Monmouth County's Ask The Doctor May - June 2021

Moving with your Special Needs Child By Stefanie Maglio

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We provide Adult Day Services For Special Needs Adults (21 years old +)

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While moving to a new home can be exciting, there are many factors that can make the process stressful. Adding children to the mix, specifically special needs children can make moving even more challenging. Not only do you have to worry about all the ordinary tasks that come along with moving such as pur- chasing a new home, but also extra precautions must be taken when a special needs child is involved. Making the transition into your new home can be difficult, but getting a jump-start on everything before the actual move makes the process go more smoothly. Finding you child's new school is definitely something that should be done ahead of time. There are many things to considering when choosing a school for your special needs child. Find out if the school has the basic accessibility for your child. Depending on the disabilities your child may have, mobility can be a concern. Visiting the school in person with your child to see if they can get around comfortably may be a good idea. Also, it's important to make sure that you and your child are both comfortable with the personnel. Talk to the special education teachers, and choose a school that you feel comfortable with. Sometimes private schools are a better option depending on the situation your family is in. Not only is finding a new school important, but if the move requires you to switch doctors, it's crucial that you make the best choice for you and most definitely your child. If the current doc- tor your child goes to is able to give you a referral that would most definitely be helpful. However, this sometimes isn't pos- sible due to the new location in which the patient is moving to. Contacting a local disability support group is also a great way to get some advice as well as make it easier for your child to settle into their new environment. Also, when selecting your new doc- tor, remember to send your child's records ahead of time. This will be more efficient as the new doctor will already have your child's information. Sometimes scheduling a consultation is the best way to make a decision when it comes to selecting a doctor. Overall, there are many things to consider when selecting the home itself. Mobility issues, sensory issues, non-neurotypical concerns, and storage for medical equipment are all things to considering depending on your child's needs. However, it’s most important that your child is comfortable while making this tran- sition. This may mean decorating their room. With their favorite TV show characters, or painting it their favorite color. Finding the right bed is also important if you are

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Medicaid/HMO/DDD

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Call UsToday For ATour or Info! (732) 845-3332 • Free Door-to-DoorTransportation • Health Evaluations • Bi-Lingual staff • Music & PetTherapy

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• Educational Programs to assist & encourage independance with activities of daily living • Social Activities • Fabulous food and menu options • Recreation, Exercise,Trips to Museums, Stores, Crafts and more... Serving Monmouth, Middlesex & Ocean Residents

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purchasing a new one for the home. Not only is comfort for the child important, but safety is as well. If your child moves around a lot during their sleep, a rail- ing may be necessary to prevent them from falling

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20 1-A Jackson Street Freehold, New Jersey

out of bed. These can be found at any home goods store. Moving with your special needs child can be difficult, but keep in mind that there are many ways to make the process easier!

We Offer Something Special Nowhere Else Found In CNJ ForYour Loved One! Active Day Adult Services

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ASK THE DOCTOR

SPRING 2021

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