Tips for Parents

BY: Group A- Jessica Atoigue, Patty Abuan, Keiko Garcia,

Leticia Cruz and Geri Eclavea
 Tips for Parents
First, talk with your child's doctor or teacher if you are concerned about your child's
development.

The National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities (NICHCY) has resource
sheets that list key programs in each state for children with developmental problems and for
their families. The lists include state agencies serving children and youth with disabilities,
state chapters of disability organizations and parent groups, and parent training and
information projects. [View the NICHCY Resource Sheet for your state]

Every state provides education services for children who have developmental problems.
These programs can start right after a baby is born and last until he or she turns 22.

Listen to people who know what they’re talking about, but make sure you know enough
yourself to be certain of the accuracy of their statements. If you don’t know if what they’ve
said is true, ask for some time to research.

When suggesting new ideas, do not attack. Acknowledge the power and skills of the person
on the other side. Suggest that your ideas might make things go smoother, but do not insist.
Be firm and confident, but not overly aggressive.
 Tips for Parents In the
School
Remember that you are an outsider to the school culture. Treat it with respect.
Even if you think you know all there is to know, someone will undoubtedly
surprise you.

Many school systems feel threatened by someone who is assertive and

knowledgeable. When you speak or bring up points in writing, try to keep from
threatening the knowledge or credibility of any members on your child’s team.

Seek to maintain a business relationship with your child’s school. Don’t bring
too much personal information into your relationships.

Know what specific goals and objectives, such as the exact behavior or skill, that
you feel your child should attain. For example, if your child is having trouble
reading at her grade level, know exactly at what grade level she is currently
reading, her reading-level goal, and the date by when she should attain this
goal. (A good argument for having a plan!)
 Tips for Parents…
Financial Aide
Children's Health Insurance Program
Each state has a Children's Health Insurance Program that provides free or low-cost health insurance for
eligible children. The Insure Kids Now! Web site has basic facts about these programs. It also has links to
every state's insurance program for children, where you can learn who is eligible for the program, how
to apply, and what services are covered. Information is available in English and Spanish.
[ Insure Kids Now! | Your State's Program]

Medicaid
People of all ages who have disabilities may be eligible for health care coverage through Medicaid. Each
state runs its own Medicaid program. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Web site has
general information about Medicaid, including who is eligible and what services are provided. It also has
the Web address for each state's program. [Go to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Web site]
[http://www.insurekidsnow.gov/states.htm]

People with developmental disabilities may be helped by using assistive technology (AT). AT is any item
that helps a person do things in his or her daily life. Examples of AT devices include wheelchairs, a
keyguard that helps children find the right keys on a computer keyboard, a simpler remote control for a
TV or stereo, an adapted mouse that makes computer navigation easier, switches that help children play
with toys, and talking books.
The National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR)
NIDRR funds state projects that help people of all ages with disabilities
get access to AT devices and services. [
Find the NIDRR assistive technology project in your state and visit the pr
oject's Web site
]

National Library Service for the Blind & Physically Handicapped (NLS)

NLS provides a free library service for people who cannot read regular
books and magazines because of vision impairment or physical
disability. NLS offers books and magazines in both Braille and audio
formats. NLS libraries are located throughout the country. [
Read more about NLS]
MEDLINEplus: Assistive Devices

MEDLINEplus is an online service of the National Library of Medicine. It links users to information
about specific health topics, including assistive devices. The site includes general information about
assistive devices, plus links to information about funding, research, specific conditions, dictionaries,
organizations, statistics, and children, teenagers, and seniors. MEDLINEplus brings together
information from many sources and is updated daily. Some information is available in Spanish.
[In English: MEDLINEplus Health Information: Assistive Devices]
[En Español: MEDLINEplus Información de Salud: Aparatos de asistencia]

Possible new treatments for people with disabilities are studied through clinical trials.
ClinicalTrials.gov is a Web site run by the National Library of Medicine that has information about
studies funded by the National Institutes of Health, other federal agencies, and companies that make
drugs. You can find out about studies involving people who have certain disabilities, including who is
doing the study, what the purpose of the study is, who can be in the study, where the study is being
done, and how to get more information about the study. When you go to the ClinicalTrials.gov site,
you can enter the name of the disability you are interested in, such as “cerebral palsy” or “blindness.”
Then click on the Search button and you will see a list of related studies. [
Find studies on ClinicalTrials.gov site]
 References
http://cerebral-palsy-medicalmalpractice.com/cerebra
lpalsyparents.php

http://www.cerebralpalsy.org/education/special-educ
ation-tips-and-strategies/