Five Reasons Music Helps Children with Special Needs

Five Reasons Music Helps Children with Special Needs

by | Jun 7, 2017 | Different Dream, School/Education, Special Needs Parenting

Five Reasons Music Helps Children with Special Needs

Music helps children with special needs in many ways. Guest blogger Sally Keys explains five of them in this post.

5 Reasons Music Helps Children with Special Needs

Educators the world over are exploring how to use music to help children with special needs. These needs run the gamut from autism spectrum disorders (ASD) to physical disabilities and learning difficulties. Here are 5 reasons learning a musical instrument can help children.

  1. Motivation. Those of us who struggle to learn find more motivation in music than other forms of learning, but making sounds and singing songs works for a lot of students.
  2. Multi-Sensory Experience. Many students with special needs enjoy learning through sounds, through tactile experiences, through movement, and visually. Playing an instrument activates all of these areas.
  3. Music Works on the Left and Right Hemispheres. Our brains process music in several different areas, similar to a multi-sensory experience. Children whose brains work differently can enjoy many kinds of experiences from the music.
  4. Music is Nonverbal. Many children with unique needs struggle to verbalize their feelings and knowledge. Music moves beyond words and transcends the need for verbal communication. Think of how many people connect through music when they cannot speak the same language.
  5. Music Creates Bonds. Finally, music is a great way to help bring people together. Listening and playing music together creates a wonderful bond between people.
Music and Intelligence

Decades of research have shown that learning a musical instrument can improve intelligence. Studies have shown that developing brains exposed to this kind of learning are able to distinguish and pick up different types of sounds which can later help the brain improve literacy. Picking up and remembering musical elements is also linked with improving both short term and long term memory, which has proven useful across the field from history to math.

Playing a musical instrument is not the only way in which music can influence a child’s academic ability. If a compilation of music tastes and SAT scores is to be believed, a favorite artist or genre can influence test results. For example, fans of Beethoven average 1371 while fans of Lil Wayne only average 889. The difference is stark and average test ranges for different genres show some out performing others.

Neuroscientists are currently examining the impact of classical music on creativity based on accounts about how music inspired Albert Einstein to make some of his discoveries. Let’s not forget that Einstein is believed to have been on the autism spectrum!

 

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Sally Keys is a professional freelance writer with many years experience across many different areas. She moved from a corporate job to freelancing and loves the work-life balance it offers. When not at work, Sally enjoys reading, hiking, spending time with her family, and traveling.

Author Jolene Philo

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The Emotional Toll of IEP Meetings

The Emotional Toll of IEP Meetings

by | May 17, 2017 | Different Dream, School/Education, Special Needs Parenting

The Emotional Toll of IEP Meetings

The emotional toll of IEP meetings is real to parents. Educator Kimberly Drew learned that after her daughter with special needs began school. Over the years she’s learned several strategies to deal with the emotional toll of IEP meetings, and she shares them in this post.

Having been in an IEP meeting as an educator before I had our daughter with special needs, I can tell you that I cared deeply about my student. I went into that meeting prepared and ready to collaborate with the team and parents on how we could best help our student with special needs. I left feeling fantastic about the plan we had in place. It never occurred to me that the parents might have felt differently, that they left feeling exhausted, concerned, and maybe even sad.

I understand now what it feels like to sit on the other side of the table. As a parent, I have left IEP meetings feeling all those emotions at one time or another. I would like to give you some tips on how to handle the emotional toll of IEP meetings.

  1. Most teachers do not get into the field of special education for the money. (What money!?) They do it because they care about these kids and because they want to make a difference in their lives. Go into your meeting knowing that teachers are for your child, not against them or you.
  2. It is the responsibility of each team member to come to the table with a report. They’ve spent a lot of time observing your child in an educational setting very different than a home or family environment. While your child might be able to hold it together at home, school challenges their minds both educationally and socially. The report makes it feel like your child has been under a microscope, and to some extent this is true. However, its details are meant to form a complete picture of your child’s strengths and weaknesses to gauge where they need the most help and what the team can do about it. Try not to listen on the defensive, but remember that you are part of the team. Come with your own notes and thoughts to present, and embrace that you are all working toward the same goal.
  3. As the meeting goes on, it is normal to feel discouraged and tired. It is very taxing to listen to four or more people (six at our last meeting) talk about your child in detail. Try to plan ahead for the fatigue that comes after these meetings. I usually have a plan for dinner that includes either a crock pot or eating out! I also try to come home with nothing else on the planner. It’s important to be able to crash and recover.
  4. Understand that it’s okay to be sad. It’s very hard to hear how your child is struggling. At our last meeting, our daughter was transitioning to a new school. I had to answer the questions about whether or not our daughter could read. The answer was no. Can she recognize letters? A few. Can she count? No. Does she now any numbers? Only one to three. Then we all sat there staring at each other for a few awkward moments. I felt my heart sink. I was sad. It was okay to be sad. I kept the tears in until I got home and then gave myself a moment to let them out.
  5. If you leave the meeting feeling unsure if everything was covered or if you forgot things, you can e-mail the team afterwards. You have time to review the IEP once it’s printed and nothing is set in stone without your signature.

Always remember that you are all doing your best to help your child reach their fullest potential. Be grateful for a team who wants to help your child, let yourself grieve if you feel the sadness rising up again, and look for the positives in the meeting and try to focus on those.

How do you deal with the emotional toll of IEP meetings? Leave your comments below!

Do you like what you see at DifferentDream.com? You can receive more great content by subscribing to the quarterly Different Dream newsletter and signing up for the daily RSS feed delivered to your email inbox. You can sign up for the first in the pop up box and the second at the bottom of this page.

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Kimberly grew up and went to college in the small town of Upland, IN. She graduated from Taylor University with a degree in Elementary Education in 2002. While at TU, she married her college sweetheart and so began their adventure! Ryan and Kimberly have four amazing kids on earth (Abigail, Jayden, Ellie, and Cooper), and a baby boy waiting for them in heaven. Their daughter Abigail (Abbey) has multiple disabilities including cerebral palsy, a seizure disorder, hearing loss, microcephaly, and oral dysphagia. She is the inspiration behind Kimberly’s  desire to write. In addition to being a stay at home mom, Kimberly has been serving alongside her husband in full time youth ministry for almost fourteen years. She enjoys working with the senior high girls, scrapbooking, reading, and music. You can visit Kimberly at her website, Promises and Perspective.

Author Jolene Philo

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Therapy Dogs for Reluctant Readers

Therapy Dogs for Reluctant Readers

by | Apr 12, 2017 | Different Dream, School/Education, Special Needs Parenting

Therapy Dogs for Reluctant Readers

Therapy dogs for reluctant readers, also knows as read dogs, are the subject of Sally Key’s fascinating guest post. Read on to learn about the many benefits therapy dogs can offer our children who struggle to read fluently.

Pawfect Listeners

Learning to read is an essential skill, but unfortunately while developing the fundamental building blocks, the task offers numerous setbacks, which can dishearten many children. Fantastic innovations are now in place, offering alternative strategies in assisting children with this process. There is increased recognition of the benefits of therapy dogs for children with special needs or learning difficulties.

The dogs are able to assist in meeting the needs of these children in an unconditional and natural way that promotes the positives of reading. Therapy dogs have been used for some time and there is a growing appreciate of initiatives such as Reading with Rover. This program encourages children to attend libraries to experience a one-to-one reading session with a dog. Parents are reporting that their previously reluctant-to-read children can’t wait to attend the library for these sessions. There are plans moving forward that this program will extend to assist children in a classroom setting.

Read Dogs

Sometimes referred to as read dogs, these calm and patient animals are non-judgmental listeners. There give no corrections or interruptions, allowing the child to read at their own pace. In a classroom or small group setting, the dog will naturally become the focus of attention, allowing the reader space and time away from criticism or any negativity sometimes found in this setting. Cultivating confidence in the reader is paramount and there is documented evidence that there are many other positive effects on children.

Scary School

School life presents a myriad of experiences and opportunities for children. These in themselves can be daunting. Spending time with a dog is well known to help reduce anxiety and improve confidence. Reduced reading anxiety is one of a number of positive outcomes documented by allowing the dog to help children read. The benefits even extend to better social interactions outside of the classroom, following on from a reading therapy session. Increased exposure to positive experiences are proven to help develop confidence, which is especially crucial with young children. Becoming more confident with reading is an essential stepping stone that in turn allows children to progress faster academically and personally. This enables children to hopefully become more excited in entering school and learning. Biologically, interactions with dogs have been shown to reduce blood pressure and lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol.

Future

Allowing a child to spend time reading with a dog present has so many benefits for all concerned. For children who are more advanced, the non-judgmental dog allows them to play with their reading. Children who are struggling can potentially find new hope. The wide and far reaching positives brought on by increased confidence in reading and education are factors that all parents and teachers aspire to.

Do you like what you see at DifferentDream.com? You can receive more great content by subscribing to the quarterly Different Dream newsletter and signing up for the daily RSS feed delivered to your email inbox. You can sign up for the first in the pop up box and the second at the bottom of this page.

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Sally Keys is a professional freelance writer with many years experience across many different areas. She moved from a corporate job to freelancing and loves the work-life balance it offers. When not at work, Sally enjoys reading, hiking, spending time with her family, and traveling.

Author Jolene Philo

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Special Needs Confidence Boosters

Special Needs Confidence Boosters

by | Nov 26, 2014 | Different Dream, School/Education, Special Needs Parenting

Special Needs Confidence Boosters

 Photo Credit: www.freedigitalphotos.net

Kids need confidence boosters now and then. Guest blogger Anna Rodriguez is here with 6 confidence boosters tailored to the needs of kids with special needs.

In order to help some kids with special needs boost their confidence, parents, educators, and communities need strategies and techniques. We need to empower them by focusing on their strengths so that they’ll become less shy and their confidence will grow. Here are 6 tips that will help you to improve a child’s confidence for better interaction.

Confidence Booster #1: Heal with Positive Affirmations

Confidence Booster 1

Photo courtesy of dee-tales via Pinterest

Positive words of affirmations are great confidence boosters for children. They feel that they are loved, appreciated and cared for whenever they hear affirming words from their parents, teachers, and from their peers. Kids copy what you say, so make sure that every word that comes from you is something good. A simple affirmation can even empower shy kids to come out of their shell and enjoy the day. Start the day by telling your children are loved and capable. Be genuine in stating these words so kids to believe them.

Confidence Booster #2: Leave Time for Play

Confidence Booster 2

Photo courtesy of perpetual-inspiration via Pinterest

Kids play to learn, enjoy, exercise, and explore the world. So provide a balance to a child’s life by allowing them to have their regular physical activity to relieve their stress and clear their minds. Only 1 in 3 children engage in physical activities each day, as shown by an interesting infographic about shy kids by PlaygroundEquipment.com. Therefore it is important to allow them to have their regular playtime in order to combat other effects of having less physical and social activities, such as obesity.

Nowadays, a playground also caters to kids with special needs. Accessible playground equipment offers all children the opportunity to have sensory play and exploratory play. Be able to identify those play activities that he enjoys and join him for regular parent-child bonding moment. These play activities can also help children interact and relate with other kids.

Confidence Booster #3: Have an Activity-Based Reward System

Confidence Booster 3

Photo courtesy of Etsy via Pinterest

One creative confidence booster is a reward system by using stickers. Have a board that lists daily tasks and allow your child to put the sticker on the board whenever the task is done. You can even give a reward that allows him to do a specific activity as a reward for accomplishing a specific task.

Confidence Booster #4: Build Confidence Through a Strength Book

Confidence Booster 4

Photo courtesy of An Everyday Story via Pinterest

Help develop a child’s personal interests, talents and strengths by creating a strengths book. The Raising Children Network suggests that the book can include things such as what your child enjoys doing, strength activities, dreams, daily learnings, and important people. Use the book before bedtime to remind your child of strengths and aspirations in life.

Confidence Booster #5: Provide a Loving Home Environment

Confidence Booster 5

Photo courtesy of stephynow via Pinterest

Children need a safe and loving environment. If they don’t feel safe and welcomed at home, they can suffer the effects of having a low confidence. In the presence of parents who fight, they can develop negative feelings, depression and withdraw. Therefore, be sure to establish a happy and loving environment everyday for your children.

Confidence Booster #6: A Sense of Belonging

Confidence Booster 6

Photo courtesy of Click it Up a Notch via Pinterest

When children feel like an important part of the family, community, class, group of friends, church, and neighborhood, their confidence grows. Provide different opportunities where kids can contribute to groups. Shy children may need to brush up on certain social activities and play ideas to help them interact with others.

Kids with special needs should be affirmed to grow more confident. By helping them build their self-esteem and self-confidence, you are effectively expressing your love and concern and this can empower them to do more things with their strengths and capabilities.

What Are Your Confidence Boosters?

How do you build confidence in your children with special needs? Share them in the comment box.

Do you like what you see at DifferentDream.com? You can receive more great content by subscribing to the quarterly Different Dream newsletter and signing up for the daily RSS feed delivered to your email inbox. You can sign up for the first in the pop up box and the second at the bottom of this page.

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Anna Rodriguez is the author of HomeyGuide.com. She writes about family, business and health. Follow her @annrodriguez021

Author Jolene Philo

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We’re More Alike Than Different

We’re More Alike Than Different

by | Oct 29, 2014 | Different Dream, School/Education, Special Needs Parenting

We’re More Alike Than Different

We’re more alike than different. That’s what guest blogger Jennifer Janes discovered during her middle school years. As you will see, God was preparing her for life as the parent of a child with special needs long beforehand. Perhaps her story will encourage you and get you thinking of how God prepared you for your parenting journey.

Finding Refuge in a Self-contained Special Education Classroom

I was in the eighth grade when my world fell apart for the first time. An extended family member I was very close to found himself in the middle of a legal issue that was devastating and very public. I quickly found out who my real friends were and who wanted to talk about my family behind my back. And then there were the two boys who taunted me face-to-face for over a year. School was torture because they were always there, and I had no choice but to attend.

Then God gave me refuge in the self-contained special education classroom.

I don’t remember how it all came about, but somehow I received permission to escape when I became overwhelmed with the situation or the teasing. The teacher and I got along well, I was able to help her some, and I got to know my classmates who were students in that class. I didn’t know what their diagnoses were (although I can guess some of them now). I had only spent time with these kids in P.E. class and on occasional field trips. I was a little uncomfortable at first because I didn’t really know these kids, but I had heard other students talking unkindly about them. I knew how that felt, so I figured they deserved a chance.

We’re More Alike Than Different

Although a tragic situation led me to their classroom, something else kept me there long after the legal situation ended over a year later. That something was friendship. As I spent time in the self-contained classroom, I became friends with my classmates there, and I learned something that changed my life and how I interact with people with special needs: we’re more alike than different.

As I got to know my classmates, I learned their likes and dislikes. I found out what they hoped to do when they grew up. They shared their jokes with me, and I laughed along with them and learned to love their sense of humor.

So yes, we were more alike than different. But they were also different in all the ways that mattered. I was hurting, mixed-up, and confused by my family drama, but my classmates were friendly, accepted me unconditionally, and seemed to enjoy my company as much as I enjoyed theirs.

Awareness Campaigns Make a Difference

To thank them for their friendship and kindness to me, I launched a little awareness campaign on behalf of my new friends. In the situations where we were all together, instead of leaving them off to one side with the aide, I went over and spoke with them, listening to their latest jokes and what they were doing in their other subjects. I introduced them to some of our classmates who were open to making new friends.

I wanted more of the students outside that special classroom to see what I found there: a young woman who loved dressing in bright colors and pretty jewelry, with a heart of gold that gleamed in her smile; a young man who wanted nothing more than to be accepted by the students outside of the self-contained classroom; another young woman who expressed genuine concern for those in distress; and a brilliant young man trapped in a body (and motorized wheelchair) that belied his intelligence, sense of humor, and zest for life.

Some of them never got it, but a few did. And we were all better for it.

Your More Alike Than Different Experience?

When did you discover kids with special needs are more alike than different from other kids? Tell your story in the comment box.

Do you like what you see at DifferentDream.com? You can receive more great content by subscribing to the quarterly Different Dream newsletter and signing up for the daily RSS feed delivered to your email inbox. You can sign up for the first in the pop up box and the second at the bottom of this page.

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Jennifer A. Janes lives in Arkansas with her husband, two daughters, a few cats, and a couple of gerbils. She spends her days homeschooling her kids, writing, reading, crocheting, traveling to therapy and specialist appointments with her younger daughter, and enjoying time with friends and family. She shares about her faith, family, and parenting and homeschooling a child with special needs at jenniferajanes.com.

Author Jolene Philo

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Special Need Breakthrough Just Around the Corner

Special Need Breakthrough Just Around the Corner

by | Oct 16, 2014 | Different Dream, School/Education, Special Needs Parenting

Special Need Breakthrough Just Around the Corner

 Photo Credit: jscreationz at www.freedigitalphotos.net

Many parents learn patience while waiting for the special needs breakthroughs that mark progress for their kids. Guest blogger Rebekah Hallberg spent much of the summer waiting for a special needs breakthrough and nearly gave up. In this guest post, she encourages parents…and kids…to hang in there. Because, she says, the special needs breakthrough you’re hoping for may be just around the corner.

Special Needs Breakthrough Just Around the Corner

As special needs parents, we often operate on a different timeline. We know that milestones may get hit, but probably not in the typical time frame. We know that friendships may happen, but not necessarily in the most normal pattern. And we know that skills will become acquired, but your guess is as good as mine as to just when that might happen. But that’s the thing – we never know what’s just around the corner. We must press on, we must keep giving it our all, no matter how hard the situation may be, for we never know what milestone, friendship or skill may be just around the corner.

This year, we did not have Extended School Year (ESY) services, meaning we had the summer “off” from therapy. I was looking forward to that, because it meant I could catch my breath a little. We had a few activities planned for the end of June and early July, but after those activities, my son’s behavior started to plummet. It looked as though we were hitting a major regression.

I got so worked up because he had been doing so well for so long. So long. And here it seemed to all be unraveling in front of me. We were back to being in the trenches, and we haven’t hung out there for a long time. We were back to some of the most basic techniques we’ve tried with him in times past.

I was heartbroken.

It just so happened that I bumped into someone within the special education department at our school when I was attending a parent volunteer meeting. This woman is just lovely – she doesn’t just view the kids as a case load, but really as individuals. She asked how our son was doing.

For a split second, I debated saying that he was doing well. I mean, he was healthy, he had gone to a week of sleep-away camp, he had successfully completed several other activities, and had been generally happy…until the structured activities ended. I thought back to the last few weeks when screaming, crying, and yelling had become the norm for him – where movement consisted of what seemed like stomping in 20-pound work boots, rather than just walking across the room.

And so I told her the truth – that things had gone moderately well, until all the structured activity was done. And then…and at that point, it seemed like we lost our happy son. She asked what he had done, how his school skills were, and somehow we landed on talking about his writing. He’s 10 years old, and can write, but doesn’t write much – hence, many of the therapies he has. She looked rather shocked. He struggles in many areas, and one of them is writing. She promised to get in touch with his Special Education teacher as soon as possible, and before long we had a back-to-school transition plan in place.

When I talked with the lady from the school, I had no idea what was just around the corner. I had told her, in no uncertain terms, that my son can write, but that we can’t get him to do it, no matter what.

And then it happened.

My son sat down one day to work on a school assignment (to write a letter) and he produced an entire hand-written page. It was beautiful. It took a long time for him to do it, but he did it! He threw a little of his own flavoring into it and I didn’t even cringe (which, I think, surprised him)!

When it was done, he looked over it and proclaimed, “It’s a whole page of ME!”

Complete and utter perfection – just 10 days after I told someone that he can write, but doesn’t.

Friends, we have no idea what’s just around the corner. The end of July and the month of August were some of the hardest times that I’ve faced in a long time. His actions, his behaviors, they hurt – physically, emotionally, and they sent me back to God asking, “Why?”

God’s answer was consistent – just keep loving Him. He is mine, and even when you don’t understand, I have every hair on his head numbered, and he hears my voice.

Maybe you’re facing a tough time with your child. Please share that with us so we can be praying with you. And please, just keep loving your child. We don’t know what’s around the corner – we don’t know when that breakthrough is going to come. Like me, you may not even realize it’s in process. But remember, ultimately, these children – all our children – are a precious gift from God, entrusted to us for a season. Keep walking; keep watching for what’s just around the corner.

Special Needs Breakthrough Shout Out Time

Want to brag about your child’s most recent breakthrough? Leave a comment in the comment box so we can celebrate with you!

Do you like what you see at DifferentDream.com? You can receive more great content by subscribing to the quarterly Different Dream newsletter and signing up for the daily RSS feed delivered to your email inbox. You can sign up for the first in the pop up box and the second at the bottom of this page.

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Author Jolene Philo

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