October 2017

With the upcoming release of the movie WONDER only a few weeks away, our October issue concentrates on the inclusion of children with special needs in schools. The movie WONDER is based on the New York Times bestseller and tells the incredibly inspiring and heartwarming story of August Pullman, a boy with facial differences who enters fifth grade, attending a mainstream elementary school for the first time.

Professional Resource

The New Social Story Book
by Carol Gray

Originally fueled by grassroots enthusiasm, and later confirmed as an evidence-based practice, Carol Gray's Social Stories, have earned the respect of parents and professional worldwide, while earning the invaluable trust of children and students. Each Social Story, describes a social situation, skill or concept. The goal of a Social Story, is to share accurate information meaningfully and safely, promoting true social understanding.

This book provides already-written stories to get you started, plus the direction and tools you'll need to write your own successful Social Stories.

Parent Resource

The Special Needs Parent Handbook
by Jonathan Singer

The Special Needs Parent Handbook is a compilation of life lessons learned by the parents of a child with significant special needs. The book shares critical strategies and practical advice to help navigate the maze of financial, educational and emotional decisions you will face each day as a parent or caregiver.

Young Adult Resource

Wonder
by R.J. Palacio

Auggie was born with a facial difference that prevented him from going to a mainstream school - until now. He's about to enter fifth grade at Beecher Prep and if you have ever been the new kid, then you know how hard that can be. The thing is Auggie's just an ordinary kid, with an extraordinary face. But can he convince his new classmates that he's just like them, despite appearances? Check out "Wonder" on the Virtual Lending Library.

Children's Resource

Dancing Chicken

Plush toy chicken dances and squawks when activated by a capability switch. A switch allows individuals with physical, motor, or other limitations to access their environment. There are a wide array of switch options to meet the needs of nearly any user. Chicken has an On/Off control that must be on for the switch to work.

A Child's Champion

Meet Monica Andis, a true child's champion. Monica is a program manager and registered, licensed dietitian at the WVU Center for Excellence in Disabilities. Monica works in collaboration with the Children with Special Health Care Needs Program and oversees the WVU CED Feeding & Swallowing Clinic. She conducts nutrition assessments for children with disabilities and provides the education and training to parents/caretakers in how to maintain their children's good health. Monica wants all families to understand that good nutrition is essential to healthy growth and development of children. She reminds us that good nutrition choices help kids reach their full physical, mental and emotional potential. Her mission is to improve the quantity and quality of nutrition services available to children with disabilities in the state of West Virginia. Monica Andis is a child's champion.

Paths for Parents Program

Navigating systems as a parent or caregiver of a child with disabilities can be confusing and overwhelming. The Paths for Parents program provides information and support through three unique services in effort to empower parents in becoming real partners within the medical home.Services in this program include: The Disability Resource Library, Parent Network Specialists, and Nutrition Services. To learn more, visit https://p4p.cedwvu.org/.

The Disability Resource Library is a collaborative project between the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources Office of Maternal, Child and Family Health, West Virginia Birth to Three, West Virginia Department of Education, Office of Special Program, and the West Virginia University Center for Excellence in Disabilities (CED).