MAKING LEMONADE NEWS

Spring is here and the sun is out - today!  After a few weeks of my family having some sort of illness, I am revitalized by the sunshine!!  My boys have started baseball practice with the Westerville Challenger's Baseball and Equestrian Therapy with EquiValent Riding Center.  These are both special needs related programs that provide outdoor fun!  You can find details for these programs, and others, at http://parentsmakinglemonade.blogspot.com under the "resources" tab.

Weekly Making Lemonade support group meetings are held every Wednesday morning at 

9:30 am at DCBDD in Lewis Center.  See the "support group meetings tab" within this blog for additional details.  The meetings will continue throughout the school year, take a summer break and resume when school begins in the fall.

DATES:

Last spring meeting:  Wednesday, May 29, 2013

First fall meeting:  Wednesday, August 28, 2013

Monthly Making Lemonade support group meetings will be held throughout the entire year on the first Tuesday evening of each month at 7:30 pm. Our next meeting will be held on Tuesday, May 7, 2013 at Pediatric Therapy Partners.

SPECIAL GUEST SPEAKER: 

Delaware County Sheriff's Office will have a representative at our Wednesday morning Making Lemonade meeting on Wednesday, May 8, 2013, 9:30 am at DCBDD in Lewis Center.  Lt. David Butler will be presenting information on the "PROJECT LIFE SAVER" PROGRAM.  The primary mission of Project Lifesaver is to provide timely response to save lives and reduce potential injury for adults and children who wander due to Alzheimer’s, autism, and other related conditions or disorders.  

Check out:

http://parentsmakinglemonade.blogspot.com/2013/04/tips-for-special-needs-families-from.html 

for my latest post on tips for parents.  These are ideas and resources provided by parents that attend our weekly meetings.

Have a great week!  I hope to see everyone again tomorrow morning at Making Lemonade!!

Tips for Special Needs Families From the Pros (Mom's)

Tips for Special Needs Families From the Pros (Mom's)

Making Lemonade is a support system for parents of exceptional children.  Our goals are to share support, encouragement and resources with other parents.  Our children are not exactly alike, but as parents of exceptional children, we have a lot in common.  Being able to relate to each other and learn from each other is invaluable.  

At the Making Lemonade weekly meetings we have an opportunity to express our joys and challenges with each other.  This is therapeutic and revitalizing.  Sharing resources is something else that we can take away from each meeting, blog post or email.

We have started a "TIP JAR"  at our local group meetings on Wednesday mornings.  This has been a fun way to learn about helpful tips that have been tested and proved to be effective.  These tips vary from helpful items to concepts that have proven successful. One week we did a "Real Food" recipe exchange.  

TIPS:

LOCK LACES - Some of our kids have difficulty learning how to tie shoe laces.  Whether there is a fine motor delay or the concept is hard to grasp, elementary school aged children with exceptions take longer to learn this skill.  Once a child passes kid's size 3, it is very difficult to find shoes that velcro shut.  Lock Laces are an elastic shoelace and fastening system designed for runners and people with special needs.  The laces have a plastic slide that locks in place, no tying necessary.

IF YOU CARE - Unbleached, non-toxic paper baking products.  Their variety of products include muffin liners, parchment paper and coffee filters.  

LEGOS VS. CANDY  - Rather than candy in Easter Eggs, place Lego pieces in each egg.  No high fructose corn syrup or dyes!  Plus, how fun to be able to put together Lego's after the Easter Egg Hunt.

SYLVAN LEARNING CENTER TUTORING - Year round tutoring services for all grades and college prep.  They DO offer tutoring for EXCEPTIONAL LEARNERS!  Whether your child has a learning delay, autism or just difficulty in a particular subject, Sylvan instructors work with ALL types of students.  

PALEO "GIRL SCOUT THIN MINT" RECIPE - My all time favorite Girl Scout cookie in a gluten free version!  Find the recipe at Elana's Pantry or click here:  Paleo Thin Mints

Meeting Tonight and Tomorrow Morning

Hello!

Tonight is the evening Making Lemonade meeting at 7:00 pm.  We will be meeting at Pediatric Therapy Partners in Lewis Center.  

Tomorrow morning is our weekly Wednesday morning meeting.  We start at 9:30 am and meet at DDBDD in Lewis Center.  

Hope to see everyone either tonight or tomorrow morning!  Please spread the word!!  

Also, TODAY, Tuesday, April 2, 2013 is Autism Awareness Day!  Stop by Home Depot to purchase blue light bulbs so you can "Light it Up Blue" this evening!!