What do parents need to assist their child toward self reliance?
Definition of Life Skills for Self Reliance: A large group of psycho-social and interpersonal skills which can help people make informed decisions, communicate effectively, and develop coping and self-management skills that may help them lead a healthy and productive life. Life skills may be directed toward personal actions and actions toward others, as well as actions to change the surrounding environment to make it conducive to health. (Source: UNICEF)
We believe that every child deserves the opportunity to live a productive life in which they are able to interact with others, have their needs known and met, and to succeed to their potential. Many children with special needs may be limited in achieving their potential by their difficulties in such things as their communication skills, social skills, executive functioning (self regulation and organizational) skills, and their ability to access and achieve in the educational setting. It is our goal to assist families to find the tools and services to allow their child the opportunity to even the playing field with children who are able to gain these skills with fewer obstacles.
We are fortunate that at this time in history new proven educational methodologies, assistive technology, highly trained teachers and staff, and a society that is becoming more open to our children are available.
Unfortunately, parents who do not all ready have experience with special needs and the special needs community often do not have the opportunity to learn what their children need and where they can access services and equipment. If we are to help children to become as self reliant as possible than families must have information, contact with others who have experienced the same challenges, and the opportunity to access the help that their children truly need from the youngest possible age. Each special needs condition and each child is unique. There is no one method, educational program, or service that treats all. For this reason parents need to be advocates in carefully researching and evaluating the wide array of available services for their unique child. Frogs Landing staff are available to talk with parents and to provide information that might assist parents in this journey.
There is no fee to families for phone consultations. In addition Frogs Landing, from time to time, holds free informational groups for families of newly diagnosed children or where we know of specific topics that are of concern to specific groups of parents. We are often available to provide presentations to community groups as well as schools.