Post by Diane on May 6, 2005 9:49:36 GMT -5
Sometimes, the parents of special needs children can feel overwhelmed and unsure of what they should do next.
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Fortunately, HELP is available.
Help, or Help Educate Loving Parents, is a support group for the parents of special needs kids founded and run by a special education teacher who is the parent of a special needs child.
"I can relate to these parents at a parent-to-parent level. I know what it's like, because I live it 24/7 the same way they do,“ said Diane Lutch, a special education teacher at Algonac Elementary School.
She started HELP to give the parents of children with special needs a place to go to talk with other parents and professionals. The program isn't disorder specific; any caregiver of a child with special needs is welcome.
"Special needs could be anything from ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) emotional problems, physical handicaps, mental disorders, any type of specialty. We don't say, kThis is just for autism,' or kThis is just for mentally impaired children.' This is for anybody, because parents can learn from one another and lots of times there's overlap in symptoms,“ Lutch said.
The group meets on the third Thursday of each month at Algonac Elementary School from 6-8 p.m. Child care services for special needs children are even provided so parents can spend the two hours learning from one another.
"We do provide free child care,“ Lutch said. "So there's somebody here who is trained on working with these kids, it's not just some babysitter off the street, it is somebody that's had training from Community Mental Health.“<br>
In addition to a trained childcare worker, Lutch often has experts come in and offer additional guidance.
"We have the support of Dean Ernsberger, a social worker,“ Lutch said. "We have people who come in and talk about medications, so we will invite outside people to come in and share their expertise in whatever it may be.“<br>
According to Lutch, too many parents of children with special needs feel isolated and alone, as though they're the only ones going through what they're experiencing.
Lutch said one of the greatest benefits of the program is it lets parents know they're not alone and there are others going through similar circumstances.
"The best thing about it, once these parents start talking, they start realizing how much they do have in common and they realize, kOh my gosh, I'm not the only one feeling this way' ... So, what happens is that they feel better,“ Lutch said.
The group's next meeting is on May 19. The group meets in room 117, the school's computer lab while childcare is available directly across the hall in Lutch's classroom.
For more information on HELP, call Lutch at 794-4991 ext 3418 during the day, or, (586) 949-3995, evenings.
Advertisement
Fortunately, HELP is available.
Help, or Help Educate Loving Parents, is a support group for the parents of special needs kids founded and run by a special education teacher who is the parent of a special needs child.
"I can relate to these parents at a parent-to-parent level. I know what it's like, because I live it 24/7 the same way they do,“ said Diane Lutch, a special education teacher at Algonac Elementary School.
She started HELP to give the parents of children with special needs a place to go to talk with other parents and professionals. The program isn't disorder specific; any caregiver of a child with special needs is welcome.
"Special needs could be anything from ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) emotional problems, physical handicaps, mental disorders, any type of specialty. We don't say, kThis is just for autism,' or kThis is just for mentally impaired children.' This is for anybody, because parents can learn from one another and lots of times there's overlap in symptoms,“ Lutch said.
The group meets on the third Thursday of each month at Algonac Elementary School from 6-8 p.m. Child care services for special needs children are even provided so parents can spend the two hours learning from one another.
"We do provide free child care,“ Lutch said. "So there's somebody here who is trained on working with these kids, it's not just some babysitter off the street, it is somebody that's had training from Community Mental Health.“<br>
In addition to a trained childcare worker, Lutch often has experts come in and offer additional guidance.
"We have the support of Dean Ernsberger, a social worker,“ Lutch said. "We have people who come in and talk about medications, so we will invite outside people to come in and share their expertise in whatever it may be.“<br>
According to Lutch, too many parents of children with special needs feel isolated and alone, as though they're the only ones going through what they're experiencing.
Lutch said one of the greatest benefits of the program is it lets parents know they're not alone and there are others going through similar circumstances.
"The best thing about it, once these parents start talking, they start realizing how much they do have in common and they realize, kOh my gosh, I'm not the only one feeling this way' ... So, what happens is that they feel better,“ Lutch said.
The group's next meeting is on May 19. The group meets in room 117, the school's computer lab while childcare is available directly across the hall in Lutch's classroom.
For more information on HELP, call Lutch at 794-4991 ext 3418 during the day, or, (586) 949-3995, evenings.