May I ask for a little help from you ladies?

[lori in ND]

We are starting a parent navigators group in town. We plan on being a support to parents with special needs. Part of that support is welcoming people to our community who are new in town. My idea is to put together baskets that are specific to each diagnosis.

So, I am looking for your favorite suggestions for books, websites, ect for each of these topics:

Autism/Asperger's-(I like the OASIS guide to Asperger's Syndrome)

Terminal Illness

Down Syndrome

Fragile X

Mental Health

Thank You in Advance!

[Hollie in SC]

Woodbine House is a great publisher to look into! Amazon carries many of their books.
http://www.woodbinehouse.com/

Their Babies With Down Syndrome book is excellent. Our geneticist gave us our copy.

[lori in ND]

Wow...great resource! Thanks Hollie :hi:

[Sue C]

For a website I like http://www.fragilex.org/html/home.shtml for fragile x syndrome.

For Asperger Syndrome OASIS, anything by Tony Attwood or Temple Grandin as far as books go. Also this website http://www.yourlittleprofessor.com/benefits.html

What an awesome idea!!

[Christi in OH]

A book popped into my head last night. I almost forgot. ;)

You Will Dream New Dreams by Stanley D. Klein and Kim Schive

Very nice book with lots of encouraging stories from all sorts of SN parents.

[lori in ND]

OK, that book looks wonderful...it would work great when I don't have any other specific book for the disorder they have...And I'd like to read it too :D


Sue--Great websites..Thanks!

[Melissa C]

That is a great idea, Lori! An idea I'd like to consider as a part of our church disability ministry... hmmm. :D I may e-mail you to pick your brain and steal your ideas!

[Christy in NE]

For dc with OCD, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, or Panic Disorder, this website is awesome and offers great book suggestions.

www.worrywisekids.org

What an awesome idea and generous heart you have! :hcry: :group:

[Christi in OH]

I thought of another one. More Than a Mom: Living a Full and Balanced Life when your child has Special Needs.

It was a nice read and good reminders about taking care of yourself. Plus lots of tips for those moms who work.

[AshleyS]

Don't forget Cerebral Palsy families!:)

Blue Sky July is an awesome and easy read for these parents.

[lori in ND]

Thanks Ashley....I made the list of disorders off the top of my head and didn't think of Cerebal Palsy.

The suggestions are wonderful, keep 'em comin'.........:clap:

[Chalane (FL)]

My ex-h is in the military so we moved a lot. May I suggest rather than books that are easily googled or found in libraries that one of the best ways to assist people with special needs household members new to your area is to provide them with the areas resources. I hated cold calling agencies to find out if they could assist (for ex. the ARC in NC assisted all ages and disabilitis, but the ARC in FL only assists adult). I would include local agencies contact info, support groups for dif. diagnosis, any civic or church group that offers respite care on a Sat. for special kids, which churches offer sign lang. interpreters, is there a diaper bank in the area, we have a local business that offers reduced rates and specific times for our kids with sensory disorder to enjoy bounce houses once a month (I was here over a yr before I found out), find out if the county/city offers special sports programs for the kids (homeschoolers don't get flyers sent home like ps kids). Many kids with special needs have multiple diagnosis. Is there a lending library for special needs toys, equipment and/or books in your area? That may be a great way to assist the families. You may already have this info, but this is info I never found in one place and it really frustrates most families. BTW don't forget deaf and hard of hearing. I think what you are doing is wonderful.