tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14825589004558513312024-02-23T01:51:16.066-08:00Adapting CreativelyCreatively adapting the environment, the opportunities, the mindsets that touch our children with disabilities.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger150125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1482558900455851331.post-46771123098499887432019-08-22T12:23:00.001-07:002019-08-22T12:23:08.794-07:00Practical Ways for Teaching Nonverbal Learners--Come Join Us!
You are invited to join the conversation between Peggy Ployhar and myself on October 1, 2019 at 8pm (Central Time Zone). We'll be talking about ways you can teach your nonverbal children and teenagers. This conversation is directed at families who homeschool but is relevant to nonverbal learners in the school system as well. Bring your questions about adapting instruction and Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1482558900455851331.post-78698521893404740032013-06-10T08:36:00.000-07:002013-06-24T10:51:51.295-07:00What Would YOU Like to Know About SSI?
So many important and unfamiliar events happen when our kids with disabilities turn 18 years old! One of these that confuses many of us, present company included, is the application for SSI, Supplemental Security Insurance. It's uncharted territory for most of us.
Wouldn't it be great if we had a guide to sort out some of our many questions? Thankfully, Molly Clarke of Social Security Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1482558900455851331.post-9581342509774382472013-06-03T10:57:00.002-07:002013-06-03T11:00:56.775-07:00Special Needs Children and Social Security Disability Benefits
Photo courtesy of SalFalko, Creative Commons
Do you have questions about whether or not your child might be eligible for Social Security Disability benefits? Many families do. Today we have an excellent guest post by Molly Clarke of Social Security Disability Help written with your questions in mind. Please give Molly a big welcome!
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Children labeled as Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1482558900455851331.post-20099978548228305332013-05-23T11:23:00.000-07:002013-05-23T14:13:29.866-07:00AAC and Rett SyndomeThose of you who may not yet know of Carole Zangari's AMAZING blog, PrAACtical AAC, you are in for a fantastic treat. For any parent or teacher supporting a non-verbal child, Carole's blog is such a wealth of information!!! She has so much information there, it will take months for you to go through all of it.
Today, PrAACtical AAC is featuring an excellent guest post by Dr. Theresa Bartalotta.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1482558900455851331.post-41697138090314722042013-04-22T19:56:00.000-07:002013-04-22T19:56:00.403-07:00Resilience as a Way of Life
If living with disability teaches a family anything, it
teaches us resilience. We can handle more than we think we can.
Photo by Healingdream
I‘ve been thinking a lot about family resilience lately.
Maybe that’s because our family is getting a chance to flex those muscles of
resiliency hard. It was good catharsis for me to write down all the things we’re
dealing with right Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1482558900455851331.post-68313421825789073132013-02-11T15:08:00.000-08:002013-02-12T11:19:33.993-08:00PowerPoint Series Up and Running (Again)If you haven't checked out the series here on using PowerPoint for meeting Assistive Technology needs, I encourage you to check it out. All the posts in the topic can be found through the "PPTs for AT" tab in the center of the top bar. You'll find so much information that your head will spin.
Thank you!!!
Thanks so much to several readers who pointed out that links to the PowerPoint as Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1482558900455851331.post-71201567100582614192012-12-12T12:28:00.001-08:002012-12-13T10:54:16.514-08:00Two Choices Do NOT Equal a 50-50 Chance
“Whoa!” you say. “Everyone knows that you have a 50-50
chance with two choices. What planet is
this crazy lady from? ”
You are not alone in this thinking. I hear over and over that we have to give
MANY choices per question…and have gotten caught up thinking this way myself in
the past. We think many choices will prove our kids aren’t simply guessing. When
our kids deal with motor Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1482558900455851331.post-65065275545145955482012-12-05T11:23:00.004-08:002012-12-11T10:07:16.944-08:00The Best Test for Kids with Motor and Sensory Disabilities
Even kids with severe disabilities need to demonstrate their
learning through tests. As we look at creating low-stress tests
to accommodate motor and sensory disabilities, what type of tests should we
use? Does one style work better than others for these students? Let’s talk more about the response style that has
the best chance for supporting student success.
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You want Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1482558900455851331.post-63223564253835145012012-11-28T12:19:00.000-08:002012-12-11T10:05:57.635-08:00How Do We Reduce the Stress of Testing?
Creative Commons by Amy McTigue
Let’s face it, testing is stressful. It’s stressful for
teachers AND for students.
Think about the stresses that evaluation places on students.
They become fearful of failure rather than being free to learn. When this
happens, we see students shut down. If their bodies tend to interfere with
their output, as is common with conditions like Rett syndrome, the Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1482558900455851331.post-38129911802568660422012-10-04T11:24:00.003-07:002012-12-11T10:06:38.380-08:00For All the Parent WarriorsSome days we parents may seem strong on the outside, invincible warriors fighting tremendous battles for the sake of our kids...and doing it successfully! But there are days when, inside, we are tender children aching over the challenges our own precious kids face each day, torn down from all the medical stresses, or just plain worn out from the daily extras.
A wonderful song from Twila Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1482558900455851331.post-3164443951883972182012-09-04T13:59:00.002-07:002012-09-13T15:22:06.895-07:00Comfortable AND Fashionable Adapted JeansBack-to-school means new clothes. Jeans are the fashion choice for most kids. But for kids in wheelchairs or with feeding tubes, the waistbands on many jeans can be uncomfortable. How do we help our kids go back to school in style AND comfort?
A couple years ago, Junior’s mom posted this great tutorial on adapting jeans on her blog, Adaptions4Kidz. She has so many fantastic ideas there! If you Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1482558900455851331.post-44290377322637132712012-07-05T07:58:00.000-07:002013-06-15T21:21:48.531-07:00One Easy Way to Increase Vocabulary on AAC DevicesHow do we add vocabulary when a child is physically limited to a few keys on a screen?
In the world of AAC, conflicts and compromises abound. We sacrifice battery life for weight, screen size for portability, budget for specialized access modes. We sacrifice the size of the vocabulary set for the number of buttons a child can access.
When children begin to use an AAC device, motor or Unknownnoreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1482558900455851331.post-60407387286727159362012-07-02T11:19:00.000-07:002012-07-02T11:19:36.851-07:00Your voice counts
The gold star.
Remember earning a gold foil star on your paper at school? It might not have earned you a prize, but it made you feel so wonderful knowing you had done a good job. Not only that, someone recognized your effort and let you know through a five-pointed bit of shiny recognition.
Everyone appreciates that same pat on the back. Bloggers are no different. Not even Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1482558900455851331.post-68604692073786869472012-06-25T13:57:00.013-07:002012-07-05T07:47:20.584-07:00Celebrating with a Giveaway! (closed)A heartfelt WELCOME to our 100th subscriber following Adapting Creatively! Thank you, thank you! The support of all our readers means so much.
And in celebration of this milestone, I'm giving away one copy of the brand new program donated by Judy Lynn Software -- "Turn Taking!" You can read all about it here at the Judy Lynn site and even download a free trial copy (10 plays) at Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1482558900455851331.post-14596133196418981422012-05-29T15:16:00.004-07:002012-05-29T15:29:41.783-07:00Life at the Speed of Mercer True, it’s been quiet here at Adapting Creatively. But there is so much going on behind the scenes, there simply hasn’t been time to make much blog noise.
Two and half weeks ago, my daughter’s longtime dream of having her own service dog came rollicking into her life, tongue lolling, with oversized German Shepherd puppy ears and floppy feet and a little pink puppy belly. She named him “MercerUnknownnoreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1482558900455851331.post-4377154060241507812012-05-02T11:43:00.001-07:002012-05-07T09:54:59.613-07:00You're invited to Kelly's autism Bible Study (free eBook, too!)Kelly Langston is a remarkable mom who also happens to have an amazing son with autism. She has just launched an online Bible study growing out of her book Autism's Hidden Blessings and YOU are invited! Her publisher is also offering Autism's Hidden Blessings free of charge for just a few days here, so don't wait to pick it up.
I haven't read the whole book...but eagerly and tearfully devoured Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1482558900455851331.post-22793914946619605802012-04-13T06:00:00.002-07:002012-04-13T06:00:04.954-07:00Four Myths about Autism You can Safely ForgetAutism is getting a lot of press this month, what with April being Autism Awareness month and all. What of this information is fact? What of it is myth?
Ellen of the awesome blog, "Love that Max," has posted an interview with Dr. Gil Tippy on truths and myths about autism that you won't want to miss. In case you haven't heard of Dr. Tippy before (as I had not), he is the clinical director of Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1482558900455851331.post-10153497997997781452012-03-20T06:00:00.016-07:002012-03-20T15:16:05.088-07:00Speed up bathroom time with the "grocery.bag.trick"Ah, toileting. It's a mixed blessing for those families whose kids are semi-continent and wearing pull-on style undergarments.
There is the obvious good, which is very, VERY good! It's definitely worth the hassle. Success promotes independence and self-confidence. And it's beyond wonderful to kids and caregivers not to have to deal with, er, unpleasant clean-ups. Enough said.
Then Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1482558900455851331.post-24102230152206216912012-03-14T12:38:00.003-07:002012-03-14T13:27:47.237-07:00Five Tips for Successful Teaching at HomeParents can make great teachers. We have some luxuries that teachers at school don’t always have...access to our kids when they are at their best and in a wider variety of environments. We don’t have to hurry. We don’t have to start the relationship from scratch every fall. We already know what motivates and delights our kids.
We can use these advantages for boosting our kids’ learning. Whether Unknownnoreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1482558900455851331.post-50837658394366932292012-03-05T12:22:00.001-08:002012-03-05T15:10:34.944-08:00How Far do Encouraging Words Go?We parents are vulnerable when it comes to our precious kids. It’s hard for us to imagine how other people can overlook their courage and beauty. So when folks say insensitive things, even if they are meant with the kindest of intentions, we rant about their words.
In fact, we special needs parents have a rather unflattering habit of complaining about the thoughtless things people say regarding Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1482558900455851331.post-35184363079635550212012-02-23T06:03:00.000-08:002012-02-23T06:03:01.004-08:00"You're Going to Love This Kid!" A Professional Development Package for Teaching Students with Autism in the Inclusive ClassroomWhat a privilege it has been to review Paula Kluth’s professional development package for teaching students in inclusive classrooms! The message, the questions, and especially the video footage of children and teachers all hit me in deeply personal, meaningful ways.
You see, genuine inclusion—putting into practice the belief that all students of all abilities belong and can learn—is something Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1482558900455851331.post-44358433571458155612012-02-13T12:27:00.000-08:002012-02-13T12:27:57.069-08:00Making today count...It seems like I’ve been bombarded lately by the same message: make today count with your children.
Over at 5 Minutes for Special Needs, Suzanne Perryman has a thought-provoking message about loving your children as though today wastheir last one on earth. We have no guarantees about tomorrow. When our kids have medical issues, this point is especially true.
Lynn Cowell, contributing authorUnknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1482558900455851331.post-73086825632255730342012-01-13T06:00:00.000-08:002012-01-13T13:53:02.104-08:00Use your iPad to control switch toys: Switchamajig!Wouldn't it be great if your child or students could control switch-operated toys with the iPad?
Phil at PAW Solutions has come up with a very clever switch interface that works with your iPad. It allows children to control up to SIX switches or actions through one screen. Can you imagine the possibilities for fun play? It even lets your child steer...how cool is that!
Since so many of Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1482558900455851331.post-7161466976640548122012-01-11T12:16:00.000-08:002012-01-11T12:16:09.479-08:00Liebster-Blog-Award Joy!Yippee!! Yesterday was such an exciting day for me, as Adapting Creatively was awarded the Liebster Blog Award. Thanks so much Jennifer for this wonderful honor!
What is the Liebster Blog Award, some of you ask? I'll admit, I had to look it up myself. You see, life at our house has been more eventful lately than I prefer, and there hasn't been time to hang out on blogs much Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1482558900455851331.post-29212699742977388632011-12-15T10:57:00.000-08:002011-12-19T04:21:26.218-08:00Why Parents Must Never Make Assumptions When our kids are non-verbal and unable to ask questions, it is easy to forget how much—or how little—they understand what is being said around them. It’s so important we check with them about what they understand!
Sometimes they know more than we think.
My daughter and I were talking about a specialty medical appointment she had a couple weeks ago. She liked the doctor and laughed at Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5