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
Category: Families/Caregivers
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
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
Using a Schedule Effectively for Distance Learning [Caregivers]
Schedules are an evidence based practice that can help children be more available for learning. They are helpful to all children by clarifying what is going to happen, increasing predictability, and making abstract concepts such as time concrete, and they help children be more independent. Here are a few ideas on how you can utilize… Read more Using a Schedule Effectively for Distance Learning [Caregivers]
Principles of Explicit Instruction for Distance Learning [Caregivers]
The text Explicit Instruction by Anita L. Archer and Charles A. Hughes outlines a systematic and engaging instructional delivery method called explicit instruction which is appropriate for all children, including those who may be struggling or who may have a disability. Explicit instruction is useful across many of subjects and grade levels. To read the… Read more Principles of Explicit Instruction for Distance Learning [Caregivers]
Confidentiality in Research
Confidentiality in Research at the Vanderbilt Kennedy Center (VKC) The people who make up the VKC interact with individuals and families through research, clinical services, information and referral, and community involvement activities. Throughout these many forms of interaction, sharing of personal and private information is inevitable. In recognition of the many disciplines within the VKC… Read more Confidentiality in Research
Autism Spectrum Disorder
Autism and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are general terms for a group of complex neurodevelopmental disorders. The new diagnostic classification system (DSM-5, May 2013) combines the previous subcategories of autistic disorder, Asperger’s disorder, childhood disintegrative disorder, and pervasive developmental disorder–not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS) into the one category of ASD. Autism spectrum disorder is present early in… Read more Autism Spectrum Disorder
Artists with Disabilities: Exhibiting in a Gallery
An artist with a disability is like any other artist. A creative urge from within encourages the need to communicate through a work of art. Although the process itself is quite satisfying, the artist needs to share the work and allow it to touch the lives of others. Sharing artwork professionally may seem difficult, but… Read more Artists with Disabilities: Exhibiting in a Gallery