<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss version="2.0"><channel><title>Special Needs Blog</title><link>http://special-needs.families.com/blog/</link><description>Children with special needs need special parents.  Those parents need special resources and support systems to help them do the best job they can.  Find those resources and support here at the Special Needs Parenting Blog.</description><language>en-us</language><pubDate>Sat, 21 Nov 2009 05:24:25 +0000</pubDate><lastBuildDate>Sat, 21 Nov 2009 05:24:25 +0000</lastBuildDate><ttl>60</ttl><item><title>Autism vs. The Junkyard Man</title><link>http://special-needs.families.com/blog/autism-vs-the-junkyard-man</link><pubDate>Thu, 05 Nov 2009 20:24:07 +0000</pubDate><guid isPermaLink="true">http://special-needs.families.com/blog/autism-vs-the-junkyard-man</guid><description><![CDATA[Now that I have long since reached the acceptance stage with my seventeen-year-old son Kyle and his autism, I'm able to enjoy the precious, wonderful quirks that make him so unique.  His matter-of-fact approach to the oddities of life brings humor into even the most mundane or tense moments.]]></description></item><item><title>Happy Back-to-School Season</title><link>http://special-needs.families.com/blog/happy-back-to-school-season</link><pubDate>Tue, 01 Sep 2009 04:20:53 +0000</pubDate><guid isPermaLink="true">http://special-needs.families.com/blog/happy-back-to-school-season</guid><description><![CDATA[School started two weeks ago here in our corner of the world. I don't know if it ever gets any easier, this letting your children grow. That is, after all, what motherhood is about--making yourself obsolete.]]></description></item><item><title>Part II: Managing Childhood Asthma</title><link>http://special-needs.families.com/blog/part-ii-managing-childhood-asthma</link><pubDate>Mon, 31 Aug 2009 03:53:20 +0000</pubDate><guid isPermaLink="true">http://special-needs.families.com/blog/part-ii-managing-childhood-asthma</guid><description><![CDATA[If your child has asthma, developing a care plan is one of the most important things you can do towards maintaining his or her health and reducing asthmatic episodes. 

Eliminate or control triggers in your child's environment. Keep your home clean and vacuum as often as possible.]]></description></item><item><title>Part I: Recognizing Asthma in Children</title><link>http://special-needs.families.com/blog/recognizing-asthma-in-children</link><pubDate>Sun, 30 Aug 2009 03:49:47 +0000</pubDate><guid isPermaLink="true">http://special-needs.families.com/blog/recognizing-asthma-in-children</guid><description><![CDATA[Did you know that asthma,a chronic inflammatory condition of the bronchial airways, affects nearly five million children in the United States? Asthma is now so widespread, it is the most common of all childhood illnesses. 

Common, however, doesn't mean it isn't serious.]]></description></item><item><title>Considering a New Baby after a Special Needs Child</title><link>http://special-needs.families.com/blog/considering-a-new-baby-after-a-special-needs-child</link><pubDate>Fri, 28 Aug 2009 22:34:59 +0000</pubDate><guid isPermaLink="true">http://special-needs.families.com/blog/considering-a-new-baby-after-a-special-needs-child</guid><description><![CDATA[I spoke with a mom recently whose only child is autistic. She wants more children, but the specter of disabilities looms large. 

Should parents of special needs children tempt the fates with a second or later pregnancy? The answer is often as unique as the families considering it.]]></description></item><item><title>Four Steps for Back-to-School IEP's</title><link>http://special-needs.families.com/blog/four-steps-for-back-to-school-ieps</link><pubDate>Wed, 19 Aug 2009 21:56:17 +0000</pubDate><guid isPermaLink="true">http://special-needs.families.com/blog/four-steps-for-back-to-school-ieps</guid><description><![CDATA[It's back to school time, and for parents of special needs children, that means more than just a new backpack and freshly sharpened pencils.]]></description></item><item><title>Autism: It's Not Like You Think</title><link>http://special-needs.families.com/blog/autism-its-not-like-you-think</link><pubDate>Sun, 16 Aug 2009 03:25:42 +0000</pubDate><guid isPermaLink="true">http://special-needs.families.com/blog/autism-its-not-like-you-think</guid><description><![CDATA[If you've seen Rainman or a TV show about autism, you may think you know what it looks like. Think again. Autism is a diverse spectrum of disorders, and no two individuals will exhibit the exact same pattern of characteristics, or with the same severity.]]></description></item><item><title>Keeping Special Needs Kids Healthy</title><link>http://special-needs.families.com/blog/keeping-special-needs-kids-healthy</link><pubDate>Tue, 11 Aug 2009 22:37:03 +0000</pubDate><guid isPermaLink="true">http://special-needs.families.com/blog/keeping-special-needs-kids-healthy</guid><description><![CDATA[Cold and flu season are right around the corner, and for parents of some special needs children, it's a season we particularly dread. Our kids frequently have underlying medical conditions that can make even the most typical of childhood illnesses anything but child's play.]]></description></item><item><title>Don't Speak for Me</title><link>http://special-needs.families.com/blog/dont-speak-for-me</link><pubDate>Sat, 08 Aug 2009 15:56:07 +0000</pubDate><guid isPermaLink="true">http://special-needs.families.com/blog/dont-speak-for-me</guid><description><![CDATA[I am the parent of an autistic child. Unlike some parents who can attribute the onset of autistic-like behaviors to a certain timeframe or set of events, my son was born as he is. Different. Quirky. And in my mind, perfect.]]></description></item><item><title>Maggie Hogan:  A Breath of Fresh Air</title><link>http://special-needs.families.com/blog/maggie-hogan-a-breath-of-fresh-air</link><pubDate>Sat, 13 Jun 2009 11:43:29 +0000</pubDate><guid isPermaLink="true">http://special-needs.families.com/blog/maggie-hogan-a-breath-of-fresh-air</guid><description><![CDATA[My husband and I sat in a huge room while we watched this older lady greet tearful mother after tearful mother.  She gave hugs and nodded her head understandingly.  She doled out advice, and seemed to genuinely empathize with those to whom she spoke.]]></description></item><item><title>Obtaining Guardianship for My Autistic Son</title><link>http://special-needs.families.com/blog/obtaining-guardianship-for-my-autistic-son</link><pubDate>Sat, 07 Feb 2009 05:36:08 +0000</pubDate><guid isPermaLink="true">http://special-needs.families.com/blog/obtaining-guardianship-for-my-autistic-son</guid><description><![CDATA[Now that my son Kyle is sixteen, his IEP meetings are rather routine.   While I talk with his teacher and therapists, Kyle roves about the room, smiling, and making occasional comments.]]></description></item><item><title>"Is Something Wrong with My Child?"   Expert Advice from  Dr. Ellenmorris Tiegerman</title><link>http://special-needs.families.com/blog/how-do-i-know-if-something-is-wrong-with-my-child-an-experts-advice-dr-ellenmorris-tiegerman</link><pubDate>Wed, 14 Jan 2009 21:13:30 +0000</pubDate><guid isPermaLink="true">http://special-needs.families.com/blog/how-do-i-know-if-something-is-wrong-with-my-child-an-experts-advice-dr-ellenmorris-tiegerman</guid><description><![CDATA[Readers:  The following is an interview with Dr. Ellenmorris  Tiegerman, Founder and Executive Director of the School for Language and  Communication Development.  She is an expert in the field of early  childhood development, and her insight and wisdom is tremendously valuable. 


Hello, Dr.]]></description></item><item><title>"There's a Hobo at School with a Knife!"  More Adventures in Childhood Bipolar Disorder</title><link>http://special-needs.families.com/blog/theres-a-hobo-at-school-with-a-knife-more-adventures-in-childhood-bipolar-disorder</link><pubDate>Tue, 30 Sep 2008 18:04:34 +0000</pubDate><guid isPermaLink="true">http://special-needs.families.com/blog/theres-a-hobo-at-school-with-a-knife-more-adventures-in-childhood-bipolar-disorder</guid><description><![CDATA[My husband and I were faced with the horrific task of telling my stepdaughters that their mother, baby sister, and brother-to-be had all been killed in a terrible car accident.  As we sat them down that morning, the look of concern on their faces was obvious.]]></description></item><item><title>Little Girl on the Edge - Childhood Bipolar Disorder</title><link>http://special-needs.families.com/blog/little-girl-on-the-edge-childhood-bipolar-disorder</link><pubDate>Fri, 19 Sep 2008 23:52:09 +0000</pubDate><guid isPermaLink="true">http://special-needs.families.com/blog/little-girl-on-the-edge-childhood-bipolar-disorder</guid><description><![CDATA[Motherhood, for me, has been a journey with unexpected turns and frightening pitfalls. Little did I know when Cassidy first appeared on my doorstep the great challenges I would face being her stepmother.  On that day, she looked up at me with a cherubic face, pink cheeks, and a welcoming smile.]]></description></item><item><title>Our Family's Experience with Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA)  Part 2</title><link>http://special-needs.families.com/blog/our-familys-experience-with-diabetic-ketoacidosis-dka-part-2</link><pubDate>Wed, 30 Apr 2008 04:26:29 +0000</pubDate><guid isPermaLink="true">http://special-needs.families.com/blog/our-familys-experience-with-diabetic-ketoacidosis-dka-part-2</guid><description><![CDATA[My son was finally admitted into an examination room, where he had numerous blood tests performed.  He had to have an arterial blood gas test where blood is drawn directly from an artery (rather than a vein) in his arm.]]></description></item><item><title>Our Family's Experience with Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA)  Part 1</title><link>http://special-needs.families.com/blog/our-familys-experience-with-diabetic-ketoacidosis-dka-part-1</link><pubDate>Thu, 17 Apr 2008 02:34:30 +0000</pubDate><guid isPermaLink="true">http://special-needs.families.com/blog/our-familys-experience-with-diabetic-ketoacidosis-dka-part-1</guid><description><![CDATA[My seventeen-year-old was starting to look very thin.  Gaunt, even.  I asked him, "Are you taking care of your diabetes?" 
  

Concerned, I sat down and scrolled through his glucometer.  I couldn't believe what I was seeing.  400s.  500s.  Even some HI readings.  (Normal is between 80 and 120.]]></description></item><item><title>COOL DADDY RAT by Kristyn Crow</title><link>http://special-needs.families.com/blog/cool-daddy-rat-book-giveaway</link><pubDate>Wed, 16 Apr 2008 02:08:33 +0000</pubDate><guid isPermaLink="true">http://special-needs.families.com/blog/cool-daddy-rat-book-giveaway</guid><description><![CDATA[Hello, Readers.  As you've probably noticed, I've been a little preoccupied lately and for this I apologize.]]></description></item><item><title>"Help Me, I'm Stuck in Autism."</title><link>http://special-needs.families.com/blog/help-me-im-stuck-in-autism</link><pubDate>Mon, 25 Feb 2008 18:13:44 +0000</pubDate><guid isPermaLink="true">http://special-needs.families.com/blog/help-me-im-stuck-in-autism</guid><description><![CDATA[I once heard about a frightening scenario where a patient undergoing surgery is put under general anesthesia, but only the immobilizing aspect of it takes affect.]]></description></item><item><title>A Simplified Look at Gluten-Free and/or Casein-Free Diets for Autistic Kids</title><link>http://special-needs.families.com/blog/a-simple-look-at-gluten-free-andor-casein-free-diets-for-autistic-kids</link><pubDate>Fri, 25 Jan 2008 16:35:42 +0000</pubDate><guid isPermaLink="true">http://special-needs.families.com/blog/a-simple-look-at-gluten-free-andor-casein-free-diets-for-autistic-kids</guid><description><![CDATA[If you start to delve into the massive amount of information available on dietary restrictions for your autistic child, you might initially be overwhelmed.]]></description></item><item><title>Why Kids with Autism May Need Vitamin Supplements</title><link>http://special-needs.families.com/blog/why-kids-with-autism-need-vitamin-supplements</link><pubDate>Tue, 15 Jan 2008 05:26:28 +0000</pubDate><guid isPermaLink="true">http://special-needs.families.com/blog/why-kids-with-autism-need-vitamin-supplements</guid><description><![CDATA[The new theory of autism is that it is a whole-body disease and not just a brain disorder.  Autism, which is said to be linked to autoimmune illness and disorders of the GI tract, may also cause abnormal enzyme function, and thus inadequate digestion and nutrient absorption.]]></description></item></channel></rss>