No Such Thing as a "Disability" Here: Two Sites that Take You "Outside the Box"
by Dr. Merle Marsh
There are lots of sites listed in our special needs section that can give you information about where to get more help, but here are two sites that can give you something more - hope and a shot at an upbeat attitude.
Can Do!
http://www.ucando.org/
http://www.nlbbs.com/~mbush/
If there's a place on the Internet that is beautiful both in concept and in appearance, it's the Can Do! site. Upbeat, charming, and inspirational, Can Do! challenges its visitors to concentrate upon what they and others are able to do, not what seems to be or is impossible for them. The site, therefore, is a very special one for young and old with physical and mental disabilities, but it is also for everyone, everywhere.
The host of the site, Maribeth Bush explains that "the world we live in is one huge, incredible, classroom... and in it we are all teachers, and we are all students." Within this classroom, for those with a Can Do! attitude, "anything is possible." On the site, Bush's ideas are complemented with the delightful, charismatic drawings of artist Peter Reynolds. If you're acquainted with the excellent educational resources available from Fablevision (http://www.fablevision.com) or Tom Snyder Productions (http://www.tomsnyderproductions.com), you'll recognize the Reynold's artistic style.
On your first trip to the site, you'll want to take one of the Ability Surveys. There's a survey for children up to 12 and one for teens and adults. The surveys, like the rest of the site, help visitors focus upon the positive. Questions encourage those filling out the surveys to think about how they can use the talents they have to help themselves and others. The result is a feel-good attitude that can be witnessed by browsing through the surveys.
Can Do! is a perfect place for teachers to gather ideas for encouraging all students in their classrooms. It's also a place where parents and teachers will want to take children, for here they can share their writing, artwork, and dreams.
Outside the Box
http://adhd.kids.tripod.com/
Children with special learning needs such as Attention Deficit Disorder, ADHD, and related disabilities are often misunderstood. These are kids who don't fit neatly into most classroom situations, and as a result, find it difficult to thrive in traditional educational settings.
Outside the Box is a site dedicated to offering information that will provide both help and encouragement to these children, their parents, and their teachers. On the site there are links to news articles and feature pieces, special announcements and offers, research findings, inspirational articles, and sections especially for parents and teachers. For teachers there are links to technology, curricular, and teaching and learning resources in addition to news about issues in education that target children with special needs. Parents will find lists of special needs organizations, schools, and camps, and details targeting ADD, ADHD, autism, bi-polar, and other special needs. There are, in addition, discussion lists, ideas for working with teachers and schools, and suggestions for special diets.
Anyone visiting the site will appreciate the "Bill of Rights for Misunderstood Kids" that includes thoughts from children with ADD such as: "Help me to focus," "I need to know what comes next," and "Wait for me. I'm still thinking." The excerpt from Bob Seay's poster, "50 (or so) Great Things about Having ADD!," and the glimpses into the lives of children with special needs and parents of children with special needs will touch your heart.
View Special Needs Archive
|
