I was talking to several moms in our special needs group the other day describing what services we were getting from our school and from outside services. We are getting nothing, BTW.
In school AJ gets Speech and Occupational Therapy because he has communication processing disorders, both verbal and non verbal and he has Sensory Processing Disorder. However, we recently had an evaluation completed with a neuro-psychologist who indicates that AJ also has visual processing disorders, auditory processing disorders, and ADHD mixed type.
Now, back when AJ was 2 we had an Early Intervention coordinator do an evaluation on him as well. …read more

When Early Intervention works correctly it is suppose to work (and believe me, I have seen it work…just not for us). I think that our Early Intervention Coordinator thought that because AJ had been in an orphanage that he would just “snap” out of it, that he would grow into a little boy like he was supposed to.
Unfortunately, that has not been our case.
He has, for the best part, worked himself out of his Post Traumatic Stress and his Institutional Autism but he still struggles every day with SPD, auditory, visual, and communication disorders, many of these things that …read more

Last year I religiously covered the holiday shopping season because I was extremely worried about what toys were really out there. This year it seems as if all the hoopla is over. Natural Toys have become mainstream, companies have been testing, and parents are more cautious.
But, are those unsafe toys off the shelves? According to Kate Barrett with ABC News, it’s possible that those toys are still out there. Although “huge changes have altered toy safety laws” it does not mean every toy is off the shelf.
A new bill signed in August will take effect in February. So, to avoid …read more

I don’t know about you, but I hated doing homework! I loved school but I just wanted to play once the bell rang. But when I look back, I realize that we didn’t really have that much work back then, at least compared to what our children now bring home everyday.
The amount of homework has increased over the years, but what is interesting is that children aren’t spending any more time doing it. So, they have to accomplish more in a shorter time.
How can you help your children cope with homework? Kids Health Notes readers – real …read more

In celebration of the 80th Child Health Day on Monday October 6, and keeping with the theme “Eat Healthy and Be Active for a Healthy Future” I compiled a gigantic list of ways to help you achieve this goal for your family. Here are –
80 WAYS TO KEEP YOUR CHILD HEALTHY
HELP KIDS STAY ACTIVE:

Bike to the library together.
Walk or bike to your children’s sports events to cheer for them.
Have your children come to your sports events and cheer for you.
Celebrate special occasions—birthdays, anniversaries—with something active, such as a hike, a …read more

So, how is school, so far?
Most of my friends’ kids right now are up to their eyeballs with homework, projects, crafts and papers that need to be turned in for school. It’s getting to be a very busy year for parents and their young students. If your kid is feeling a little too “ho-hum” or “aaack!” with school, I have just the thing to get her some breather.
Sakura has generously sponsored to give-away 10 sets of Sticklers Kits, each with die-cut stickers and Sakura Glaze or Souffle Pens. Cool isn’t it? She (or he) can decorate her …read more

These days, most children have some form of after-school activity, whether it’s sports or athletics, a part-time job, or some advance lessons or hobbies. However, my neighborhood kids are quite different. They just hang out in one of the homes or cul de sac and enjoy the afternoon sun.
I would like to ask readers of Kids Health Notes about your family’s after-school activities. What does your child do after school? Please take the poll below. If you have several children, please answer with your oldest child in mind. Thanks!

{democracy:5}

Ever wonder if your teen’s university or college rank up there in the top something? Or if that school I’m eyeing for my child is one of America’s Best Colleges? And can we afford to get our children into these ivy leagues?
Well, here they are. The national universities in the United States have been ranked, and Harvard gets top honors. The best schools offer all levels of degrees and produce groundbreaking research. Plus, you might be surprised just how many students get some kind of funding or grant.
The top ten colleges and universities in the US:

RANK
UNIVERSITY
LOCATION
TUITION …read more

Have you seen this new game show? “Are You Smarter Than A 5th Grader” is a show on FOX that tests how smart adults are compared to a group of 5th graders. But mind you, the kids are no ordinary students! When they grow up, some of them want to be scientists, inventors, accountants, marine biologist (!). Child prodigies and geniuses, uh oh.

Season Three kicks off with supermodel Kathy Ireland and Georgia State Superintendent of Schools Kathy Cox going for the gold star in the special two-hour season premiere Friday, Sept. 5 (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT).
Other notables …read more

“So, what did you do this summer?”
Can you believe school is about to start in a few weeks? I bet that question would be one of the hot topics that teachers, old friends and random students are going to ask each other… If you’re still thinking of a cool answer to that, think no more! Here are –
FIVE fun ideas to make the end of summer memorable.
1. Head for the wild outdoors. One of the easiest ways to get away for the weekend is family camping. Of course you need the tents, gear and food packed, but …read more