In recent years, the conversation around accessibility in outdoor spaces has gained momentum, highlighting the crucial role that inclusive playgrounds play in our communities. These spaces are more than just recreational areas; they are vital for the development and well-being of all children, including those with disabilities.
A wagging tail greeting you at the door, a soft tongue giving an affectionate lick and a furry body curled up at your feet. A dog can brighten a home and bring immeasurable comfort and joy. And many days, your dog seems to know exactly what you’re thinking and feeling. Well, the truth is, dogs can read your facial expressions. It’s why your dog might lick your face when you’re crying or curl up on your lap when you’re upset. They seem to know intuitively how to comfort their humans. Dogs are so smart and in tune with their humans that they can also be trained to support them in other important ways, like becoming assistance dogs.
When you picture someone with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), you likely picture a young boy in constant motion, bouncing from one toy to a project to another toy and on and on. He gets in trouble at school because he can’t sit still or focus. While ADHD can look like this, it’s important to remember that it’s not just boys, nor just children. ADHD occurs in childhood, but it isn’t always diagnosed when a person is young. Some kids are better at “masking” or hiding their symptoms, and sometimes, the issues a child is having simply aren’t recognized as ADHD. Kids don’t always grow out of ADHD, either.
When you think of substance use treatment, you probably picture an inpatient program where a person must completely quit drug and alcohol use. The 28-day treatment and 12-step programs are often held up as gold standards. But the truth is, these programs don’t work for everyone. In recent years, harm reduction treatment has been adopted by many, including the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, as a more effective and realistic treatment for substance use disorder. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) states, “Harm reduction is an evidence-based approach that is critical to engaging with people who use drugs and equipping them with life-saving tools and information to create positive change in their lives and potentially save their lives.”
The theme for the 2024 Fraser Gala, presented by Toy’n around, is “A Story from Yellow to Blue: A Journey Inside You.” Attendees will be led on a journey of self-discovery through the colorful world of their emotions at the Renaissance Minneapolis Hotel, The Depot, on Fri., Nov. 1, 2024. Our emotions tell a story, painting a vivid picture of our inner experiences and how we respond to the world around us. For gala outfit inspiration, we’ll be taking cues from our emotions. Get it, emotional cues? Read on for ideas on how to craft the perfect heart-pounding look for the gala.
Many myths surround substance use disorder (SUD). One is that addiction only happens to certain people. Another is that you have to hit rock bottom before you start treatment. An equally pervasive myth is that addiction is a choice, and people can stop whenever they want.
The way we view disability and treat people with disabilities has come a long way. When Fraser School was founded in 1935, most children with disabilities were institutionalized, rather than educated. These children grew into adults who either spent their entire lives in institutions, or never left home, having their families care for them their entire lives, for better or worse. Now, there are schools for children with disabilities, special education supports in public schools and residential homes that offer support. And yet, we’ve still got a ways to go to create a society that truly accepts and supports individuals with disabilities. Here’s what you need to know about the social model of disability compared to the medical model of disability.
As a teacher, you help shape children’s minds, inspire their curiosity and teach them many new things. You’re also in charge of a room full of kids with different learning styles and a variety of abilities and talents. With the increased prevalence of autism, you likely also have kids in your classroom who are on the spectrum. Children with autism often have sensory processing differences, but other children may also struggle with sensory processing. Here are a few easy and relatively inexpensive ideas to support students with sensory processing differences and make your classroom more inclusive.
You’ve likely seen the memes about the joy of canceled plans. Even if you’re an extrovert, you’ve probably had days so full of to-dos that you felt relieved when a friend bailed on dinner plans. Some days, you barely have time to brush your teeth, let alone make space to hang out with a friend. Symptoms of depression can make it harder to make and keep plans. Here are some other reasons your friend with depression might cancel plans.
Childhood should be a time of imagination and play. Slipping on your parent’s heels and ties. Cooking up an imaginary feast of spaghetti and meatballs. However, during the pandemic, children were isolated from peers and spent more time with screens. They couldn’t play tag with friends or climb the monkey bars at the park. Kids who were infants and toddlers during the pandemic are now starting to enter school, and teachers are noticing some academic and developmental deficits.