special needs

News That Feels Like Getting Kicked in the Head

I could try to write a post about this right now, but instead I will just share an email (or most of it) that I just sent to some family and friends: Just wanted to send out an email to some of the people in ours and Jack’s life, since I sent out an email [...]

Knowing My Son Belongs to God

Today, you can find me guest posting at my friend Amy’s blog – Raising Arrows. I would normally offer you a snippet from the post to entice you to head over and read it.  Instead, I was so touched by what Amy wrote before the post that I wanted to share that with you instead: [...]

Assessing Your Child’s Knowledge, Not Their Writing Skills

As a blogger, I’m obviously a big fan of writing.  It is something that I have enjoyed my whole life.  When I was a kid, I enjoyed writing stories, I always had lots of pen pals, and as I got older, I was always one of those students that had a hard time staying within [...]

Buy an eBook at 50% off and Help Noah Get a Bike

I have shared before that our oldest son (who just turned 11!) has Asperger’s Sydrome (a high functioning form of Autism).  This has meant that a lot of things in our lives haven’t been exactly how we thought they would be.  However, it has also meant that we have had a child who is this [...]

Those Moments That Bring Life Into Sharp Focus

It’s easy to let life slip by us, isn’t it?  I know I’m guilty (too guilty) of finding time to play on Facebook or Twitter, but “forgetting” to do an activity that I told the kids I would do.  Or, I grumble when my Mom asks a favor while I think I am too busy [...]

Encouraging Kids to Try a Wider Variety of Foods (WFMW #65)

I have a confession to make about something that is working for me. And, do you know what? I refuse to be ashamed. I have begun bribing my kids to eat fruits and vegetables, as well as to try new foods. Yep — I pay them, and I am not shy about telling you that. [...]

Just how common are heart murmurs in kids?

I was surprised to find out the other day (while at the doctor’s office with the kids) that approximately 80% of kids will have an innocent heart murmur at some time in their youth. Well…I thought this was an interesting fact. You know, like interesting in the way that you aren’t sure that you believe [...]

Signing with Kids (Includes Links)

When I used to teach in the public schools, one of the kindergartners favorite things was learning new signs (using American Sign Language). I taught them the signs for each of the colors of the tables that they sat at (for silent releasing of tables before lunch), as well as just about anything else that [...]

So, are you clairvoyant or do you just like to watch sports?

Our whole family has really been enjoying following the Olympics. I have to admit, I have been watching it every night until the wee hours of the morning. Quite frankly, I know we’ll miss it. Noah just noticed that they mentioned Olympics.com on some of the commercials, and he wanted to check it out. So, [...]

There’s a Reason Only Kids with ADHD Should Take ADHD Meds

Although our Jack does not have ADHD, he sometimes shows some of the attributes, and so this week found us trying for a medication with him. In the past, we had tried Metadate and Adderall. Although the Metadate seemed to work well, it also started to cause him to have hallucinations. Yes, hallucinations. We, of [...]