The holidays are here, and the students enrolled in the transition program at Lincoln-Way East High School in Frankfort, Illinois are working hard. They started growing poinsettias from rooted cuttings back in August. The students were involved in all aspects of cultivating and raising the plants, along with other activities integral to running a small […]
Bustin’ Barriers Offers Sports, Recreation to Children with Special-Needs
March 15, 2017 by
Bustin’ Barriers is a non-profit organization in Portland, Oregon, that offers children with special-needs the opportunity to break down hurdles through sports and enrichment activities. The program started out in 2012 as a week-long camp program teaching basketball skills to children with special needs. The program was a labor of love for Andrew Yoshihara, a […]
New Italian bike guidance “from behind” with a hug for those with special needs.
March 15, 2017 by
Pescara, Italy – Hugbike® a new innovative bicycle for those with autism. Literally called the “bicycle hug” because the driver is sitting back and guide the passenger hugging, Hugbike stems from a joint project developed by the new Coop. Social “Work of the Brand“. In addition, the bikes are built by the hands of young […]
Special needs Mom turns inventor with vibrating pillow
March 15, 2017 by
Senseez can help parents, teachers, and therapists give kids with Autism or ADHD calming and soothing sensations. Stephanie is the inventor and owner of Senseez a vibrating pillow that can help kids with sensory issues pay attention, sit for longer periods, and explore new sensations throughout their body. When her son was 2, he was […]
Birmingham Donkey Sanctuary provide Donkey Assisted Therapy for Children with Additional Needs
March 15, 2017 by
The Donkey Sanctuary is the world’s largest donkey and mule sanctuary and has 10 farms situated in the UK and Ireland. Dr Elisabeth Svendsen MBE founded The Donkey Sanctuary in 1973. To date over 15,000 donkeys have passed through the Donkey Sanctuary’s gates in the UK and Ireland. There are 10 farms. The charity’s mission […]
Mencap offers support to UK family members with learning disabilities like autism
March 15, 2017 by
John and Andrew are twins with autism who live in the United Kingdom. They both also suffer from learning difficulties and mental health issues, which make their daily lives challenging. Their father took early retirement to help with their care. When he passed away from cancer, their mother was overwhelmed, until she contacted Mencap. […]
Horticulture Therapy for People with Autism w/video
March 11, 2017 by
In the 1600’s, patients who struggled to pay for their medical treatment turned to gardening to earn extra money. Doctors noticed a difference between these patients and those who did not engage in gardening activities. Patients who gardened recovered faster than their counterparts and they were observed to have greater overall well-being. This is reported […]
Snug Vest: A recent addition to possible aids for children with special needs
March 11, 2017 by
Our final in the series on weighted vests highlights a former swimming instructor and classroom volunteer from Vancouver who has designed a special type of vest to aid children with special needs in their daily activities. The 24-year-old, Lisa Fraser, who has worked with these children first hand, believes that hug can mean so much for […]
How Can Abuse of Special-Needs Students in Schools be Prevented?
March 11, 2017 by
The media has been full of stories of children with special needs being abused in schools, by teachers, aides, or other students. Each story is more disturbing than the last, with distraught parents threatening lawsuits and criminal charges. How is it that a place parents trust, where they send their child in good faith, hoping […]
Petition urges Cross Country trains to change their policy regarding special needs
October 25, 2016 by
A petition has been started to urge Cross Country trains to change and review their policy after a number of special needs children were allegedly made to sit outside a toilet on a journey from Edinburgh to Lanarkshire. The train was reportedly full as the 10 children, aged from four upwards, had been on a […]