EMBRACE THE DIFFERENCE

The society has been cajoled into believing that children with special needs cannot excel to greater heights or make meaningful contributions in the field of sports, arts, medicine etc. This is a fact that is very much debatable. Amongst the highly successful people in the world, Whoopi Goldberg the rich actress, writer and producer, had dyslexia in her early years while the world champion swimmer Michael Phelps was diagnosed with ADHD in the 5^th grade. Every human being has some sort of disability or the other, no man is perfect only God is the perfect being.

We all use “sticky notes” stuck in front of our computer screens or write down to-do-lists on our  notepads and devices but some are quick to criticize an autistic child when he or she uses the PECS (Picture Exchange Communication System) to organize their day. People get drunk on alcohol or hard drugs and display inappropriate behavior, but they are quick to criticize the special needs child when they throw tantrums or have a meltdown simply because they are trying to let off some steam. A lot of us have repetitive habits, some like to sit on a particular sofa to watch their best TV shows while others cannot miss a particular meal every time but will describe an autistic child as having “ insistence on sameness” when they also want to enjoy such little luxury of life.

Let us all take a deeper look at our lives, our habits and our desires and we will surely see that we are not too different from these loving children. we all have some level of “special needs” in us, the only difference is that we are not giving them a chance. Let us all try to embrace the difference.

#embracethedifference

AUTISM THOUGHT

AUTISM QUOTE

FUN AND EDUCATIVE ACTIVITIES FOR CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS.

The Easter holiday has come to an end and children will be returning to school. This a time teachers  need to keep their pupils busy. After hours of classroom work and therapies, children need activities that will be entertaining but also educative. Children with special needs can easily relapse after a period of redundancy, so our priority as teachers will be to keep our children in tune with their educational needs while still having fun. Below are some activities that children can participate in.

Throw and catch is an outdoor activity which can be organized at the garden with two or three participants. It involves throwing a small ball at each other while the person in turn throws to another partner. Apart from the children getting fun out of this, it also helps them build their fine and gross motor skills.

Blowing and chasing bubbles is another outdoor activity which the kids will love. Most children love bubbles and it gives them pleasure to blow and chase after them. This does not only make them active but it can help them with speech and language difficulties.

Water gun is a good fun game for children; they can play amongst themselves or with teachers spraying water at each other. This sport, apart from helping to build their physical fitness and gross motor skills, the squeezing action of the water gun trigger also helps in developing their fine motor skills.

Paper cut is another way to keep the children engaged. The children can be given picture clips or shapes and told to cut out the shapes using a pair of scissors. These cut-outs can be used to make PECS. The cutting procedure helps them in building their fine motor skills. For toddlers who cannot handle the scissors, they can be made to tear the paper. This will be real fun for the kids.

The playground cannot be left out of this article; it is a great resource for fun and learning for special needs children. The “tunnel slide” is a very popular playground equipment and good tool to keep the children occupied and happy. It also helps children with sensory issues. The friction on the child’s body while sliding works to reduce over sensitivity.

These are some hand-picked games for your children but be sure to take into consideration your child’s peculiar needs. Adequate safety checks and procedures must be put in place.

APRIL IS AUTISM AWARENESS MONTH

WORLD AUTISM AWARENESS DAY.

HOW SPECIAL NEEDS PARENTS CAN MANAGE STRESS.

Taking care of children with special needs can be a difficult task. All the anxiety and strain can lead to stress which can cause health problems if not properly managed. All parents go through stress raising their children but the challenges are far greater for special needs parents. Below are some practical steps that can help these parents manage their stress level.

Maintaining relationship with positive people: can help reduce stress. Mix up with people who can encourage you and believe that your child can become a success. Have a positive mindset and build positive relationships with everyone connected to your child.

Getting prepared: Preparing yourself against any possible problems and planning how to solve them before it happens eg giving your child a favorite toy or a warm drink before bed time which may help prevent melt downs.

Resting:  We stated earlier how stressful it is to bring up a special needs child, but no matter how tough it is you still need to make out time to relax and rest. e.g. going on a vacation while a family member takes care of the child can be refreshing. This is the only way you can have energy to continue with your daily activities. A body that does not get adequate rest is prone to diseases and a sick parent cannot adequately take care of his or her child.

Understanding your child:  Understanding your child’s condition can help avoid tantrums and meltdowns, knowing what triggers such behaviors and avoiding them can help in removing stress. Being able to communicate adequately and recognize his or her needs and wants can be of immense benefit in reducing anxiety which ultimately leads to stress e.g. always keep an organized lifestyle so that he or she knows what to expect.

Asking for help: There are times the task of caring for your child can be so overwhelming that you definitely need assistance. Don’t hesitate to ask for assistance from your relatives, friends or health center, a little assistance can take a lot of tension off you.

AUTISM AWARENESS T/SHIRT

Support our cause by purchasing this  Autism Awareness T/shirt. It comes in various sizes and colors for male and female. To purchase click on the link below:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06XGZ1XTM/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=circlelearnin-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=B06XGZ1XTM&linkId=3916df1f356a36267384952a54d342ae

AUTISM AWARENESS WEEK

World autism awareness week is a 7 day long programme of events which aims to raise awareness about autism. The event kicks off on the 26^th March to 2^nd April 2018. Circle Learning Centre will participate fully by raising funds to help families and children living with ASD. We are organizing a fund raising event through which we can continue to enhance the quality of life of autistic children. With awareness, acceptance and the appropriate supports, individuals with ASD can live fulfilled and independent lives. Together we can make a difference.

Click on our events tab for a schedule of events. Call  08107739402 , 08165239454 for our FREE telephone service to discuss matters of concern or book an appointment for our consultancy service by emailing us at circlelearningcentreng@gmail.com

For more information, use our social media platforms

TWITTER:       @circlelearning1

FACEBOOK :   @circlelearningcenre

INSTAGRAM : @circlelearningcentre

#autismawareness , #understandingautism , #autismspeaks , #specialneeds

HOW TO MANAGE ADHD IN CHILDREN

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a commonly diagnosed mental disorder in children and teens. The exact cause for ADHD is unknown, but it is believed to be inherited from parents or relatives. Children with ADHD are more likely to have learning difficulties which can affect them in their school performance and relationships.

According to guidelines set by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), kids as young as age 4 can be diagnosed with ADHD and the general signs are hyperactivity, lack of focus, impulsive behaviour and emotional issues. It can be an overwhelming task caring for a child with ADHD but parents can do the following to help overcome the daily challenges they face.

1.     Set a routine.

2.     Educate yourself

3.     Enact rules and rewards

4.     Channel their energy to positive activity e.g. sport.

5.     Teach them social skills.

Though there is no cure for ADHD, therapy and medical treatment can help reduce symptoms and improve their condition. It is important to get diagnosed and be treated as soon as posible.

Do you have a child with ADHD? How have you coped? Please share your experiences with us to inspire others..

BRUSH STROKES

Sandra, a young wife addicted to alcohol is pregnant. Despite warnings from her doctor and husband Williams she continued with this unhealthy lifestyle.  Eventually she gives birth to a baby boy and after a few years they find out that he is autistic. The young couple are devastated but the unexpected happens when the husband decides to divorce her, blaming her for their child’s condition.

The father was given custody of the child due to his mother’s alcohol addiction. He is now faced with the responsibility of caring for his son Richard. As time went by Richard always locked himself up in his room armed with a brush and canvas. He scribbled randomly on the board and it gave him great satisfaction, This got the father worried and he sought professional help with a therapist. He was told not to be bothered, that it is a normal trait in autistic children to exhibit strange behaviour. Williams went ahead and engaged the services of the therapist to work with his son.

 One sunny afternoon Williams invited a friend Alex from the UK to his home for a business meeting. .When they got into the house they saw Richard and the therapist in the living room;  the young lad was scribbling away on the canvas. The father was embarrassed and had to explain to his guest his son's unusual behaviour and the challenges he faced with his upbringing. He expressed his anger at Richard's work and said "all he does everyday is to paint this rubbish".

The meeting went on as planned and when  Alex was about to leave he asked to see the child’s other paintings and was reluctantly shown to his room by the father. After looking at the paintings for some minutes, with great enthusiasm on his face, the friend couldn’t believe what he saw. Being an expert in paintings he noticed that each of the 76 paintings conveyed a message; a story of loneliness, unhappiness and a desire to be loved. Richard had been trying to pass on this message to his father and his only means of communication was through his paintings which his father never understood. Moved with compassion, the friend asked of the child’s mother and was told she left months ago. Williams  was advised to reconcile with his wife for his child's sake. It was obvious from his paintings that he needed the care and affection by stable parental figures in a loving environment. The following month the wife having gone through rehabilitation returned home with great joy to be back with her family. The mother is planning an arts exhibition of Richard’s paintings and they are all looking forward to what the future holds for them.

#specialneedsmums  #specialneeds  #understandingautism  #circlelearningcentre #sensoryprocessingdisorder.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             

PLANNING FOR THE CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY

We would like to wish all our friends and followers a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year in advance. Here are a few useful tips for parents who have children with special needs on how to make this Christmas holiday a memorable one.

(1)  Plan your travel or events in advance to avoid changing routine at such short notice.

(2)  Visit places or events that can help improve social and communication skills of your child.

(3)  When travelling pack along with other essentials toys and books that can help in calming                      behavior. e.g. sensory toys.

(4)  During outings with children who have limited speech always use "open questions" e.g "where            are we.?" rather than "closed questions" like are we at the park? "This stimulates speech.

(5)  When booking hotels choose the ones that can provide cool room colors, soft lighting or blinds           with a safe room layout and serene environment.

(6)  Keep your PECS (Picture Exchange Communication System) handy so they can be used to guide        your child on the daily routines.

We hope that these tips will keep the tantrums at bay for a fun filled Christmas. Expect more insightful  posts in 2018. @circlelearningcentre