Just a quick reminder that there is only one week left to complete the Survey to Parents on Integrated Access to Services for Children and Youth in Waterloo Region.
The survey is 16 questions long and took me approximately 30 mins to complete. The information gathered in this survey will help provide a parents perspective to what it is “REALLY” like to Access Services for your child or youth in Waterloo Region.
I hope you will take this opportunity to share what was great, good and totally UNacceptable about your experience trying to access services for your child.
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/surveytoparents
I want the system makers to know about the wait lists for services, programs, swimming lessons, I want them to know that filling out the same information on 20 different sets of forms really ticks me off.
How about you??
The saying goes “Laughter is the BEST medicine.” As I write this blog I am watching The Cosby Show. This and The Golden Girls are the two shows I make sure I watch to have a good hearty laugh…especially if I’m not having such a good day. Depression doesn’t have a chance to set in when you’re laughing.
Parenting a child with special needs is a daunting task, and on many occasions smiling and laughter is replaced with stress and exhaustion. Shows like The Cosby Show and The Golden Girls certainly need to sneak into the homes of families who are completely overwhelmed to even have a good hearty laugh.
Humor is infectious. The sound of roaring laughter is far more contagious than any cough, sniffle, or sneeze. When you share laughter with others, it binds them together and increases happiness and intimacy. Best of all, this priceless medicine is fun, free, and easy to use. We need to laugh more often in our everyday lives. Laughter is THE gift for coping and for survival. Chuckling, giggling, snickering and snorting are all sounds of joyful, feel good laughter which springs from our emotional core and helps us see things more clearly, and helps us roll with the punches that inevitably roll our way. In today’s stressful world, we need to laugh much more.
One of the biggest challenges these days is of “art” of smiling and laughing is left on the back burner because too many things are taken too seriously.
There have been many studies conducted on the benefits of laughter. The therapeutic and healing properties of laughter are poignantly pointed out
by Robin Williams in the movie “Patch Adams”: “Laughter increases the oxygenation of the blood, relaxes the arteries, speeds up the heart, decreases blood pressure…and has a positive effect on all cardiovascular and respiratory ailments, as well as overall increasing the immune system response.”
Response given “Smart Clown”
Have you heard Erick Traplin sing The Gooey Duck song in one of his shows?…notice he always reminds us “that the secret to singing this song and life are
the same thing – if you approach them both with a great big smile, they go much better.”
Smart Children’s Entertainer!
The Power of Humour is good for the soul, good for your health, and good for the world. Make laughter a part of each and every day.
When did you have your last hearty laugh?
advocating , Consultation , Support , Uncategorized
Accessing Services for your Child – Parent Forum
Someone asked me the other day, what was it like accessing services for your child?
My child is now 8 so it was approximately 5-6 years ago when I started the process of Accessing Service for my child. Disability Tax Credit, Special Parking Permit, Incontinence Program for Diapers, SNAP Referral, Daycare Subsidy, Developmental Services Resource Centre -DSRC (formerly DSAC) Extend-A-Family for Special Services at home. Even the intake process for our Children’s Treatment Centre – KidsAbility.
Truthfully it was a really overwhelming time for me, and the only thing that immediately stood out for me was the piles and piles of papers and forms that I was required to fill out to “Access” services, only to find out that my child, our family did not qualify or was not eligible for certain services. Why, why for the goodness sake did I bother filling out the horrible 12 page fully detailed questionnaire if there was a few key criteria you could ask so you could figure out if we were eligible “before” I, an exhausted full-time working mother with a 2 year old that required weekly therapy, monthly doctors visits, fittings for various AFO’s and other “aids”, and several other specialist appointments filled out the previously mentioned horrible mountain of paperwork.
Was your experience close to mine? We now have an opportunity to have our voices be heard. There is a project underway to explore ways to make this Accessing Services for Children easier. There will be two Parent Forums held next week for parents to have the chance to share their stories of trying to access services in Waterloo Region for our children.
This project is sponsored by the Integrated Access to Services Committee which is part of the Waterloo Region Children & Youth Services Planning Committee.
The evening session will be held Tuesday January 17th from 7-9pm at KidsAbility in Waterloo.
The afternoon session will be held Thursday January 19th from 12:30-2:30 also at the KidsAbility Waterloo location.
For more information please ccontact laurie_robinson@rogers.com or call at 519-635-6719 or check out the flyer on our website at www.waterlooregionfamilynetwork.com
I encourage you to come share your story. I will be there, will you?
Here are some great tips for getting ready for the holidays.
Start with the end in mind: the holidays come with alot of emotions and expectations attached to them. Decide now, how you would like the holidays to be for you. Ask you family for their thoughts, some of their answers may surprise you. It’s alot easier to manage a huge To-Do List when you have managed the expected outcome from the start.
Come up with a statement, mantra or word: that will capture your ideas and emotions for the season and place this where you will see if often. An example is “The Joy is in the Journey.” What a great statement to repeat when you are standing in line at the store doing your Christmas shopping or running other errands on your list. Sometimes we need that reminder to enjoy the season.
Have a PLAN and Make a LIST: write down your to-do LIST and your gift buying list (with appox ideas), then create your PLAN by pulling out the calendar and assigning tasks to specific dates throughout the season. an example would be what day you get your tree, dates that on-line gifts must be purchased by, building in a few free dates to relax or pick up extras, and a date to do your wrapping. Work you plan and focus on one task at a time.
Be Flexible: family, friends, parties…all of these can swoop in and out without much notice, stay flexible and know that you may have to move some tasks around.
Take care of yourself: like the old saying “if momma ain’t happy, ain’t no one happy” Your family truly won’t enjoy the holidays if you are stressed out and exhausted on the big day. So make sure you are delegating tasks that others can do, “honey please pick up gift cards for the teachers on your way home this week”, and taking sometime for your self (coffee with a girlfriend).
What is your best holiday tip?
These tips were paraphrased from my friend Aby Garver at http://www.simplify101.com/
The Ministry of Community and Social Services and Children and Youth Services have been working together to develop a Framework for Transition Plannin for people with developmental disabilities transitioning from children’s services to adult services.
They are looking for what is working, what needs improvement and what is missing.
Please comment on the following questions by October 26th, 2011 and respond to Diane Figura (Passport Coordinator – Family Counselling and Support Services) at dianefigura@familyserviceguelph.ca
For Youth:
1. What would help you be an adult?
2. what is the most challenging part about planning for when you are an adult?
For Parents:
1. What is currently working?
2. What needs to be improved or changed?
3. what is missing when it comes to transition?
4. what is the most challenging part about the transition process?
5. How can this process be less stressful to you and your family?
All of us have been teased at some point in our lives, especially growing up. Sometimes it’s just lighthearted joking between friends or family members. But other times, teasing escalates into something much more hurtful and damaging: bullying.
While growing up, I was tormented because (count the reasons) I wore glasses, I stuttered (ok I STILL do on occasion), I required special education – in the spec. ed room mind you for math and language (that makes me laugh now)! And the fact I repeated grade 6. Lots of reasons for kids to laugh at me….
Being bullied or teased has a profound effect on a child’s self esteem. It hurts, you feel alone, humiliation and victims often feel (as I did) it was their fault, or that they deserve it. I’ll always remember the pain I felt upon hearing nasty comments and laughter at school when I was in Grade 6 and other kids my age were in Grade 7. Another time, in the school library I was browsing through the books in the area “reserved” for the Grade 7&8 students. The librarian told me that area was out of bounds, that area was only for the Intermediate Grades. In a way that was bullying too; as the librarian had been there for a few years and knew who I was.
My years at School weren’t all filled with laughter at me, in Grades 5 & 8 I had a great teacher, Mr. Phil Grominsky who knew the sensitivity of a child’s feelings, and endeavored to keep children of different abilities in the same class. He believed that it helps with children’s self esteem when they are kept in the classroom as much as possible; which manifests in a better learning attitude, where it shows the rest of the class we work together as a community. Isn’t that great? Sorry folks, Mr. G is retired now. It’s good to know that more teachers are working to promote total inclusion in their classrooms.
There is no doubt more awareness of disability in the classroom. This means that kids are probably more sensitive to differences and less likely to bully. But, as it still stands in 2011; kids with disabilities may be more exposed to potential bullies.
Educating students and parents can make classrooms more supportive and minimize bullying. School Climate Committees are bringing in speakers and holding assemblies to encourage all students to focus on being friends, celebrate each other’s differences, and create a safe learning environment.
Christmas is coming…what is your favourite version of “Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer?” Listen to Neil Diamond’s version, and ponder on his commentary: “Just you remember kids out there, if kids laugh at you just because you’re a little different, you could just be like Rudolph – a hero someday, an inspiration.”
Are we doing enough as a community to eradicate bullying?
Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) , School , Seminars/Workshops , Support
Parent Discussion Groups
Like the theme song from the Cheers ( a hit TV show from the 80′s-90′s) by Gary Portray and Judy Hart Angelo,
“Making you way in the world today takes everything you’ve got,
taking a break from all your worries sure would help alot…
You wanna go where people know, people are all the same
You wanna go where everyone knows your name.”
Well, they don’t really need to know my name, but I would like to go where people understand what I’m going through. Somewhere I don’t have to explain everything, IEPs, AFOs,G-Tubes, AAC, ACD, ASD, ADD, ADHD, and the list goes on.
Due to the number of comments and requests for just such a place. Waterloo Region Family Network is pleased to partner with K-W Counselling Services to provide a general Parent Discussion Group.
This group will meet 2 times in the fall, winter, and spring. Facilitated by a Resource Parent from the WRFN Parent Mentoring Program and a Master of Social Work from K-W Counselling Services. Parents will have the opportunity to relax and share their knowledge and experiences in a supportive group setting on a variety of topics.
This will be an opportunity to connect with other families or caregivers to share ideas and strategies for parenting a child with special needs. A place to learn ways to enhance family communication, address self esteem, promote self care and discover strategies around behaviour and discipline.
The first group will be held Tuesday October 4th, 2011, from 7:00pm to 9:00pm at the Family Centre located at 65 Hanson Avenue in Kitchener. For more information contact Waterloo Region Family Network at 519-804-1786 or K-W Counselling Services at 519-884-0000
In my experience I have felt supported just by knowing that I am not alone. Talking with other parents, even if another family doesn’t not share my child’s diagnosis, I’ve found they still share some of the same feelings and experiences of parenting.
I know there will be some topics brought forward for discussion, I hope they include, picky eating, self esteem, managing money. Those are just a few.
What do you hope they discuss?
Just a few tips to help you as we settle into the second week of school. Whether your child is in JK or Grade 12, here are a few things that will help you throughout the school year. These tips were part of a resource guide that was given to participants in our Back to School Seminar/Workshop, held on August 17, 2011.
- DO ask your child’s teacher how they prefer to be contacted and then respectfully contact them in that manner.
- DON’T wait for a regularly scheduled interview if you have questions or concerns regarding your child.
- DO as for clarification on goals, assignements, process, etc.
- DON’T assume you know how your child will react to certain situations, formats, tasks or goals, (a classroom setting may bring out a different response in your child) approach differences with an open mind.
- DO ask for meetings right away so issues can be addressed. Involve as many people as you deem necessary.
- DO share your child’s response to school, especially if they have specifically commented on somthing.
- DO write down any questions you have for the teacher prior to the interview. (check with your spouse or other involved person if they are unable to attend, they may have different questions or concerns.
- DO attend school functions as a family to become part of the school community (BBQ, meet the teacher, concerts, etc)
- DO communicate quickly if there has been a significant change in your family (death, separation, medical change).
- Do encourage independance and support your child’s learning journey.
- DON’T expected issues to be resolved overnight, some require patience and firm perserverance.
- DO establish a “go to” person your child can check in with regarding appropriate behaviour for new situations.
- DO try to become involved in school life, it allows the education team to see you as someone other than “the parent”.
And last but not least and certainly a very important point.
- DON’T speak negatively or disrespectfully about a teacher, principal or the school in front of your child.
Please let us know if you have any tips to share about having a positive and succcessful school year.
You can contact us at admin@waterlooregionfamilynetwork.com
I recently wrote a guest blog for Holland Bloorview Kids’ Rehabilitation Hospital’s blog about choosing my son, Carter’s voice output device.
Check it out and please feel free to leave a comment.
Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) , sign language
Kilometres for Communication
I am passionate about my son, Carter’s communication. His inability to speak has been something that has occupied my hopes, my fears and much of my time ever since he was a toddler. He is now almost eight years old and due to a condition called Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS) in combination with dysarthria, he is non-verbal.
Carter was taught a variety of communication strategies from an early age. He has
experience with many forms of Alternative and Augmentative Communication (AAC) including sign language, gestures, picture exchange, and a voice output device.
When I heard about a project called Kilometres for Communication I was intrigued and I wanted to know more about it. I checked out the website where I read about a family’s experience with Alternative and Augmentative Communication. I found that I could relate to many of their experiences.
They are the Wattie family and they started Kilometres for Communication to raise awareness and funds for people who use AAC and also to raise awareness about inclusion and accessibility for all Canadians that live with a disability.
I read through the information on the Kilometres for Communication website and blog and I learned about Kerr Wattie, a young man who speaks using Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC). I found myself nodding in agreement as I read about Kerr’s feeling that there are many “misconceptions about people without speech” and that those misconceptions “are as harmful as they are rampant.” Too often people assume that because a person cannot speak it means that they are not intelligent. Those who are non-verbal are not always given ample time to express themselves in their own unique way. Often they are ignored or dismissed. The act of making a choice, a simple right that most of us take for granted, is often taken from them merely because they cannot speak up.
I sighed as I read on to find out that Kerr “knows about the lack of funding for communication devices and about the impossibly long waiting lists for AAC services, resulting in his living for years without a voice. He unfortunately also knows about the exclusion and isolation that result.” We too have experienced issues around funding and wait lists for AAC services. Many times I’ve questioned why the process to provide something so essential to a person’s daily functioning is so painstaking and difficult.
It was Skye, Kerr’s younger brother that came up with the idea to cycle across Canada to meet with alternative communicators and to raise awareness and funds. The event is happening right now and will continue to run through August. “Skye will cycle from coast to coast, accompanied by Kerr in a bike trailer for some parts of the journey when it’s safe and possible.”
It gives me hope that this journey will fulfill Kerr’s goal to “raise awareness about the urgency to change provincial policies so that AAC services, supports and technology are consistently available in all provinces and territories to the people who must have them in order to speak and to fully participate in Canadian society.”
Kilometres for Communication can be found on Facebook. They also have a blog: http://kilometresforcommunication.wordpress.com/
Check it out! Currently you will find the Watties heading through British Columbia on the first leg of their journey.
Good luck Kerr and Skye! A huge thanks to you both for taking on this immense undertaking for such a wonderful cause!
Look for Kilometres for Communication to hit the Toronto area July 1st, 2nd and 3rd.
(Quotations, shown in italics were taken from the Kilometres for Communication website.)
Visit the Waterloo Region Family Network website
Leave A Comment