Are you potty training? Here's help!

How to toilet train... a child with disabilities?

Here's one article: http://pediatrics.about.com/cs/parentingadvice/a/sp_needs_potty.htm

And here's another: http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/potty-training-children-with-disabilities.html

Want something more specific?
• tips for a child with autism
• tips for a child with cerebral palsy
• tips for a child with developmental disabilities
• tips for a child with developmental disabilities
• tips for a child with OCD

Young Children with Cerebral Palsy, Arthrogryposis or Spinal Muscular Atrophy

PARTICIPANTS NEEDED

Young Children with Cerebral Palsy, Arthrogryposis or Spinal Muscular Atrophy

Did you know that children with severe cerebral palsy, arthrogryposis, spinal muscular atrophy and other disorders whose limited mobility prevents them from exploring their environment may be at risk for delays in how they learn, communicate, socialize and cope?

We are doing a research study with young children with such conditions. The study will explore the effects of battery-operated wheelchairs on the development and functional skills of children when compared to similar children who do not receive the intervention.

Requirements: Participants must be 14- to 30-months of age, must be unable to walk, must have adequate vision and hearing, and must have the ability to learn to use a battery-operated wheelchair.

Participation is voluntary. For more information, please call Amanda Porter at 405-271-2131 ext 46813 or E-mail at Amanda-Porter@ouhsc.edu for further details!

All calls and E-mails are confidential. The University of Oklahoma is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Calling all fathers who have a child or children with special health care needs!

Calling all fathers who have a child or children with special health care needs!

The Oklahoma Dept of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services/Oklahoma Systems of Care is considering seeking funding for a "fatherhood initiative" in Oklahoma. I have developed a short survey to get more information from fathers and to assist our team in accessing the needed funding. Please take a moment to fill out the survey if you are a father who has a child or children with special health care needs, physical and/or mental.

If you are not a father who has a child with special health care needs, please help spread the work and forward this message so that we can get input from as many Oklahoma fathers as possible.

We truly appreciate you taking the time to help us! Please feel free to contact me directly with questions or comments regarding this survey.

CLICK LINK BELOW TO TAKE SURVEY:
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/fatherhood2010

Traci Castles
Communication & Events Specialist
ODMHSAS, Children, Youth and Family Services
Oklahoma Systems of Care
PO Box 53277
Oklahoma City, OK 73152-3277
(405) 522-8019

Morgan's Wonderland - a theme park designed for kids with special needs

There is a new theme park opening in San Antonio for kids with disabilities. In fact it was designed specifically for children with cognitive and physical disabilities.

. Opens March 3, 2010 - Grand Opening held on April 10, 2010
. Admission for children with special needs is free
. All rides are accessible
. Controlled entry and exit - Features RFID locator wristbands and touch
screen display monitors so parents and caregivers can keep track of family
and friends

Don't miss the Interactive Map that tells you about all the cool park features. And the video about the park developer (father to Morgan). Check it out at:
http://www.morganswonderland.com/

Click here for the park brochure in PDF

Videos of Successful Transition

Videos of interest On YouTube

World of Transition
Create by the Disability Rights Network of Pennsylvania. The video highlights the stories of four youth with disabilities who have successfully transitioned from high school to either employment or Post-Secondary education.

Through the Same Door
PART 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fWnCVd2cBpA
PART 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9tjtkcV4n2k
PART 3: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v_0ayOc7EZA
Learn about Micah’s experiences in college, view this award winning video on college life. An inspiring film that documents the new movement of fully inclusive education by exploring Micah’s desire for a life without boundaries. As a high school student, Micah wanted the college experience and he got it. See how it’s done, learn how it works, and witness how Micah’s journey challenges us all to reexamine what we believe possible.

10 Days and Counting

It seems like it's been the season for surveys lately. Everywhere we turn we are encouraged to participate ----- in the census, in school bond votes, in surveys and needs assessments. It can feel like just one more thing to do, but the truth is....... it does matter if you participate.

Are there other people doing your job or raising kids in your community? Yes. Do they know and understand the situations you faced yesterday, last week or last month? No.

You have a unique window on your part of the world. No one stands in your shoes and experiences exactly what you experience. The "service system" frequently experiences budget cuts because others simply don't understand what you live and breathe every day. That is the part of the equation you can change!

Your insights aren't just nice to know they are vital pieces of the puzzle and we can't move forward without them. Please invest just 10 minutes to share what only you know --- tell us where the system is broken, hard to use, or where pieces are missing.

Click here to complete our survey online

If you have completed our survey, please encourage others to give their input also.

Thank you for helping us improve support for children, youth & families in our community!

Lisa Simmons and the rest of the Sooner SUCCESS family