Special Needs Podcast Roundup – Week of June 18, 2012

Every week, the Special Needs Podcast Roundup brings you brand new episodes of podcasts that discuss topics that are relevant to parents of children who have a variety of special needs. Topics could cover ADHD, autism, Special Education, stories in the news, and more! The Parent’s Journal has an episode that was released on June 18, 2012. This episode is called “John Kemp”. The topic of this one is “Play and Friendship for Children with Disabilities”. It features John Kemp, author of the book “Reflections from a Different Journey”. The Coffee Klatch has an episode that was released on June … Continue reading

Special Needs Podcast Roundup – Week of January 2, 2011

This is the very first Special Needs Podcast Roundup for 2012! Every week, parents of children who have special needs can check out the Roundup to find new episodes of podcasts that discuss topics on autism, medication issues, learning disabilities, allergies, mental disorders, physical disabilities, and more. Family Health has an episode that was released on December of 2011. This episode is called “Drug Shortages”. This episode gives information about the current prescription drug shortages in the United States, and a brief history of drug shortages. It talks about why they happen, and what can be done about it. Raising … Continue reading

Disorder of the Day (1)

Illnesses such as depression, ADHD, and anxiety and behavioral disorders are being diagnosed in increasing numbers throughout First-World countries. While there is little doubt that people are being more up-front about mental illness, is this trend a true reflection of what is really happening in the lives of everyday people? A concerning aspect in this upswing in the use of medication to “solve” these conditions, is the accompanying upswing in the profits of the pharmaceutical industry. While most people have always traditionally wanted a “magic bullet” to solve their health problems, in the area of mental health, the pharmaceutical industry … Continue reading

How to Ask a Child if They’ve Been Sexually Abused.

The hard and awful questions of are life are usually left in the too hard basket. Parents may have an inkling that something is wrong because their child’s behavior has changed. While some parents never even consider that it could be sexual abuse, other parents (like me) worry themselves sick over the possibility of sexual abuse but most will never raise it as a possibility with their child. Sexual abuse is a hard topic to begin talking about if it has not been part of at home protective behavior discussions. Mebe’s story and early craving for someone to ask him … Continue reading

Junior Fiction for Solving Problems: A Home Visit From a Virtual Child Therapist.

Have you ever bought a self-help book for yourself? There are thousands of excellent books around, all dealing with different topics: self esteem, relationships, death, communication, the list goes on. While we may be quick to purchase self-help books for ourselves, many parents overlook the therapeutic value of junior fiction for children. Children learn through play and reading is a favorite play activity of children. As children engage with the books characters, the reader enters a dramatic mind space of problem solving and integration. With the help of the struggles and achievements of the characters, the children also learn the … Continue reading

Childcare, babies and mental health

Ever wondered whether childcare for babies and infants is beneficial for a child? Or is spending time with Mom more important for a baby’s emotional development? A new study from Australia sheds some light on this intriguing issue. Debates concerning whether an infant is better off being at home in parental care versus professional long-term daycare are highly emotive and fraught with inconsistencies due to the nature of the topic. Working parents, particularly single mothers who have little choice as to whether to return to work or not, usually suffer the most in regard to this issue. While some women … Continue reading