Be My Friend

By Irene Dashiell | December 1, 2023

Image being on the playground at recess and you are all alone watching other kids playing with each other. You have only one wish to be playing with a friend too. There are many children that feel alone and forgotten on the playground everyday. Here are some awesome suggestions kids have told me about being a friend.

1. just ask someone to play
2. be nice to them
3. have fun with them
4. having someone new to play with is great
5. feeling included is everything

Having friends is a vital part of childhood. All kids need to feel included, accepted and valued at school by their peers. Everyone benefits from having diverse and inclusive friendships.

#friends #playing #together #kids #parents #playgrounds #happy #teachers #acceptance #bekind #kidsmatter #friendship #teachkindness #valued #disabled #nondisabled #inclusion #diversity #disabilitypride #equality

The Invisible Life of a Teen with a Physical Disability

By Irene Dashiell | December 13, 2023
Image being in school all day and having a shield around you so no one notices you are there. You go to all your classes and you’re not included in any conversations with your peers. You feel alone, isolated and invisible to everyone around you. Well, many teenagers with physical disabilities tell me this is exactly the way they feel at school. Teens with physical disabilities want their classmates to know the following:

1. don’t stare or point at me
2. it’s okay to ask me about my disability
3. say hi instead of ignoring me
4. we have more in common than you think
5. I just want to be accepted, valued & included

Diversity is a fact inclusion is an act!! All students have the right to be respected, valued and included at school. Teens who have physical disabilities just want to be treated like everyone else. They want to hangout, go places and have friends.

#physicaldisabities #school #peers #teens #friends #invisible #isolation #inclusion #diversity #disability #disabitypride #students #teachers #parents #schoolcommunity #acceptance #equality #everyone #together #education #teensfirst #askme #barriers #hangout

Balancing Holiday Fun & A Routine

By Irene Dashiell | December 4, 2023

As the holiday season begins family life can be stressful, complicated and exhausting for everyone. There is so much to do and very little time for many families. Parents often ask me about how they can balance holiday fun on the weekends and have a routine at the same time. Well, kids can have fun and a routine too. You may want to think about weekend plans for your family with the following:

1. have a later bedtime on Friday & watch a movie together
2. plan two or three fun holiday activities
3. have a family dinner on Sunday
4. have an early bedtime on Sunday & get ready for week
5. many kids just want to spend time together as a family

Family time can be simple and fun at the same time. If you are feeling stressed out and overbooked as a parent your children are probably feeling the same way. It’s okay to slow down and not do everything at once. Holiday activities are not meant to be perfect all the time!!

#holidays #fun #weekends #familytime #kids # teens #parents #rountine #schedules #downtime #simple #together #holidayfun #notperfect #disabled #nondisabled #adapting #hardwork #activities #movie #familydinner #bedtime #inclusion #deversity #familyrules #enjoy

Bring ADD/ADHD to School

By Irene Dashiell | November 21, 2023

Many kids and teens with ADD/ADHD tell me they just wanting to stay in bed and pulling the covers over their head instead of going to school. For them sitting still, focusing and staying organized seems impossible. They believe teachers feel they’re lazy and stupid. Their parents are constantly questioning how they can help them manage their ADD/ADHD in school? Helping them receive the right support services is a great place to begin. You may want to consider the following services:

1. having a 504 Plan (this is a plan to help students in their classes)
2. seating in the front of the classroom
3. non-verbal clues to help with focusing
4. testing in a quiet & separate room
5. extra time on tests

Students with ADD/ADHD are smart, creative, curious and hard workers. Their minds are usually in overdrive and it takes a great deal of effort to compensate for it. Success at school begins with understanding, support and modifications. ADD/ADHD is a hidden disability that can be turned into a super power with the right tools!!!

#add/adhd #school #kids #teens #504plan #teachers #parents #advocating #equality #smart #creative #hardworkers #adapting #inclusion #supperpower #understanding #disability #success #support #modification

Bringing Autism to School

By Irene Dashiell | November 21, 2023

Very often, kids and teens with autism tell me they don’t understand the social world around them and feel socially excluded. They feel they are defined by everyone as autistic and they don’t fit in or accepted at school. So their parents are always wondering how to help them manage their autism at school. Well, helping your child receive the right class setting and support services is an excellent place to start. You might want to consider the following services:

1. having an update IEP (Individual Education Plan)
2. what class setting is best (general education, integrated or self-contained)
3. support services like (counseling, speech therapy or a one to one aide)
4. school staff to provide social & emotional support

Let’s remember young people with autism are people first! Their disability doesn’t define them. In schools there is diversity and there should be inclusion too!!!

#autism #school #diversity #inclusion #IEP #help #understanding #emotionalsupport #counseling #kids #teens #disabitypride #students #teachers #parentcoaching #speechtherapy #schoolaide #education #specialeducation #friendship #social #eqality

Bring a Physical Disability to School

By Irene Dashiell | November 20, 2023

What do you think it would be like to bring a physical disability to school day in and out? Imagine yourself using a mobility device like a cane, walker, crutches, manual wheelchair or motorized wheelchair everyday. For many children and teens with physical disabilities this is their daily reality. As a result their parents are constantly thinking about how to help them manage their disability at school. Helping your child receive appropriate support and medical care is a good way to begin.You might want to think about the following questions and support services,

1. how accessible is the school & classrooms
2. what physical modifications & mobility devices are needed
3. what support staff would be best (one to one aide, nurse or none)
4. what support services are needed (physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy)
5. having an update IEP (Individual Education Plan)

Every child or teen with a physical disability has the right to have a safe, barrier free, inclusive classroom and school environment. Every student needs to have their educational, emotional and physical needs met on a daily basis. Providing an inclusive school environment benefits all kids. Inclusion for all children Rocks!!!

#phyicaldisabilities #barrierfree #school #inclusion #mobilitydevices #kids #teens #wheelchair #walker #crutches #cane #wheelchairuser #disabilitypride #education #equality #teachers #parents #advocating #represationmatters #supportstaff #safe #kidsfirst

I’m Not Bad I have ADHD

By Irene Dashiell | October 26, 2023

Many parents I talk to are frustrated since their kids are often labeled as distracting, lazy and bad. This belief needs to be turned around into young people who have ADD/ADHD are curious, hard workers and really good. Just imagine your mind is always on overdrive, focusing is impossible and competing just one task takes all your energy. This is what kids with ADD/ADHD experience everyday.

So let’s help, support and encourage them instead of judging them. There needs to be greater awareness and understanding of this disability!! Every child is unique and has the ability to learn.

#ADD/ADHD #focus #curious #hardwork #understanding #awareness #kids #teens #talented #smart #good #mind #creative #school #parents #teachers #504 #support #notlazy #accommodations