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

New Down Syndrome Test Information for Expectant Parents
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art178739.asp
There are now 2 pamphlets available for expectant parents and medical professionals addressing the non-invasive prenatal tests for Down syndrome. Questions have been raised about factual inaccuracies and unbalanced information in the newer pamphlet available from national Down syndrome organizations. The original pamphlet was written with national medical organizations and the national Down syndrome organizations working together.
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art178739.asp

Please visit specialneedschildren.bellaonline.com for even more great content about Children with Special Needs.

Down Syndrome and Heart Issues
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art178665.asp

Keep up to date on disability issues and events via Twitter with 2,313 other families and advocacy groups:
http://www.twitter.com/downsynadvocacy

Matisyahu: Happy Hanukkah
http://happyhanukkah.matisyahuworld.com
Proceeds through the End of Hanukkah Dec 16th to be donated to Hurricane Sandy Relief
Matisyahu: Happy Hanukkah, via Amazon:
http://tinyurl.com/bjrr68r

Join our community on Facebook with 271 other parents and advocacy organizations
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Children-with-Special-Needs-at-Bellaonline/232298623459587

1-year-old born with Down syndrome, health problems is thriving
http://tinyurl.com/bb7zzsx
" ... When Hudson Heinz was born on Oct. 26, 2011, he had Down syndrome, Hirschsprung’s disease and a ventricular septal defect, or a hole in the heart. Within 24 hours of giving birth, first-time parents Rachel and Jordan Heinz found themselves absorbing waves of shocking diagnosis, fighting for their son and discovering a love and strength they didn’t know they had.
Today, Hudson is thriving ...
... “If there is a parent reading this and something unexpected happens (with their child) ... it may be unexpected and scary and kind of overwhelming at first, but it all works out. It’s all about your attitude and perspective. Hudson gives us our perspective and attitude because we see what he’s gone through and how happy he is and how well he’s done,” Rachel said. ..."

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Speaking of Apraxia: A Parents' Guide to Childhood Apraxia of Speech
On the same page: Becoming Verbal With Childhood Apraxia: New Insights
on Piaget for Today's Therapy
http://tinyurl.com/bubqasd

Easy to Love but Hard to Raise: Real Parents, Challenging Kids, True Stories
http://tinyurl.com/bv48ar2

Remember that your public library and local bookstores are treasure troves in your own community. Browsing and making purchases via links in articles slightly benefits our website but if you order online remember some books are available at amazing discounts from third party sellers - some charge more for shipping than for the item!

Movie theater gift cards can be used for tickets and the snack bar; some theaters have customer loyalty cards that provide rewards like free popcorn, a drink, or a free movie every so often.
http://tinyurl.com/MvThtrGftCrd

Children with Special Needs
http://astore.amazon.com/specialneed0e-20/

Down Syndrome Advocacy
http://astore.amazon.com/downsyndrome-20/

Encourage saving for teens and adults with developmental disabilities - Please let your elected representatives know you support the ABLE Act.

Cracked Planet: Answers Left Unquestioned
"... Once a young adult like my son turns 21, he exits the youth system and must apply for SSI---a means-tested program with income and asset limits--which will force him into poverty for the rest of his life. When Julian was born and we updated our will, we actually had to disinherit him so that he wouldn't accumulate assets and jeopardize his adult Medicaid eligibility. ..."
http://thecrackedplanet.blogspot.com/2012/12/answers-left-unquestioned.html

Do Lame Ducks Like Pink Houses? The Disability Community Needs the ABLE Act
"... I am optimistically hopeful that our legislators will do the right thing and pass the Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Act.
... For several years I have worked with the National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS) and other advocates from across our country to get the ABLE Act passed. This year, we have a strong bill that sets up 529 type savings accounts so families like mine can save money that will be used to help Rachel with expenses related to such things as a job coach, transportation to her job or school, assistance with her healthcare needs or home supports if needed, educational needs and finally to help her be able to have her pink house. There are payback protections built-in to the plan to help address fraud issues. Our family represents thousands of families who do not want to depend on disability welfare.
I am asking our legislators to do the right thing during this lame duck session. I am asking them to bring this bill to the floor and vote yes to empowering people with disabilities and their families. ..."
http://bethesda.patch.com/blog_posts/opinion-do-lame-ducks-like-pink-houses-the-disability-community-needs-the-able-act

To participate in free, fun online discussions, this site has a community forum all about Children with Special Needs 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!

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

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

Vacation Travel, Weekend Getaways and Childhood Disabilities
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art43397.asp

Holiday Shopping For Children With Special Needs
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art54092.asp

Winter Challenges for Children with Special Needs
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art46706.asp

Managing Emergencies at School
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art70183.asp

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

Severe Weather Events and Children with Special Needs
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art48466.asp

A Brand New Baby with Down Syndrome
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art51264.asp

Welcoming Babies with Down Syndrome (English, Spanish, French)
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art32534.asp
Bienvenidos Bebés con Síndrome de Down
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art32537.asp
Accueillir les bébé trisomiques
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art32538.asp

New Parent Information on Down Syndrome
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art68926.asp

New prenatal test, chromosomal microarray, proposed as standard of care
http://www.sciencecodex.com/new_prenatal_test_chromosomal_microarray_proposed_as_standard_of_care-103349

Faith, Religion and Children with Special Needs
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art52349.asp

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

Finding a Welcoming Congregation
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art171643.asp

Surgery and Children with Diabetes
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art57977.asp

Asking More from Medical Professionals - Children with Special Needs
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art39121.asp

Forgiving Family - Childhood Disabilities
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art48067.asp

Inappropriate Comments in Inclusive Congregations
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art172188.asp

Positive Behavior Support in the Classroom
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art58507.asp

Using Behavior as Communication
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art32521.asp

End Aversive Restraints and Seclusion in School
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art60315.asp

An elementary student traumatized by seeing other kids put into a locked padded box at school; his mom raises alarm.
School district aims to ease concerns over 'isolation booth'
http://www.katu.com/news/local/Longview-school-district-aims-to-ease-concerns-over-isolation-booth-181284591.html?tab=video&c=y

Death at School: Parents Protest Dangerous Discipline for Autistic, Disabled Kids
http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/death-school-parents-protest-dangerous-discipline-autistic-disabled/story?id=17702216#.ULgCF-3FVD2

One Congressman Is Blocking the Bill That Would Protect Kids with Autism
Minnesota Republican Rep. John Kline, who chairs the House's education committee, has frozen action in the House on a proposal to institute national standards for how teachers and school staff can safely restrain students.
http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/congressman-blocking-bill-protect-kids-autism/story?id=17887843&singlePage=true#.UMDNzO3FVD0