Newsweek magazine recently did it's cover story on Max, a 10-year-old boy who is bipolar. The article takes you for a walk inside the daily life of Max and his family.
You see, Bipolar disorder may be a mystery and a subject of medical debate for the rest of the world, but for the Blakes, it's just reality.
Click here to read Max's story:
http://www.newsweek.com/id/137517?GT1=43002
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Exceptional FREE training for parent raising children with special needs
The Oklahoma Developmental Disabilities Council is currently accepting applications for the next class of Partners in Policymaking.
Partners in Policymaking is a FREE 9 month advocacy training course for parents of children with disabilities, adult self-advocates and advocates for persons with disabilities. They provide training in best practice state-of-the-art information from national experts in the felid of developmental disabilities.
Topics covered include:
1. History of services and perceptions
2. People First Language
3. Inclusive education
4. IEP’s and school advocacy
5. Inclusive community living
6. Sexuality and disability
7. Supported employment
8. State and federal legislative processes
9. State systems and service coordination
10. Medicaid and Medicare
11. Natural family supports
12. Assistive technology
13. Behavior and non-aversive interventions
14. Advocacy strategies, grass roots organizing and working with the media.
The goal is to educate participants to be active partners with those who make policy and foster development of positive relationships with policymakers. Partners are trained to advocate for supports and services to increase independence, productivity and inclusion into the community for people with disabilities.
PIP has a one day mandatory orientation (August 23rd) and meets one weekend a month from September through May. They do not meet in December so everyone can be with their families. They provide mileage reimbursement, hotel rooms for those living 60 miles or more away, and pay reasonable childcare expenses. Also included are all meals during training.
The application form:
The application is on the OKDDC website at: www.okddc.ok.gov and you can view a Partners in Policymaking video to get more information.
For more information:
Call LeAnna Hart at 800-836-4470 or 405-521-4984 with any questions. They will be conducting phone interviews to seat the class through mid June.
PIP classes accept 30 participants each session.
Partners in Policymaking is a FREE 9 month advocacy training course for parents of children with disabilities, adult self-advocates and advocates for persons with disabilities. They provide training in best practice state-of-the-art information from national experts in the felid of developmental disabilities.
Topics covered include:
1. History of services and perceptions
2. People First Language
3. Inclusive education
4. IEP’s and school advocacy
5. Inclusive community living
6. Sexuality and disability
7. Supported employment
8. State and federal legislative processes
9. State systems and service coordination
10. Medicaid and Medicare
11. Natural family supports
12. Assistive technology
13. Behavior and non-aversive interventions
14. Advocacy strategies, grass roots organizing and working with the media.
The goal is to educate participants to be active partners with those who make policy and foster development of positive relationships with policymakers. Partners are trained to advocate for supports and services to increase independence, productivity and inclusion into the community for people with disabilities.
PIP has a one day mandatory orientation (August 23rd) and meets one weekend a month from September through May. They do not meet in December so everyone can be with their families. They provide mileage reimbursement, hotel rooms for those living 60 miles or more away, and pay reasonable childcare expenses. Also included are all meals during training.
The application form:
The application is on the OKDDC website at: www.okddc.ok.gov and you can view a Partners in Policymaking video to get more information.
For more information:
Call LeAnna Hart at 800-836-4470 or 405-521-4984 with any questions. They will be conducting phone interviews to seat the class through mid June.
PIP classes accept 30 participants each session.
Monday, May 19, 2008
Sooner Start Family Forum in Enid
The Oklahoma Family Network will host Family Forums across the state of Oklahoma along with the facilitators from Emerald Consulting Inc.
Emerald Consulting Inc. is a nationally recognized firm with many years of experience in the evaluation of early intervention programs.
These Forums are open to all families who are currently participating or have participated in the Sooner Start system. This is an opportunity for you to learn more about the Sooner Start system evaluation and to share your thoughts, ideas and recommendations about how to improve the SoonerStart system for all Oklahoma families and their children with special needs. What we want to hear from you — what worked, what didn’t, what recommendations you have to improve Sooner Start.
Enid Family Forum
Monday, June 2, 2008
Time: 1:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m.
Location: Garfield County Health Department
2501 Mercer Drive
Enid, Oklahoma 73701
If you need special accommodations please call (405) 521-4155
Emerald Consulting Inc. is a nationally recognized firm with many years of experience in the evaluation of early intervention programs.
These Forums are open to all families who are currently participating or have participated in the Sooner Start system. This is an opportunity for you to learn more about the Sooner Start system evaluation and to share your thoughts, ideas and recommendations about how to improve the SoonerStart system for all Oklahoma families and their children with special needs. What we want to hear from you — what worked, what didn’t, what recommendations you have to improve Sooner Start.
Enid Family Forum
Monday, June 2, 2008
Time: 1:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m.
Location: Garfield County Health Department
2501 Mercer Drive
Enid, Oklahoma 73701
If you need special accommodations please call (405) 521-4155
Public Hearings on Changes in Voc Rehab Services
The Department of Rehabilitation Services will hold public hearings to receive comments on proposed amendments and updates to the Department’s State Plan for Vocational Rehabilitation Services (Title I) and Supported Employment Services (Title VI).
Copies of the proposed State Plan will be available May 12, 2008 and may be obtained from:
Melinda Fruendt, Department of Rehabilitation Services
3535 N.W. 58th, Suite 500
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73112
or by e-mail mfruendt@drs.state.ok.us
or by calling (405) 951-3547
Toll free 1-800-845-8476.
Copies of the plan will also be available on the DRS website the week of May 12, 2008 at: http://www.okrehab.org/whatsnew.html
PUBLIC HEARINGS WILL BE HELD:
MONDAY, MAY 19, 2008
1:00 P.M. — 3:00 P.M.
DEPARTMENT OF REHABILITATION SERVICES
CAREER PLANNING CENTER - CONFERENCE ROOM
444 SOUTH HOUSTON – EDMONDSON BLDG
TULSA, OKLAHOMA
TUESDAY, MAY 20, 2008
1:00 P.M. — 3:00 P.M.
GREAT PLAINS TECHNICAL CENTER
BUILDING 600 – ROOM 614
4500 WEST LEE BLVD
LAWTON, OKLAHOMA
WEDNESDAY, MAY 21, 2008
4:00 P.M. — 6:00 P.M.
DEPARTMENT OF REHABILITATION SERVICES
2ND FLOOR CONFERENCE ROOM
3535 NW 58TH STREET
OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA
If you would like to comment, but are unable to attend the public hearings, written comments may be sent to the attention of Melinda Fruendt, Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation Services, 3535 NW 58th Street, Suite 500, Oklahoma City, OK 73112-4824. Written comments must be received no later than May 23, 2008.
Copies of the proposed State Plan will be available May 12, 2008 and may be obtained from:
Melinda Fruendt, Department of Rehabilitation Services
3535 N.W. 58th, Suite 500
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73112
or by e-mail mfruendt@drs.state.ok.us
or by calling (405) 951-3547
Toll free 1-800-845-8476.
Copies of the plan will also be available on the DRS website the week of May 12, 2008 at: http://www.okrehab.org/whatsnew.html
PUBLIC HEARINGS WILL BE HELD:
MONDAY, MAY 19, 2008
1:00 P.M. — 3:00 P.M.
DEPARTMENT OF REHABILITATION SERVICES
CAREER PLANNING CENTER - CONFERENCE ROOM
444 SOUTH HOUSTON – EDMONDSON BLDG
TULSA, OKLAHOMA
TUESDAY, MAY 20, 2008
1:00 P.M. — 3:00 P.M.
GREAT PLAINS TECHNICAL CENTER
BUILDING 600 – ROOM 614
4500 WEST LEE BLVD
LAWTON, OKLAHOMA
WEDNESDAY, MAY 21, 2008
4:00 P.M. — 6:00 P.M.
DEPARTMENT OF REHABILITATION SERVICES
2ND FLOOR CONFERENCE ROOM
3535 NW 58TH STREET
OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA
If you would like to comment, but are unable to attend the public hearings, written comments may be sent to the attention of Melinda Fruendt, Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation Services, 3535 NW 58th Street, Suite 500, Oklahoma City, OK 73112-4824. Written comments must be received no later than May 23, 2008.
Friday, May 9, 2008
Free Online Seminar: Treatment Options for Developmentally Delayed Patients with Epilepsy
To Register, go to: http://www.epliveonline.org/cyberonics20080608.html
Treatment Options for the Developmentally Delayed Patient with Epilepsy
When: June 08, 2008 / 7:30 9:00 PM EDT
Live
This seminar will take place at the Developmental Disabilities Nurses Association (DDNA) Annual Education Conference to be held in Foxwoods Resorts, CT this June.
Online
Join EP LiveOnline to view the event live on the internet‹free of charge and nation-wide. The archived (streaming video) version of the event will then be posted for 90 days following the live event on: http://www.epliveonline.org/eplive-archive3.html
Who Should Attend
Parents, families, caregivers, teachers, school nurses, developmental disability nurses, police, firemen, first-responders, coaches, primary care practitioners, pediatricians and all who work with children and adults who have epilepsy and seizure disorders, Exceptional Family Member Program of the U.S. Military
This program is made possible by an educational grant from Cyberonics, Inc.
There is no registration fee to participate in this program.
Presented by
Lucretia Long, RN, MS CNP
Assistant Clinical Professor, Neurology, Ohio State University, College of Medicine, Columbus, Ohio
Supported by
The American Academy of Development Medicine and Dentistry, Epilepsy Foundation of New Jersey.
To Register, go to: http://www.epliveonline.org/cyberonics20080608.html
Treatment Options for the Developmentally Delayed Patient with Epilepsy
When: June 08, 2008 / 7:30 9:00 PM EDT
Live
This seminar will take place at the Developmental Disabilities Nurses Association (DDNA) Annual Education Conference to be held in Foxwoods Resorts, CT this June.
Online
Join EP LiveOnline to view the event live on the internet‹free of charge and nation-wide. The archived (streaming video) version of the event will then be posted for 90 days following the live event on: http://www.epliveonline.org/eplive-archive3.html
Who Should Attend
Parents, families, caregivers, teachers, school nurses, developmental disability nurses, police, firemen, first-responders, coaches, primary care practitioners, pediatricians and all who work with children and adults who have epilepsy and seizure disorders, Exceptional Family Member Program of the U.S. Military
This program is made possible by an educational grant from Cyberonics, Inc.
There is no registration fee to participate in this program.
Presented by
Lucretia Long, RN, MS CNP
Assistant Clinical Professor, Neurology, Ohio State University, College of Medicine, Columbus, Ohio
Supported by
The American Academy of Development Medicine and Dentistry, Epilepsy Foundation of New Jersey.
To Register, go to: http://www.epliveonline.org/cyberonics20080608.html
Saturday, May 3, 2008
Epilepsy Drug Dilantin May Speed Bone Loss
Researchers report that young women taking the epilepsy drug Dilantin may risk bone loss and fracture with long-term use.
In a recent study, researchers followed 93 premenopausal women (age 18-40) taking one of four different epilepsy drugs: carbamazepine (also known with brand names Tegretol and Carbatrol), lamotrigine (Lamictal), valproate (Depakene), and Dilantin, for one year. Bone mineral density of the spine and two areas of the hip (femoral neck and total hip) were measured at the start and end of the study.
The results, published in Neurology, showed that women taking Dilantin experienced an average of 2.6% bone loss in the femoral neck only. No significant bone loss was found among those taking the other three epilepsy drugs.
Click here to learn more
In a recent study, researchers followed 93 premenopausal women (age 18-40) taking one of four different epilepsy drugs: carbamazepine (also known with brand names Tegretol and Carbatrol), lamotrigine (Lamictal), valproate (Depakene), and Dilantin, for one year. Bone mineral density of the spine and two areas of the hip (femoral neck and total hip) were measured at the start and end of the study.
The results, published in Neurology, showed that women taking Dilantin experienced an average of 2.6% bone loss in the femoral neck only. No significant bone loss was found among those taking the other three epilepsy drugs.
Click here to learn more
Social Hour for Kids with Autism
Helping children on the autism spectrum develop social skills can be a real challenge, especially as they enter adolescense....a time when all kids seem to struggle with social skills and fitting in.
However, sometimes all it takes is a little extra effort and some creativity. Check the innovative plan of Mary Hawkins, a pediatric therapist for Our Children's House in Coppell, TX.
News Story
Supper club gives autistic kids a helping of inclusion
Video Link
See the supper club on video
However, sometimes all it takes is a little extra effort and some creativity. Check the innovative plan of Mary Hawkins, a pediatric therapist for Our Children's House in Coppell, TX.
News Story
Supper club gives autistic kids a helping of inclusion
Video Link
See the supper club on video
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