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

Dealing with Rude Comments or Behavior in Public
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art69014.asp
Although it has been a rare occurance, my family has experienced rude comments and behavior in public in response to people recognizing that my son has Down syndrome. Sometimes unfortunate experiences can lead us to make mistakes in judging the reactions of others, who may have good intentions; other times we wish we had the best snappy comeback to nip it in the bud.
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art69014.asp

Links to interesting and uplifting articles and
great resources are available at my Twitter link: www.twitter.com/downsynadvocacy

Please visit specialneedschildren.bellaonline.com for even
more great content about raising children and teens in transition.

Halloween Safety Tips - Children with Disabilities
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art58864.asp

Costumes for Children with Special Needs
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art36415.asp

Halloween Costumes and Childhood Disability
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art63629.asp

Family Games for Parties - Childhood Disability
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art64579.asp

Welcoming Babies with Down Syndrome
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art32534.asp

Encouraging Fussy Babies and Sensitive Toddlers
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art62765.asp

Teacher Appreciation and Childhood Disability
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art62183.asp

To participate in free, fun online discussions, this site has a community forum all about Special Needs Children located here -

http://forums.bellaonline.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=postlist&Board=57

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

My son's birthday is October 31st; he was due on December 1st but just could not resist an early morning entrance for his first Trick or Treat. He developed type one diabetes just a few weeks before his 8th birthday and our lives were forever changed when we attended a wonderful Halloween party hosted by the local Juvenile Diabetes Support Group where one child in each family was having a blood test or insulin injection during the party, and all the snacks and treats had carb listings and recipes or all the drinks were no calorie - except for those brought in just in case of a low blood sugar event where they needed a boost. Haunted house, crafts, buffet tables full of treats, and so many toys and little items for a trick or treat circle.

They taught me how to build a more inclusive community for children and teens with diabetes in my son's mainstream classrooms, sports teams, church, scouts and parks department programs as well as those for children and teens with developmental disabilities.

I hope each of you has a great tradition and a happy memory of October through friendship and support in parent groups and especially in the mainstream of your communities.

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

Teens and Pre-Teens with Down Syndrome
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art69004.asp

Symptoms of Childhood Onset Diabetes
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art32583.asp

Type One Diabetes Information for Classmates (and their families)
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art32541.asp

Oral Health and Dental Visits for Children
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art55319.asp

Private Schools and Children with Special Needs
http://www.bellaonline.org/articles/art52889.asp

After School Homeschooling - Childhood Disability
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art45893.asp

Rebuilding America with Universal Design
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art61312.asp

Winter Storm Preparations for Families
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art54303.asp

Communication Partners
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art65818.asp

Patient Advocacy for Children in Hospitals
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art66329.asp

Medical ID Bracelets for Children and Teens
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art66973.asp

Down Syndrome and Diabetes Dual Diagnosis
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art32543.asp

Celiac Disease and Juvenile Diabetes
http://www.bellaonline.org/articles/art48740.asp

Burn Survivor Camps for Children and Teens
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art67690.asp