COVID-19 Parents

Sick woman looking at a thermometer.

In an age with so much sickness and heightened stress, don’t forget to stay healthy.  Forgetting about maintaining health in the area of nutrition should not be forgotten. The adage of  “you are what you eat” can not be understated.

selective focus photography of pasta with tomato and basil
Photo by Lisa Fotios on Pexels.com

Having a concrete list of symptoms, so you can do a self-check as part of your daily hygiene may be helpful. https://www.mayoclinic.org/covid-19-self-assessment-tool .

As a speech-language pathologist, I would be remiss if I did not mention anything about this, in an age of social distancing. There are ways to connect with families:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/coronavirusparents/

“Coronavirus Parents: Parenting in a Pandemic is a group for parents, by parents, who are committed to supporting each other through the coronavirus pandemic.
We aim to help each other navigate school closures, childcare needs, social isolation, and other pressing concerns for kids and parents.
In addition, ParentsTogether (the host of the group) mobilizes parents to take action on issues affecting families. When we see opportunities to act, especially in support of families facing hardship due to the pandemic, we will share with this group.
This group is open to any parent or caregiver in need of support around the coronavirus. As an organization, ParentsTogether has a clear point of view: We fight on behalf of all families, with a commitment to equity and justice. No matter what your point of view, all parents are welcome in this group.
This community will work when all of us commit to mutual respect and civil discourse, even when we are anxious, scared, uncertain or angry–and especially when we disagree.
Coronavirus Parents do not provide formal medical or legal advice, and none of the posts here should be interpreted as medical or legal advice.
There are many health-related questions that are likely to arise in this group; members who share health resources are urged to include sources.”
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Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

In closing – none of us wants to get sick so please take care!   https://parents-together.org/what-should-parents-do-if-they-contract-covid-19/

Resources to Keep You Informed

Resources for Families
Advocates for Children of New York https://www.advocatesforchildren.org/covid-19-updates?fbclid=IwAR24OaXWDMqk0SQHaOMDnlmNLzq3yDvOaP5smAW9ATb2J9FmXrJE42BgOTw

Information on Remote Learning https://www.schools.nyc.gov/learn-at-home/information-on-remote-learning

Tips for Parents Who Want Their Children to Develop Speech and Language Skills/ Lessons in Advocacy

A new year of school has just begun and I somehow thought that this article provided some  really good information to educate parent of children who have difficulties communicating.  I hope it helps!

Language-building Tips for Parents of Young Children

 

meet the teacher visual

Homework for Parents …

While you practice the tips (which i think are so nicely outlined) in the link above, do yourself a favor as the year begins.  Something that is extremely helpful is to become very good friends with the special education supervisor in the school that your child attends.  If you have not met them at an open house or even if you have, now is the time to make yourself not only heard by email but seen in person.  That form of communication seems to go by  the wayside a lot.  It does make a difference…

a.   Call the main office and obtain the name of the special education supervisor. If it is unavailable, walk into the school office and try to schedule an appointment in person.

b.  Introduce yourself – “my … is in —class and I wanted to take a few minutes to meet with you.

c. BRING YOUR CHILD’S IEP TO SCHOOL!!!    This may seem facetious to some; but recognize the fact that the school in which your child is enrolled may not have a copy of this yet.  In fact – it may take awhile for it to be uploaded and sent on to the person assigned to working with your child.

d.  Confirm the name of the speech therapist who is going to be working with your child.  If possible – I would suggest that you try and reach out to them as well.  It may take a few weeks until services get into place

 

**if things are going a bit slowly, feel free to reach out..