Parents often struggle with what to do when they learn their child has received a special needs diagnosis. To help parents improve the quality of life for their children with autism, dyslexia, ADHD and other learning disabilities, we've assembled these helpful tips!
1. Make an appointment with your child's teacher. A simple phone call, email, or even a note may work wonders.
Jot down a list of detailed questions to gather information about your child's academic weaknesses and ask about any social or emotional problems and the teacher's observations of any physical clues that there may be a problem. Ask the teacher if she feels your child could benefit from an independent education program or any special needs classes.
Often summertime finds older kids and teens involved in lots of activities without too much time to be bored. Young children, however, may not have as many options besides the library and an occasional trip to the pool or Pump It Up. Television or video games may become a handy back-up. And while a little of screen entertainment for young children is fine, too much of it can result in increased reliance on screen technologies to feel satisfaction, taking the pleasure out of daily play experiences. The unintended negative consequence becomes children watch more and play less. The American Academy of Pediatrics cautions parents to keep TV viewing for children under the age of eight to one hour or less a day.
Are thumbsucking and pacifier habits harmful for a child's teeth? Thumb and pacifier sucking habits will generally only become a problem if they go on for a very long period of time. Most children stop these habits on their own, but if they are still sucking their thumbs or fingers past the age of three, a mouth appliance may be recommended by your pediatric dentist.
