Sensational Kidz: Preparing Your Child For Vacation

Pediatric Health The Newsletter About Taking Care Of The Ones That Matter Most

April 2018

“Give Your Child The Best Summer Trip Experience Possible!” EFFECTIVE TIPSONVACATIONINGWITHYOUR CHILDREN

Vacationing with kids isn’t quite the same as vacationing on your own or just with friends. As adults, the idea of jetting off into the sunset and enjoying the sites while having lots of downtime to recharge and relax is thrilling and enticing. Add a few kids to the mix and the idea of scheduled downtime can be one of the most intimidating concepts out there. Kids require planning. There needs to be activities, there needs to be proper accommodations and there needs to be easy access to food, bathrooms and a proper napping location. As difficult as it can be to plan a vacation that is enjoyable and relaxing for parents and kids, doing so with a child who has special needs makes the accomplishment that much more of a challenge. (continued inside)

Inside: • Effective Tips On Vacationing With Your Children

• Can Your Child Be Uncooperative During A Vacation Due To ADHD?

• Patient Spotlight

Pediatric Health The Newsletter About Taking Care Of The Ones That Matter Most

“HowShould I Plan For A Successful VacationWithMy Children?” April 2018 EFFECTIVE TIPSONVACATIONINGWITHYOUR CHILDREN

The Key to Success: Plan Ahead! Planning your vacation ahead of time is the only way to ensure that you will have the accommodations you need for everyone to have a good time. Think of your schedule at home. So much of what helps a special needs child have a good day is repetition and predictability. When you remove “home” from the equation, you are automatically removing familiarity. Keeping as much of the schedule in-tact as possible will help your child thrive. As great as it may be to fly by the seat of your pants and to go where the wind takes you, this is not ideal for a child with special needs, and if your child is unhappy, you are not likely to enjoy your vacation. The best thing to do for everyone involved is to plan everything ahead of time. Know where you are going, where you are staying, where you can eat, what you are doing, what time you’ll be done and what you’ll need to accommodate everyone in your family to ensure that you all have a great time, wherever you end up. Take Medical Precautions Once you know what to expect, consult your child’s physician. Being prepared means having a long list of contingencies. Before leaving town you need to check with your child’s pediatrician and ensure that you have all of the following: • A list of any prescription drugs your child is taking, with a copy of each prescription in case you need more or you need to show someone proof • A physician’s description of your child’s condition, which will be helpful in the event you need to seek emergency care • Phone numbers, e-mail addresses or any other necessary contact information for your child’s physician, as well as the best numbers to call in the place you are going. Ask your child’s doctor for a recommendation in case you need care on the road. Of course, make sure that you have your health insurance cards and phone numbers. If you are traveling overseas, you may want to investigate travel insurance that would expedite your access to medical care at your destination. Pack, and then Pack More It is a good idea when you are traveling with any children to over-pack, but this is especially important when preparing for a vacation with your special needs child. Think of contingencies, consider emergencies, and always be prepared for the worst. One good idea is to pack a separate

emergency bag that has essentials in it, and to keep it with you as you travel. If you rent a car, keep this smaller duffle with you instead of having everything in the hotel.That way, if you need to seek emergency care you won’t find yourself racing around an unknown city trying to gather the belongings you need to care for your child. Finally, keep in mind that a family vacation is for the entire family. You don’t need to pick a spot that is tailored to your special needs child, you just need to think about what you and your family will need to do in order to keep everyone in the family happy and healthy throughout your stay. Go for happiness and comfort over perfection. Planning a vacation like this can be very stressful, so keep that in mind and try to plan outings for yourself that will help you have a good time while you are away from the office, too. Make arrangements ahead of time for child-care with someone who is capable of caring for your special needs child and make the most of an evening or day seeing the sites and enjoying yourself away from the kids, then jump back into enjoying your family time with gusto. Having the right attitude and being willing to do a little extra work in the best interest of your children will help your vacation go off just right. Sources myfamilytravels.com/content/11177-10-tips-traveling-special-needs-kids www.familyvacationcritic.com/special-needs-travel/art/ www.friendshipcircle.org/blog/2012/07/20/a-comprehensive-guide-to- special-needs-travel

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Can Your Child Be Uncooperative During A Vacation Due To ADHD?

therapist who can provide feedback on conflict resolution and practicing good social skills. Parent involvement is essential for pediatric therapy to work. The therapist can educate the parent on how creating a structured environment will help keep the child on task. Top 3 Tips for Parents. ADHD treatment must continue at home to make a positive impact on a child’s overall behavior. Keep in mind the following three tips when parenting a child with ADHD: • Good Nutrition: Medical studies have proven the effectiveness of a well-balanced diet for ADHD children. Children should eat a diet rich in protein, fruits, and vegetables. Whole foods are best for children with ADHD with a reduction in foods high in sugar. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, ADHD children should not consume foods with yellow or red dye, aspartame, sodium benzoate, MSG, and nitrites. • Better Sleep Habits: Bedtimes need to be consistent with a wind-down period beforehand. A relaxing bath and story before bed may be a good ritual to start. Avoid screen time before bed since this may make it difficult for the child to get sleepy. • Daily Routines: Set up predictable rituals at home to help your child know what to expect. Hang up a schedule for your child to view,

Pediatric Therapy for ADHD. Many doctors recommend behavior therapy as a form of treatment for young children diagnosed with ADHD. The therapist can suggest alternate behaviors to use in different situations. For instance, through therapy an ADHD child can discover a healthy way to cope when the urge strikes to act out in a violent or disruptive way. There are several techniques a therapist can employ to alter the child’s negative behavior at home and during a vacation. One method is positive reinforcement. The basis of this technique is to catch the child doing something good and reward the behavior. The reward can be as simple as getting five extra minutes of TV. If this method is unsuccessful, the therapist may suggest the parent withdraws privileges when the child is not behaving. There can also be a combination of the two techniques where the child can earn stars or points toward prizes and lose stars or points when the behavior is not on point. Pediatric therapy is also useful for children who are struggling socially. ADHD children may have difficulty interacting with their peers and have the inability to make lasting friendships. The therapist may meet one on one with the child or set up a peer group with a small number of kids diagnosed with ADHD. Peer groups allow children to interact under the supervision of a

allowing her to see what time she is waking up each morning, doing homework, bathing, mealtimes, and going to bed. Keep afterschool activities to a minimum to avoid overwhelming the child. Parents, therapists, and doctors can all band together to supply the child with the tools he needs to manage his symptoms. In the end, he’ll feel more self-control and confidence as he learns to succeed without complete reliance on medication. Source https://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/ conditions/adhd/Pages/Behavior-Therapy-Parent-Training. aspx http://www.additudemag.com/adhd/article/3577-2.html http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/adhd/treatment.html http://www.webmd.com/add-adhd/guide/adhd-diets#2

Patient Spotlight

“My daughter has made huge improvements in our short time here!” “Our experience with Sensational Kidz has been amazing. The therapists are experienced, professional and compassionate. My daughter has made huge improvements in our short time here. We really appreciate the hard work and dedication that the staff provides.” - L.H.

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