Blog Posts for Special Needs Parenting

Episode #43: Children’s Books on Disability and Inclusion

Books on Disability and Inclusion

Show Notes:

This special collaboration of children’s literature authors features childrens books about disabilities and inclusion. This collection of books about disabilities for kids will be a great asset to any child’s personal library, but it is also a wonderful list of books to give to teachers for their classroom library.

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Books mentioned in this episode:

*As an Amazon Associate, I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase after clicking these links. If you purchase anything on Amazon within 24 hours of clicking the link, Water Prairie might receive a small commission without it affecting the price you pay. This is an easy way to support the podcast!

Author: Alethea Allen

Alley: I Have Albinism – https://amzn.to/3gpZEnG

Author: Krystle Boateng

Bedtime, Sleep Time, Nighttime, Dream Time – https://bit.ly/accessiblebedtimestory

*** Krystle Boateng was featured in Episode #31:

Episode #31: Accessible Children’s Literature – Low Vision Books for Young Children

Author: Kristin Faith Evans & Josiah Evans

Beth’s Umbrella: Loving My Sister With Special Needs – https://disabilityparenting.com/ (FREE digital copy!)

Views From Our Shoes, by Donald Meyer – https://amzn.to/3u1F9Rx

*** Kristin Faith Evans was featured in Episodes #23 & #24:

Episode #23: Support for Caregivers of Special Needs Children

Episode #24: Successful School Breaks for Special Needs Kids

Author: Dr. Kristin Wegner

Brody the Lion: Sometimes I ROAR! – https://amzn.to/3TQv9Vr

Brody the Lion: I Can Do It, Yes I Can! – https://amzn.to/3tQeJSo

Brody the Lion: The Shopping Flip – https://amzn.to/3ES9YOQ

Brody the Lion Meets the Doc – https://amzn.to/3gpElTg

*** Dr. Wegner was featured in Episodes #16 & #17:

Episode #16: Autism Diagnosis & Intervention

Episode #17: Brody the Lion Books for Autistic Children and Sensory Kids

Author: Laura Caputo-Wickham

Fanny Crosby: The Girl Who Couldn’t See But Helped The World To Sing – https://amzn.to/3i3KPHF

Author: Gea Meijering

Hacking the Code: The Ziggety Zaggety Road of a Dyslexic Kid – https://amzn.to/3Eq1OLW

Author: Amanda Owen

Owen the Wonderer and the Great Park Adventure – https://piecesofme.org/owen-the-wonderer/

Owen the Wonderer and the New Kid in Class – https://piecesofme.org/owen-the-wonderer/

Author: Margaret O’Hair & Sofia Sanchez

You Are Enough: A Book About Inclusion – https://amzn.to/3Or1qSb

Amazon Prime 30-Day Free Trial – https://amzn.to/3VUmlA4

Amazon Prime Student 6-Month Free Trial – https://amzn.to/3gygS1G

Audible Plus Free Trial – https://amzn.to/3sildZs

Music Used: “LazyDay” by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Artist: http://audionautix.com/

Episode #42: Advice for Someone Going Deaf

How does NF2 change your life?

Show Notes:

Peter Burton joins the podcast today to discuss how neurofibromatosis type 2 has changed his life. Peter openly shares his advice for someone going deaf as he talks about what happens when you go deaf. This honest conversation covers questions such as should you disclose you are deaf on a job applications, deaf accommodations at work, and what tools help the deaf communicate with the hearing.

Peter encourages listeners to try to communicate with those who are deaf by learning some simple signs to start the conversation and then shares his favorite app he uses, Live Transcribe. In fact, it was through this app that he and Tonya were first able to communicate when they met.

Contact Peter: Send email to info@waterprairie.com with “PETER” in the subject line, and we’ll forward it to him for you.

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Resources for the Deaf:

American Society for Deaf Children: https://deafchildren.org/

Information for Deaf College Students: https://bit.ly/DeafCollegeGuide

Items mentioned in this episode:

Live Transcribe – app for smart phones (free for Andriod users)

https://amzn.to/3Grm9TP – Flashing Doorbell for the Deaf

https://amzn.to/3V5IV8L – Sonic Bomb Dual Extra Loud Alarm Clock with Bed Shaker

Amazon Prime 30-Day Free Trial – https://amzn.to/3VUmlA4

Amazon Prime Student 6-Month Free Trial – https://amzn.to/3gygS1G

Audible Plus Free Trial – https://amzn.to/3sildZs

https://amzn.to/3tIvgHZ – American Sign Language for Beginners book

Music Used: “LazyDay” by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Artist: http://audionautix.com/

Episode #41: The Role of a Speech-Language Pathologist in Your Child’s Life

Show Notes:

Did you know your premature baby can communicate with you? How do you know if your toddler should be talking yet? Do only young children develop a stutter? Why would a speech-language pathologist work with an adult?

In this episode of the Water Prairie Chronicles, Tonya interviews Jackie Gradnigo, a Speech-Language Pathologist in Louisiana, about her job as an SLP and how she works with babies in the NICU across the ages to seniors living in a care facility. Jackie’s upbeat personality shines through as she shares about the work she loves as a speech specialist.

Links mentioned in this episode:

Jackie’s Facebook

Kenya’s podcast episode #33 on Childhood Narcolepsy

Ariel’s podcast episode #40 on Dyslexia

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Support this channel: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/waterprairie

Amazon Shopping Ideas for children with speech delays:

Amazon Prime 30-Day Free Trial – https://amzn.to/3VUmlA4

Amazon Prime Student 6-Month Free Trial – https://amzn.to/3gygS1G

Audible Plus Free Trial – https://amzn.to/3sildZs

My children loved LeapFrog Learning Toys like these:

LeapFrog Learning Friends 100 Words book – https://amzn.to/3sWPei2

LeapFrog LeapStart Preschool Success learning system – https://amzn.to/3T4Ytaj

LeapFrog DVD collection – https://amzn.to/3UqlOEz

Music Used: “LazyDay” by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Artist: http://audionautix.com/

Episode #40: Dyslexia Can’t Stop Me!

Show Notes:

Ariel was a 6th-grade student who began to show signs of struggling with her schoolwork. When her mother took her to be evaluated for learning differences, she was told her daughter would not be able to complete regular school graduation and to plan for her to follow an alternative educational path. In today’s episode of the Water Prairie Chronicles, Ariel tells her own story of how Dyslexia hasn’t stopped her from achieving her goals in life. When asked what she would tell the doctor she saw in sixth grade, she responded enthusiastically, “Look at me now!”

Listen in on Ariel’s story of how her mother made a huge impact on how she approached her learning challenges, how specific teachers left a positive impact on her life, and what she’s doing as an adult with dyslexia. You’ll be inspired by how this young woman faced the devastating diagnosis of her doctor with determination to believe the words her mother told her and not to let the negativity hold her back!

Links mentioned in this episode:

Ariel’s Instagram: @mermaid_capri

Kenya’s podcast episode #33 on Childhood Narcolepsy:

https://youtu.be/6gCdfh4N9ns

Connect with Us: https://linktr.ee/waterprairie

Support this channel: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/waterprairie

Shopping Ideas for Dyslexic Students and Adults:

Amazon Prime 30-Day Free Trial – https://amzn.to/3VUmlA4 Amazon Prime Student 6-Month Free Trial – https://amzn.to/3gygS1G Graph Paper – https://amzn.to/3z5d0fj Echo Smart Pen – https://amzn.to/3BWqHNI Echo Smart Pen notebooks – https://amzn.to/35p6Iel Audible Plus Free Trial – https://amzn.to/3sildZs

Music Used: “LazyDay” by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Artist: http://audionautix.com/

Episode #39: 2022 GUIDE to the NC State Fair for Special Needs Families – Access ABILITY Day!

Show Notes:

The state fair is always a fun time no matter what state you live in, but for families with children with disabilities, it isn’t always an option. The NC State Fair has created a special day where they have created a more sensory-friendly environment for fairgoers called their Access ABILITY Day where they’ve modified some of the noise and lights as well as provided space for quieter activities.

This episode of the podcast is devoted to bringing you a guide to the NC State Fair for special needs families. We interviewed Heather Overton, the Assistant Director of Public Affairs at the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Heather shares some inside tips on how to make the most of your visit to the NC State Fair including dates, times, parking, handicap parking, senior citizens discounts, food, activities, tickets, and much more!

We focused the second half of the interview on the NC Fair’s Access ABILITY Day for families with special needs children. Heather gives us all the details of what to expect, what time to arrive, and where you can go if you need to find a quiet spot for your child to calm down if they get too excited with all the activity. The modifications they are making in the sounds and lights will be appreciated by those who are able to attend during the Access ABILITY Day, and Heather told us about some of the special competitions that they have planned.

If you attend this year’s Access ABILITY Day, we’d love to hear about your visit! Let us know in the comments below or on our Instagram account @water.prairie, and share your photos too! If you’re in another state, let us know if your state is offering more sensory-friendly options at the state fair this year, and we’ll see if we can feature more like this from around the US.

Links mentioned in this episode:

NC State Fair Website: https://www.ncstatefair.org

NC State Fair map:https://www.ncstatefair.org/2022/Visitor/documents/2022NCStateFairMap8.5×11.pdf

Daily Schedules: https://www.ncstatefair.org/2022/Visitor/documents/PrintableDailySchedule.pdf

Access ABILITY Day Guide:
https://www.ncstatefair.org/2022/Visitor/documents/NCSF22_accessABILITY_Programforweb.pdf
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Music Used: “LazyDay” by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Artist: http://audionautix.com/

Episode #38: Hearing Loss and Deafness in Children (Part 2)

Show Notes:

Parents of deaf and hard of hearing children have concerns about their children’s safety both when they are young and when they’re older. Cindy and Heather Phillips join us again in this episode to talk about life after high school. They both share advice for deaf students, parents of deaf children, and teachers who work with deaf students.

If you missed the first part of the interview, be sure to go back to Episode #36 () and learn about Heather’s diagnosis, the early years of parenting a deaf child, and how Heather navigated school challenges.

Be sure to check out some of the links below. I’ve included a great resource for parents and students who are looking at college or are already college students, and I’d like to thank Intelligent for providing us with the link to this resource for deaf students! There is also a link to an organization Cindy recommends for parents of deaf and hard-of-hearing children.

Contact Cindy and Heather through Facebook or send them an email at info@waterprairie.com, and I’ll forward it to them. Cindy’s Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cindy.brownphillips.7 Heather’s Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/heather.phillips.35325

Resources for the Deaf: American Society for Deaf Children: https://deafchildren.org/ Information for Deaf College Students: https://bit.ly/DeafCollegeGuide

Alarm Clocks for Deaf and Hard of Hearing: * I am an Amazon Associate and may benefit if you use these links.

https://amzn.to/3M7025O – Super Loud Alarm Clock with Bed Shaker https://amzn.to/3M4ASVy – Extra Loud Vibrating Alarm Clock with Bed Shaker https://amzn.to/3V5IV8L – Sonic Bomb Dual Extra Loud Alarm Clock with Bed Shaker

Connect with Us: https://linktr.ee/waterprairie

Support this channel: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/waterprairie

Music Used: “LazyDay” by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Artist: http://audionautix.com/

Episode #37: Deaf and Hard of Hearing Communication Tool

Show Notes:

If you’ve been following the podcast, you met Cindy and Heather Phillips in episode #36, and we’ll continue their interview in episode #38. If you’re new to the podcast, welcome!

I wanted to share a story about what happened after I interviewed Cindy and Heather. I don’t want to give away the rest of their story, but Heather shared something during the 2nd half of the interview that made me think more about how I communicate with people who are deaf or hard of hearing that I meet.

The day after the interview, I was at work and had a customer indicate to me that he was deaf. He had a question, and between us we were able to figure out the question and the answer by using hand gestures and facial expressions. I walked away knowing I had not been able to give him the same service as I could have given someone who could hear me.

During this short podcast episode, I explain how this combination of events has already helped others communicate, and I hope it inspires you to find ways to communicate with those whose path you cross.

The app I mentioned in the podcast is the LIVE TRANSCRIBE app and is only for Android phones.

Resources for the Deaf:

American Society for Deaf Children: https://deafchildren.org/

Information for Deaf College Students: https://bit.ly/DeafCollegeGuide

Instagram: @water.prairie

Connect with Us: https://linktr.ee/waterprairie

Support this channel: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/waterprairie

Music Used: “LazyDay” by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Artist: http://audionautix.com/

Episode #36: Hearing Loss and Deafness in Children (Part 1)

Show Notes:

Do you know how to tell if your baby is deaf? Do you know what questions you should be asking your doctor? Our guests today are a mother-daughter duo, Cindy and Heather Phillips, who join us to talk about how Cindy and her husband have raised 2 deaf children and some of the decisions they’ve made to help their children become successful adults.

This is the first of a 2-part interview. During this part of the interview, we concentrate on the early years of the children being diagnosed with hearing loss, starting school, school changes, school accommodations, friendships, support for parents, and some fun stories sprinkled throughout. The next part will be released in the first week of October 2022 and will include navigating college as a deaf student, living on campus, plans for the future, and current work challenges. I’ll post the link to the episode here once it is posted.

Resources for the Deaf: American Society for Deaf Children: https://deafchildren.org/ Information for Deaf College Students: https://bit.ly/DeafCollegeGuide

Connect with Us: https://linktr.ee/waterprairie

Support this channel: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/waterprairie

Music Used: “LazyDay” by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Artist: http://audionautix.com/

Episode #35: Happy World Narcolepsy Day!

Show Notes:

September 22 is World Narcolepsy Day

Let’s join together and celebrate World Narcolepsy Day by learning a little about what narcolepsy is and how it affects those who live with it. After having the opportunity of interviewing 3 different people with narcolepsy this year, I’ve learned a lot about it and some of the challenges it presents. If you haven’t heard those interviews, I’ll list them below so you can hear the stories of Christopher, Julie, and Kenya.

If you’re on Instagram, check out our posts today and comment on some of them to show your support for those living with narcolepsy!

Narcolepsy Episodes:

Christopher’s Story: Episode #5 (Misunderstood Invisible Disabilities) & Episode #8 (Wake Up And Play Ball!)

Julie’s Story: Episode #30 (Narcolepsy and Sleep Disorders)

Kenya’s Story: Episode #33 (Childhood Narcolepsy)

Instagram: @water.prairie

Connect with Us: https://linktr.ee/waterprairie

Support this channel: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/waterprairie

Music Used: “LazyDay” by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Artist: http://audionautix.com/

Episode #34: What Can a Child With Autism Do?

What does a child with autism do after high school?

Show Notes:

Have you ever wondered what activities are available for a child with autism? Our guest today has a 20-year-old son with autism. Katia shares her journey of learning to parent a child with autism and how she made decisions throughout her son’s childhood starting with a disagreement with the doctor about a diagnosis and her son’s need for early intervention. Today, her son is a happy young adult who is involved in several different types of activities.

Send questions for Katia to info@waterprairie.com

Resources Mentioned in This Episode:Florida Scholarships for School: https://www.stepupforstudents.org/Dive Heart Foundation: https://diveheart.org/Flight Programs for Kids:Challenge Air: https://www.challengeair.com/Vital Flight: https://vitalflight.org/

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Music Used: “LazyDay” by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Artist: http://audionautix.com/