The typically developing brothers and sisters of children with special needs are a special group too. Though they are unique individuals, they often share a set of concerns and challenges that come with their role. A significant fact sometimes overlooked is that these...
Remember way back when you brought your newborn home from the hospital? You were in complete awe with his or her tiny ears, fingers and mouth! You jumped at every new movement your baby made and celebrated it with pictures, and for some of you, probably even posted it...
When your child has a disability, all the information you are inundated with can be both a blessing and a burden. You can find the right doctors to lead you and your child to the right places to receive help, but meanwhile, you may find your whole family wondering...
As a parent, one of the most important early decisions you make is where to enroll your child in daycare. Finding an engaging and nurturing childcare setting for your little one is crucial for stimulating early brain development, maximizing learning potential, and...
Are you noticing anything different about us? St. Francis Children’s Center has a new look! Every day, we hear parents and children remark about the life-changing programs at St. Francis Children’s Center….words like empowering, accepting, supportive and nurturing are...
Whenever I reflect on my journey as the mother of a child (now a young adult) with special needs, I am sometime surprised, but always grateful for the opportunities and learning experiences that “being Melanie’s mother” has brought to my life. The journey of...
I travel quite a bit, and even though I’ve flown countless times, you will still find me paying close attention to the safety instructions at the beginning of each flight. While other passengers are busy thumbing through their magazines or fumbling with a credit card...
First of all, let’s address the elephant in the room. It’s completely okay if you choose to stay home over Spring Break. You will not be called a bad parent if you don’t take your children to Disney World or Marco Island when school is out for a week in March or...
