Welcome to the Pediatric Resources page!TMS will be posting information here, periodically. If you would like more information or have suggestions for topics to cover, please email secretary@tmsforacure.org.JUNE 2020Even as businesses begin to reopen, many families are still struggling to adjust to new situations at home. These challenges include restless children, homeschooling and protecting family health during the pandemic. This is especially true for special needs families, where regular support structures and access to professionals have been dramatically altered. This page is well-researched, accessible, and effectively covers a range of these issues, including guidance for special needs families:https://www.joinsprouttherapy.com/parent-and-health-covid19Enjoy your summer!MAY 2020The Region 4 Midwest Genetics Network has created 4 videos for families to be better prepared for telemedicine opportunities when they are available and to advocate for the opportunity when it is the best choice for your family.APRIL 2020The National Parent and Teacher Association has launched a resource and guidance website to help ease the emerging challenges that COVID-19 is presenting to parents and families.Learn MoreMARCH 2020March is known as the start of IEP season in schools. This issue of The Special Ed Advocate from Wrightslaw has great information on becoming a more effective advocate:In this issue of The Special Ed Advocate, you’ll get an overview of advocacy skills and learn that advocacy is not a mysterious process. A parent advocate asks questions to help identify your interpersonal style. She will also challenge you to learn the joys and challenges of parent advocacy.Important information from Wrightslaw regarding school closing and your child’s special education:Coronavirus (COVID-19) Closed My Child’s School:Now What?“The school scheduled an IEP meeting for my child who hasn’t learned to read after two years in RTI. The school is closed. No meeting. Now what?” “My child was being evaluated for special ed when her school suddenly closed. Now what?” In Coronavirus Closed My Child’s School: Now What?, we share newly published information that will answer some of your questions and help get your child’s special education back on track when schools re-open. Download and Print: “Addressing the Risk of COVID-19 in Schools While Protecting the Civil Rights of Students,” a new Fact Sheet from the Office for Civil Rights. The School Closed Suddenly and I Need Help!“My child’s school closed suddenly. Can you recommend resources to help her learn at home?”School closings have created incredible confusion and anxiety for parents of children with disabilities. Some school districts are offering online sessions to prevent children from losing skills. But online solutions present a host of problems for many students, including children with disabilities. In The School Closed Suddenly and I Need Help, education advocate Diane Willcutts shares resources to help your children learn at home, along with links to an excellent article about “Making the Most of COVID-19 School Closures.” Our children need structure. In The School Closed Suddenly and I Need Help, Diane includes a sample schedule that you can tailor to your child’s unique needs and circumstances. If your child may be involved in online education or distance learning, take a few minutes to watch the new webinar about Online Education and Website Accessibility from the Office for Civil Rights. (7:08 )Some additional resources that may be helpful for our community include:FARE is working to bridge divides and share useful information through online resources and virtual fellowship.Visit Foodallergy.org for tips on planning and preparedness in times of crisisAAFA: Coronavirus (COVID-19): What People With Asthma Need to Know CDC: Talking with children about Coronavirus Disease 2019: Messages for parents, school staff, and others working with childrenNASP: Talking to Children About COVID-19 (coronavirus): A Parent ResourceSAMHSA: Talking With Children: Tips for Caregivers, Parents and Teachers During Infectious Disease OutbreaksNPR (Podcast): What parents need to know About COVID-19FEBRUARY 2020NEW GUIDANCE ON AUTISM FOR PEDIATRICIANSThe American Academy of Pediatrics guidance is intended for pediatricians, but it is just as important to help families understand what to expect, what screenings and services to ask for, and how to better partner with providers for better outcomes for children.Identification, Evaluation, and Management of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder(Pediatrics)Pediatricians Get New Guidance on Autism(Overview of report from Disability ScoopJANUARY 2020Children with complex health needs have many medical appointments with specialists that can be time consuming and difficult to coordinate. Well child visits with your pediatrician/primary care provider are important and can be an effective way to improve care coordination and communication among providers.Parents can help by asking specialists to send a copy of all records and care plans to their pediatrician’s office so that there is a complete copy of your child’s records in one place. This can help eliminate duplication of services and medication errors, as well as help families coordinate care, discuss current treatments, and build a team approach for better health outcomes for your child.Below is a link to the American Academy of Pediatrics Schedule of Well Child Visits:https://www.healthychildren.org/English/family-life/health-management/Pages/Well-Child-Care-A-Check-Up-for-Success.aspxDECEMBER 2019Check out this free app to help explain terms, procedures, and what to expect to children. It can also be used for families and professionals to foster better communication and work toward shared caregiving:Simply Sayin’ App – Medical Jargon for KidsDeveloped by Certified Child Life Specialists at Phoenix Children’s Hospital. Compatible with iPhone and iPad.Full link if needed: https://apps.apple.com/app/simply-sayin/id645810680NOVEMBER 2019Special Ed Advocate Newsletter from Wrightslaw:IDEA Prohibition Against Mandatory MedicationIn this issue two main questions are answered:Can schools mandate medication for children with disabilities?Does effective medication disqualify a child from special education eligibility?OCTOBER 2019Food Allergy Resource and Education’s (FARE) Fillable Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Emergency Care Plan This document outlines recommended treatment in case of an allergic reaction. The Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Care Plan should be signed by a child’s physician, includes emergency contact information and instructions on how to use epinephrine injectors.https://www.foodallergy.org/life-with-food-allergies/food-allergy-anaphylaxis-emergency-care-planSEPTEMBER 2019How to Be a Strong Advocate for Your Child:Working with medical and school professionals can be intimidating. As a parent or guardian, you know your child’s history, challenges, and strengths best – which make you your child’s strongest advocate. You are a vital part of the medical and school team working towards the best outcomes for your child. Advocating for your child with special health care needs is an ongoing learning process. Learning to communicate effectively and disagree with respect is key to being an effective team member.Tips to becoming an effective advocate for your child:Stay current on your child’s diagnosis. You can do this by researching on reputable websites, attending conferences and workshops, and reading newsletters.Know your child’s rights both in the school and in the health system. See below for information on Family-to-Family Health information Centers and Parent Training Information Centers to find resources and parent advocates in your state that can assist you with learning your child’s rights.Build and maintain positive relationships. Take time to get to know the medical and school providers working with your child. Reach out to other parents who have children with similar concerns.Communicate as calmly and effectively as possible:Come prepared to appointments and meetings with a list of questions/concerns to be addressed. Make sure the focus stays on your child.Learn terms and/or acronyms you hear from professionals, i.e. 504 plan, Care Coordinator, medical home, etc. Learn to disagree calmly and with respect by practicing difficult topics prior to appointments.Try to use “I” instead of “You” statements.It might be helpful to bring a relative or friend with you to help listen and take notes.Ask questions to make sure you fully understand what is being discussed and to keep the lines of communication open. Address comments and questions to the person that is most able to address or answer them.Make sure you follow up with any recommended appointments, refilling prescriptions, scheduling follow up assessments, meetings etc..Keep a copy of medical and school records. This will help you stay up to date on your child’s condition, will help in an emergency, and will help you remember medications, treatments and programs that have been tried.Include your child as much as is age appropriate. One day they will be advocating for themselves and will be watching and learning from you!Public Education Services that some children with mast cell diseases might qualify for:Individual Health PlanStudents with chronic and complex healthcare needs often require specialized care at school to help ensure their health and safety. An Individual Health Plan (IHP) can be developed for your child’s school and can stand-alone or be part of a 504 or IEP. The Individual Health Plan is usually developed by the school nurse with input and approval of the primary care physician/or specialty care physician to specifically address the child’s medical needs in the school setting.TIP: To develop an IHP for your child, start with your child’s physician. Most physicians have IHP forms for specific health conditions i.e. allergies, asthma. Most forms require the physician’s signature prior to submitting to your child’s school.More Info: Pacer Center Individual Health Plan Information: https://www.pacer.org/health/samplehealthplans.asp504 PlanA 504 plan is a plan that your child’s school develops to give students with disabilities the supports they need to access education.A 504 plan is for students that can learn from regular classroom instruction but need accommodations to access that instruction.A 504 plan provides services and changes to the environment.504 plans prevent discrimination and protect the rights of students with disabilities in school. Students with disabilities are covered under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, a federal civil rights law.To receive a 504 plan a child can have any disability and the disability must interfere with the child’s ability to learn in a general education classroom.Section 504 has a broader definition of a disability. It says that a disability must substantially limit one or more basic life activities – this is why a child that does not qualify for an IEP might still be able to get a 504 plan.Tip: Make sure when you request a 504 plan that you are working with the designated 504 coordinator for your school or district. One of the responsibilities schools have under section 504 is that they must designate an employee to ensure compliance.Tip: The Office of Civil Rights oversees 504 plans. The office of civil rights has regional offices and they often have advocates that will work with you.Sample accommodations a 504 plan might include:Preferential seatingReduced classwork or homeworkAdjusted class, school schedules or gradingExcused lateness, absences, or missed workModified textbooks or audio or video materialsExtended time on assignments and testsAdjusted classVerbal testingTechnology aids – verbal, visual, writingBehavior management supportsPre-approved nurse’s office visits and student accompaniment to visitsOccupational or physical therapyBehavior management supportLink to Sample 504 plan: https://www.understood.org/en/school-learning/special-services/504-plan/sample-504-planMore Info:Office of Civil Rights – Frequently Asked Questions About Section 504 and the Education of Children with DisabilitiesOFFICE OF CIVIL RIGHTS REGIONAL OFFICESIndividual Education Plan (IEP)An IEP is a legal document that lays out the plan for special education instruction, supports and services that students with disabilities need to make progress and have success at school.An IEP provides individualized special education and related services to meet the needs of the student.The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is the federal special education law for children with disabilities that require schools to serve the educational needs of eligible students with disabilities.To receive an IEP a student must have one of 13 specific disabilities listed in IDEA, and the disability must affect the child’s educational performance and/or ability to learn and benefit from the general education curriculum, which leads to the need for specialized instruction.Not every child with learning and attention needs will qualify under IDEA.Conditions covered Under IDEA:Specific Learning DisabilityOther Health Impairment for example: ADHDSome children with a mast cell disease may qualify for an IEP under the disability criteria of Other Health Impairment. Sec. 300.8 (c) (9) of IDEA(9) Other health impairment means having limited strength, vitality, or alertness, including a heightened alertness to environmental stimuli, that results in limited alertness with respect to the educational environment, that Is due to chronic or acute health problems such as asthma, attention deficit disorder or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, diabetes, epilepsy, a heart condition, hemophilia, lead poisoning, leukemia, nephritis, rheumatic fever, sickle cell anemia, and Tourette syndrome; andAdversely affects a child’s educational performance.Autism spectrum disorderEmotional disturbanceSpeech or language impairmentVisual impairmentDeafnessHearing ImpairmentDeaf-blindnessOrthopedic impairmentIntellectual disability’Traumatic brain injuryMultiple disabilities.TIPStart the IEP process by requesting an evaluation in writing.Sample Letter from Parent Center Resource HubTIPYou have the right to participate in all IEP meetings.ResourcePACER Center’s, Help for Parents: How to Prepare for a Special Education Evaluation Planning MeetingTIPYour local PTI (listed below) should have advocates that can help you learn more about your states requirements.Resource: PACER Center’s Guide to the IEPIncludes development of IEP, content of IEP, parent action, and team informationTIPIEP goals and objectives are individualized based on present level of performance and assessed needs of the student. All goals should be SMART goals: Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic/Relevant, and Time bound)More InfoU.S. Department of Education IDEA websitePTI – PACER Center’s Parent Special Education InformationLOCAL RESOURCESFamily-to-Family Health Information Centers (F2Fs)Families who have children with special health needs (CSHN) staff F2Fs. F2F staff has experience navigating systems and understand the challenges that families with CSHN face. The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) fund F2Fs. There is one F2F in each state and in the District of Columbia. The main goal of the F2F is to help families of CSHN access and navigate health care services both in and out of school.Find an F2F in your state to assist you with your state resources.Parent Training and Information Centers (PTIs)Every state has at least one Parent Training and Information Center (PTI). The Individual with Disabilities Education Act provides money for each state to have at least one PTI. The main goal of PTI’s is to help parents make the most of their child’s education.Find a PTI in your state to assist with your state resources.AUGUST 2019What is a medical home?A medical home is an approach to providing comprehensive and high quality primary care for children with complex medical conditions.The American Academy of Pediatrics’ National Resource Center For Patient/Family Centered Medical Home has resources to help you learn more about the medical home approach to care and to help you communicate about comprehensive care with your pediatric primary care physician.Learn More
