved one who does not use the spoken word as a means of communication, it is essential to make sure they have a number of communication strategies that works for them, to ensure that their wants, needs, concerns, desires are heard. This is a great article that has some super tips around 23 different ways to communicate. It may give you some ideas, on how to make sure that everyone is given the chance to express their basic human rights and needs, and are included. Some of the clearest language and communication I have ever received was not verbal. 

http://www.friendshipcircle.org/blog/2013/04/16/23

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Sensory Processing: 7 Facts Everyone Should Know

As sensory processing issues are often a concern for us, this looked like a great blog to revisit over the next 6 months, the author is going to be hosting a series of unraveling the sensory processing mystery and how it relates to all children. Check it out, bookmark it, and I will be keeping it highlighted  here. 

 http://blog.melissaanddoug.com/.

 

"Have you heard the term “sensory processing” yet had no clue what it meant? Or maybe you have heard of it but aren’t quite clear what it means or how it relates to your child. In fact, that term might even you think there is a problem or disorder of some sorts? Understanding sensory processing is extremely important for a parents, caregivers, and teachers alike."

Watch this clip about these  4 superhero's who want to make you laugh. I will be watching for the documentary. Looks great..even if no aliens show up...will be a super show. 

Having a good belly laugh can improve a day exponentially. Asperger’s Are Us aims to do just that. They are the first comedy troupe composed of people on the autism spectrum!

Their documentary highlights their journey as a troupe, and also shows us what it’s like in their day-to-day life. “You can do things that are really, really great — not in spite of having autism or Asperger’s, but through it,” one of the members says. And we couldn’t agree more.

Watch the clip to get a glimpse at their upcoming documentary, set to be released in early 2015!

http://blog.theautismsite.com/

I spend a great deal of time watching TED talks, this one, I can and do,watch over and over. Rita Pierson is eloquent and motivational, sharing over 40 years of wisdom. In this TED talk, check out how this teacher teaches a beautiful lesson outside her usual classroom crowd. It is 8 minutes well spent today! http://bit.ly/1yrDKSd

The Power and Wisdom of Families. Canadian Association for Community Living's new issue of Coming Together is available now to download. In this most recent issue of Coming Together families provide strength to one another. It is families who can influence political and social change and truly make a difference for our children now; and for the families and children yet to come. http://www.cacl.ca/news-stories/blog/powerandwisdomoffamilies #inclusion

Join us in celebrating again, the individuals, families & community members who are helping to make our Island more inclusive. #willyou#inclusion.

Thank you again, to everyone who contributed to the work that went into making this video. You all did a wonderful job. Together we can make a difference for Individuals with intellectual disabilities, their families, and those who support them. 

Our friends at the Brain Injury Association of PEI have asked us to share this survey with families, survivors we may know who have a brain injury. Please share with your network, colleagues, family, friends who may be able to help with the work they do supporting persons with brain injury. Thank you. 

"With the lack of statistics on brain injury survivors on PEI we have developed a survey to help us in coming up with some number.

This is an anonymous survey. At the end you have the option to include your contact info for follow up .

This survey is online, you can access it by going to our website at www.biapei.com and clicking on Survey on the right."

http://www.biapei.com/index.php

Found this great link to a another blog for special needs parents:

"Over the last four years this blog has posted hundreds of parenting articles providing important resources, opinions, tips and humor to parents of children with special needs. Today we present 13 of our most popular parenting posts".

There is a great variety of posts here, take some time to look through, we all can relate to having to multitask, working at relationships, answering questions, needing support, sibling issues, stress..to name a few. Worth checking out.

http://www.friendshipcircle.org/blog/2015/01/07/13-viral-special-needs-parenting-posts-you-need-to-read/

I love the Winter months~ I can hear some of you moaning, but I do! Once this cold snap passes by, I think some of these ideas look really fun. Get the kids outside and go for a 'walk about' enjoy the crisp air, and all Mother Nature shares with us this time of year. Our Island gives us many treasures every season. Lets enjoy them!

http://blog.melissaanddoug.com/2014/01/22/winter-scavenger-hunt/

Please have a look at a project that we have been working hard on! There are some great families and loved ones in this video, as well as some great dancing!  I am proud to share our video #inclusion. We hope that through videos such as this we can create more awareness of what we do, and how we can help to support families & individuals with intellectual disabilities in all aspects of community and life! 


For more information about what PEI Association for Community Living does, please visit our website at: www.peiacl.org

You just have to hear the word "Seizures" and I know you are feeling that grip in your stomach. It is confusing, scary to have to watch and difficult to grasp all that is happening. This is a great site, that explains seizures very well. It gives examples of what the different types of seizures are, what they could look like and what area of the brain they are occurring in. Good resource if you are just wanting more information, or assistance explaining to others, or just trying to understand it more yourself, if your loved one, or someone you are supporting has seizures. 

http://www.epilepsy.com/learn/types-seizures/complex-partial-seizures

As I seem to be on a 'sensory theme' ( must have something to do with the holidays) thought I would also share this one. Some really great ideas for sensory integration techniques, activities, and strategies that we can work into our kids daily routine, to help center & calm the body, and create an environment that is open for learning, play and fun. They really do work! Share with us other suggestions that have worked for your family & loved one. 

http://mosswoodconnections.com/sensory-integration-strategies-and-tips/ 

There can often be a real 'balancing act' when you are dealing with sensory issues. We all, I am sure, struggle with how much to push- in the name of desensitization- and what to just not do. When your child has sensory processing issues, that may also be combined with another diagnoses, every day routines can have many factors that come into play in deciding what we may do and choose to pass on. I like some of the discussion in this article, so wanted to pass it along. As well as the link to another article on the site about 'what to do when your child refuses to put on winter clothes"..yep..been there...

https://www.understood.org/en/learning-attention-issues/child-learning-disabilities/sensory-processing-issues/should-i-expose-my-overly-sensitive-child-to-the-things-that-upset-her

https://www.understood.org/en/learning-attention-issues/child-learning-disabilities/sensory-processing-issues/what-to-do-when-your-child-refuses-to-put-on-winter-clothes

Found this great template for "Essential Life Skills for ALL teens" from the Ontario Special Needs Roadmap for school- Facebook page.  (https://www.facebook.com/ONTSpecialNeeds?fref=photo) They often have great visuals and studies, facts,etc, that I twitter out. It has some great information on it concerning Independent Living Skills, Transportation/community access, Employment skills, etc.Super visual checklist to help any teen start navigating their world!!

NOTE: If you save the picture, then download it, you can print it off full page. It is a little blurry, but certainly readable.