If your family has a child with special needs, it can be daunting to consider going out to dinner, let alone leaving on a family vacation.
Mary Meekins, a special education teacher, urges that although more planning may be necessary for families with special needs children, there’s no need to rule anything out. She adds, “You know your child best; don’t underestimate what your child can handle.”Basic things a parent can do when traveling with a special needs child will enhance the experience.
Contact the destination to see what accommodations are available. Fortunately, major tourist attractions accommodate children with a variety of disabilities beyond the need for wheel chair accessibility. Disney World is an excellent example. They offer discreet yet visible tags children can wear in any of the parks. For children who may become anxious and struggle in crowds, it allows alternate access and shorter wait periods to a variety of venues. To save park time, simply call ahead to determine how Disney can best assist you. Several parks and museums have similar options, and will work with you to ensure a great vacation.
Consider the needs of your child. Think about what your child needs during school or at social events. Are they sensitive to noise? Bring lightweight earphones. Is personal space an issue? Bring something they can hold onto, like a toy car or stuffed animal that sets a boundary between them and others. If your child uses a communication device during school, ask the teacher if your child can bring it with you on vacation. A lightweight waterproof backpack can be found at most sporting good stores. As your child acclimates, simply put
the item in the backpack until it is
needed again.
Focus on the fun, not the therapy. Vacation time is for fun and relaxation, and your child deserves a break from therapy. While it may be tempting to seize every opportunity as a teachable moment, let some things slide. Though you probably can’t stop therapy cold for a whole week, remember it is a vacation for your child as well. Pick and choose your battles. Chances are you need the break too!
Be realistic. If you need to leave the beach or park early, do it. While park passes may have been expensive, the point is to enjoy the day, doing what works best for the family. If jumping on a hotel bed is more fun than building sandcastles, so be it! A three day getaway might be all your child can handle. So while you might be wishing for a week, keep in mind that your child may be ready for that in a year or two!
Pack your bags
World travelers
At 15, Coline has traveled to London, Belgium, Italy, Netherlands, Senegal, Spain, Morocco and Tunisia, but most recently she looks forward to her first trip to the U.S. to discover the American way of life for a few weeks. How has someone so young already traveled the world on her own? With the help of World Exchange, a non-profit that facilitates international/intercultural student exchanges to promote understanding and respect amongst world cultures.
World Exchange caught Yvonne and Tom Goodwin’s attention in 2006. The pair read a small article seeking host families for exchange students. By the time they responded there were no longer any students to be placed. However, the organization kept the Goodwins on file and a year later they hosted their first student. In 2008, the Goodwins started a journey of their own with World Exchange as new executive directors, and placed their first group of students with host families. Since then World Exchange has offered two groups of students each year an opportunity to be placed with host families. This July marks the Goodwins’ third year of involvement and they’re seeking families to host a group of 12 to 15 students over the summer.
Vast inspiration
“The students are so inspiring,” says Tom Goodwin. “They’re usually 15-17 years old, far from home and happy to be here. Even more inspiring are the host families, who may not know what they’re getting into the first time, opening their homes to teenagers. They go out of their way to make sure the experience is great for the student and their own family. Most families stay in contact and have friendships which span the oceans. These families do not receive payment for hosting they simply do it because they want
the experience,” says Goodwin.
Open and engaging
According to Goodwin, an open mind and engaging activities are important when it comes hosting a student. “We tell people to treat their guest as their visiting niece or nephew, treat them as part of the family. Although understand that you will end up spending extra time making sure they have a good time, just as you would for your relative. For instance, instead of weeding the garden Saturday afternoon, go to a local festival,”
he advises.
World Exchange currently seeks working families with children, with teenagers and without any children to host French students. Families who can offer students insights into the life of
an American teenager, take them places and expose them to American culture are ideal choices. “It’s great for your family, especially kids, to be exposed
to a different culture,” says Goodwin.
Froggy awards
Teachers are the gatekeepers of change for students. Currently the Lake Erie Western Alliance for Sustainability (LEWAS), Lucas County and the City of Toledo invite nominations for the LEWAS Froggy Awards. The organizations are reaching out to the community to receive information on high school teachers who have gone above and beyond for environmental science and who inspire sustainability in the classroom. Teachers who teach and encourage recycling efforts, alternative energy and more can be considered. Nominations must be received the first week of April to qualify. The awards ceremony location and date is to be announced. For a nomination form contact LEWAS at 419-213-4817 or visit www.lewas.org.
Let’s go to the movies
Going to the movies is a special experience for children. The lights, sounds and stories spark the imagination creating lasting memories for all ages. Rave Motion Pictures’ Fallen Timbers Theater presents the annual Free Family Festival. Each year the theater offers families free entry into a popular family film, this year featuring Despicable Me, an animated film highlighting the vocal talents of Steve Carell, Jason Segel and Russell Brand. Beginning Tuesday, April 5, at 10am, the fun continues through Thursday, April 7, and concludes with a final show on Saturday, April 9. 2300 Village Dr., Maumee. 419-878-3898.
www.ravemotionpictures.com.
Snapping a shot
Photos of little ones capture the essence of childhood forever, and now your child might end up in print! Kurt Nielsen Photography offers a free session of candid photo shoots. Parents are encouraged to provide a child’s favorite toy, sports item or whimsical outfit. The contest runs through April and online voting for the community’s favorite portrait begins the first week of May. The photo that receives the most votes wins a family fun pack of photos, and will be featured at kurtnphoto.com and in Kurt Nielsen Photography’s ad in the May edition of Toledo Area Parent. The first five runner-up photos will also receive an honorable mention.
In addition to the contest, KNP has partnered with the Ronald McDonald House of Northwest Ohio. For a $5 donation, each participant in Nielsen’s contest will be offered a CD slideshow from their child’s session. All proceeds benefit the RMH. For more info on the contest or KNP contact 419-885-7153 or kurtnphoto.com.
A new initiative
Reading and writing skills are crucial for any age. This year the
Women’s Initiative of United Way’s annual Spring Event on
Wednesday, April 6, presents Ninive Calegari as their keynote speaker. Calegari has ten years of teaching experience in charter schools and large high schools. In addition to teaching, Calegari is the co-founder and former executive director of 826 Valencia and recently served as the CEO for 826 National, a nonprofit tutoring, writing and publishing organization with only eight locations across the country. Their mission is to provide students ages six to 18 with creative writing outlets and to help educators inspire their students with writing. Calegari is the co-author of Teachers Have It Easy: The Big Sacrifices and Small Salaries of America’s Teachers. Along with her published work, Calegari’s most recent project is a film, Come Back Mr. Dearman, which aims to highlight the nation’s most effective educators. 5:30pm. Owens Corning World Headquarters, 1 Owens Corning Pkwy. For more info visit
www.womens-initiative.org.