Emergency preparedness and Special Needs Kids
Last updated on September 2nd, 2019 at 07:53 pm
Being prepared for an emergency is important for everyone, but it is crucial if you have a special needs child in your family. Here in Southern California we tend to focus on earthquakes, but whether you are concerned about doomsday, zombies or natural disasters being ready can make a big difference.
Emergency kits are important, and not only in your home. Schools should have a kit for each child, and if at all possible, your car should also be stocked with basic emergency supplies. Your kit should address your family’s specific daily needs for at least 72 hours. If your child’s disability is invisible you must be sure to explain to first responders that you or another caretaker (and service animal) must remain with your child.
General emergency supplies such as contact info, prescriptions, food and water, a first aid kit, batteries, candles, matches, flashlights, blankets, a radio and baby wipes are a good place to start. Specific special needs emergency supplies may also include:
- Extra glasses or contacts
- Epi-pens
- Breathing supplies or nebulizers
- Foods for special dietary needs
- Extra medications, supplements or medical supplies
- A cooler and ice packs for medications
- A generator if your child depends on equipment
- An extra lightweight wheelchair, walker or other medical device
- Batteries, CDs or a music player for comfort
- Supplies for any service animals
In an emergency, kids will take their cues from their parents and caregivers so it’s important to stay calm, reassure the child and explain how you plan to keep them safe.
Preparing for a natural disaster or emergency can be scary for kids, so the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has a special section for kids that includes games to make the process more fun. The site also has a section for parents and teachers. The American Red Cross has partnered with the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) to put up excellent information and resources on their website. There is even a Sesame Street Emergency Preparedness site.
Child Has a Severe Allergic Reaction: Can Your School Help Them?
Last updated on September 2nd, 2019 at 07:54 pm
The sad story of a seven year-old girl who was unwittingly given a peanut by a classmate in Virginia and later died from an allergic reaction has brought attention to the issues surrounding food allergies and medical treatment at schools. The school legally couldn’t give any medication that wasn’t supplied by the parent.
What are the regulations at your child’s school around food allergies? Do they have an EpiPen on hand, and can they use it without written permission?
How does your child’s school handle birthdays? Bake sales?
My children know the strict “no sharing food” policy at school. I drill it into them.
But is there any real way to know that every child is following that rule? How do you deal with this??
Editor’s Note:
Even though the story of the 7 year old mentioned above happened a number of year’s ago, parents please note – the questions asked are just as relevant today… the laws governing the use of medication by schools are NOT consistent nation-wide. Please take the time and find out what your school’s policies are even if – especially if your child doesn’t have any “known” food allergies. It could just save their life.
Sat. at AMC, Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse is Sensory Friendly
Last updated on December 27th, 2018 at 12:24 pm
Since 2007, AMC Entertainment (AMC) and the Autism Society have teamed up to bring families affected by autism and other special needs “Sensory Friendly Films” every month – a wonderful opportunity to enjoy fun new films in a safe and accepting environment. Tomorrow, Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse is Sensory Friendly at AMC.
The movie auditoriums will have their lights turned up and the sound turned down. Families will be able to bring in snacks to match their child’s dietary needs (i.e. gluten-free, casein-free, etc.), there are no advertisements or previews before the movie and it’s totally acceptable to get up and dance, walk, shout, talk to each other…and even sing – in other words, AMC’s “Silence is Golden®” policy will not be enforced during movie screenings unless the safety of the audience is questioned.
Does it make a difference? Absolutely! Imagine …no need to shhhhh your child. No angry stares from other movie goers. Many parents think twice before bringing a child to a movie theater. Add to that your child’s special needs and it can easily become cause for parental panic. 
But on this one day a month, for this one screening, everyone is there to relax and have a good time, everyone expects to be surrounded by kids – with and without special needs – and the movie theater policy becomes “Tolerance is Golden“.
Families affected by autism or other special needs can view a sensory friendly screening of Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse on Saturday, December 21st at 10am (local time). Tickets are typically $4 to $6 depending on the location. To find a theatre near you, here is a list of AMC theatres nationwide participating in this fabulous program (note: to access full list, please scroll to the bottom of the page).
Coming in January: Bumblebee (Tues. 1/8); Mary Poppins Returns (Sat. 1/12); Glass (Tues. 1/22); A Dog’s Way Home (Sat. 1/26)
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Editor’s note: Although Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse has been chosen by the AMC and the Autism Society as this month’s Sensory Friendly Film, we do want parents to know that it is rated PG by the Motion Picture Association of America for frenetic sequences of animated action violence, thematic elements, and mild language. As always, please check the IMDB Parents Guide for a more detailed description of this film to determine if it is right for you and your family.
Goosebumps 2: is Sensory Friendly Twice at AMC (10/13 & 10/27)
Last updated on July 3rd, 2020 at 03:06 pm
Since 2007, AMC Entertainment (AMC) and the Autism Society have teamed up to bring families affected by autism and other special needs “Sensory Friendly Films” every month – a wonderful opportunity to enjoy fun new films in a safe and accepting environment. Tomorrow, Goosebumps 2: Haunted Halloween is Sensory Friendly at AMC.
The movie auditoriums will have their lights turned up and the sound turned down. Families will be able to bring in snacks to match their child’s dietary needs (i.e. gluten-free, casein-free, etc.), there are no advertisements or previews before the movie and it’s totally acceptable to get up and dance, walk, shout, talk to each other…and even sing – in other words, AMC’s “Silence is Golden®” policy will not be enforced during movie screenings unless the safety of the audience is questioned.
Does it make a difference? Absolutely! Imagine …no need to shhhhh your child. No angry stares from other movie goers. Many parents think twice before bringing a child to a movie theater. Add to that your child’s special needs and it can easily become cause for parental panic. 
But on this one day a month, for this one screening, everyone is there to relax and have a good time, everyone expects to be surrounded by kids – with and without special needs – and the movie theater policy becomes “Tolerance is Golden“.
Families affected by autism or other special needs can view a sensory friendly screening of Goosebumps 2: Haunted Halloween on Saturday, October 13th or Saturday October 27th at 10am (local time). Tickets are typically $4 to $6 depending on the location. To find a theatre near you, here is a list of AMC theatres nationwide participating in this fabulous program (note: to access full list, please scroll to the bottom of the page).
Still to come in October: Halloween (Tues. 10/23)
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Editor’s note: Although Goosebumps 2: Haunted Halloween has been chosen by the AMC and the Autism Society as this month’s Sensory Friendly Film, we do want parents to know that it is rated PG by the Motion Picture Association of America for frightening & intense scenes. As always, please check the IMDB Parents Guide for a more detailed description of this film to determine if it is right for you and your family.
Tomorrow Night at AMC, Venom is Sensory Friendly
Last updated on October 14th, 2018 at 08:22 pm
As always, the movie auditoriums will have their lights turned up and the sound turned down. Families will be able to bring in snacks to match their child’s dietary needs (i.e. gluten-free, casein-free, etc.), there are no advertisements or previews before the movie and it’s totally acceptable to get up and dance, walk, shout, talk to each other…and even sing – in other words, AMC’s “Silence is Golden®” policy will not be enforced during movie screenings unless the safety of the audience is questioned.
Does it make a difference? Absolutely! Imagine …no need to shhhhh your kid. No angry stares from 
other movie goers. Many parents think twice before bringing a child to a movie theater. Add to that your child’s special needs and it can easily become cause for parental panic. But on this one day a month, for this one screening, everyone is there to relax and have a good time, everyone expects to be surrounded by kids – with and without special needs – and the movie theater policy becomes “Tolerance is Golden“.
AMC and the Autism Society will be showing Venom as a sensory friendly feature film tomorrow, Tuesday, October 9th at 7pm (local time). Tickets can be as low as $4 to $6 depending on the location. To find a theatre near you, here is a list of AMC theatres nationwide participating in this fabulous program (note: to access full list, please scroll to the bottom of the page).
Still to come in October: Goosebumps 2: Haunted Halloween (Sat. 10/13 & 10/27); Halloween (Tues. 10/23)
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Editor’s note: Venom has been chosen by AMC and the Autism Society for a Tuesday Sensory Friendly “Mature Audience” screening. Parents should be advised that it is rated PG-13 by the Motion Picture Association of America for intense sequences of sci-fi violence and action, and for language. As always, please check the IMDB Parents Guide for a more detailed description of this film to determine if it is right for you and your family.
Atypical Representation: Special Needs Is Out of the Closet
Last updated on October 14th, 2018 at 08:24 pm
Recently there has been a lot of talk about diversity – in the workplace, in politics and in entertainment. Usually people assume diversity means people of different races being represented, but it also means people of different abilities. In the past we occasionally saw a lead character in a wheelchair or with some other disability but lately some shows are not only centered around a character with special needs, the cast also includes people with special needs.
The groundbreaking show Life Goes On featured actor Chris Burke who has Down Syndrome, but has been off the air since 1993. Glee showcased a multi-ethnic, multi-sexualitied and multi-abilitied cast with not one but two supporting actors with down syndrome, although the main character in a wheelchair was a typically-abled actor. Glee ended its run in 2015. Daryl Mitchell is one of the rare actors who has become disabled but continues on with his performing career. Speechless stars actor Micah Fowler, who like his character has cerebral palsy. The show’s creator Scott Sylveri based the show on his own family as he grew up with a brother with disabilities.
The Good Doctor is centered around a surgeon with autism and savant syndrome, played by Freddie Highmore who is neurotypical. The actor does know someone with autism and also heavily researched the role. His performance consistently gets praise as the actor always conveys the inner thoughts and feelings of an often emotionless character. The show staff includes people on the spectrum and advisors so as not to be stereotypical, and the show’s executive producer David Shore points out that the surgeon is a unique character who has these conditions and is not meant to portray autism in general. The show has just started its second season in network television.
The latest addition to this brave history is the Netflix show Atypical, which has just completed its second season. Created by Robia Rashid, it follows a high school senior with high-functioning autism who struggles to be independent and move forward in life. Although a supporting character is played by an actor with autism (Anthony Jacques, who is hilarious), the first season was criticized for not including enough people on the spectrum on the staff or in the cast ( the lead actor Kier Gilchrist is neurotypical). The show does have an “autism advisor” who is a special education professional and researcher named Michelle Dean. Ironically, many of the writers and directors are female so the show was doing a lot for diversity, just maybe not the special needs kind of diversity. The second season expanded the writing staff and the actors to include more people on the spectrum, including some young people in a support group. I was amazed to actually see a casting call for high-school aged people with autism. It is progress, but these are still supporting characters. (For a negative review of the show by an actor on the spectrum, check here)
It is encouraging to me that young people growing up and dealing with challenges are being shown possibilities, just as I am sure it was encouraging for minorities to see their own races being portrayed positively. I hope that all around them; in school, at home, in the workplace and on TV and in movies young people with disabilities are being bombarded with uplifting, inspiring messages. That everywhere they look, they see potential. They will never know their full potential unless they are given opportunities and the courage and self-confidence to take them.
Last year, Micah and two other members of the Speechless cast performed at a benefit for the institute that runs my kid’s school – a school that is based on inclusion. And they were wonderful. Watching Micah it was clear – his disability didn’t rule his life – he was using it to inspire others.
To let them see…once more…anything is possible.
