Unfortunately, bullying exists. Bullying is a problem for many youngsters in social settings, but those with disabilities face additional challenges. And responding to bullying can be difficult for both the victim and parents alike. While those with disabilities like Cerebral Palsy may be at a higher risk for bullying, this does not mean that this should be accepted without action. There are proactive measures available that can address such cruel harassment. We’ve compiled a...
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Sensory is a huge part of development and may people never think twice about it. Most children get enough sensory just by everyday play, but it is important to make sure your child has a lot of exposure to it. Especially for children with sensory challenges, it is crucial to surround your child with some sensory opportunities. It does not take a lot of effort to expose your child to more sensory, but it is something that needs to be thought about. To help get you thinking about sensory, we found 5 toys and 5 activities that can bring more sensory into your child’s life...
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Video games. Just mentioning these two words is sometimes all it takes to pique the interest of kids, teenagers, and adults alike. With Xbox, Playstation, Wii, and the vast panoply of gaming options, never has there been a better time for those who enjoy a good video game.
Therapy. Just mentioning that word can often distress or at least disinterest those who undergo it. And living with Cerebral Palsy means that therapy is likely a part of life. This is why enhancement therapies like video game therapy are so important—they offer exciting ways to do two...
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Falling leaves, pumpkin carving, crisp breezes, plaid shirts, and apple cider—all indications that autumn has arrived. October 31st is just around the corner, and many kids will be dressing up as zombies, bumblebees, princesses, favorite characters, ghosts, and other Halloween favorites. It’s fun to pretend to be someone (or something) else and let the imagination run wild, all in the name of exploring the community and returning home with a pillowcase full of snacks. Many kids with Cerebral Palsy or other mobility conditions will be trick-or-treating from...
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It won’t be long until those multicolored leaves become topped with fresh sheets of winter snow. Winter is coming, and with it, a host of icy hazards to be aware of, especially for wheelchair users. But do not be deterred—travelling around and staying social in winter is encouraged!
The winter can sometimes instill a sense of anxiety in wheelchair users about their safety while venturing out into harsh conditions. In turn, this can lead to a stay-at-home commitment that can isolate those who use wheelchairs from valuable social opportunities. So while staying...
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Sometimes, the best part of watching sports is not the sport itself, but the colorful commentary behind and between plays. Whether we are aware of it or not, we tend to suture together sport and the voice behind it, making for one unified event, familiar in its play-by-play personality yet unpredictable in content and result. And one voice among broadcasters is particularly special, if not for its smooth, assuring tenor, or its sports IQ, or its signature humor—then for the man behind it.
Jason Benetti is a...
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You do not have to be a master chef to create a five-star meal in your child’s eyes. Some quick switch ups in food rotation, simple add-ons and creative fun twists will leave your child looking forward to opening up their lunch pail. All of the ideas listed below are easily do-able and will not leave you stranded in the kitchen for hours. It will only take you a few extra minutes to make a huge difference in your child’s meal. Those extra minutes can eliminate lots of stress and worry if your child has been returning home with a full pail. Breathe easier knowing your...
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You might be suspecting that your child has sensory processing difficulties. You could be noticing small habits or dislikes they have and may be left wondering if it is just a quirk or if it is something more. It is estimated that 1 in every 20 children in the United States has Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) and there are many possible behaviors your child might be showing that could be SPD. They may not like being hugged or touched, have difficulty from switching from one activity to the next or have peculiar behaviors such as constantly walking on their tippy-toes...
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The much anticipated Rio de Janeiro 2016 Paralympic Games, featuring athletes from more than 170 nations, began September 7th and came to a close September 18th. That’s twelve days jam-packed with exciting competition that showcased the culmination of tireless training by countrymen and countrywomen from around the world. Of course, all Olympians are top athletes competing on the world stage, but unlike the standard Olympian, Paralympians transcend ordinary...
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Many people with Cerebral Palsy have associated speech challenges, sometimes requiring computer assistance in order to communicate by voice. For those with severe enough difficulties, text-to-speech computer assistance can change lives and is a revolutionary communication enabler. However, the number of voice options from which to choose are quite small, and the result is a kind of “one voice fits all” scenario where little girls and grown men alike share an audibly indistinguishable voice. This describes the unfortunate mismatch between person and voice that many who...
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