Online Resources for Special Needs and Differently-Abled Kids and their Families

In this digital age, there are many online resources for families and parents of children with disabilities. Differently-abled kids have more challenges that most people will never face. For most families with special needs kids, the challenges are faced by everyone together. It is essential that children with special needs and their families are able to find credible information, emotional support and an atmosphere of encouragement. There are many organizations dedicated to providing this assistance online, but most of them do not have the vision of Disaboom.com.

How Disaboom.com started.

Dr. J. Glen House is founder of Disaboom.com. As a physician specializing in physical medicine and rehabilitation, who is also a quadriplegic, Dr. House has first hand experience with the challenges people with disabilities face every day.

The Disaboom Mission

Disaboom.com is dedicated to a clear mission: to create the first comprehensive, evolving source of information, insight, and personal engagement for the disability community.

Disaboom.com features the expertise of people from all walks of life. As one of the largest online networks for individuals affected by disabilities, website visitors and online community members can learn from medical experts and peers.  The Disaboom.com community also provides tools and guidance to help our visitors live active, engaged lives. Everyone from moms to surgeons to athletes can be found on Disaboom. The network includes more than 180 million members.

Most of all, the goal of Disaboom is to provide information, community and connection to help people with disabilities and those who support them to define who they are and what kind of life they want to lead.

Special Needs Summer Camps

Another way for kids with disabilities to learn to be independent and experience life is for them to attend special needs summer camps. Parents and families can explore a variety of summer camp options for differently-abled kids. Camp directories like CampPage.com list special needs summer camps throughout the United States and Canada.

Summer Camp Jobs Help College Students Studying Education Hone Teaching Skills

Summer Camp Counselor Jobs, Good for Your Career

Sure, working with children is rewarding in itself and working outdoors is enticing, however, one of the best reasons to consider being a summer camp counselor is to help your career.  What better way to spend your summer than in a “paid internship” that offers experience honing your teaching skills and mentoring children while getting paid?  Some camps even offer college credit.  If you are a college student studying education (or any number of academic programs), summer camp counselor jobs for college students offer meaningful experiences to build your resume.

“Being a camp counselor is a 24/7 job, you have to be ready at any moment to be a father, a mentor, a best friend…It is one of the most rewarding ‘jobs’ you will ever have in your life and the memories you have of camp will last a lifetime.” – Chase R on camplenox.com website

The Benefits of Summer Camp Jobs for College Students

Working at a summer camp job will be one of the most rewarding experiences of your life.  As a summer camp counselor, you’ll build leadership skills that are essential to becoming a successful teacher.  Just as in a classroom, you will be responsible for kids’ welfare;  nurturing  their self esteem and assisting them in their personal development.  You will be there to support them in a setting that is unfamiliar to them.  You will also be a role model assisting and motivating campers to learn new skills and help them with their concerns and ideas. It will be your job to do everything in your power to make each of the campers’ summer filled with lasting memories. As Matt V on camplenox.com said, ” If you put in the time and effort and focus on why you are really there, which is for the kids, this could be the most rewarding summer of your life.”

Working as a summer camp counselor offers an array of benefits.  Some of the skills and abilities you will learn and cultivate include:

• Leadership and Problem Solving
• Responsibility and Supervision
• Risk Management and Safety Awareness
• Social Interaction and Teamwork
• Professionalism
• Documentation
• Childcare
• Conflict Resolution
• Customer Service
• Programming and Activity Planning
• Communication

Natalie H. from camplenox.com added, ” As a counselor, you will transform from just another smart, athletic, motivated young person into a teacher, a mentor, a coach, and a best friend without even realizing it.”

In this competitive market, an additional benefit of summer camp counselor jobs is saving money. Since housing and meals are provided while at camp, you can bank the money you earn.

Summer camp counselor jobs widely Available

There are many summer camp counselor jobs available throughout the world in a wide spectrum of niches, interests, activities, needs, and religious preferences.  If you are drawn to traveling and learning about different cultures, there are international summer camp counselor jobs available. For those committed to teaching according to their faith there are Christian camp jobs, among other religious camp jobs.  If you are a special education major, their are many special needs and special interest camps.

To explore whether a summer camp counselor job is right for you, take a look at our summer camp counselor jobs listings and contact the summer camps listed there!

Discovering Community Online with Mommy Blogger Sites

In the modern world of digital communications Mommy Bloggers have become an important resource for mothers everywhere.  Anywhere in the country, moms with Internet access can discuss topics related to kids, career, politics, health, beauty, and much more. There are also many online communities for women where moms can speak their minds, contribute their experiences and share ideas in order to stay connected to other moms, families and women near and far. There are a few top Mommy Blogs online currently that offer fun, exciting, useful and credible information for moms from many walks of life.

www.BlogHer.com
BlogHer.om is a wonderful, sophisticated  community of women bloggers. Many of the writers focus on issues related to parents, children and families. The content is engaging and thought provoking. One of the most exciting features on BlogHer.com is called KidsGiveMeHope. This section of the site will make you laugh and cry and it will inspire you.

www.5minutesformom.com
This website is an exciting and large online community created as a place for for moms to connect with one another and share experiences and advice. This site also features an extremely useful directory of resources for moms.

www.momsfavoritestuff.com
This website offers well organized and credible reviews of various products and places. Momsfavoritestuff.com features a large number of videos on a wide variety of topics from makeup to travel. The site also offers tips on subjects such as financing, parenting and more. Momsfavoritestuff.com is based in Boston and does provide some local commentary.

www.babble.com/
This site is made up of many different opinions about topics related to parenting and raising kids. It is a great place for parents to challenge their own opinions and beliefs. There is a great deal of information and discussion about the various stages of growth that children go through and how parents are affected during these stages. Babble also has sections dedicated to products, food, health, arts, crafts, creativity, blogging and more. There is also an excellent interactive feature about baby names to help expecting parents.

www.mombloggersclub.com
Mombloggersclub.com is exactly what it sounds like: a mommy bloggers club. This is a great site for moms that are already blogging or are interested in blogging.  It is a true community of mommy bloggers that are strong, intelligent, creative, bold and inspired. Moms can find a variety of groups and in depth conversations related to almost any topic.

www.typeaparent.com/
TypeAParent.com is a self proclaimed “online hub for digital moms and dads.” There are some excellent groups to participate in and a great deal of information about lifestyle, food, technology, parenting and business topics. If you are a business or mom with a product you an request a review right online.

Differently-Abled Children: How to Create a Healthy, Supportive Environment

Although in today's world there are many opportunities for children with disabilities to live full, active and exciting lives, families dealing with disabled children often need support and education in order to create a lifestyle that promotes the overall health, wellness and personal growth of everyone involved. Children experience any number of disabilities including Spina Bifida, Cerebral Palsy, Paraplegia, Quadriplegia, Downs Syndrome, Autism and more. Families can take some important steps towards creating a productive and safe atmosphere, in which this lifestyle can be built.

Step 1: Learn everything you can about your child’s disability.
It is important to have the facts when raising a differently-abled child. Reading credible information provided by medical professionals is important. It may also be beneficial to speak with other parents living with a similar illness. They can often offer valuable insight into the best ways to integrate treatments, therapies and necessary lifestyle changes.

Step 2: Find a doctor or specialist with experience that listens.
Most families have a family physician to work with, but disabled kids need more specific help from specialists as well. It is essential to find a doctor you feel communicates openly, listens and is prepared to work together for the welfare of your child. In addition, the nurses, physician assistants and administrative staff should also be made up of people you feel comfortable trusting with your child’s well being. It may require visiting more than one practice in order to make a final decision.

Step 3: Choose the right special education program or school.
Education is key when it comes to the growth of any child, but differently-abled kids need physical and intellectual stimulation to facilitate proper brain development.  Choosing a special education or school program can be a daunting task. There are many details to consider such as budget, location, daily schedule and more.  It may take time to review insurance and payment options, as well as complete application forms so be sure the process is not rushed.

Step 4:  Give kids the opportunity to attend a special needs summer camp.
One of the most exciting experiences for a child is summer camp. In the United States and Canada there are a variety of special needs summer camps to choose from that have been created for differently-abled children. Kids with a variety of disabilities can attend summer day camps or overnight camps. Special needs programs commonly have trained health and medical staff on site. These programs also special activities created to help disabled experience the outdoors, music, art, sports and more. Summer camps allow kids to explore the world while increasing independence, confidence and social skills. This is important for all children.

Step 5: Create a reliable family support network.
Reliable, trustworthy support is essential for any family having the challenge of living day to day with a disability. There is nothing more valuable than having other parents and children to share ideas, treatments and  experiences with. There are times when encouragement, inspiration and hope will come from those around you that can relate to your situation.

Families living with disabilities are some of the strongest and closest families. Being fully prepared and willing to ask for help are key to success and health.

Special Needs Summer Camps for Children with Diabetes

Over the last decade, diabetes has continued to climb as a disease that affects children at a high rate. According to the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) over 151,000 people under the age of 20 suffer form some form of diabetes. “When diabetes strikes during childhood, it is routinely assumed to be type 1, or juvenile-onset diabetes,” states the CDC website,  “However, in the last 2 decades, type 2 diabetes (formerly known as adult-onset diabetes) has been reported among U.S. children and adolescents with increasing frequency.” European studies have also shown an increase in the type 1 diabetes in young children.

Kids Living with Diabetes

Diabetes affects parents and siblings of children with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes. The whole family must make lifestyle adjustments that support healthy eating, exercise and  careful, consistent disease management. Parents must make detailed arrangements when kids affected by diabetes are attending school, traveling for vacation, visiting friends or involved in extracurricular activities.  The American Diabetes Association even has online resources for kids and parents to educate families about the disease and provide support.

Special Needs Summer Camps: Learn to Manage and Live with Diabetes

Summer camps provide kids of all ages the opportunity to experience outdoor adventures, sports, art, music, dancing, acting, technology, science, math and other educational programs. Girls and boys alike get to explore a variety of activities and discover what inspires and motivates them. Parents and families dealing with diabetes can also choose to send kids to summer camps specializing in diabetes and other chronic illnesses. In the United States and Canada there are many special needs summer camps offering camps especially for kids with diabetes, asthma, cancer and other disabilities. Diabetes programs not only provide traditional camp activities like swimming, horseback riding, sports, art, acting, drama, dance and music, they also help children living with diabetes learn to be independent and maintain good health in any situation.

Online Resources for Kids with Diabetes

There are many organizations and online resources currently available to assist families learning to function with childhood diabetes as part of daily life.

Children with Diabetes (www.childrenwithdiabetes.com/)
National Diabetes Education Program (ndep.nih.gov/)
American Diabetes Association (www.diabetes.org/)
CDC Diabetes Public Health Resource (www.cdc.gov/diabetes/)
The Challenge of Diabetes (www.challengeofdiabetes.com/)

Family physicians also generally provide educational support for families and kids touched by this illness. Always consult a doctor with any questions when creating a plan to manage childhood diabetes.

Image: Arvind Balaraman / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Special Needs Summer Camps for Kids and Teens Living with Asthma

When most people think of special needs children, they often don't think of a child with asthma. However, kids living with asthma struggle to maintain a normal, consistent routine. Parents of children with asthma know the stress of dealing with asthma can affect the whole family, especially when symptoms and attacks are severe.  According to Medline Plus, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health, approximately 20 million people in America have been diagnosed with asthma and approximately 9 million of them are children. If you are a kid with asthma or a parent caring for a child with asthma, you are not alone.

Dealing with Childhood Asthma

The most common allergens that provoke Asthma are mold, pollen or animals, and irritants such as air pollution or cigarette smoke, changes in weather, exercise, or infections such as the common cold or flu. Commonly, many children suffer the following symptoms: coughing, wheezing, chest tightness or shortness of breath in the early morning and during the night. Parents of kids with asthma must manage and attend to these symptoms every day and regular medication or treatment is often necessary. It is essential that as your child grows older he or she  understands how to manage asthma carefully and effectively. If children and parents work together kids can gain independence and live a fully active life in spite of asthma.

Youth Summer Camps for Kids with Asthma

Due to the potential for irritation created by excercise, weather changes and allergens, oftentimes children with asthma are unable to participate in athletic and outdoor activities. Generally there is someone at home and at school who is experienced with or trained to handle asthma attacks and emergencies in any situation, but the rest of the time there is no guarantee your child will have the support he or she needs. This makes it difficult for parents to feel comfortable letting kids go on school trips, attend summer camp, stay with friends overnight and other common experiences other children take for granted. Luckily it is easy to find special needs summer camps for kids with asthma and give your child the chance to have an unforgettable adventure.

Summer camps created especially for kids with asthma are more common than parents may think. In various states in the U.S. and in Canada many summer camps offer specific dates for children with this unique special need. These camps offer day and overnight camp programs that include various sports, hiking, horseback riding, swimming, canoeing, arts, music and much more. All activities are monitored by staff members trained to manage asthma symptoms and attacks in any situation and a certified medical professional is available if needed. Summer camp staff also help kids monitor medication and stay on schedule. Asthma summer camps can help teach kids to be responsible and cautious, while having an exciting time and exploring life fully.

Helping Parents Cope

It's not only the child that experiences stress and is affected by the illness in a family affected by asthma. Parents also carry fear and anxiety, as well as sympathy and sadness. Seeing a child sick is never an easy task. Special needs and asthma summer camps can give parents some much needed time off for relaxation and  rejuvenation. The knowledge that your child is attending a special needs camp and is safe in a supportive, stable and inspiring environment, makes  giving kids the freedom to travel on a journey of self discovery much simpler.

There are also many resources available online in in local areas to support families dealing with asthma. Ask your doctor for more information on community resources near you and explore websites like Medline Plus, the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, and the American Lung Association.

Image: FreeDigitalPhotos.net