If you are a parent of a disabled child, then you know how complex, stressful, time-consuming, overwhelming, and (insert descriptor here) it can be to get your child acclimated with a school, as well as to get a school acclimated with your child. As the mother of a twelve year old with muscular dystrophy, I feel your pain. Even more, as a parent of a disabled child who has moved three times within the last three years, I know the experience of working with a school to aid children with disabilities all too well. It doesn’t matter which school you go to, there will be a laundry list of issues to work out, from handicapped busing, to homework, to toileting . . . and sometimes it can be enough to make your head spin. In an effort to help those who can relate, I’ve drawn on my own experiences in order to come up with some simple guidelines to help you and your child get through this complicated process. Here are my suggestions for working with schools to aid disabled children:

IEP meetings. An individualized education plan (IEP) is your child’s manual, if you will. You need to prepare for IEP meetings like you would for a final exam. When you first receive notice of an upcoming meeting, ask for specifics as to what will be covered (i.e. which staff members will be at the meeting and what aspects of the educational/support process will be covered). That way you can formulate your own ideas of what your child needs and how school staff can meet those needs, based on what you know of your child. Don’t wait for the meeting, itself, to think these things through . . . and be prepared to spend some time working out the details. My last IEP meeting lasted almost four hours.

Communication. Make it a point to speak with each of your child’s teachers, as well as the support staff, personally. Exchange phone numbers and email addresses. Any time your child’s situation changes, or something happens that might affect your child’s performance or behavior in school, let each and every person who works with your child know the details. Communication is key, and you must be a team player.

Do your part. You cannot expect the school staff to know, understand, or cater to your child better than you can. YOU are your child’s biggest support, and that support involves doing homework when it is assigned, teaching your child about the importance of speaking up, and reinforcing school policies at home. By helping your child participate in school responsibly, you are helping the school aid your child.

Working to integrate your disabled child into school life (and the classroom with your child) takes a lot of strength and patience. But you can do it. Just keep these things in mind, and always stay on top of your game, to make the process as smooth and painless as possible.

About the Author: Larraine Cerrano loves working with children and does her best to work as an advocate for children with special needs who find themselves lost within the educational system. She also enjoys helping high school students look for grants for college and future career paths.

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Yes, hand dryers, the ones you use in a public bathroom. I have used many of them over the years and some I hate a lot others I love to use and I actually have found I will use a bathroom more if I like the hand dryer. I know I’m weird, but I have found that sometimes the brand of hand dryer doesn’t matter, they can be dyson hand dryers or another brand, but what I really love is an automatic hand dryer that actually dries your hands.

I really like the new airblade hand dryers because they use infrared and they look kinda fun to use. As I said I’m weird and think about how cool it would be to dry your hands this way. One there would be no water on the floor as the dyson dryer will catch it for you and two you still save paper by not using paper towel. It’s really a very cool win win.

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I love spending time outside and I really enjoy being able to relax and that is why if I had a yard I would make sure it’s not only a great looking outdoor space, but one I can relax in i I need to. That is why my yard will be full of areas to relax. I’m thinking Adirondack chairs on the patio or porch so that you can relax and enjoy the view I hope to have.

I also love the idea of having a few Picnic Tables around my yard, I have a large family and many nieces and nephews so having a few tables for them to sit at would be a great idea. Of course this does depend on the size of the yard. Still having a lot of space for people to enjoy a yard is a great idea.

I also would love a yard with a path though it and maybe one or two Park Benches for people to sit at and enjoy. I’m all about making people comfortable in my home and outside of it as well. How do you help make your yard more inviting for your friends and family? Do you have a bunch of playground equipment for kids or do you just keep it clean and enjoy it?

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I love decorating inside my home but another great area to decorate is the outside and a great way to maximize your design plan is to think about using window box planters on your windows, not only are they very easy to take care of and easy to install, but they can really add to a home’s curb appeal.

Another great thing about window boxes is that you can add them to an apartment window very easily. I am thinking of doing this myself come spring so that my apartment looks amazing. I would check with your apartment complex before adding a box to be sure you can do it, but I have seen them in my complex so I know it’s okay to do. I’m excited to start an herb garden inside and eventually move it outside my window once the weather is warmer.

What is your opinion of window plant boxes? Do you love them or could you do without them?

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Right now I have had a lot going on in my life and I’m ready to move, though I am moving in a month to go to school I have found myself looking at Dallas Real Estate again as the few months I spent in the area were actually one of the best times of my life, so far anyway.

I’ve been online searching for Dallas Homes for Sale for a while and I really would love to go back, at the same time I know it will be at least two years before I can do so and in two years a lot can change so for now I just dream and search and think of the past, I’ve been doing that a lot lately.

Eventually I know I will stop looking for Dallas Homes for Sale and start looking for other things, but the last few days have made me think of my past, my mistakes and old friends who are gone or I no longer talk to.

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Guest post written by Megan Cole

I think that I’m just about the clumsiest person that exists on this green earth. No matter what I’m doing, I’m making a mess of myself, tripping or doing all kinds of other things. Then when it’s snowing outside, I’m such a mess and run into all kinds of things. I somehow manage to get wet even with rain galoshes and an umbrella.

I thought that it might be a good idea to buy a bigger umbrella so I’d be less likely to get hit by the windy rain, or at least one that makes more of a dome over my head. I went online to see if I could find an umbrella that would fit those needs. While I was looking online with my http://www.get.wildblue.com/, I found something that seemed even better than what I was originally looking for, a clear umbrella!

It looked so cute and then it not only was clear so that I can see exactly where I’m going, even under my umbrella. It also forms more of a bubble when you open it so it’s less likely that you’ll get rain blown in your face. I’ve already used it a couple of times and love it. I should have bought one of these years ago!

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Thanks to Roman May

I was sick and tired of dealing with dial up at home and found this site online while I was looking into other options. It’s been such a blessing having wireless at home, especially this week since Easter is just around the corner! I’m hosting my first big Easter meal for the family and I’m not much of a chef so I’ve been going crazy online looking up recipes that are easy enough for me not to screw up.

I found a couple of places! in town where I can get pre-made ham and cakes so that’s a couple of things I won’t have to worry about…the side dishes and appetizers are another story! I’m hoping everyone will be so tired from the sunrise service and helping the kids decorate eggs they won’t notice if the food’s not that great. After all, the holidays are all about spending time with family and being together, right? Maybe if I do a terrible job this year they won’t ask me to host again next year. That definitely wouldn’t be the worst thing ever!

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