Nick is the author's first-born child. He was born healthy in 1993. Within days, however, there would be medical complications resulting in brain damage, seizures, medical issues, a diagnosis of cerebral palsy at four months of age, and later, a diagnosis of bi-lateral progressive hearing loss at eight years of age. Nick's parents have been told…

As a coach, this author likes to share some thoughts on children and sports. After 42 years in athletics in all capacities--coach, athletic director, official, parent, athlete, and observer--he can easily say he has seen, heard, or experienced it all. Each experience has helped him gain some insights on youth and interscholastic sports. Parent of…

Advocacy begins with an assumption that if a number of community members are suffering, then there must be something wrong, not with the individual members, but with the community as a whole; therefore, the community must be changed to help alleviate that suffering. Advocacy creates a platform for change by allowing individuals to begin the…

As a parent of a child with autism, he/she would sense that his/her role in a child's life transcends even the word "exceptional." The parents are the child's primary source of love, they meet the child's varied and challenging daily needs, and they likely direct, coordinate, and manage the child's treatment team of therapists,…

The author's daughter has an autism spectrum disorder, as well as numerous other medical conditions. Like all parents of kids with special needs, she has spent enormous amounts of time and energy on hospital stays, therapies, and advocacy. She has also taken some time to participate in research. First and foremost, she wants to be aware of the…

Sometimes one's life unfolds in mysterious ways when one is not even trying. The author thinks becoming a stepparent is like that, or at least it was for her. The author had not even really set out to have children, but one day she was standing with one foot in the air at the edge of jumping into a new, pre-made family with three children, one of…

Getting a good night's sleep is important to good health for all, but for children with special needs, getting that good night's sleep can be especially difficult. According to a National Sleep Foundation study, more than two-thirds of children experience one or more sleep problems at least a few nights a week. However, studies show that children…

Harsha is a "hugger." The first day the author met him, he smiled and hugged her gently as they walked together into his classroom at the Beautiful Gate Special School (BGSS). His mom lovingly tugged at his arm, pulling him away. "I'm sorry," she said, looking concerned that her son had once again crossed the line of physical…

There are certain milestones that become treasured memories for both parents and their children. A child's first day of school, sleepovers with friends, the prom, their wedding day--these are some of the cherished moments that make up a life. Because incontinence is so commonly a result of many conditions for children as well as adults, offering…

In this article, the authors share their experience in taking care of their daughter, Elyse, who was in and out of the hospital when she was a child, battling numerous doctors' visits. Throughout the years, Elyse has taught their family about the importance of the human spirit and that they should appreciate others for who they are, no matter what…

Celiac disease is a genetic autoimmune disorder characterized by a heightened sensitivity to gluten, the protein in wheat, barley and rye. The disease is more common than most people think, affecting approximately 3 million in the United States, about 1 in 100. One of the most notable things about celiac disease is that up to 97 percent of…

Boston College Campus School (BCCS) is a private, non-profit, publicly funded special education school within the Lynch School of Education on the campus of Boston College. BCCS occupational therapists serve students between the ages of 3 and 21 who have severe, multiple challenges. Occasionally they partner with community schools to assist…

The excitement of going on a family vacation can be matched only by the stress parents experience as they prepare for the excursion. Parents of children with disabilities have special considerations to keep in mind, including the mode of transportation, the accessibility of accommodations, whether the activities will be appropriate for all members…

Brenda and Bob have told their family's story many times to professionals as they have navigated through the sometimes precarious waters of education and medicine in search of quality services for their son, Jonathan. Sometimes, along the way, especially when experiencing miscommunication and fragmentation, they've wondered to each other: Is…

The Center for Disease Control (CDC) estimates that up to 500,000 individuals under the age of 21 have autism, Asperger's syndrome, and other neurological disorders. This translates to an average of 1 in 110 children in the U.S. having an Autism Spectrum Disorder. Autism is now the sixth most commonly classified disability in the United States.…