When we work with patients with adult children at home with IDD, as appropriate, the topic should be broached regarding their plans. We need to educate ourselves on the support services available in our area. Often, parents have no knowledge of existing resources for them and their children. Armed with good information, we can help our patients plan for their children with IDD outliving them and help relieve their anxiety about it.

We work with children, adolescents, and adults with chronic conditions: mental illness, medical conditions, intellectual or developmental disabilities. We do the very best we can to treat the patient, but what about their siblings? What about them?

for the “good of the child and the family.” Turns out that direction was wrong. The children have better physical and mental health outcomes living at home than in institutions, and despite the challenges, or maybe because of them, the family is better off too.

Social media is a platform that allows people from all over the world to connect together. While it can be an incredible tool, oftentimes it can be used as an avenue for bullying and hate. Despite that, there are hundreds of families that have chosen to use social media as a platform to educate and advocate for people with disabilities.

Hearing the news your child has been diagnosed with a disability will change your world. There are so many emotions and changes you will go through. Have you considered the changes that need to be made for your home? Is it equipped to have a wheelchair in it? How do you make the necessary changes to ensure your home is a safe place for your child to be?

It has been observed that interacting with animals can reduce stress and anxiety, increase certain brain chemicals associated with healthy behavior and function, reduce depression in older adults and have a significant improvement on behavior in children . The bond created between humans and animals has been used for several decades as a therapeutic strategy to help many different issues.

Trying to find the “perfect gift” is very stressful. With so many things to consider, the task can seem daunting. These tips aim to ease any stress felt while holiday shopping for a loved one with a disability.

The holidays bring many changes into our lives. For most people these changes are exciting and help us set the mood for our celebrations. If you or your child has a disability, these changes come with unexpected anxieties and stress. Here are several tips to help ease the stress some people feel when the holiday season starts.

One of the most difficulties in having a child with a disability is the fear of the unknown. One of the most common fears is, “What will happen to my child when I die?” Having a plan will help ease your fears and can help make sure your child is taken care of long after you have passed.

When you have little ones, the most important step you can take to keep them safe at home is baby-proofing. As inconvenient as electric outlet plugs, cabinet latches, and baby gates can be for adults, these safety measures are musts as babies develop into curious toddlers.