What nutritional concerns are common in children with disabilities? Many children with disabilities have health issues that can impact their nutritional well-being and eating habits. This makes meeting your child’s nutritional needs even more important. Some issues that might affect your child include: Slower oral-motor development Larger tongues, smaller teeth, challenges with chewing Food texture… Read more Nutrition and Children With Disabilities
Category: Families/Caregivers
Connecting Individuals With Disabilities With Meaningful Employment (for Faith Communities)
The overall unemployment rate for individuals with disabilities is 10.1% (U.S. Dept. of Labor, Feb. 2022), 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 (for Faith Communities)
Including Students with Multiple/Severe Disabilities in the General Education Classroom
Meaningful Participation Every student has the right to actively participate in natural settings within their school and community. In education, inclusion means educating students with disabilities among their peers without disabilities to the greatest extent possible. Inclusion in the general education classroom provides all students the opportunity to participate, learn, and feel a sense of… Read more Including Students with Multiple/Severe Disabilities in the General Education Classroom
Intellectual Disabilities
What is an intellectual disability? An intellectual disability is a condition that begins before age 18 and significantly limits intellectual functioning and adaptive behavior. Individuals with intellectual disabilities may have challenges with learning, reasoning, problem solving, and/or thinking abstractly and quickly, and may also have additional challenges with everyday social and practical skills. Those born… Read more Intellectual Disabilities
When a Child Is Hospitalized
Talking About Going to the Hospital Whether for a check-up with a pediatrician or an overnight surgery stay, going to the hospital can be a frightening and confusing experience for children of all ages. A difficult thing for many children to understand is why something has to hurt or make them feel badly in order… Read more When a Child Is Hospitalized
Helping Your Child (and Family) Sleep Better
When a child has difficulty with sleep, it impacts the entire family. Sleep is associated with mood, learning, and daytime behavior. If you have a child with a developmental disability who also has difficulty with sleep, you are not alone. What is a sleep disorder? Many parents of children with autism and other developmental disabilities… Read more Helping Your Child (and Family) Sleep Better
Health Care for Adults with Disabilities (for Primary Care Physicians and Nurses)
Why is health care an issue? Adults with intellectual or other developmental disabilities often face barriers to good health care. Many primary care providers do not have much experience treating individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). There may be physical barriers to receiving care, such as examining tables that don’t lower completely for those… Read more Health Care for Adults with Disabilities (for Primary Care Physicians and Nurses)
Going To The Doctor
Going to the doctor is important, because it gives you an opportunity to ask questions about your body and to stay healthy. This tip sheet will explain why people go to the doctor and what to expect before, during, and after a visit. Common reasons for going to the doctor General checkup to stay healthy … Read more Going To The Doctor
Fragile X Syndrome
What is Fragile X syndrome? Fragile X syndrome is the most common inherited cause of intellectual disability. It is caused by a mutation of a gene (FMR1) on the X chromosome responsible for making a protein that plays a role in brain development. When the gene is fully mutated, it becomes inactive and does not… Read more Fragile X Syndrome
Fitness and Children With Disabilities
Why Should Your Child Be Active? The obesity rate for children with disabilities in the United States is 38 percent higher than for children without disabilities. Nutrition is one component to a healthy lifestyle, but exercise also plays a key role. Engaging your child in an active lifestyle will: Burn calories to promote a healthy… Read more Fitness and Children With Disabilities