Here's the latest article from the Special Needs Children site at BellaOnline.com.

Communication Alternatives - Childhood Disability
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art65230.asp
Alternate forms of communication for children with speech delays or disabilities include body language, behavior, facial expressions, and informal sign language or shorthand words as well as standard sign language, icon based communication systems, handwriting and typing.
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art65230.asp

Come visit specialneedschildren.bellaonline.com for other articles of interest to families raising children with special needs, including:

Expressing Friendship with Valentines
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art40072.asp

Literacy Skill Development - Reading Instruction
for Children with Autism, Down Syndrome
or Other Disabilities
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art57331.asp

Encouraging Late Talking Children
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art55867.asp

Snapshots and Children with Delayed Language
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art60026.asp

Snapshots and Children with Delayed Language
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art60026.asp

Grandparents and Childhood Disability
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art60481.asp

Reading Strategies and Reading Readiness
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art35577.asp

Teaching Children About Money
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art58960.asp

Teaching Math Skills
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art38411.asp

IEP Preparation - Teacher Support
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art44746.asp

Advocating in Multicultural Communities
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art11304.asp

It is heartbreaking to see the news from Haiti and our thoughts go out to those who have been so tragically affected by the earthquake and its aftermath, including the people of Haiti and the amazing aid workers who were working to make a difference even before the great disaster struck them down.

People with disabilities, and especially children with disabilities, are especially vulnerable where poverty and the basic necessities of living are difficult for most of the population. I have listed resources below that are linked to NGOs that either include or focus on people with disabilities, especially children, as they reach out to help everyone in the area.

Many families in the USA who are struggling with serious health, education, and social issues with our own sons and daughters are especially vulnerable to stories of the overwhelming plight of the children of Haiti. Wanting to join the effort to rescue and support those who are in such great need is a natural response and should be celebrated. There will be many opportunities to participate in fundraising, as well as raising awareness about what is needed, in the coming months. Hopefully we can all find ways to help, even if we cannot spare a donation in the present economy. If an individual, a community group or congregation in your neighborhood has fundraiser ideas that you can share with other families, please post a message at the Special Needs Children's forum. Inspiration reduces stress and gives us all greater hope.

Please participate in this and other bulletin board discussions at the Special Needs Children community forum at:

http://tinyurl.com/forumSNC

Recent discussions:

Reaching Out to Haiti
Children, Teens and Adults w/ Disabilities
http://tinyurl.com/SNCHaitiPWDrelief

Communication Alternatives
http://tinyurl.com/CmnctnAltSNC

Feb DS Buddy Walk to meet legislators in Washingon DC
http://tinyurl.com/FebBdyWlkonDC

American Idol Contestant Maddy Curtis
has brothers w/ Down syndrome
http://tinyurl.com/AmIdolMaddyC

iPhone / iPod Touch Apps - Voice4u
http://tinyurl.com/SNCiPhoneApps

See my Twitter messages at:
http://tinyurl.com/SNCtweets
or
http://twitter.com/DownSynAdvocacy

Reaching Out to Haiti - Seeking news stories,
resources, info related to disabilities, caregivers
http://tinyurl.com/HelpingHaitiSNC -

From JF Activist:
Haitians with Disabilities Suffering
After Quake; How to Help
http://is.gd/6MatS

Mayo, Ireland woman helps children w/ special needs
in Haiti quake crisis Nos Petits Frères et Soeur
http://tinyurl.com/GenaHeratyIreTms

OK: Proposed law allows students w/ IEPs to
attend any school
http://bit.ly/4RqI04

Bill would require blind students to learn Braille
http://tinyurl.com/NebSchBraille -
SNC: http://tinyurl.com/Brl4kids

Amazon to Launch App Store for Kindle;
http://tinyurl.com/KindleAppSt
SNC: http://tinyurl.com/sncKindle2

Project Lifesaver: http://bit.ly/6L4eYY
Tracking bracelet for those who wander

Lots of great accessibility topics at CSUN10 conf
http://bit.ly/88DIQb

Assisted listening devices: phones, hearing aids, alerts
http://bit.ly/7Ms2bB

What is Art Therapy?
http://tinyurl.com/ArtTherDes
SNC: http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art17513.asp

I hope to hear from you sometime soon, either in the forum or in response to this email message. I thrive on your feedback!

Have fun passing this message along to family and friends, because we all love free knowledge!

Pamela Wilson, Special Needs Children Editor
http://specialneedschildren.bellaonline.com

Voice4u iPod Touch iPhone Communication App
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art65220.asp

Nintendo Wii Therapy Rehab for Children and Teens
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art63675.asp

Amazon Kindle and Childhood Disability
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art60812.asp

Easter and Children with Disabilities
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art13561.asp

Holiday Play and Crafts
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art48113.asp

Signing Reading and Spelling for Communication
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art33567.asp

Friendship, Inclusion and Childhood Disability
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art48700.asp

Teaching Handwriting to Children
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art51022.asp

Art and Self-Expression for Children with Disabilities
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art17513.asp

Service Dog Etiquette
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art64975.asp

Pain Management for Children at Clinics and Hospitals
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art51895.asp

Interviewing Caregivers for Your Child
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art62519.asp

Teaching Relatives to Care for a Disabled Child
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art62563.asp

Positive Psychology and Childhood Disability
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art63748.asp

Family Games for Parties - Social and Educational
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art64579.asp

Vision and Eye Related Problems
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art21071.asp

Safety, Risk and Childhood Disability
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art64636.asp