If you are a person with a disability or a caregiver of someone with a disability, you are familiar with the act of waiting. You’ve studied the florescent lights of rooms with televisions mounted in the corner and floors with odd sticky patches while you’ve waited to be called back to see a specialist.… Continue reading Waiting Games

Summer break is often a much-needed break for all of us – parents and kids alike. However, it is a transition nonetheless, which can be a stressful time. Even though the demands for summer are often less and the schedule offers more free time, the shift from structured days and school routines to summer freedom… Continue reading When the Summer Transition Creates Anxiety Too

  I did not know much about hospital life before my son Charlie was born. Then, along with Charlie came a long NICU stay. This, oddly, is not when I developed the hard-won knowledge I am about to share. The NICU operates much like any intensive care so that you can’t (or are at least… Continue reading Helpful Tips for Your Next Hospital Stay

  Mental health struggles in teens and young adults are more common than we often realize, yet these issues often remain invisible. It’s challenging to know how to start a conversation, especially when a teen might feel embarrassed, overwhelmed, or just not ready to open up. If you’re a parent, teacher, or guardian looking to… Continue reading Talking to Your Teen About Their Emotional Struggles Without Pushing Them Away

My son Charlie is thirteen. We have never done the Special Olympics. Honestly, it has never been in a location close enough or with anyone we know to make it worth it. With a diagnosis in utero of Beckwith-Wiedemann Syndrome, an emergency pre-term birth, a twelve-week NICU stay, cerebral palsy, tracheotomy, gastrointestinal tube, hip dislocations,… Continue reading Special Olympics Real Talk

  ADHD vs Anxiety Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and anxiety are two different diagnoses, but they often coexist—and when they do, the interaction can be complex, confusing, and overwhelming. Many children, teens, and young adults find themselves wondering: Is this ADHD, anxiety, or both? The truth is, ADHD and anxiety can look similar, and they can… Continue reading Can ADHD and Anxiety Overlap in Children?

What do you think of when you think of happiness? Is it ice cream melting down your wrist on a summer’s afternoon? Pulling on sweatpants at the end of a work day? Finally hitting send on an email you’ve been putting off? Finishing a huge house project with your own ribbon-cutting ceremony just because? Getting… Continue reading Which Kind of Happiness Do You Need Right Now?

Lately, I have found myself reaching the end of the day bone-weary. It is dark out, and I am swiping crusty bits of dinner off the counter and tripping over the dog and telling myself that tomorrow, I will adjust the backrest on my son’s wheelchair, and wash all the sheets and stretch my body… Continue reading Make a “Done List” to Feel Better

Understanding the Signs and Next Steps As a parent actively involved in your child’s education, you’ve likely become very familiar with their strengths, their challenges, and the subjects where there is resistance versus ease.  You might have noticed patterns: some assignments lead to procrastination or meltdowns, while others are tackled with independence and a sense… Continue reading Does My Child Need a Support Plan?