Preparation
Compassion
Grandparents
Siblings
Self Esteem
Depression
About Judy
Articles
Press Room
Speaking Services
Marriage
Teasing
Adoption
Hospital
Limits
Coddling
Impaired

Got A Question?

ASK JUDY
click here



© 2001-2003
Judith Loseff Lavin
Feedback
Links to Resources
My Story
Problem Solvers
The Chat Club
Parent to Parent
Contact Judy
Home




Date: November 8, 2002


For Immediate Release


ADVISORY
EXCERPTS FROM:

"Special Kids Need Special Parents: A Resource for Parents
Of Children With Special Needs"


More than 20 million American families have a child with special needs -- that's nearly 1 in 3 families.

The parents of children with special needs face uphill challenges every day. How can they boost their child's esteem? How do they find the right therapist or therapy program? What about reliable childcare? Frequent hospitalizations can throw family life into turmoil.

Simply coping day to day with the demands of caring for a child with autism, a birth defect, learning difficulty, serious injury or disease can be complicated and stressful. Pressures can build just as high when a child has a learning disability or emotional problem.

Judith Loseff Lavin knows the turf. After her own daughter was born with a cleft lip and palate, she learned to appreciate the struggles other parents face raising children with special needs. Determined to ease the way for other families, Lavin wrote "Special Kids Need Special Parents" (Berkley Books). Her book is filled with encouraging insights and practical advice on everything from picking a wheelchair to dealing with chronic pain, sleep problems, hair replacement and preoperative jitters.

There are more tips on living with the anger, pain, fear and frustration children with special needs - and their parents, grandparents and siblings - often face.

Tribune Media Services is offering FOUR EXCERPTS from this outstanding guide. All are for IMMEDIATE RELEASE. For information on purchasing the segments, contact Jan Bunch, jbunch@tribune.com or 1-800-637-4082.

EXCERPTS INCLUDE:


PART 1: HOW COULD THIS HAPPEN? – GRIEVING

Grief is the first thing parents usually feel when a child is born with or develops serious physical or psychological problems. Lavin explores the landscape of grief and offers tips on surviving its emotional earthquakes. With time and counseling, pain and disappointment can give way to hope. (1,064 WORDS)

PART 2: HOW TO DEAL WITH TEASING AND OTHER HURTFUL BEHAVIORS

Taunting can be tougher for a child to bear than any disability. Lavin shows parents how to create a support system at home to help a child with special needs cope with teasing, staring and rude behavior, especially at school. She urges parents to educate classmates and others about their child's condition. (1,128 WORDS)

PART 3: SCHOOL QUESTIONS - THE EDUCATION OF CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS

When special-needs kids enter school, parents, teachers and administrators must be willing to reach out with extra helpings of patience, compassion, support and flexibility. Motivating a child who faces extra challenges takes a special touch. (1,143 WORDS)

PART 4: THE POWER OF ADVOCACY

Sometimes, parents must become fierce advocates for their special-needs kids, especially when they enter school. Standing up for your child to make sure he or she has the best chance to succeed in the classroom may demand persistence, courage and strong communication skills. (1,167 WORDS)

© 2003 TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES, INC.