Growing Pains Are Not Just for Kids
Recently, I was meeting with another additional needs parent and we were catching up on each other’s lives. She was telling me about her life’s challenges. When I shared with her my perspective, that she was going through some growing pains it gave her a new appreciation and lighter perspective. When we think of growing […]
AHCA Wants to Cut ABA Therapy Reimbursements, This is How That Decision Will Impact You
Regulations and reimbursement is changing for those who are receiving Behavioral Analysis (otherwise known as ABA, Applied Behavioral Analysis). Please make your voice heard. Let your representative know the effects and ramifications of their proposed cutbacks on reimbursement for BA will have on you, your family and our community. Visit: United States House of Representatives […]
How love started a company
Additional Needs, Inc. all started with one question to a friend, “Do you know of a place or an activity I can volunteer for?” The answer, “yes” started me on my additional needs journey. I started to volunteer for Art Fest Naples which benefited individuals with autism and their families that received services from Eden […]
Embrace the simple coincidences… Synchronicities
Embrace the simple coincidences… Synchronicities Remember when you were little and your parents would remind you to say please and thank you? That is exactly what you need to do to create a fulfilling life. Sometimes the reality of having an additional needs child is overwhelming and can put you in a state of “why […]
It’s all a matter of choice
It was just before Thanksgiving and I was picking up holiday supplies at the local home improvement store. My son was with me doing this quick errand with me after school. We were approaching the checkout line and he noticed a dog. He has developed quite an aversion and apprehension of dogs. So there we […]
It Takes A Village
Someone once said that it “takes a village” to raise a child. Nothing could be truer than this quote when you have a child with additional needs! I was lucky enough when our daughter was diagnosed on the autism spectrum in 1993 that I knew ONE other person who had a child on the autism […]
TEACHABLE MOMENTS: Summertime
Every year as spring approached, I started to get a little bit nervous thinking about what activities and therapies Hannah would/should have during the summer months. By May 1st, I usually had a lineup of therapists and ideas of what would help Hannah for the three long months of summer. Most importantly, I would ask […]
Would you mind if I made this a teachable moment?
Yes, we have all had that moment when our child says or does something that we were completely unprepared for! As a mom who has a child with additional needs, we are given a rare “gift” that we will have these moments…many, many, many, times. So be prepared! Know that at any moment, any behavior, […]
How to Reduce Your Stress During IEP Season
It is IEP season. And for those of us with children with additional needs this is a very stressful time. It feels to some of you that it’s time to “fight” for what your child needs. I would like to share my point of view because I was recently asked to meet with relatively new […]
Steven Spohn
Steve Spohn is the Chief Operations Officer and Community Outreach Director for AbleGamers charity, award-winning author, and advocate for people with disabilities. Featured on CNN, NBC and other mainstream news outlets as an assistive technology and game accessibility expert, Steven brings all his knowledge and much more to championing for people with disabilities in the […]