Come Join Us for the Salt Lake County SSI Workshop!

 

When Wednesday August 21, 2013 from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM MDT Add to Calendar     Where Utah Parent Center Conference Room 230 West 200 South, Suite 1101 Salt Lake City, UT 84101 Driving Directions

You are invited to attend a FREE workshop on SSI.    Sponsored By                     Esther R. Medina, AWIC   An expert from the Social Security Administration will present a workshop about Social Security eligibility for parents of children and young adults with disabilities. She will also address questions about SSI. Does my child with a disability qualify?  What are the differences between a dependent child and the adult 18 and over?  We did not qualify as a minor child. Will we qualify now as an adult?  Where do I find the application? How long will it take? What documentation will I need? Who is the Representative Payee? How much money will we receive? Don't miss this unique opportunity to attend this workshop!  Due to budget cuts, opportunities to present these informational classes are extremely limited.  Please invite any other families who may need this valuable information.   Register Now! I can't make it   For more information, contact any of the following District Parent consultants or the Utah Parent Center's main office:   Canyons:  Lynda Hansen at 801-708-1841 Granite:  Michelle Murphey, 801-833-3825 Salt Lake:  Amy Weyrich, 801-856-1264 Utah Parent Center Main Office: 801-272-1051       Sincerely,   Utah Parent Center and District Consultants info@utahparentcenter.org 801-272-1051

Upcoming Events

Families of Super Kids Support Group
Thursday, February 28th from 6:30-7:30 p.m., we will hold our next support group. It will be held at McKay Dee Hospital, Eduation Rooms 3 and 4. Park at the South main entrance and walk toward the cafeteria. The education rooms are at the end of the hallway just before the cafeteria.

We are excited to have a fabulous presenter, Karin Hardman, who will speak on breastfeeding and g-tubes. Mrs. Hardman is an International Board Certified Lactation Concultant (IBCLC), a Registered Lactation Consultant (RLC), and is on the developing Rocky Mountain Mother's Milk Bank. There will be time for networking with other parents of children with special needs as well as time for questions and answers. We hope to see you there!

The Learning Disabilities Association of Utah 2013 Annual Conference
Save the Date
March 15th at Weber State University at the Shepherd Union Building. Keynote Speaker, Dr. Jerome Schultz is a clinical neurophsychologist on the faculty of Harvard Medical School in the Department of psychiatry. Dr. Schultz will be signing his new book "Nowhere to Hide: Why kids with ADHD and LD hate school and what we can do about it" Breakout sessions will be available for both teachers and parents.

PEERS (Program for Establishing and Enhancing Relational Skills) Enrolling Now!
PEERS involves matching typical teens with a teen or young adult with high functioning autism to create opportunities for career exploration, and work-related social skills and career skills development and can lead to meaningful employment and life-long careers. PEERS gives teens the opportunity to develop appropriate socialization skills with peers and coworkers, gain hands-on employment experience in a variety of jobs and community settings, create a resume and obtain references, and apply for volunteer or employment positions. This program is offered through Easter Seals. For more information contact Jacquelynn Bradley at (801) 244-3177, jacquelynnb@esgw.org.

Grandparents of Kids with Special Needs
The Sibling Support Project and the Kindering Center are pleased to announce GKSN-Grandparent of Kids with Special Needs. We believe that no one understands a grandparent's unique joys and concerns better than another grandparent of a child with special needs. On the GKSN website, grandparents will have a chance to meet other grandparents through our Yahoo group or Facebook groups, share ideas for supporting their kids and grandkids, and even post pictures of their grandkids. Please visit www.gksn.org and help us spread the word!

2013 Family Links Statewide Conference
The 2013 Family Links Conference will be held on March 8 and 9, 2013 at Vivent Technologies in Provo, Utah. This year's two-day event will feature Jo Moscarro - "When Go To Your Room Isn't Quite Far Enough". Jo provides strategies in teaching children ownership and management of their behavior. Participants will be engaged in a variety of activities that will develop skills. Jo Mascorro engages her audience with humor and practical wisdom. Jo is a nationally renowned trainer on the topics of behavior intervention practices, effective communication, parenting skills and programming for students with severe disabilities. This is an event you will not want to miss. Online registration is now open. Visit www.utahparentcenter.org/quick-links/family-links/

SIBS Day at Primary Children's Medical Center
https://intermountainhealthcare.org/hospitals/primarychildrens/classes/Pages/CalendarDetail.aspx?EventID=3854

Support Group Cancelled Tonight

The Families of Super Kids support group is cancelled for this evening due to icy conditions. Please be safe with your families. We hope you are all doing well. The next support group will be held Thursday, February 28th.

Holiday Potluck Social

Utah Dependent with a Disability Exemption

To claim this tax exemption, have an authorized individual sign. For school age children from early intervention through graduation, have someone at the child's school sign, such as the principal.
http://tax.utah.gov/forms/current/tc-40d.pdf

Thank you CCI-Wasatch Champions and Therapy Animals of Utah!

Families of Super Kids had a wonderful and warm evening with visitors from CCI-Wasatch Champions: AJ (coordinator of the visit) and presenters Marilyn, Connie, Dan, and Brady along with two of their very special dogs. We also had visitors from Therapy Animals of Utah with two dogs as well. The families and children were so excited to meet our new furry friends! As children pet the animals, fed one dog treats, and even got a few wet kisses, smiles and giggles were plentiful.

We learned about the abilities and differences between therapy and service dogs. Therapy dogs go through a training, learning obedience and skills which enable them to interact with multiple people. They must also be certified to be therapy animals. A therapy dog's effect, just in a touch, can be very calming and healing. 

Service dogs, particularly at CCI, are raised by trainers who teach the dogs basic commands from the time they are puppies. The dogs pass off obedience training and learn to be socialized into public settings. Once this is done, dogs go on to learn specialized trainings, such as how to pick up dropped items off of the floor or how to open doors by pressing a button. Not every dog passes service dog training. CCI focusses on breeding for tempermeant and also on matching the right dog to the right person. Their amazing services add up to a dog being worth about $45,000, however, they give the dogs to qualifying individuals on their waiting list with no charge. Once a family is up on the waiting list, they travel to California-usually at their own expense, where the individual is matched to a dog and the individual is trained on how to maintain obedience/service commands as well as ongoing care for their dog. Service dogs can make an incredible difference in the life of an individual with special needs.

To learn more, visit: www.cci.org or www.therapyanimalsofutah.org

This Thursday Support Group: Therapy and Service Dogs

Families of Super Kids Support Group

Thursday, November 29th, 6:30-7:30 p.m.

McKay Dee Hospital, South Entrance, Education Room 4 (by the cafeteria)

Therapy and Service Dogs

We are in for a treat with some very special visitors. We will have at least one therapy dog visiting from Canine Country Club and at least one service dog visiting from Canine Companions for Independence - Wasatch Champions. Each will briefly speak about their dogs and their abilities, learning the difference between therapy and service dogs. CCI-Wasatch Champions will inform us of the population they serve and how to be put on their waiting list. We will then have the pleasure of allowing our special needs children interact with the dogs. This support group topic has engendered much interest, so please arrive five to ten minutes early to be seated. Priority to visit and interact with the dogs will be given to children with special needs.

We hope to see you there!

Holiday Healthy Eating for Kids

At our last support group night, the topic of Holiday Healthy Eating for Kids took front stage. We talked about how many of our children are picky eaters or even on a strict diet. There are many ways in which we can make their holiday eating fun and healthy at the same time. From "picky eater" tips to taste testing yummy green smoothies, here are some fabulous ideas discussed at our last Families of Super Kids night.

Ten Tips to Keep Kids' Holiday Eating in Check
1. Create a kids' drawer of ready to eat fruits and veggies in your fridge
2. Think natural
3. Watch what your child drinks
4. Make a fun chart to keep track of what your child eats
5. Make your kid the chef
6. Keep the routine of regular meal times
7. Let your picky eaters see variety on their plates, even if they don't eat everything
8. Let a party be a party
9. Incorporate exercise and physical activity into your daily routine
10. Show love and acceptance toward your child despite his or her weight

Websites for Healthy Eating:

• www.intermountainlive.org
• www.jollytomato.com
• www.foodnetwork.com
• Ketogenic Diet: http://site.matthewsfriends.org/
• Gluten Free Cacein Free Diet for Autism: http://www.gfcfdiet.com/
• www.intermountainhealthcare.org/services/medicalgroup/clinics/physicianclinics/northernutahpediatrics

-                     Click on Patient Resources

-                     Click on Weight Management, bottom left

Healthy Snacks 

• Fruits and Veggies – always more accessible when they are already cut and packaged in the fridge.
• Fruit Kabobs with yogurt dip
• Nuts
• Roasted, lightly salted pumpkin seeds
• Popcorn – Light microwave or air popped with a little butter and light salt
• High grain crackers
• Smoothies
• Yogurt
• Cheese
• Baked products with applesauce substituted for fat
• Substitutes for candy – dates, raisins, dried mangos, any dried fruit and nut trailmix
• Baked zucchini chips
• Baked tortilla chips and bean dips
• Lady Bug Apple: cut in half, core, stick on raisins with peanut butter, use pretzel sticks for antennae
• Turkey Masterpiece: Circle apple slice for body, baked chip for beak, apple slice cresent shape for head, raisin eyes, peanut butter filled celery and carrots for feathers

Cranberry Wheat Bread: freeze individual slices in sandwich bags for snacks or bring a loaf to a holiday party!

• 1 ¼ C water
• 1/3 C honey
• 2 TB softened butter
• 2 C Flour
• 1 ¼ C whole wheat flour
• 1 ½ tsp salt
• ½ tsp cinnamon
• ¼ tsp nutmeg
• ¼ tsp cloves
• 2 tsp active dry yeast
• 1 C dried cranberries
• Bake in bread maker or at 350 degrees for 45-60 min.

Eating Whole Foods and Green Smoothies - by Bethany Knighton

1 We try for 60 – 80% raw foods.  We try to eat mostly greens, vegetables, and fruits, with a variety of beans, legumes, nuts, seeds, healthy fats, and cultured dairy.

2.    We don’t eat processed foods, with a few exceptions.  We do eat those things at family gatherings and parties with friends.

 I believe that chemicals and preservatives in our foods are a major cause of illness and health problems.  We are trying to prevent this by the way we eat.

Eating this way has been a big boost to our immune systems.  We hardly ever get sick, and when we do, it is just a mild cold.  We also have more energy for our everyday activities!

§                     Green Smoothies

1.                              How many of you ate raw swiss chard today?  Or your children?  How about kale?  Collard greens?

2.                              Why green smoothies?

A.                  They’re quick and easy to make – 10 minutes in the kitchen, tops

B.                 They have up to 15 servings of raw greens and fruits in just one quart

C.                 No salad dressing is required (most salad dressings in store contain toxic chemicals and preservatives, highly refined oils)

D.                 Addresses the #1 and #2 deficits in the American diet:  Enzymes and Fiber

§                                                                                                                                                                                 Whole Wheat Flours

1.                              Show example of red wheat vs. white wheat

A.      Whole wheat kernel consists of the bran, the germ, the endosperm.  The bran is the part of the kernel that contains lignans, antioxidants, and minerals—in addition to most of the fiber in the grain.  The germ is packed with vitamins.  In white flour, all that is left is the endosperm, usually bleached, with little nutritional value.

It’s easy to replace white flours with whole wheat flours

Any cake or cookie recipe can use a white whole wheat flour to replace regular white flour, with little taste alteration.  Over time, you will come to prefer the taste of whole wheat.

§                                                                                                                                                                                 Sweeteners

A.                  We all know sugar is bad for us.  It’s an addictive substance that breaks down our immune system.   What do we replace it with?

B.                 Natural sweeteners – because they are unrefined (and therefore contain minerals, vitamins, and other nutrients) they don’t go directly into our bloodstream and wreak havoc the way refined sugars do.

1.                                                                                                      Coconut Sugar – low on the glycemic index, rich in macronutrients, vitamins, and amino acids

2.                                                                                                      Dates – High in magnesium, calcium, and fiber, possibly one of the most natural sweeteners.  Soak and blend with a little water to make a paste for baked goods.

3.                                                                                                      Honey – raw honey is naturally antibacterial, keeps forever.  Higher on gi index though, so use more sparingly.

4.                                                                                                      Molasses – High in iron and b vitamins, and great for oatmeals, gingerbreads, and granolas.

5.                                                                                                      Stevia – A completely natural, herbal sweetener, 100 x sweeter than sugar.  No calories or impact on blood sugar.  Doesn’t bake well, but use in any other recipes.  

Harvest Pumpkin Muffin

1 (16 oz) can pumpkin

4 eggs

¾ C. consisting of ½ coconut oil, ½ applesauce

2 t. vanilla

2 C.whole wheat flour

1 ¾ dates, blended with ¾ cup water to make a pastej

1 T. pumpkin pie spice

2 t. ground cinnamon

2 t. baking powder

½ t. salt

Chocolate chips to taste, or make a healthier version of your favorite chocolate frosting, using a natural sweetener

Mix wet ingredients.  Mix dry ingredients and add to wet.  Fill muffin tin and bake at 375 degrees for 18-20 minutes.

Chocolate Chip Cookie

1 ¾ C. dates, ¾ cup water:  blend into a paste

½ c. coconut oil

½ c. butter

1 cup applesauce

4 eggs

2 t. vanilla

Cream together.  Add:

5 c. flour

1 t. sea salt

2 t. soda

4 cups chocolate chips

2 c. nuts, optional

Bake at 375 degrees for 8-10 minutes.

Robyn’s Green Smoothie Template Recipe

Makes 8 cups of 100% raw smoothie.

Put 2 1/2 cups filtered water in the BlendTec Total Blender.

Optionally, add:

½ tsp. stevia (herbal sweetener) or ¼ cup raw, organic agave nectar (low glycemic index)

¼ whole lemon, including peel (anti-skin cancer, high in flavanoids)

2-3 Tbsp. fresh, refrigerated flax oil (omega-3 rich oil)

Gradually add greens until, briefly pureed, the mixture comes up the 5-cup line (or less if you are “converting”):

¾ to 1 lb. raw, washed greens, added up to 5 ½ cup line:

spinach, chard, kale, collards

Puree greens mixture for 90 seconds until very smooth.

Gradually add fruit until the container is very full, blend 90 seconds or until smooth:

1-2 bananas

1-2 cups frozen mixed berries

any other fruit to taste: pears, peaches, apples, oranges, apricots, cantaloupe, mango, pineapple

*I recommend going to Robyn’s site, greensmoothiegirl.com, for more information about green smoothies and a whole foods diet.

 

Great New Apps for Autism!

This website has some wonderful resources for autism apps. Take a look!
www.best-autism-apps.com

Epilepsy Parent Education Night at Primary Children's

Tomorrow, Friday, February 24 @ 6 p.m.
Meet other parents and listen to a panel of doctors present on seizure medications.

Epilepsy Support Group

There is an epilepsy support group tonight @ 7 p.m. at McKay Dee Hospital, Education Room 4. Last month, we discussed the Ketogenic Diet, the Vegal Nerve Stimulator and Medications.

Families of Super Kids

New Year Social

Saturday, January 14

10-11 a.m.

McKay Dee Hospital, Educations Rooms 3 & 4

(by the cafeteria)

Potluck * Bring your favorite treat to share!

For families of special needs children in Northern Utah.



Upcoming Free Concert for Children and Families with Disabilities

The Utah Symphony | Utah Opera offers an annual concert for children with special needs and their families. This concert is FREE but registration is required. The concert will take place on Thursday, January 26, 2012 beginning at 7pm at the Capitol Theater .

http://www.usuoeducation.org/families/events-for-individuals-with-special-needs

Medical Homes Provide the Best Care

If you have a child with special needs, a Medical Home will provide the most complete, professional and wholesome care. Coming from the experience of needing to take a child with multiple disabilities to several specialists, I have breathed a sigh of relief upon finding Northern Utah Pediatrics. Here, my child has a nurse case manager who keeps current and detailed information about my child's health all in one place. Every doctor, phone number and medication is listed. If I have not personally ensured that the list is current, I receive a phone call asking how things are going and if anything has changed.

In addition to amazing management of my child's health history, we have one of the best physician teams in the state. They are knowledgeable and thorough. My child's doctor is a great communicator, not only with myself as a parent, but with specialists at Primary Children's Medical Center.

With the aid of "My Health," a new online tool which enables families to instantly view medical records and doctor's notes, the health care process is sped up. Efficiency increases and frustration decreases. I find that I do not need to repeat myself. Where prior to "My Health," I may have had to leave messages with multiple doctors over days at a time, now, I can leave one message with the Pediatrician who then opens a dialogue with specialists through "message logging." This saves the physicians time as well. They are able to quickly respond to an inquiry between appointments or at the end of their day. Every message log is recorded into that child's history, which is an amazing resource for everyone involved in a child's health.

If you don't have a Medical Home, such as Northern Utah Pediatrics, consider the benefits you may gain if you choose to switch primary care physicians. There are several in the area. In Northern Utah, there are IHC clinics in North Ogden, the clinic at McKay Dee Hospital and the clinic in Layton on the east side of the freeway. Also in Ogden is the Midtown Community Health Center. I know my child is in good hands, knowledgeable hands, and efficient hands.

Families with Autism: FREE Night at the Living Planet Aquarium

The Living Planet Aquarium: FREE Night for Families with Autism

October 24th, 6 - 8 p.m.

Feeding the Starved Marriage

Family Links, the Utah Parent Center and the Townsend Relationship Center are pleased to announce a wonderful opportunity for your marriage! Feeding the STARVED Marriage 6-week workshop taught by Matt Townsend

Take advantage of this one-time only offer and help Matt Townsend complete his research for this Doctoral Dissertation. The Feeding the STARVED Marriage workshop teaches couples to communicate effectively, get to the heart of important issues, and learn to meet each other's needs. This motivating workshop will help you build, strengthen and re-energize your marriage. Each Couple will receive: Two 100 page Feed the STARVED Marriage participant workbooks. One copy of Matt Townsend's 400 page book "STARVED Stuff: Feeding the 7 Basic Needs of Healthy Relationships. 12 hours of classroom instruction by Matt Townsend., Upon completion of all six classes and questionnaires, each couple will receive a $20 gift card for your participation in the program. Requirements to attend: Each couple must commit to attend all six sessions in order to ensure that your data is valid for the study. There will be no make up classes held. You will need to complete questionnaires at both the beginning and the end of the program. You will need to do your best to read the associated book and workbooks. Upon registration you receive an evaluation form via email that you must fill out and return to the Townsend Relationship Center in order for your registration to be complete. On the final day of class, each individual will need to fill out a questionnaire, requiring you to stay an extra 30 minutes. Details: Cost: $50 per couple (Regular Price $480) Time: Tuesdays from 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. Dates: October 11, 18, 25 and November 1, 8 ,15 Location: Sanderson Center, 5709 South 1500 West, Taylorsville, Utah Register Today! Click the link below, scroll to the bottom and register for the Family Links Workshop: www.mattTownsend.com/workshops-and-products/list For questions contact Tammy 801.747.2121 or tammy@marriagemattersutah.com

CONNECT

Saturday, November 5, 2011
10 am to 2 pm
Primary Children’s Medical Center

3rd Floor, North End

Join us for Connect, a workshop for kids and teens 7 to 19 who have a chronic illness. In this workshop you can express yourself, connect with others and learn life skills.

Early Bird Registration is $5.00 (before 10/10/11).
Regular Registration is $10.

Registration closes 10/31/11.

www.primarychildrens.org/connect

No onsite medical assistance is provided. Kids and Teens must be able to take care of their own personal needs and be on grade level.

Parents will need to sign-in their children and return for pick-up promptly at 2pm.