Easter for Children with Special Needs

Easter for Children with Special Needs             

Easter can be a fun time of year with all pretty pastel colors, Easter bunnies, egg hunts and candy! If you have a child with special needs, the activities may need to be altered a little. Here are some ideas for making sure all your kids have a fun time this Easter weekend!

·         Host your own hunt. Sometimes the community egg hunts leave kids feeling frustrated or leaving with very few eggs and treats, especially if the child has challenges that make it hard to keep up with other kids. Consider having your own hunt at or around where you live. This allows your child to have as much time as they need and you can be as involved as you want without the pressures of kids swarming around you.

·         Designate one color per child. If you have more than one kid and they are functioning at different levels, considering designating one color egg for each child. This ensures that those who are slower at finding their eggs still come away with a full basket of goodies.

·         Table top hunts. If you have a child in a wheel chair or other mobility issues, consider hiding eggs in easy to reach places. One option is to put together a bin of rice (colored rice would be fun!) and hide the candy and eggs in the rice. This is also a great way to incorporate a sensory activity!

·         Prepare for changes. It is likely that your schedule will vary from the norm this weekend, especially with school being out for Good Friday. You may also be planning on hosting or attending an event with a lot of people. This can be very stressful for kids who struggle with change, transition, loud noises, etc. Consider your child’s special needs and prepare them, yourself, and others before hand.

·         Don’t push participation. If you child does not want to participate in the festivities just yet, don’t force them to do what they are not ready for. Some kids need to observe before they participate and others may want you close by. This is a fun time of year so accept that they may not be ready to participate just as you imagine.

·         Gluten Free Candy. If you are looking for special candy, try Butterfinger cream eggs, Cadbury Chocolate mini eggs, Carousel bubble gum, Dubble Bubble Egg Hunt Fun, and Hershey’s Marshmallow Eggs. For a complete list of candy, visit http://www.myglutenfacts.com/pdfs/Easter2012USA.pdf

Spring Bling 2012

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March is Social Work Month!

March is Social Work month, and we'd like to take this time to introduce you to the field of Social Work and how a Social Worker can help you!

What is a Social Worker and what does a Social Worker do?

Social Workers are professionals who have the primary mission of enhancing human wellbeing and work to help meet the basic needs of all people, especially the most vulnerable people in society. According to the Department of Labor, “Social workers assist people by helping them cope with and solve issues in their everyday lives, such as family and personal problems and dealing with relationships. Some social workers help clients who face a disability, life-threatening disease, social problem, such as inadequate housing, unemployment, or substance abuse. Social workers also assist families that have serious domestic conflicts, sometimes involving child or spousal abuse. Additionally, they may conduct research, advocate for improved services, or become involved in planning or policy development. Many social workers specialize in serving a particular population or working in a specific setting.”

Social Workers work in schools, health care settings, private counseling practice settings, with families, and in non-profit agencies. Many types of people benefit from social work services:
*Families looking for assistance paying their bills or help finding clothing and food resources
*Children who have been abused or neglected
*Victims of domestic violence
*Couples wanting to adopt a child
*Parents and caregivers struggling with serious health issues such as cancer, traumatic injury, pre-term birth, and disabilities
*Veterans and their families who are adjusting to deployment, civilian life, or who are experiencing post traumatic stress symptoms
*Individuals and their families who are impacted by drug and alcohol abuse
*Children in schools
*Individuals who experience depression or mental health issues
*Families at risk in their community due to violence, poverty, and oppression

Social Workers help connect all of these people with the resources that can help them improve their lives!

At MedCare, we believe that the life of each and every child we touch is important! We know that our children’s parents and caregivers have questions and often lack resources. As a way to help bridge and improve access to information and community resources, MedCare has a Social Worker who can help! As MedCare's Social Worker, I work to help you! Some examples of assistance include:
*Providing information and answering questions about Medicaid Waiver programs
*Finding summer camp programs or ongoing athletic programs
*Locating parent support groups
*Referring to behavior modification programs or special counseling programs
*Connecting to special education advocates
*Helping locate psychologists and psychiatrists (who accept Medicaid) for testing and evaluation

Despite not having a physical office, my “door” is always open! Shoot me an email at k.mcwhorter@mpglp.com or leave me a message at 713-773-5100, x326. I’d love to hear from you and learn how I can help you and your child!

~Karen McWhorter, LMSW (Licensed Master Social Worker)

Weight Bearing Module 2

This is the second in a series of four videos created by one of our home health physical therapists, Tammy Cowley!  These videos discuss how weightbearing impacts a child's physical growth and development and the importance of incorporating weightbearing activities into all children's daily activities, regardless of their physical abilities or disabilities.

Weight Bearing Module 1

This is the first in a series of four videos created by one of our home health physical therapists, Tammy Cowley!  These videos discuss how weightbearing impacts a child's physical growth and development and the importance of incorporating weightbearing activities into all children's daily activities, regardless of their physical abilities or disabilities. 

Stay tuned for modules 2, 3, and 4!

Get Gorgeous for a Great Cause!

MedCare is proud to be a sponsor of MedCare Milestone's 2nd Annual Spring Bling Event happening Saturday, March 24th from 4-10pm!  What is Spring Bling, you ask?  Well, it's a great opportunity you and some of your favorite ladies to get together and do what ladies like to do-pamper themselves!  Spring Bling features some of our favorite things-beauty indulgences, food and drinks and shopping experiences all under one roof, and 100% of the proceeds from the event will go to helping needy children locally and abroad!  Tickets are just $60 per person and include food and tickets to enjoy 2 of the beauty indulgences of your choice.  Tickets for drinks and additional beauty indulgences can be purchased for a small fee. 


Some of the beauty indulgences that will be available include manicures, pedicures, facials, eyebrow threading, massage, makeup consultations by Laura Mercier and Mary Kay, to name a few.  If you'd rather pamper yourself with a little retail therapy, items will be available from vendors such as Twenty-Two Fifty Interiors and Gifts (http://twentytwofiftyinteriors.com/), Stella and Dot (http://www.stelladot.com/), and Thirty One (http://www.thirtyonegifts.com/).  We're adding more vendors and indulges each day so make sure you check back often for an updated list!


For more information or to purchase tickets, please visit MedCare Milestone's website at  http://www.medcaremilestones.org/donations.html or you can call and speak to Macanda Hinchey-Block at 713-773-5123.  This is one event you don't want to miss!

 

MedCare Sponsors Trees for Tots 2011

It is that time of year again. MedCare Pediatric Group sponsored MedCare Milestones’ 6th annual Trees for Tots event this past Saturday, December 3rd. With the generous donations and contributions from other sponsors and fundraisers, there were over 250 Christmas trees and ornaments that were available to be given out to the families of children with special needs. Families enjoyed holiday treats and hot cocoa, as well as having their pictures made with Santa and his elves. We are honored to be a part of this heartfelt gesture to all of the families. Their gratitude and expressed appreciation each year keeps us wanting to do more. If you or your company would like to join MedCare Pediatric Group with this rewarding event in 2012, you can contact Macanda Hinchey-Block at 713-773-5123. Sponsorships include publicity on their website, logo/name on event shirts and banners, as well as on printed materials. For more information on MedCare Milestones and other events and charity contributions they support, please visit their website at www.medcaremilestones.org.