Seven ways to Support Family and Friends with Special Needs

12 March 2019

When parents decide to start their journey of parenthood, they hope that they will get and bring up a perfectly healthy child. However, many are the times when genetic defects, birth complications, injuries, and other problems get in the way, and differently gifted children are born. Not many people take the time needed to understand people with disabilities, and even fewer people are willing to go out of their way to offer them support. If you have family or friends with special needs, here are a few ways in which you can make them feel your love and support.

1. Talk to them:

Not many people know this but whether it is at work, school, at home and in other social setups, the productivity of people with disabilities and those close to them depends a lot on the attitude of the general community towards them. If the community around a disabled person has formed a negative attitude and barriers to their inclusion, they end up withdrawing and doubting their capabilities. On the other hand, when they are made to feel included and accepted they blossomed.

Parents of children who have disabilities admit that they like it when a stranger walks up to them in a park and shows genuine interest to learn about their child’s condition. What people appreciate the most are people who take time to ask specific questions. For instance, ask how the child’s physical therapy is going as opposed to asking something general or offering that supportive smiles. At times you will find that people with disabilities need a listening ear, and they appreciate it when you take time and pay attention to details about their lives.

2. Be aware of personal space:

People with disabilities often use mobility aids such as wheelchairs, walkers, canes and other items. What most people do not understand is that most view these aides as part of their personal space. When interacting with disabled people, you always have to respect their personal space. If for instance, you want to assist them in pushing their wheelchair, do not just grab and start pushing at it, ask them if it is okay to help them move from one point to the other, you can push the chair when they agree.

The same applies to when you feel they need you to support them in standing up, sitting down or other movements. You can start by saying something like, “Here, let me help you,” and then wait for their consent. If they feel that you are patronizing them or treating them like they are completely helpless, they will push back and reject your help.

3. Be thoughtful:

There is nothing that whispers support to a disabled person more than knowing that you thought about them before you made the plans that you have made. It means that if for instance, you planned a meeting, you made sure that the room was accessible via wheelchair and there are ramps and other relevant accessibility and support features. It is also important to always inform them about all the plans which you have made for the meetings and other get-together arrangements so they can prepare well in advance.

4. Treat them normally:

One of the most difficult corners to navigate when dealing with people who have disabilities is learning how to interact with them without making them feel abnormal. Most people think that being sensitive to these people is about hiding the achievement of their normal kids and clapping when the disabled kid does something that is simple and normal. When interacting with disabled people, do not minimize yourself or your child’s achievements. Learn that the disabled kid might not do things like regular kids, but they still get things done, eventually. Treat them like just any other kid, and they will respond positively to this.

5. Do not try too much:

Another mistake people make when interacting with disabled people is the need to know what to say and what to do at all times. The truth is that disabled people are just like everyone else. It is okay to have a slip of the tongue when interacting with them. It is alright to listen to them when they are telling you about their complications and tell them that you honestly do not know what to say. If you have no idea how to help them when they are at their weakest, it is still okay to sit with them and listen. Your presence is reassuring enough for them.

6. Go an extra mile in the extreme seasons:

Disabled people tend to struggle a lot more than everyone else in. They have to cope with inaccessible sidewalks, flare-ups which are triggered by the low temperatures, chronic pain and other issues that result from being stuck at home too long. These are the things you can do to ease their discomfort during this season:

Take food to them-it is possible that they will not access grocery stores and farmers markets
Visit them and spend the time to end the feeling of loneliness and depression.
Send them a message and genuinely ask how they are faring
Help them around the house and help them shovel and salt their driveways.

7. Support their dreams:

There is nothing that says love to a disabled person than when you genuinely support their work. People with disability wake up in the morning because they believe they can rise against the odds and make a difference. The least that you can do to make their world a little easier to manage is to support their dreams and their work. When they tell you they are having a talent show, be present and cheer them on. Buy their art, shop from their outlets and all other small gestures which will make them feel appreciated.

These are just a few of the things that you could do to help people with disabilities. In case you interact with them and realize they may need counseling from professionals, you can reach out to Regional & Rural Toowoomba Psychologists. They are well equipped to offer the support needed to make the lives of people with disabilities simple.

Read Also:

activities for children with special needs

Content Rally

Content Rally wrapped around an online publication where you can publish your own intellectuals. It is a publishing platform designed to make great stories by content creators. This is your era, your place to be online. So come forward share your views, thoughts and ideas via Content Rally.

View all posts

10 Helpful Kid Closet Organization Hacks

Every parent knows how hard it is to keep their kid's room clean. In a matter of minutes, a perfectly clean space and be destroyed by little hands. This applies to closets as well. But the good news is there are things you can do to keep your child's closet more organized. We've gathered the top 10 helpful kid closet organization hacks you can try out at home. Check them out below! 1. Start with the Essentials : When doing any sort of home or DIY project, you have to make sure you have all the supplies you need. This totally applies when it comes to kid closet organization. The good news is that you don't have to spend a lot of time creating or assembling things. Most of these items are available at local stores and are simple to implement. Here's a basic list of things you may need: Kid-sized hangers (Adult ones are too big and will lead to disorganization) A hamper Storage baskets Drawer inserts Hooks for the wall Shelf dividers Head to your local home decor store and you will be on your way to complete closet organization. 2. Utilize Storage Bins : Another kid closet organization hack is to add extra storage. As you've dealt with your child's closet, you probably have noticed that there's not enough storage space. This is a common problem. But there are many solutions! The biggest thing is choosing what kind of storage solution that you need. Do you have young children who can't reach their hangers? Or do your kids have a lot of toys and nowhere to keep them? Perhaps you have two kids sharing one closet. No matter what, adding storage is your solution. Here are some potential options: Bins Baskets Extra wire shelves Rubbermaid containers 3. Have a Designated Place for Shoes : Have you ever walked into your kid's room and found pair after pair of little shoes lying around on the floor? This is a common frustration for many parents. One way to solve this problem is to have a designated place for shoes in your little one's closet. You could have a specific basket on the floor of their closet that your kids can easily access. Another way to organize their shoes is to have a specific shelf that they can reach that is for shoes only. 4. Develop a Hanging System : It can be hard for kids to pick out clothes when there is no organization system in place. One way to fix this problem is to come up with a hanging system. One idea is to hang them by category. You can split things up according to these styles: Short sleeve shirts Long sleeve shirts Tank tops Dress shirts Dresses Shorts Pants Pajamas And any other categories they have You could also coordinate them by color if this system is too complicated. Either way, this is a great kid closet organization hack. Your kids will know exactly where to put their clothes, whether they're Nicki's Gucci for kids or their pajamas. 5. Another Kid Closet Organization Hack: Go Vertical : Some closets are so small or are so packed already that there's no room for extra shelves or bins. In this case, consider going vertical with your storage. One great way to do this is to utilize the door. Pick up an inexpensive shoe organizer that hangs on the back of the door. This can be used to store a variety of things, including shoes, clothes, and toys. If you have a baby, you could keep diapers, wipes, or onesies in a shoe organizer as well. And the best part is that you're not taking up any shelf space with it! 6. Label it All : With so many bins and baskets, it can be hard to keep things straight. That's why labeling is a great idea. If you have a label maker, this is super easy. Just create different ones for toys, shirts, pants, etc. If you don't have a label maker, that's totally fine as well! You can create them just using paper. Then just glue or pin the labels to each storage container. This will make your life much simpler! 7. Double Your Hanging Space : Many apartments and homes only have one closet rod and, usually, it's up high. For little ones, these are often impossible to reach. That's where closet doubler rods come in handy. You can install them below the normal rod and they're not that hard to do. Having this means your kids can reach their clothes easier but it also doubles their amount of hanging space. 8. Color Coordinate Bins : If your kids can't read yet, labels will do very little to help them organize. Instead, consider color-coordinating their storage bins. For example, red could be for books, blue could be for toys, and yellow could be for shoes. Whatever you decide to do as far as colors, help your child understand the difference between the various containers. 9. Keep Two Extra Containers in Their Closet : If you're like most parents, you have a lot of clothes for your child. Some they have outgrown and others they haven't grown into yet. These can cause a lot of clutter in your kid's closet if you're not careful. That's why it's a great idea to always keep 2 large containers, one for each category. That way it's all organized. This is especially great if you have more than one child. This makes organizing hand me downs much easier. 10. Stop Sibling Fights : Did you know that the average pair of siblings fight or argue 3.5 times every single hour? As a parent, you want to do everything you can to stop this from happening! One great way is through keeping their closet organized. If you have kids that share a closet, divide the space. Make a clear division between their clothes to avoid unnecessary contention. Final Thoughts : Now that you've read through these closet organization hacks, it's time to implement them! Choose your favorites and try them out. Have questions? Feel free to contact us. Want to discover more parenting hacks? Check out our blog! Read Also : 10 Effective Homework Tips For Your Kids Things Every Employee Ought To Know About Medical And Family Leaves

Moving Companies and How they Determine Their Cost (…and Decreasing It)

You can either reduce or increase your stress on the moving day, depending on the service you pick. Here’s what we mean. If a person has all the funds in the world, they can afford to get every aspect of their move taken care of. This certainly will reduce the stress they will face. If a person is on a tight budget, they will likely face more stress. Because they will have to handle a lot of things that they could easily have outsourced. Since most folks do not have all the money in the world, it is important for them to understand how moving companies arrive at their fees. Having this information may be helpful in helping them plan their move a lot better to both reduce the cost to them as well as the stress they will face. Major Cost Determinants So, what are the factors that determine how much a person will pay when moving? There are a lot of different factors that can influence the cost, as we can see here, but we will only focus on the main ones. Distance This is one cost that most people can understand. A long-distance move will most certainly cost way more than a local move. Therefore, the further your destination is from your point of origin, the more you can expect to pay, and this is regardless of whatever method you choose for the move. Many moving companies determine the distance costs by considering different variables. It is important that you find out the exact distance and communicate the same to the moving company. Credible and reputable companies like H2H Movers are not going to haggle about the prices if the variations in distances are marginal in nature. Stuff To Move! What you are moving to will also affect your cost. First, consider the quantity, size, and weight of the different items you need to move. This will determine the size of the vehicle required and how much you will pay. Consideration will also be given to the cost of the items to be moved. There are some items that will have to be handled by specialists. Some of these include expensive artworks and antiques. Bringing in expert handlers will certainly cost you more money. Present Location and Destination Where you are taking off from and where you are headed will also affect your cost. While your present location may not be as impactful on your cost as the destination, both play a part. If, for example, your present location is not easily accessible, the company will consider this. The same applies to your destination. Simple things like the absence of a functioning lift in a high-rise building will attract some additional charges as movers will be forced to use the stairs. There’s also the issue of the operational centers of the company you choose to work with. If a company has operational centers in both your take-off city and your destination, chances are that your cost will be lower. The reason is simple. A company that operates from both bases can easily get another moving job for the van that took your stuff there. On the other hand, a company that does not operate from your destination will have to return to base empty, an expense that will likely be added to you. Moving Option The choice you make about how you intend to move will be the major determinant of what you will pay, as this will influence all other costs. You can check out a list of moving options here: https://www.thespruce.com/best-way-to-move-your-stuff-2436686. A full-service move will cost you more in monetary terms than a self-move. Services Offered Within the option to use a moving company, you have individual services that can add to your cost. Some of the services that moving companies will offer include: Extended insurance. Packing, loading, unloading, and unpacking. Disassembly and reassembly of furniture. Storage space. Cleaning services. These are just a few examples of services that can be offered. How many of these will you pay? Timing Many folks are not aware of this. When you schedule your move, it can also affect your cost. Moving companies have periods regarded as peak periods and those regarded as off-peak periods. Scheduling a move during a peak period automatically means a higher cost to you. Weekends, holidays, and summer are regarded as peak periods, while weekdays, fall, and winter are off-peak periods. By understanding some of these factors, you can then think of how to work around them to get and enjoy lower rates. Let’s now briefly look at how you can lower your moving costs. How to Lower Your Costs We understand that moving could be costly, so here is how you can save a few bucks. Determine Your Budget Getting this sorted out right from the start can be helpful. Determine how much you are willing to spend so you can ensure that all your expenses fall within this budget. Compare Moving Methods Look at the different moving options and decide which will fit into your budget. You can find some examples above. You can also calculate moving costs online on sites like 9Kilo Moving. They will help you compare quotes from different companies. This will make it easier for you to choose an appropriate moving method. Schedule Your Move for Off-peak Periods Remember what we said above about peak and off-peak periods. Schedule your move for an off-peak period. Start Packing Early Get all your stuff sorted out very early. This ensures that your movers do not have to spend unnecessary time. Time is money (This is, of course, if you have chosen to work with movers). If you are handling it yourself, things will be easier and less stressful for you. Look for Free Packing Boxes Getting free packing boxes and other materials will mean you won’t have to buy or rent them. This, of course, is another avenue through which some savings can be made. Pack Only What You Really Need Saving money on moving can be a challenge when you are just shifting to a brand-new city for your new job. This is why you need all the advice you can get to make the move a little better. Moving too Quickly ? (..For a Job) Sometimes, you must relocate too fast. Especially when it comes to landing a new job. Moving quickly for a job can feel stressful, but if you prepare yourself correctly and follow the right steps, moving in haste doesn’t have to be a crazy, chaotic mess. Here’s how to handle a rapid move for job purposes without losing your mind. 1. Make a To-Do List and Stick with It First things first—prioritize! Create a checklist of everything you need to do, from finding a new place to live to scheduling the move. Try to break down the tasks by days and tackle the most important ones first. Since time is of the essence, focus on the essentials: securing housing, transferring your job documents, and notifying your current landlord or utility companies. You’ll also want to gather any important documents related to your job, like offer letters, employment contracts, and references, so they’re easily accessible during the move. If you are moving countries, then password & work visa are the two important items you should always clutch. 2. Downsize and Declutter One of the easiest ways to ensure a fast and efficient move is by hiring professionals. If you’re in a time crunch, your best bet is to hire a full-service moving company to handle all aspects of your move. They will have the experience, equipment, and manpower to pack, load, transport, and unload your belongings quickly and safely. Albeit it will be a little too costly, think of it as a one-time investment which can secure you from the haphazard of moving. If your budget allows for it, hiring professional movers who are experienced in fast relocations can be a game changer. They’ll pack up, load up, and unload everything far more quickly than you ever could, leaving you with more time to take care of the million other things that need your attention. Many moving companies even offer quick emergency services specifically for those needing an instant relocation. Keep in mind that if you do decide to hire pros, you’ll want to book them as soon as possible so they don’t get booked out on your target move date. 3. Let the Right People and Places Know Don’t forget to update your address and let important people and organizations know about your big move. This includes your bank, insurance provider, and any subscriptions you may have. You should also reach out to friends and family members—simply to give them a clue or to see if they can possibly assist with the move. Just because you’re moving in a hurry does not mean you need to go do it alone. If assistance is offered, take it! Final Thoughts Relocating can be overwhelming, but it’s not impossible. With some preparation and the right tools at your disposal, you can make sure your fast move goes smoothly. Be sure to give yourself enough time to get everything done, downsize if necessary, and consider hiring professional movers to help ease some of the stress of moving. However, you do it, just try to stay organized — and keep calm while doing so. Losing your head won't bring any successful outcome! Lastly, moving to a new place could always be an exciting experience, so embrace it without worrying about where any of your belongings are packed! Read Also: 10 Steps To Move In Your New House 10 Things To Do Before You Move Out Of State 7 Helpful Tips During An Emergency Moving Process

10 Effective Homework Tips for Your Kids

It has been already been proven how important the role of a parent is in a kid’s performance in school. If a parent takes an active interest in their child’s studies, it makes them realize the value in what they are doing. This is especially true with homework, which is one of the areas where kids struggle in the most. These are ten of the ways for kids to be more encouraged to do their homework: 1. Set A Good Example : Before anyone else, the parent is the first role model kids will look up to. With this logic, it is important for parents to show that they value learning. Giving advice is not enough. You can start by showing them that you are reading a book while they are making their homework. It will help a lot because you are helping set behavioral expectations for the child. 2. Leave Them To Do Their Work : One of the basic things parents always forget is that they should leave the child to learn on their own. Let them finish their own homework. Never mind that they make mistakes. Making mistakes is part of learning. Of course, as a parent, you still get to make suggestions and help out. But the majority of the task must be carried out by your kid. 3. Make Your Home Conducive To Homework Making : There must be an area in your house that will be used for making assignments. This place must be well-lit and comfortable enough for the child. It is also a must for the area to be filled with the right supplies so that it will be easy to finish homework. This includes scissors, pencils, papers, glue, and others. 4. Minimize Distractions : One of your biggest enemies as a parent in getting your kids to do their homework is the distraction that external factors provide. This can affect the focus that the child is putting on their school work. As much as possible, there should be no devices when doing homework. This means no television, computers, smartphones or tablets. Even loud music may have to be banned. 5. Assist Them In Making Plans : Proper planning makes conquering homework more manageable for the child. Parents can help out in teaching their child planning to achieve this. As an example, it would be smart for your child to divide their homework into portions that will be easier to tackle. Also, teach them to take into account possible breaks. Fifteen-minute breaks may be enough. These breaks should be incorporated into the schedule they set for making their homework. 6. Schedule Regular Study Time : The key to the kids being used to doing homework is by doing it regularly. There is no cookie-cutter approach to scheduling regular study time. What parents need to understand is that what works for others may not work for your child. Just because study time after dinner is best for another child does not mean that afternoon study breaks are inappropriate. 7. Meet Up With Their Teachers : Parents should have a strong relationship with their children's teachers. Both parents and teachers have certain expectations as to how the kid must perform. As your child's second parents, it is important for both parties to have a dialogue to ensure the academic success of your child. 8. Motivate And Monitor : Parents must be monitors and motivators. Encourage them to study and finish their homework on time. Ask them about their day at school and if there is anything that they should know about their school work. Exhibit some control over their studying without being too repressive. 9. Do Not Forget To Praise Them : Children will be more motivated if you praise them. If they do well on an exam, compliment them and post their exam results for everyone to see. If relatives visit your home, do not forget to mention their achievements. 10. Get Help : If the parent has done everything they can to improve the homework habits of their child, they need to seek help. Start by talking to the teacher so you can get another perspective. If they exhibit learning or attention problems, you may also have to visit a child psychologist. Conclusion : Apart from applying these useful tips, you can introduce various learning and education apps to your kids if they are capable of learning things themselves with the help of apps. Say, for example, the top tutoring app can be a perfect solution to all the study related problems of your kids. If you are an android user, this has this Google Play study app on your phone and give your kids access to this app. If you are an iPhone user, this cool learning English iTunes app can be a great fit. Read Also : Transform Portals Of Learning What Is Somatic Psychology And How Does It Work? English As A Second Language: Ways To Find Great Teaching Materials On A Budget

Seven ways to Support Family and Friends with Special Needs

1. Talk to them:

2. Be aware of personal space:

3. Be thoughtful:

4. Treat them normally:

5. Do not try too much:

6. Go an extra mile in the extreme seasons:

7. Support their dreams:

7 Of The Most Funny, Geeky & Cool Star Wars Gifts For Him

Care Free Fun: 5 Fun and Family-Friendly Activities for Children With Special Needs

Content Rally

Content Rally wrapped around an online publication where you can publish your own intellectuals. It is a publishing platform designed to make great stories by content creators. This is your era, your place to be online. So come forward share your views, thoughts and ideas via Content Rally.

Leave a Reply

Popular

Technologies For Creating A Startup Idea

How to Download Facebook Videos on Android?

7 Rules of Effective Ecommerce Web Design

The 10 WordPress Plugins Every Sucessful Blogger Uses

Follow Us

Recent

A Detailed Review Of Whatutalkingboutwillis com: Here’s Why You MUST Check It Out!

The Journey Of Daskusza Exploration: What Lies In The Forbidden Land On Earth?

Small Daily Habits That Make Anxiety Worse Without You Knowing

Choosing the Right Dallas Roofing Contractor for Your Home Renovation Needs

Related

10 Helpful Kid Closet Organization Hacks

Moving Companies and How they Determine Their Cost (…and Decreasing It)

10 Effective Homework Tips for Your Kids

Seven ways to Support Family and Friends with Special Needs

1. Talk to them:

2. Be aware of personal space:

3. Be thoughtful:

4. Treat them normally:

5. Do not try too much:

6. Go an extra mile in the extreme seasons:

7. Support their dreams:

Share this Article

7 Of The Most Funny, Geeky & Cool Star Wars Gifts For Him

Care Free Fun: 5 Fun and Family-Friendly Activities for Children With Special Needs

Content Rally wrapped around an online publication where you can publish your own intellectuals. It is a publishing platform designed to make great stories by content creators. This is your era, your place to be online. So come forward share your views, thoughts and ideas via Content Rally.

Leave a Reply

Popular

Follow Us

Recent

Related