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DOE
AND DOH GO TO BAT FOR PARENT AGENCIES
Long before the passage of
special education laws, parent organizations played an important
role in supporting the lives of children with disabilities and
their families. Still strong today, parent groups help their
members collect information, provide emotional support and advocate
for improved services.
Now the Department of Education (DOE) and the Department of Health
(DOH) are helping key parent agencies to help even more parents.
DOE is expected to sign a contract with the Learning Disabilities
Association of Hawaii (LDAH) to expand the AWARE Project and
help to continue the AmeriCorps Parent Support Project. This
new funding will enhance LDAH's existing services of information
and referral, technical assistance, parent and professional training,
case advocacy/mentoring, IEP clinics, parent support groups and
community building. Call 536-9684 or 1-800-533-9684 for more
information.
Meanwhile, Hawaii Families as Allies (HFAA) is entering its third
year of a contract with the Child and Adolescent Mental Health
Division (DOH). HFAA is a statewide parent-controlled organization
that supports families whose children have emotional and/or behavioral
challenges through education, technical assistance and advocacy.
One important aspect of DOH's commitment to HFAA is the placement
of Parent Partners at all Family Guidance Centers to help parents
and service providers work in partnership to benefit children
and youth. Find out more by calling 487-8785. (Neighbor Island
parents can call collect).
DON'T
MISS OUT
This year marks the 18th year that SPIN has published a newsletter
for parents. If you would like to receive our 8-page SPIN News
at your home or school, sign up on our subscription postcard,
or contact us through phone, fax or e-mail. It's FREE!
BUILDING
A BRIDGE BETWEEN HOME AND SCHOOL
Helping students with disabilities
achieve academic success is a shared responsbility between home
and school. Research has shown that children do better in school
when their parents are involved in their education -- both at
school and at home. One key element of this involvement is communication.
As parents we need to communicate with our child's school:
* to let teachers and other professionals know about our child's
unique strengths and needs;
* to share our point of view about educational goals and future
directions; and
* to learn how we can help our child at home.
Ways to Build Communication
Besides IEP meetings, we can
keep information flowing:
*through informal, face-to- face interaction
*by telephone
*by going to an open house
*by scheduling informal meetings
*by observing your child's class
*by volunteering in your child's classroom or school
*by giving a teacher information about your child's disability
*via a "communication book"
*through e-mail, etc.
A Need for Common Knowledge
In order to reinforce the learning that occurs at school, you
need access to some key information. Ask your child's regular
or special education teacher for guidance. In addition to what
is in your child's IEP, you will want to know things like . .
.
*the teaching methods used to help your child learn various subjects;
*what kinds of things your child is expected to learn (content
standards), and a timetable for learning them;
*how homework is assigned;
*classroom rules;
*how your child will be evaluated for progress (performance standards);
*extracurricular (after school) activities that might benefit
your child; and
*how your child will be prepared for future transitions.
At Home
When your son or daughter gets home from school, you can support
their learning by
*asking your child what he or she learned in school today;
*having high expectations;
*giving positive feedback and encouragement;
*having your child show you the homework assignment 1) before
beginning the homework, 2) after it is finished, and 3) later
with the teacher's corrections.
If your child has difficulties with schoolwork, this attention
to homework may offer clues to the problem. If he or she is doing
well, your interest in the homework can reinforce feelings of
success.
Thanks to Patti Jenks, Denise
Webb and the Pacer Center for ideas used in this article.
KIDS
by Sierra Bakersfield
Here's to the kids who are
different,
the kids who don't always get A's.
The kids who have ears
Twice the size of their peers
Or noses that go on for days.
Here's to the kids who are
different,
the kids who are just out of step.
The kids they all tease
Who have cuts on their knees
And whose sneakers are constantly wet.
Here's to the kids who are
different,
the kids with the mischievous streak.
For when they are grown,
As history has shown,
It's their differences that make them unique.
SIBLINGS
NEED SUPPORT TOO!
Brothers and sisters of children
with special needs often face problems that are not experienced
by other children.
Embarrassment. Sometimes siblings may be uncomfortable
with the unwanted attention their brother or sister gets at school
or out in the community.
Over-identification. A brother or sister may worry that
they may acquire the same disability or medical condition.
Isolation, Loneliness and Loss. When siblings don't get
the attention they need from their parents, due to the caregiving
demands of the child with a disability, they may feel alone and
unimportant. They may also feel isolated from their friends.
Increased Responsibilities. Siblings of children with
special needs often assume greater responsibilities around the
house or caring for their brother or sister with a disability.
Pressure to Achieve. Sometimes siblings feel the need
to be high achievers at school or in their activities outside
school. The pressure may come from within (out of shame or a
need for attention) or from their parents.
Resentment. This emotion is often fueled by a loss of
attention from their parents, feelings of unequal treatment and
extra demands placed on siblings.
At the same time, having a
brother or sister with a special need can result in some assets.
Maturity & Insight. Often siblings have had to deal with
heavy issues that makes them more aware of the challenges their
brother or sister faces, and more respectful of life and health.
Tolerance. Siblings are likely to have greater compassion,
empathy and appreciation for persons with disabilities and others.
Pride. By observing the strength and the struggles of
their brother or sister with special needs, siblings learn to
appreciate their accomplishments, no matter how small.
Vocational Opportunities. Siblings often choose helping
professions where they have a lot to share from their own experiences.
Tips for Parents
Schedule special time with all your children.
Talk with siblings about what
is happening with their brother or sister in a way that they
can understand.
Try to include siblings in
family decision-making.
Allow and encourage siblings
to express their feelings.
Take advantage of respite care
and other support services, so that you don't have to rely too
heavily on your non-disabled children.
Reinforce positive behavior,
advocacy and compassion.
Help each child, with or without
a disability, explore their own interests, outlets and hobbies.
Let kids be kids. Some teasing
and fighting is part of a healthy family.
This article adapted from
Disability Solutions, September/October '97
MAKE
A NOTE OF THESE DATES . . .
Sept. 8 Special Olympics 2001
& 9 Leadership Conference
Ala Moana Hotel
Call 943-8808 x23 or
E-mail: sohiarea@aol.com
Sept. 15 Annual Foster Care
Conference
Sheraton Waikiki
Call 263-0920 or
E-mail: hsfpa@lava.net
Oct. 6 Early Childhood Conference
UH Campus Center
Call 942-4708 or
E-mail: haeyc@aloha.net
Nov. 29 Autism 2001 Conference
& 30 by Future Horizons
Call 1-800-489-0727
www.futurehorizons-autism.com
Feb. 8 Learning Disabilities
Conference
& 10, 2002 Sheraton Waikiki
Call 536-9684, ext. 21 or
E-mail: ldah@gte.net
March 1 Self Determination
Conference
& 2 Sheraton Waikiki
Call 587-6043
March 4/5 PAC RIM 2001
Sheraton Waikiki Hotel
Call 956-9810 or surf the
web: www.cds.hawaii.edu
E-mail: huap@hawaii.edu
April 2002 SPIN CONFERENCE
Call 586-8126 or
E-mail: accesshi@aloha.net
June HFAA Statewide Family
Conference
Call 487-8785
Or Visit SPIN on the World
Wide Web to get a look at all the conferences and workshops that
are open to parents in the 2001-2002 School Year...www.spinhawaii.org
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