While it may not seem like it, especially given how hot this summer has been, but any winter vacation you may be considering is going to require planning! If you are fortunate enough to use the winter months as an opportunity to get away, you may still face an abundance of challenges associated with destinations. The reason: not all places are ‘special needs friendly.’ As a result, navigating the planning for your trip can be an uphill battle. Which is why we want to make it simpler!
Back in May we tackled the topic of planning a...
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Everyday life can be hard, especially for those who have special needs. It may be difficult to grip certain items, enjoy a meal, use technology, or even just communicate. There are so many devices out there that will help ease the challenges. Alternative devices can help make life a little easier and help children or adults with special needs communicate better. In this post, we will discuss the purpose of alternative devices and provide some everyday examples.
Alternative devices are items that can be used to help assist or replace something else. Why should...
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While MyChild is confident about the impact it can make in your child and family’s life, we also know that a brighter future can occur when the world at large better understands Cerebral Palsy. As a result, we have made it a point to promote advocacy, encouraging parents to not only let their voice be heard, but also help inform the public about this challenging condition. Making an impact in your community can not only mean a brighter, less ignorant world for your child, it can also brighten the future of other children with special needs.
But where to start? It...
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No child can have enough books; a book can take them away from their situation for a while or inspire them to step out of their comfort zone. However, the challenge is still there to find books that are specific to the special needs community. After we completed our first post about books for special needs children, we went back out there to find five more books that serve the special needs community.
As we noted before, the inclusion of any books in this list is not necessarily an...
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Someone everyday can inspire us and give us hope. It can only take one moment or one event to change our mindsets. For those in the Cerebral Palsy community, it is inspiring to see others growing awareness of CP and breaking the stereotypes. In the case of Hunter Gandee, one event – the Cerebral Palsy Swagger – brought the community together and gave hope to the families affected by Cerebral Palsy.
Hunter Gandee is 15 years old with a younger brother who has Cerebral Palsy. When Hunter...
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Music can mean a lot of different things to people young and old, regardless of the genre or time of year. Amazing things have been made possible through the art of music, both in terms of original creations, but also provide value in areas like therapy. Because Cerebral Palsy can involve an extensive, diverse number of symptoms, there are a lot of different ways kids with CP can engage with music. Its overall value, though, as a field for exploration cannot be overstated.
For children capable of a wide range of motor function, music can be an invaluable avenue...
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Summer is still in full swing as we head into August and with it you and your child may face a wide number of challenges… but also plenty of fun! We like to bring awareness about CP to help parents as the calendar changes, and what better month to highlight than one involving heat, school, assistance and more? For more information on Cerebral Palsy topics centered around the month of August, keep reading!
First, the heat. It’s been a hot summer already and summer doesn’t officially end until September 22nd. As a result, you may have...
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The weather in the summer affords a number of great opportunities to get out of the house and play outdoors. With a landscape to play with and much easier cleanup options available, summer is a great time to dive into sensory play!
Sensory play involves activities that engage your child due to the feelings associated. Sensory play can include smells, tastes (be careful what you use!), touch, visuals and sounds. While this may seem self-explanatory, many parents simply think of sensory play as Play-Doh or goo. Instead, it can involve a wealth of other options, all...
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Cerebral Palsy is a condition that can be devastating for some and a lifetime of daily challenges for others. Sadly, there is very little public awareness regarding CP, including how it’s caused, what its symptoms may appear to be in children, or even what it may mean for the mental and physical abilities of people who live with it. In short, raising Cerebral Palsy awareness is about paving the way for the special needs community for years to come.
Cerebral Palsy awareness may be lacking in part due to the complexity of the condition itself. Many people are...
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We often herald the amazing things that parents of children with Cerebral Palsy do every day for their child. These stories, often posted on our Facebook Page or highlighted on our website, focus on great family qualities and strength when it’s needed the most. One section of our audience that does not receive as much attention as they should, though, are the tremendous grandparents that frequently care for their beloved grandchildren with Cerebral Palsy. When apparent may need to work or assume...
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