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

ADHD Medications and Cardiovascular Events
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art56634.asp

It's now recommended that all children who use ADHD medications schedule an ECG and cardiovascular check up; stirring alarm among parents whose children are more at risk for a cardiac event if they have an undiagnosed heart problem and use stimulant medications like ritalin, adderall, or concerta.

To participate in free, fun online discussions, this site has a community forum with topics ranging from sign language to legislative advocacy at -

http://forums.bellaonline.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=postlist&Board=57
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FROM: Susan Goodman, Director - Governmental Affairs NDSC
DATE: April 22, 2008
NDSC Action Alert
The House of Representatives will vote on the
Protecting the Medicaid Safety Net Act of 2008 (H.R. 5613)
either late Tuesday, April 22, or Wednesday, April 23.
This Act would prohibit implementation of federal
Medicaid regulations that would severely limit
services for adults with disabilities who rely on
Medicaid funding for daytime services, and for
children who receive Medicaid-funded services
in schools.
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http://forums.bellaonline.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=postlist&Board=57

Alaska Welcomes New Baby Son of Governor

There are darling pictures and quite a story about the birth of Alaska governor Sarah Palin and her husband Todd's son, Trig, last Friday, in Alaska (although he could easily have been born a Texan) at the KTUU-TV website:

Welcome to Alaska, Trig Paxson Van Palin
http://www.ktuu.com/global/story.asp?s=8194634

Many reports suggest that Gov. Palin's newborn was prenatally diagnosed with Down syndrome. He arrived a month early.

Baby Trig had the good sense to be born into a family with four wonderful older siblings: Piper, 7, Willow, 13, Bristol, 17 and Track, 18.

The Palin family released this statement, with more news to follow:

“Trig is beautiful and already adored by us. We knew through early testing he would face special challenges, and we feel privileged a God would entrust us with this gift and allow us unspeakable joy as he entered our lives. We have faith that every baby is created for a good purpose and has potential to make this world a better place. We are truly blessed.”
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http://forums.bellaonline.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=postlist&Board=57
Extraordinary Parents - Finalists at CNN website
Convention on Rights of Persons with Disabilities
Autism and Playing Baseball
Actors with Disabilities - Memory Keeper's Daughter
Teens with Type One Diabetes
The Yellow Shirt - Autism Awareness Month is April
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Visit specialneedschildren.bellaonline.com for more
interesting and helpful articles:

Encouraging Late Talking Children
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art55867.asp
Finding ways to encourage late-talking children to communicate helps us to build better relationships within the family and community. When a child misses developmental milestones in speech, or does not speak at all, alternative forms of communication help them show us their full potential

Recognizing Early Signs of Autism
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art55223.asp
Recognizing early signs of autism helps families find resoures and support for very young children with autism spectrum disorders. The autism video glossary shows film clips of autism symptoms, helping families reach professionals to find an earlier diagnosis and early intervention options.

Seeing Children with Disabilities in Movies, Ads and Television
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art54743.asp
Advocates are stepping forward to describe the importance of children with disabilities being represented in movies, commercials, and television shows as main characters as well as casual extras. Seeing children with disabilities in movies, ads and television impacts siblings and mainstream peers.

MRSA Antibiotic Resistant Staph Infections
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art56280.asp
MRSA and ORSA are antibiotic-resistant staph infections that can quickly become life threatening when diagnosis or treatment is delayed. Children with certain health conditions and developmental disabilities may be more susceptible due to skin conditions, injury, accidents or hospitalizations.

Melissa Riggio Made a Difference
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art56423.asp
Melissa Riggio´s birth inspired the creation of the Special Needs section at Barnes & Noble bookstores. Her life in twenty years made more of a difference in the world than many lives of 80.

Faith, Religion, and Children with Special Needs
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art52349.asp
Families of children with special needs have found wonderful support and encouragement from religious groups and their own communities of faith; children who grow up included in a faith community find lifelong friends and good company

Explaining Down Syndrome to Children
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art55519.asp
Deciding how to explain Down syndrome to young children may challenge the beliefs and expectations of adults who see more differences than similarities among children with Down syndrome and their mainstream peers.

Chicken Soup for the Soul Children with Special Needs
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art52704.asp
The latest Chicken Soup for the Soul book, _Children with Special Needs - Stories of Love and Understanding for Those Who Care for Children with Disabilities_, includes inspiring tales and wonderful stories about loving and raising kids just like ours

Person Centered Planning
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art53731.asp

Communicating with Babies
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art54401.asp

Music Education - Every Voice Heard
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art46397.asp

Teens with Disabilities - Transition Planning
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art33519.asp

Reflux - Pediatric GERD, Infant GER and EER
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art3730.asp

Preparing for Emergencies - Children with Special Needs
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art50320.asp

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

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

Cutting with Scissors and Other Fine Motor Skills
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art52119.asp

Printing and Cursive Handwriting for Children with Special Needs
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art51023.asp

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

Cousins of Children with Special Needs
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art44239.asp

Diabetes (T1D) Information for Classmates
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art32541.asp

Back to School with Diabetes
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art52832.asp

Symptoms of Type One Insulin Dependent Childhood Onset Diabetes
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art32583.asp

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

Community Is... Self-Determination
http://www.arcwhatcom.org/newsletters_pcoaltn/2004/10_nov2004.pdf

Children with Diabetes - Comprehensive Information and Support
http://www.childrenwithdiabetes.com/

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