With the New Year Approaching, many people are trying to get on board with a healthy lifestyle. For many of our families and kiddos, this may mean going gluten free. We are going to try to help out by posting favorite recipes here. If you have one you like, forward it to us and we will add it to our archives. Just another way to start the year 2012 on a positive note.

Gluten Free Apple Cobbler

6 apples (I really like Pink Ladies, but use a good cooking apple)

 1 cup gluten free flour

¼ tsp. xanthan gum (omit if your flour blend has it already)

 ½ cup brown sugar ½ cup granulated sugar

 1 ½ tsp. baking powder 1 tsp. ground cinnamon (I used 2 tsp.-we like cinnamon)

1 egg

6 Tbsp butter, melted or non-dairy margarine

Equipment: 2 quart baking dish, good knife or apple peeler corer, bowl, fork and an appetite

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease the 2 quart baking dish and set aside. In a medium sized bowl, whisk together the flour, xanthan gum (if using), both sugars, baking powder and cinnamon.

Peel, core and slice the apples using a goof knife or the apple peeler corer. Place the apples in the bottom of the 2 quart dish.

Beat the egg in a small bowl or cup. Pour over the flour mix and stir with a fork until combined and little bits form. Spread this over the top of the apples. Pour the melted butter over the top of that.

Pop in the oven and bake for 45 minutes or until a fork can be easily pushed through the apples.

Serve with ice cream or whipped cream. This makes a yummy hot breakfast (my choice for leftovers).

Many people look forward to the holidays. twinkling lights, gingerbread, pumpkin bread, eggnog, and those beautiful X-Mas trees. Or maybe you prefer your latkes fried crisply and topped with applesauce or sour cream. And who can forget delicious sufganiyot or jelly doughnuts and the bright lights of the Menorah and spinning of the dreidel?

Yes, these are the traditions that most identify when talking about the holidays. For others, traditions of overspending, guilt buying of presents, and stress put on by family members who don’t understand the ways of their special needs are more the norm. In this three part blog post, we will discuss how to deal with the different stressors of the holidays and how to create special family traditions.

In this blog post, we will discuss the importance of setting a budget, which may seem like a common sense idea, but most of the time common sensse goes out the window during the season of excess. One way of dealing with this tendency to overspend is to have a bottom line dollar in mind. Tell yourself that you are not going to blow the budget by even one dollar. After you have determined this budget, have your family members help you create a list of items that fall within their assigned dollar amounts. Have a variety of items on this list from which to choose and at a variety of price points.

Then it is important to do your research. Determine which tech gadgets will best meet the needs of your family members. Children or older adults may not need tablets that have all of the latest and greatest gadgets. Are there stores that offer these items in greater quantity like Amazon or Apple?  Are there stores that offer specials or discounts more frequently? Have you considered buying an older generation option or a refurbished model?

Will it be a passing fad, or will the gift outlast the wrapping paper? It seems that some toys are just about as seasonal as the holidays themselves. Kids get tired of playing with them very quickly or they do not have enough features to keep drawing them back again and again. Also, some require endless accessories or features  such as doll clothes or add-ons that require more than just a passing investment.

Consider pooling resources. Chip in with grandparents, uncles, or other family members to make your dollar go farther. Think before you buy. If something is a costly investment, pass it up and think about it. You can always come back, but if you just buy it, then the chances that you will just spend less later are pretty great. Also, don’t forget the value of homemade gifts. They truly come from the heart and are a great way to get the whole family involved!!

I also highly recommend adopting a family angel or helping out with a community service project. When kids learn about the act of charity they learn the importance of helping others and they are able to share in the true meaning of the season.

I had heard about listening therapy for awhile. However, many doctors and other professionals seemed to dismiss it as kind of “junk science”. I continued to assess children and work with parents whose struggled with auditory processing or sensory processing issues or even reading difficulties that were not being helped with traditional methods used in schools. Although I wanted to help, I was not sure really which direction to point parents in. And then my own son started to struggle with sensory, auditory, speech, and even visual issues. Now I was not just a clinician, but a frustrated parent. I hoped for a therapy that would be multi-sensory, cost effective, and one that would show lasting effects.

It does sound like a bit of an unattainable or lofty goal, doesn’t it? But I was determined to try, and those of you who know me, know my passion for kids and my incredible drive… And I began to explore listening therapy anew. And I stumbled on iLs. A therapy that looked at more than music. It offers a language component, a vestibular component, & the auditory component. It can be tailored to my child’s specific needs. It is focused, affordable, research-based, and a great support for parents. We are proud to offer this innovative therapy both in clinic and at home, to best suit your child’s needs. Check out this link for more information. http://t.co/wdwc9ekT. Then contact us to get started.

It’s been awhile send I have formally posted on my own blog. You would think that this would be a natural inclination for me to post here, although that is not always been the case. However, you as families are always close to my thoughts, and as our business has grown and changed, especially in the area of advocacy, there are a couple things that I am seeing more and more of. Unfortunately, developmental disabilities offer our school systems the greatest challenges. Although an IEP is supposed to be just that, individualized, the reality is that programming options are often driven by a district’s budget, resources, and tried and true measures. I have been invited to be a guest blogger for Autism Spot dealing with some of these very issues. Please feel free to check out the whole article here, and watch for updates as we continue to update on this growing chasm developing in some of our schools….As usual, if you need advocacy help, we are here! Another awesome option is Integrated Listening. Case studies are showing that children who have sensory, motor, auditory, or phonological processing differences may really benefit. And, lucky for you dear readers, we now offer this affordable option in clinic or at home. Contact us to see how you or your child can receive a free week of sessions. As always, feel free to call or e-mail to see how we can support you! Further, the highest compliment you can give us is a referral to a family member or friend. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get exclusive fan offers or to keep up with the latest trends in education. And don’t forget to check out our links page as we are continuing to add new resources. ‘Til next time. Keep reaching for the stars!!

So excited to share this Guest Blog post from friend and colleague Adina Weisblatt Rich! Adina addresses the topic of Exploring Autism Programming Options for your Child in the School Setting. Would love for you to click over, take a read and leave us your thoughts!

Developing positive behavior traits in children is a challenge, as all children have meltdowns at any given time. This is just a natural, if not frustrating, progression of childhood. Some things that parents need to take into account is that the earlier they are able to take responsibility and constructively manage their child’s behavior, the more long-term and postive the behavior change will be.

* Realize that children are naturally curious – their goal at this stage of life is to explore and figure out how things work. They are not being defiant, rather they have not learned how to curb this natural inquisitiveness. Our job as parents is to provide a safe environment for them to test their favorite question, “How does it work?”

* Children are also impulsive. They haven’t yet learned how to channel the urge to try something RIGHT NOW. It is our job to show them the way to safely explore the area around them.

* Giving children choices about what they can do gives them a sense of ownership in decision-making.

* Do not engage in power struggles. Choose your battles wisely. if it doesn’t matter in the big scheme of things, let it go and allow your child to save dignity.

* Avoid put downs, sarxasm, and foul language. It will come back to haunt you. I promise.

* Sometimes bad behavior can be related to being tired or hungry. Milk and cookies will be good for both of you.

* Sometimes the amount of frustration can be directly linked to a achild’s developing language  skills.

Understanding children’s development and reasons why they act as they do can definitely impact a parent’s role in the parenting process. Once you learn to parent positively, your child will become self-confident, self-directed, focused, and life-long problem solvers.

Want more information? Check out our parenting seminars or podcast series. Contact us for more information. www.richeducationalconsulting.com or 972-816-3100.

Man, couldn’t we all use all the help we can get?

Check this out!!Financial Resources for Parents with Children and Youth with DisabilitiesFirst published in 2004 by the National Endowment for Financial Education (NEFE) and PACER, this popular financial planning guide has been revamped into an online format and as well as updated and expanded to include more content relevant to parenting transition-age  youth with disabilities The guide offers tips and information addressing many common financial issues and concerns of families raising children  with disabilities from infancy to young adulthood. Topics include organizing financial records, managing money, preparing income taxes, health insurance options, dealing with debt, saving for college, preparing youth for adult employment, and more. Each section has links to additional resources!!

REFERENCE POINTS is administered by PACER Center http://www.PACER.org as a technical assistance activity of the TATRA Project. The TATRA Project is funded by the Rehabilitation Services Administration.

Dr. Temple Grandin\'s Top 5 Parenting Tips for Autism

THE EMOTIONAL EFFECTS OF TAKS ON SCHOOL CURRICULUM

March and April are particularly hectic months when trying to gather your information together.  You need to be clear, concise, organized, and prepared!  You need to leave no stone unturned as you want to get the best bang for your dollars. Yes it’s TAKS season!   You thought I was talking about that other tax season?  No, not hardly, and yet the stakes are rising for our kids.

The idea of standardized testing is not new.  It did not even begin with the public school system; rather with the military in an attempt to determine who was fit to serve for duty, and in which capacity- a leader or a mere soldier. The success of the Army testing soon spread to the education system, and a new measurement tool was soon in place. Schools have understood the need for high stakes testing for some time as a way to measure students’ performance, teachers’performance, and a way to hold districts accountable for teaching what our kids need in this global economy. For years, critics and psychologists have charged that there is an overabundance of testing and that testing in the early years is not developmentally appropriate. However, with the advent of No Child Left Behind, it appears that the standardized testing movement is here to stay. But, the question remains, are our children really learning more or has the joy for learning been replaced by the need to succeed on the test? Are children really learning to problem solve or are they just learning to beat the test?

Standardized testing has many unintended effects, though.  Research indicates that testing can result in decreased motivation to learn, sets children up for failure, and can contribute to the drop out rate. Testing has also become the basis for determining a child’s eligibility for programming, or whether they are able to be promoted or retained.  They drive what teachers teach in the classroom, narrowing the focus of learning or forcing teachers to teach test taking skills rather than the developmentally appropriate curriculum that fosters a true love of learning.

Studies show that when children are exposed to experience based learning, they are able to creatively problem solve and apply real world meaning to their learning. Portfolio and authentic assessments are one tool that educators have that demonstrates far more abstract thought than the average multiple choice test.

Often used with gifted learners, the authentic assessment gives children the opportunity to share their strengths and assist them in becoming confident learners.  For example, students are able to create an erupting volcano instead of just answering questions about how volcanoes are formed.  Other examples of authentic assessment include conducting social-science research, applying math skills in a real-world setting, reading and interpreting literature through things like dioramas or character studies. When children are actively engaged in the assessment of their abilities, they begin to understand why they are learning what they are learning.  The learning is meaningful and the very skills the teachers are trying to foster are skills that the students actually possess.  Finally, this active learning invites collaboration between teachers, parents, and students, and can actually create curriculum that invites children’s participation.  Wouldn’t we rather TAKS our kids’ brains this way?

We are gearing up for one of the busiest times of the year — the ARD season. So what does that mean for you as a parent? Just like any good coach goes into the Super Bowl with a game plan, so must you go into your child’s ARD meeting prepared!

* A couple of key points:

First, any action the school proposes needs to be considered as a starting point.

Next, be sure that if you have a question or need clarification on terminology or something that is proposed, be sure you ask. Don’t be afraid to ask the school to consider different options, it may be something they have not thought of previously.

Keep a positive attitude and offer encouragement to staff whenever possible. However, on the flip side, don’t let things go to far if you are concerned. The school cannot fix something that they do not think you consider a problem.

If you need more time to make a decision, call a recess or ask for the meeting to be re-scheduled.

Don’t be afraid to bring an advocate with you. Sometimes they can help you understand decisions being made or help the school understand what you need. At Rich Educational Consulting, kids are our business, and we will walk you through theARD process from start to finish. We won’t give up until you are satisfied with the services and programs that are proposed for your child. Call or e-mail us today to see how we can help you.

As the school year gets ready to begin again, there are a couple things all parents of students with special needs should be aware of. First, have you gotten all of your child’s school supplies? Many times we order from the school store or Walmart, but your child may need more. Children with physical handicaps, as my son has, may need some adaptations in equipment such as self-opening scissors, specialized rulers and handwriting paper, and a gripper, weighted pencils or crayon rocks.

Those with sensory dysfunction may do well with weighted products, colored overlays, positioners, or fidgets, and those who regularly use communication devices or PECS may do well with picture schedules or communication notebooks. However, we as parents cannot simply sit by and wait for the school to know what our children need. If it is not written in the IEP, (Individualized Education Plan), then it doesn’t exist to school personnel.

Have you conferenced with the school about what changes your child has experienced over the summer and new transitions he or she will experience  this year? Do NOT assume that your child’s teacher will know this or will understand how to implement what you want, or even has worked with children with disabilities before.

If you are new to the school setting, then you need to tell the school about your child and his needs. Do not try to ignore the disability and hope the school won’t notice. They will. Don’t assume it will go away on its own. Sometimes it does, but not usually, and if you are in a private setting, the school does not even have to work with your child!!  They may not be equipped, have trained personnel, etc.

Schedule a time to meet with your child’s teacher within the first two weeks of school. Take notes, create an action plan and a daily communication log. Feel like things are heading in the wrong direction? Call a conference immediately to get things back on the right track. Phone calls are equally as important as e-mail, both to follow up and because it is very difficult to discern tones in e-mails and things can get easily misconstrued. I firmly believe that schools and parents need to develop a proactive plan of action for working with children with special needs. If everyone is on the same page, there is less room for error, and more likelihood that both you and your child will have a great year!

Need more information on purchasing adaptive equipment, most under $50.00, and selected for quality and compatibility with children with special needs? Visit our on-line store, 2 Pirates Treasure Chest. Want a personal consultation or to try before you buy? Contact us to schedule your appointment today. Confused as how to get started with school conferences or communication? Need a Special Needs Advocate? Contact us via phone or e-mail and we will be happy to help!!