What causes Williams syndrome? Individuals with Williams syndrome usually are missing a small piece of chromosome 7. This rare genetic disorder occurs spontaneously in 1 out of every 7, 500 births. It is not a result of an inherited characteristic from the parents. First recognized in 1961, Williams syndrome affects males and females at equal… Read more Williams Syndrome
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Children and Hearing Loss
Hearing loss can cause long-lasting problems for young children. Children with hearing loss can have trouble learning speech and language, doing well in school, or getting along with other children. Early identification of hearing loss can prevent some of these difficulties. When might a child develop hearing loss? A child may be born with a… Read more Children and Hearing Loss
CHARGE Syndrome
CHARGE syndrome is thought to be caused by a mutation in the gene CHD7on chromosome #8. It occurs in 1 out of every 10,000 births and is not thought to be inherited. CHARGE syndrome affects males and females at equal rates and has been diagnosed in all ethnicities and socioeconomic backgrounds. What are the effects… Read more CHARGE Syndrome
Supporting a Healthy Brain
The human brain is the command center for the human nervous system. It weighs about 3 pounds and comprises 60 percent of fat, making it one of the fattiest organs in the body. A brain’s gray matter is made up of about 100 billion neurons that gather and transmit signals, while white matter is made… Read more Supporting a Healthy Brain
Adult Siblings of Individuals with Disabilities
Sibling relationships are often the longest-lasting relationships that children form. Like all siblings, they may or may not develop close emotional relationships depending on individual differences and circumstances. Regardless, a child’s reaction to a sibling with a disability will have a lasting effect on siblings’ self-esteem and emotional development. General Well-Being of Siblings According to… Read more Adult Siblings of Individuals with Disabilities
Adolescent & Young Adult Siblings of Individuals with Disabilities
Growing up with a sibling with a disability Sibling relationships often are the longest-lasting relationships that children form. Relationships vary greatly, based on the ages, gender and age span of the children, their shared interests and their family’s lifestyle. Variations in closeness, time spent together, and warmth in sibling relationships are expected in families where… Read more Adolescent & Young Adult Siblings of Individuals with Disabilities
Connecting Individuals With Disabilities With Meaningful Employment
The overall unemployment rate for individuals with disabilities is 12.7% (U.S. Dept. of Labor, Nov. 2012), and according to a report from the President’s Committee for People With Intellectual Disabilities (2004), individuals with severe disabilities, such as an intellectual disability or autism, the unemployment rate fluctuates between 80-90%. It is clear that individuals with disabilities… Read more Connecting Individuals With Disabilities With Meaningful Employment
Home Visits
Home Visit Best Practices: Using the Elevate AIDET Principle Acknowledge all family members. Knock, smile, make eye contact, and be pleasant. Introduce yourself and your role. Duration. At the start, state how long the overall visit will take, and during the visit you may want to state the length of particular tasks. Explain all processes… Read more Home Visits
Accompanying an Individual to the Doctor
What is the reason for today’s visit? Adults with intellectual or other developmental disabilities may have difficulties explaining their symptoms or expressing pain, so the health care provider may have trouble determining the presence of an illness or injury. Having a direct support professional who knows the patient, knows how the patient communicates, and knows… Read more Accompanying an Individual to the Doctor
Service Animal Etiquette
A service animal is defined as an animal that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability. The animal must be trained through a specialty organization, professional trainer, or by the owner to perform a specific task relating to the owner’s disability. Training a service… Read more Service Animal Etiquette