special needs - Penfield Children's Center

June 24, 2015Kohl’s Building Blocks, Personal Perspectivesfamily, kids, parenting tips, special needsby Shelby Schnell

Finding a “Normal Day” with a Special Needs Child

If you would ask parents what their greatest challenges are, many of them will mention managing the family’s time, energy, and resources. This becomes an even greater challenge in a family with a child with a special need. In a special needs family, there are numerous doctors, therapies and insurance …

April 22, 2015Kohl’s Building Blocks, Personal PerspectivesDevelopment, IEP, Individual Education Programs, kids, medically fragile, parenting tips, safety, special needsby Shelby Schnell

Lessons Learned: What to do When Your Child has a Special Need

As a mother of a child with a rare genetic condition, there are lessons I’ve learned over the years that have helped me become a better parent and effectively advocate for my son. Dealing with the diagnosis of a special need is difficult, but there are steps that every parent …

December 16, 2013Health & Wellness, Kohl’s Building Blocks, Nutritionfood, kids, nutrition, snacks, special needsby Shelby Schnell

Nutrition for Kids With Special Needs

For children with special needs it is possible to have a variety of conditions that vary in severity and prognosis. A highly functioning child with autism, for example, may have one set of unique nutritional problems while a child with severe cerebral palsy will have a very different set of …

October 15, 2013Health Conditions, Kohl’s Building Blocks, Medically-Fragile, Uncategorizedhealth and wellness, kids, sick, special needs, tube feedingby Shelby Schnell

What You Should Know About Tube Feedings

Reviewed by Melissa Hendrickson, RN and Director of Health Services at Penfield Children’s Center. What is a feeding tube? A temporary or removable feeding tube is a small, soft, hollow, plastic tube placed through the nose (NG/NJ) or mouth (OG) into the stomach or intestine. These tubes are used to …

September 26, 2013Birth-to-three, Health Conditions, Kohl’s Building Blocksoccupational therapy, physical therapy, special needs, speech therapyby Shelby Schnell

Identifying Children with Special Needs

Parents, caretakers, physicians, and early childhood educators are expected to monitor child development and identify children with suspected disabilities so they can access and benefit from services. To understand atypical development, caretakers first must understand typical development. Developmental milestones are guidelines that enable parents and professionals to monitor a child’s …

September 7, 2013Health & Wellness, Kohl’s Building Blocks, Preventative Carehealth and wellness, parents, special needs, stress managmentby Shelby Schnell

Effective Stress Management for Parents of Children with Special Needs

Everyone has sources of stress in their lives. Parents of children with special needs have a completely different list of stressors that can impact them. Are they making the “right” decisions for their children? Are their children going to be accepted? For parents who struggle with the health and development …

September 4, 2013Health Conditions, Kohl’s Building Blocks, Medically-Fragile, Uncategorizedcerebral palsy, health condition, medically fragile, special needsby Shelby Schnell

When Your Child is Diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy

The first and arguably most important step to take when you discover that your child is diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy is to educate yourself. What exactly is Cerebral Palsy? According to Mayo Clinic, Cerebral Palsy is defined as a disorder of movement, muscle tone or posture that is caused by …

August 21, 2013Autism, Health Conditions, Kohl’s Building Blocksautism, Autism Spectrum Disorder, special needsby Shelby Schnell

My Child was Diagnosed with Autism. What’s Next?

When a child receives a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder, parents often feel many emotions including sadness, anger, hopelessness and guilt. Other parents are simply relieved that they finally have a name for what has been affecting their child. Both these reactions are normal and parents are allowed to feel …

August 6, 2013Health Conditions, Kohl’s Building Blocks, Medically-Fragilehealth and wellness, medically fragile, prematurity, special needsby Shelby Schnell

Prematurity

A baby is considered premature if it is less than 37 weeks old at birth. A premature baby, or preemie, is not fully developed, meaning some vital organs may not be functioning to their full potential or not yet ready to operate at all. While a full-term newborn weighs about …

July 16, 2013How To, How To’s, Kohl’s Building Blocks, Positive Parentingkids, occupational therapy, physical therapy, special needs, speech therapy, toysby Shelby Schnell

How to Adapt Toys for Toddlers with Special Needs

When deciding what toys to purchase for a child with special needs or what activities to attempt in the home, it is common to wonder if it is appropriate for the child. Many common child toys and activities can be adapted to meet the needs of all children in easy, …

Finding a “Normal Day” with a Special Needs Child

Lessons Learned: What to do When Your Child has a Special Need

Nutrition for Kids With Special Needs

What You Should Know About Tube Feedings

Identifying Children with Special Needs

Effective Stress Management for Parents of Children with Special Needs

When Your Child is Diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy

My Child was Diagnosed with Autism. What’s Next?

Prematurity

How to Adapt Toys for Toddlers with Special Needs

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