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2019 / Archives for October 2019

Archives for October 2019

Explaining Sensory Processing Disorder

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Educators and parents are more cognizant today about the various needs of their students and children. The lines between certain learning disabilities and conditions are not always easy to decipher, and this is especially true with a condition known as sensory processing disorder.

What is Sensory Processing Disorder

Sensory processing disorder (SPD), sometimes referred to as sensory integration dysfunction, involves the way the nervous system receives messages from the senses and transforms them into appropriate motor functions and behavioral responses. When a child has SPD, his or her sensory signals are not organized into appropriate responses. This can present challenges when performing everyday tasks, says the Sensory Processing Disorder Foundation. Clumsiness with regard to motor skills, behavioral problems, difficulties in school and anxiety are just some of the conditions that may result from SPD if no treatment is sought.

A person with SPD may find clothing, physical contact or some sort of sensory input, like light or sound, to be uncomfortable, while another may under-respond to certain stimulation, such as not reacting quickly enough to pain. Others with SPD may not have adequate motor skills, leading them to consistently fall or trip. Some people with SPD overly seek out stimulation and sensation to a point where they are often misdiagnosed with ADHD.

Detecting Sensory Processing Disorder

Identifying and understanding SPD is essential, as such an understanding can mean the difference between getting the right treatment or being misdiagnosed. Some people with SPD are medicated for other issues, when SPD really is the cause of their problems. A Pennsylvania injury attorney from Console and Associates PC can help in such cases.

SPD is most common in children, although it can occur in adults. The exact cause of the condition, and other neurodevelopmental disorders, have not been entirely identified. Doctors believe SPD is often inherited and SPD causes are ingrained in DNA. Prenatal and birth complications also have been implicated, and environmental factors may be involved. However, researchers believe SPD is the result of factors that are both genetic and environmental.

Treating SPD

An accurate diagnosis of SPD means that most children will be treated with some form of occupational therapy. Listening therapy and other therapies may be combined. Therapy may take place in a sensory-rich location that is challenging but fun. Additional support may be needed in the classroom for school-aged children. Because kids with SPD have brains that are wired differently, they may require different approaches to learn their lessons. The disorder does not make them any less intelligent; it just means lessons need to be tailored to meet their needs.

The best course of action is to ask a doctor to conduct tests to determine if a child has SPD. Research shows that families who work together with educators, therapists and other family members have the highest levels of success with regard to making life easier for someone with sensory processing disorder. Furthermore, parents who suspect their child has SPD can refer to this checklist, which is available here. A child may not exhibit all signs of SPD, but the list can be a good starting point for conversations with a doctor.

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This Is the NYC Public School Outdoor Recess Policy

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When seasons change and temperatures fluctuate, parents sometimes have questions regarding the New York City Department of Education’s outdoor recess policy. Hopefully the following will alleviate some of the confusion about temperature guidelines for outdoor recess:

COLD WEATHER 

Several years ago, school personnel were advised to keep children inside when the outside temperature dropped below 32 degrees. In 2004, the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene revisited this policy, recommending that a combination of factors be used to determine whether schools conduct outdoor play during cold weather days.

The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene guidelines regarding outdoor play in cold weather states;

Children benefit from vigorous exercise and should be given the opportunity to play outside whenever possible. Unless it is snowing or there is ice on the playground, low temperatures should not be a barrier to outside play, as long as children are appropriately dressed. The City’s Health Department strongly encourages principals to maintain outdoor play periods on the vast majority of winter days.

Each day, school administrators take multiple factors into consideration when determining whether children will be going outdoors for gym classes and/or recess. Some of these considerations include; a) visual inspection of the play area, checking for ice patches and/or other defects. b) monitoring weather reports for temperature, wind chill factors, and precipitation c) possible safety concerns.

According to The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, every classroom must have a top rated dehumidifier as to avoid infestation of bacteria and other germs when the doors and windows are sealed tight during cold weather.

Sometimes children with asthma may experience increased symptoms while playing outside in cold weather. It is important to note that exercise-related asthma can be heightened at any temperature and can usually be prevented by taking the necessary medication or treatment before engaging in activities.

HOT WEATHER

When the outdoor temperature rises above 95°, children can be at risk for a heat-related illness. They may also have a lower tolerance for exercise.

When the temperature is less than 95º and the humidity or heat index is high, it can increase the risk of heat related illnesses. The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene recommends that schools limit the intensity of outdoor activities lasting more than 15 minutes to minimize the possibility of heat exhaustion or heat stroke.

Students should be provided with access to water and be reminded to drink often during periods of high temperatures and humidity. It also may help to have students dress in appropriate light colored and lightweight clothing.

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RECESS TO ENHANCE LEARNING

Over the past several years there has been much debate about the limited outdoor recess activity at schools. Much of this debate is related to the Common Core Standards and emphasis on state standardized testing. Parents and educators alike have been advocating for increasing the amount of time allocated for outdoor recess.

The Patchogue-Medford School District on Long Island recently doubled the amount of time for recess to 40 minutes from 20.

“Some of the things we’re going to focus on are the social, emotional, physical and cognitive needs of all of our students. We’re going to start to look at, from a structural standpoint, aspects of play, yoga, meditation, and most notably project-based learning.

Our school board and administration are completely aligned on these groundbreaking measures that will continue to define our school district as a beacon for progressive educational fundamentals and values,” said Michael Hynes, the Patchogue-Medford School District Superintendent.

It is an interesting perspective and as we have heard time and time again as adults, exercise can have a tremendous impact on both our physical and mental health. This concept should hold true for our children as well.

By Community Education Council 31 President Michael Reilly

Creative Ways to Ring in the New Year

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ribbons

Counting down the hours until the new year can be exciting, as the world anxiously anticipates the adventures in store for the months ahead.

Celebrating the new year dates back thousands of years to the ancient Babylonians, who celebrated a new year come the first full moon after the spring equinox. The new year is now commemorated in various ways across the globe. According to History.com, one million people gather in New York City’s Time Square to watch the famed crystal ball drop each year. Across the pond in London, celebrants watch thousands of individual fireworks launch over the Thames River. In Sydney, Australia, roughly one million people line the shoreline each year to watch a fireworks show over the famed harbor.

To match the excitement of New Year’s festivities, each year party hosts and hostesses are on the lookout for innovative ways to entertain and ensure everyone has a blast. The following are a few ways to do just that as you and your guests prepare to close the book on 2016 and usher in 2017.

Go bowling.

New Year’s Eve probably isn’t a big league night, so it’s likely you can reserve a number of lanes. Book in advance to take advantage of affordable food and drink packages. Some alleys now offer more than just bowling, with live music or deejay entertainment as well. You do not have to be a professional bowler, either, as the goal of bowling with friends is to simply have some fun and make some lasting memories.

Try a “first.”

There is a first time for everything, and why not try something you have been thinking about doing for some time on the first day of the new year? Maybe you’re ready to tap into your adventurous side and try skydiving. Or, you may be looking to travel abroad to experience something you have longed to see, such as the Egyptian pyramids or the city lights in the romantic city of Paris.

Cheer for every time zone.

Thanks to the various time zones across the globe, “Happy New Year” is shouted multiple times throughout the night on New Year’s Eve. TimeandDate.com notes that, depending on how you define the time zone and if you include the International Date Line, there are 24 or 25 standard time zones. That gives revelers 25 opportunities to usher in the new year. Choose a country in each time zone, and then employ that country’s cultural traditions to celebrate the new year.

Design a scavenger hunt.

A fun activity for both adults and children, scavenger hunts can send guests in search of clues and answers based on things that happened over the previous 12 months. Include photos and other mementos when preparing clues.

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Strategies for Last-Minute Shoppers

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Here’s how to make procrastination work for you!

Holiday shoppers tend to fall into three distinct camps. There are those people who have completed all of their shopping and wrapping even before November ends. Others shop in the weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Finally, many people wait until the last minute, and such shoppers are the ones seen rushing from store to store on December 24.

Waiting until the last possible moment to purchase a gift may not prove much of a problem when shopping for birthday gifts, but come the holiday season procrastination may find shoppers picking over limited inventories and dealing with fellow frantic procrastinators. Here are a few ways last-minute shoppers can make the most of stalling this holiday season:

· Consider eGift Cards. Many retailers offer digital gift cards that can be emailed in a matter of minutes. Purchase the card from the online retailer and email the redemption code to the gift recipient. Time the email to arrive on Christmas morning or include all of the necessary information in a holiday card.

· Ship to Store. Some shoppers like the convenience of ship-to-store services. This enables a person to purchase a gift online but avoid shipping charges by having the item made available at a store location. In-stock items are typically ready the day of purchase, and this helps you avoid crowds and impulse buys, as online purchases are typically available at special pick-up locations in the store that allow online shoppers to skip long lines at the registers.

· Avoid Gimmick Gifts. Skip the “as seen on TV” aisle at the store or trendy infomercial gifts. Such gifts may suggest to their recipients that you waited until the last minute to buy the gifts and then really didn’t have any good ideas.

· Factor Extra Charges Into Your Budget. Procrastinating may work for your schedule, but expect to pay more if you shop online and require shipping. You will probably need to expedite shipping if you expect to have gifts delivered on time. Verify the delivery date before making any purchases. Paying more for shipping may outweigh the hassle of driving to store after store searching for gifts. Online retailers like Amazon may even offer selective delivery on Christmas Eve.

· Check Store Hours. Some stores offer extended shopping hours to meet the needs of last-minute shoppers. You may be able to visit early morning or late at night to skip the crowds. Certain department stores time sales with these extended hours, such as “early bird” or “night owl” specials, so you may even be rewarded for procrastinating.

· Shop Smaller Retailers. One way to avoid the hassles that often come with holiday shopping is to patronize smaller, independent shops. Chances are the crowds will be smaller at these shops and you may have access to a more unique selection of gifts than you would find at the nearby mall.

 

7 Things to Remember When Your Child Throws a Tantrum

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When your child throws a tantrum it is easy to get frustrated, overwhelmed, angry, and embarrassed, especially if the tantrum occurs in public. Unfortunately, the occasional tantrum cannot be avoided. They happen to every parent but while your child is in the throes of a fit, try to remember these tips.

It is normal

The first thing to remember when your child has a tantrum is that it is normal. Tantrums are a normal way for kids to express their frustration when they may not be able to communicate their feelings appropriately. While this fact doesn’t make the tantrum any easier to deal with, it does help to know that, developmentally, this is a normal stage.

Do not engage

During a tantrum the temptation can be to lecture, yell, or reason with the child. They cannot hear you or comprehend reason when they are in the middle of a tantrum. The best thing to do is to wait it out. If you do feel the need to discuss the situation with the child, wait until later when he or she is calm and ready to listen.

Leave the scene

When the child starts to throw a tantrum, make sure they are safe, and then leave the area. Typically, if the child doesn’t have an audience to get a reaction from, the tantrum will cease. If you are not comfortable leaving the child alone, get busy doing other things and pretend to ignore them. If the tantrum happens in public, take the child to the car or the bathroom to calm down. If the tantrum continues and the child is unable to calm down, buckle them safely in their car seat and drive home.

Consider triggers.

Think about what triggered your child to get so upset in the first place. How can frustrating situations be avoided in the future? Of course, not all tantrums can be avoided but certain triggers can be removed. When armed with this information parents can be prepared to use distraction to lessen or avoid a future tantrum.

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Don’t give in, except once in awhile.

Giving into a tantrum will do nothing but encourage future tantrums. If your child is throwing a tantrum because he wants to eat a cookie before dinner, do not give him the cookie. It is also not a good idea to use bribes to stop a tantrum. “If you stop crying, I will buy you a toy” rewards the child for the tantrum. However, if your child is in the middle of a tantrum and listening to the same annoying song over and over again on the car ride home will help him calm down, this may be an exception you can live with.

You are not alone.

Although it might feel like you are alone while your child has a fit at the grocery store, we have all been there. It is likely your child will have a tantrum in public at some point and it will be embarrassing and inconvenient, but it is generally unavoidable. Remind yourself again that it is normal for kids to have tantrums, leave the store if needed, and try to laugh about it later.

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Use distraction, humor, and hugs.

During a tantrum, kids are not able to listen to reason but that doesn’t mean parents can’t try to wrap up the crying quickly. Try using a distraction like “Where is the ball?” or “Do you want to read a book?” Make a silly face to lighten the mood or turn on some music and begin a silly dance. For some kids a tight hug helps them to calm down when they are upset. Trying to help your child move past the tantrum can teach them methods for calming themselves down in the future. The situation that caused the tantrum can be discussed later if needed.

Don’t doubt yourself

There was a day when I had dealt with a particular horrible tantrum from my daughter and I began to blame myself. “What am I doing wrong? I am a terrible mom.” After expressing these things to a friend, she reminded me that I am not a bad mother; I am just having a bad day. It happens to all of us. Remain confident in your parenting and remind yourself you are doing the best you can. Tantrums happen to all parents.

The next time your child has a terrible tantrum, try to stop and remember these tips. Ultimately the tantrum will end and your child will grow and learn to communicate more effectively.

By Sarah Lyons a freelance writer and mom of six children, including two year-old triplets.

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Best Buys for the New Year

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minature toy shopping cart
January is a great time for deals on linens, clothing, air conditioners, show tickets and much more.

Smart shopping involves making budget-friendly purchases. Never paying full price is a mantra shoppers can follow to help keep their finances in check.

In addition to coupons and other discounts, shoppers can usually score deals based on which time of year they shop for particular items. Each year, various consumer resources offer advice on the best time to buy certain items.

The beginning of the year is often an ideal time to purchase certain items. Consumers who take advantage of sales offered at the start of the new year can save substantial amounts of money. Now that the holiday season has passed, consumers can begin to find deals on items for themselves.

Clothing

 Post-Christmas sales are booming, and stores are looking to sell what’s left of their inventories to make room for spring and summer selections. As customers, it is note-worthy to comprehend from salesforce.com what a good sales pitch is, because ascertaining if the place you’re shopping from has a good sales pitch says a lot about the cloth dealer. Even though the weather outside is still cold, sweaters, pants, coats, and more are usually available at a discount come January. It may take some digging through the racks, but there’s an excellent chance to discover some great items.

Air conditioners

 If the warm-weather season was particularly steamy this past year, it might be time to revamp the HVAC system or invest in some new portable units. Bankrate offers that the first few months of the year are prime times to shop for air conditioners. While you may not get the latest model, it’s likely you can find a reliable unit at below-market cost.

Theater tickets

January and February are not especially busy seasons for theaters, which means there will be greater opportunity to get discounted seats for many popular shows.

Linens and bedding

John Wannamaker was a retail entrepreneur and had a few department stores in New York and Philadelphia. Wannamakers held the first “white sale” in 1878, and since then many stores have continued the tradition. January is a great month to buy towels, sheets, bedspreads, and more at a discount.

Motorcycles

Riding a motorcycle is a fair-weather hobby, and retailers are aware of this. The easy riders of tomorrow might be able to find great deals today.

Boats

Wintertime is boat show season, but it’s also the offseason for boaters who live in cooler climates. These factors combine to make it easier and less expensive to find a new boat. According to boat-buying retailer Boatline, consumers can probably get one of last year’s models at a good price.

Video games

Those who haven’t purchased their fill of video games for the holidays can benefit from post-holiday drops in price.

Furniture

Many furniture manufacturers begin to churn out new inventory in February, so last season’s items will need to move quickly. Shoppers can often negotiate some good deals now and upgrade their homes’ decor.

Couples who don’t mind the chilly weather can enjoy steep savings by hosting their weddings in January. Spring and summer are by far the more popular seasons to tie the knot, but reception halls, musical acts, florists, and other vendors may heavily discount their services in winter.

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