Sponsor Business Name:
Cheerful Balloons

What kind of services do you offer? 
We offer luxury balloon décor from large organic balloon garlands to small personalized arrangements. 

What inspires you most about our community?
I coached cheerleading in Kent Island for 10 years and loved the close-knit island family feel. Everyone in Kent Island is always willing to help and support each other. I truly feel as though that was the reason my teams were so successful. I was able to coach the Kent Island High School cheerleaders to 5 state championship titles and due to that success I now help coach the Naval Academy cheerleaders… GO NAVY!

What do you love most about your job?
I love the artistic side of balloon décor, every job is different and I love to find creative ways to make beautiful arrangements. Every event has a fun happy atmosphere and I love that I get to be a part of someone’s special day. 

Ways to get in touch with you:
Website: http://CheerfulBalloons.com/
Phone:  (410) 397-5380
Email:  [email protected]
Facebook: Cheerful Balloons
Instagram: @cheerful_balloons

Every week, we have been sharing "Mindful Monday" tips  on our Facebook and Instagram pages. The following is a summary of those posts for parents and caregivers looking to have these ideas in one place:

Mindfulness practices allow more presence in our lives and connection with the people around us. By following the tips and advice below, families and individuals can facilitate calm and resilience each day. Not only does mindfulness help regulate our emotions, but these practices can help decrease stress, anxiety and depression. This will also lead to better decision-making skills, emotion management, and living a more engaged and fulfilling life. The best part? These practices are easy and simple additions to our everyday lives.
 
In children, mindfulness can mitigate the effects of bullying, enhance focus in children, reduce attention problems, improve mental health and wellbeing, and improve social skills when taught and practiced with children and adolescents. Here are some activities that you can practice with your children:

1. Download Insight Timer App: This #1 free meditation app has guided meditations, music tracks from world-renowned artists and talks led by top mindfulness experts, neuroscientists, psychologists and teachers from top universities such as Harvard and Oxford. Learning meditation helps calm the mind, reduce anxiety, manage stress, sleep better, and improve happiness! 

2. Watch Flow videos on GoNoodle: Flow is a channel on GoNoodle, a website that gets kids moving with short, interactive activities. Flow videos teach kids mindfulness exercise! 

3. Create a “Mindful Glitter Jar”:
​ This activity is great for teaching kids about how strong their emotions can be and how their emotions cloud their thoughts. It also facilitates the practice of mindfulness by focusing on the swirling glitter in the jar.                          
                         1. Get a clear jar, such as a mason jar, and fill it almost all the way with water.
                        2. Add a big spoonful of glitter glue or glue with dry glitter to the jar.
                        3. Put the lid back on the jar and shake it to make the glitter swirl. 
                        4. Explain to kids: “Imagine that the glitter is like your thoughts when you’re stressed, mad or upset. See how they whirl around and make it really hard to see clearly? That’s why it’s so easy to make silly decisions when you’re upset- because you’re not thinking clearly. Don’t worry, this is normal and it happens in all of us (yep, grownups too).
                        5. Now put the jar down in front of them.

4. Download and print some mindful coloring pages or buy a mindful coloring book: When coloring, children shift their focus onto concentrating on their picture and the finished product. Coloring is a peaceful activity that has a therapeutic and calming effect on children. It can be an outlet for processing emotions and distracting them from challenging situations. By focusing on a simple activity that has a predictable outcome, anxious children are able to relax and live in the moment.   

5.Breathe with a Pinwheel Activity:  1.  Grab two pinwheels- one for yourself and one for your child. 
2. Sit with your backs straight and bodies relaxed.
3. Blow on your pinwheels together using long, deep breaths, Notice how you feel - calm and relaxed? Having trouble sitting still?
4. Next, blow on your pinwheels with short, quick breaths. Notice how you feel again- do you feel the same as you did with the long, deep breaths?
5. Think about the different types of breathing you engaged in, and discuss how the different breaths made you feel. 

National Mobility Awareness Month is observed during the month of May. National Mobility Awareness Month encourages people with disabilities to embody the spirit of Life Moving Forward by raising awareness of the mobility solutions available in your community. The National Mobility Equipment Dealers Association (NMEDA) and MobilityWorks take part in celebrating the Annual National Mobility Awareness Month 

This year’s theme for Mobility Awareness Month encourages an international campaign to highlight how people with disabilities are able to overcome physical boundaries. May is all about celebrating independence and growing solutions to create fewer boundaries. 
 
Over 18 million people live with mobility issues. Among older Americans, mobility challenges are the most common disability. By raising awareness of mobility issues, the development of solutions is encouraged and progress is acknowledged. Mobility issues shouldn’t stop anyone from getting to their destination. 
 
People with disabilities can drive or ride in a safe and comfortable way through increasing developments in automotive equipment options and wheelchair accessible vehicles. Some of the developments include driving controls that allow you to operate foot pedals by hand and fully-converted wheelchair accessible vehicles. Check out the National Mobility Equipment Dealers Association to discover products so no one has to miss out on any moments or adventures.
 
If you have a child with mobility issues, take the time this month to read about the different rights children with disabilities have in public schools. Accommodations should be readily available because of:

• The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) – Every educational institution is required to meet the needs of students with disabilities.
• Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act (1973) – A civil rights statute that protects students with disabilities against discrimination in schools. Schools are required to offer reasonable accommodations to students with disabilities, including action such as seating in front of the classroom, testing that is not timed and provision of necessary services.
• The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) – This federal law determines which students are eligible for special needs services in schools. 

 
By educating ourselves on the rights available to those with disabilities and finding resources and equipment to help mobility, less obstacles will prevent people from living their lives to the fullest. 
 

​Resources:
​www.NationalMobilityAwarenessMonth.com
https://nmeda.org/mobility-awareness-month/
https://nmeda.org/nmam/
https://www.publicschoolreview.com/blog/beneficial-services-for-physically-disabled-students-in-schools
 
 
 
 

After a year that was anything but normal, it's not surprising that many parents and educators are mentally exhausted from all things school-related. The entire world has been under an enormous mountain of stress for the past fourteen months and teachers, parents, and children all need a well-deserved mental break. 

For many parents, the end of their child's school year can often bring about a huge sense of relief, because it means getting a break from the morning hustle, packing lunches, and having to sift through mountains of papers and emails every evening. However, for parents of children with special needs, it can also be a time of worry, especially when you consider that daily routines will be upended and relationships with certain teachers or administrators may be coming to an end.  A reminder for parents and caregivers who may be limping towards the finish line this year: You are all superheroes!  

Notwithstanding the pandemic, IEP goals and 504 plans were still in effect for the 2020-21 school year, despite the seismic shifts to virtual or hybrid learning environments. Now is the time for you to get answers to these important questions: What worked for your child this year? What was left out or failed because of virtual and hybrid learning models? How were the goals affected or amended by constant change and a year of uncertainty? 

To help you finish the year strong, we've compiled some articles to guide you through gathering and organizing information about your child's progress in preparation for next year. Check these items off your to-do list so you can finally put a lid on the 2020-21 school year. Then, relax and enjoy the summer!

​Remember: NOW is the best time to get clarification from teachers and administrators, while everyone is engaged, dialed in, and has your child's progress at top of mind. 

5 Survival Tips for the End-of-Year IEP Meeting

Your Child’s Educational Rights While Crisis

Planning for 504 and IEP Success in a Post-Pandemic World

How to Work On Your Child’s IEP Goals Over the Summer

As a kid, there is nothing more exciting about Easter than the idea of the Easter bunny hopping to your house and delivering a basket filled with candy and toys! But while lots of their excitement may surround chocolate bunnies and cream eggs, there are children who either can't tolerate most candies, or parents and caregivers who would rather they not load up on sugar. The good news is, there are so many sensory toys and activities you can add to their Easter baskets this year! Here are some ideas that are great for creating basket themes or just to combine different kinds of fun together:

1. Sidewalk Chalk: We’ve been cooped up inside with a cold winter. Springtime means fresh air, flowers, and warm weather. Have your child express their creativity and enjoy the fresh air by gifting them sidewalk chalk. They will be outside for hours drawing away!
2. Slime-making kit: Your child can feel like a scientist through this activity. Slime will not only bring out bursts of giggles but will give your kids a unique sensory experience.
3. Gardening Sensory Bin: With this activity, your kids can play and pretend to take care of their own garden, the perfect way to mix springtime and sensory fun! And if your child may be too old for this idea, try giving them their own flower seeds and gardening gloves for an activity you both can do together!
4. Bath bombs filled with toys: There are so many sensory-safe toys for bathtime, but these bath bombs are a fun way to change it up. Each one has a different animal toy inside as a fun surprise and bath time won’t be met with as many groans when their bath is turning into a rainbow! 
5. Cookie mix and spring themed cookie cutters: Baking can be great sensory activities and a great way to get into the spirit of Easter by making cookies shaped like bunnies and butterflies! This will be fun for the whole family to not only roll the dough, decorate the cookies, but now there is the perfect dessert for after Easter dinner!
6. Super-Size Grow Eggs: Hide these eggs for your kids to find, put them in water, and watch and feel them grow into a fun animal! These special eggs will be a great addition to the Easter egg hunt.

 
 
https://www.wonderbaby.org/articles/multi-sensory-easter-basket-ideas
https://www.fantasticfunandlearning.com/gardening-sensory-bins.html
https://sanantonio.kidsoutandabout.com/content/80-easter-basket-ideas-arent-eggs-or-candy

 With the holidays just around the corner, the excitement of Santa Claus grows as each day passes. With joy in the air comes an unspoken stress to get the perfect gifts to surprise your loved ones. This year, the options for kids are endless with the amount of fun, sensory-friendly toys available online, so shopping can be stress-free and safe. There are quite a few things to consider to ensure a gift will be enjoyable and appropriate for a child with special needs.

Things to consider when buying presents for a child with special needs

1.     Focus on developmental-appropriateness. Taking into consideration a child’s current level of development, it might be helpful to buy toys that help them practice skills and avoid gifts that are too challenging for their current level and abilities. For example, the interactive game Headbanz may not be a good gift for a child that is non-verbal because it relies on having high level communication skills. Instead, an art and drawing craft or kit could better allow them to express themselves. While many toys give age suggestions, each child has different levels that they prefer or are ready to play without feeling frustrated.

2.     Focus on preferences and interests. If a child likes swimming or animal toys, water tables will be a great sensory toy to help them grow. There are also sound puzzles that have a wide array of different animals, including farm and jungle. Ask family or loved ones about what the child likes or dislikes. You can even help expand their interests by taking their like and getting them something similar but a bit different than they are usually used to. For example, if a child likes the feel of sand, you could branch out their interests with a transition to playdough. Some children with autism have limited interests, so getting them something similar, but still new and exciting could help expand their fun.

For older, higher-functioning kids, there are products available for just about every interest and hobby imaginable. For example, if the child is obsessed with trains, perhaps an encyclopedia about model trains or a calendar showcasing different images of trains. If they like history, there are several "On This Day"-type calendars to help feed their interests and growing minds.

3.     Be mindful of behavioral habits and triggers. If a child is sound sensitive, you won’t want to get a gift with a siren or loud animal noises. If a child is working on their fine motor skills, a sensory swing or a Mr. Potato Head would be a toy they can enjoy and progress with.

Here are a few examples of sensory safe and fun gifts that will make younger kids smile with excitement during the holidays!

1.     Sand Play Set- Sand is a great way for kids to work on fine motor skills and hand eye coordination, while exploring their imagination! Sand play sets are easily movable for both indoor and outdoor use.

2.     Playon Crayons- An easy and comfortable way to allow a child to color and express themselves if they have difficulty holding a crayon. These are made to fit right into a child’s hand and come in so many colors.

3.     Ball Pit- This gift is perfect for both indoor and outdoor use. Among the pandemic, it is hard to go to indoor playgrounds where kids love jumping into the ball pit. But this is a great way to bring the fun home. Ball pits are great sensory activities for kids and the plastic balls are a great addition to throw into the bathtub or an inflatable pool too!

4.     Sensory Swing- These swings are especially made for kids who have Sensory Processing Disorder, Asperger's Syndrome, ADHD, or those on the autism spectrum. They are therapeutic and help kids with balance, body awareness and motor planning. Kids can relax while laying or bounce, swing, and spin around, whichever mood they are in!

5.     Color-In Pajama Set: An art project that will have your child coloring for hours and comfy pajama set all in one! Not only will this be a fun thing for your child to do but they can show off their art with pride around the house when they are getting ready for bed.

​6. Fidgets  Fidgets can help some kids with ADHD focus better. They’re not “one size fits all,” however. Different types of fidgets can meet different sensory needs. You can see which work best for your child , and then talk to the teacher about using them in class. 
Children with autism may find using fidget tools soothing and calming as the tools helps them meet their sensory needs. For children with ADHD, the tools can offer a movement outlet that allows the child to focus and concentrate better. Some people with anxiety also benefit from using fidget tools.
It's always a good idea to hold on to receipts when gifting any child during the holidays, in the event the gift isn't suitable or if it is a duplicate. For more ideas on what to give the special children in your life, reach out to a professional at Kinera for some helpful ideas. Our team of consisting of both parent navigators and clinical providers can offer insight into the latest and greatest items for children of all abilities.

Understanding Epilepsy
Epilepsy is a neurological condition that affects the nervous system. Epilepsy is also known as a "seizure disorder." It is usually diagnosed after a person has had at least two seizures (or after one seizure with a high risk for more) that were not caused by some known medical condition. Is estimated that nearly 65 million people worldwide currently live with epilepsy, which can affect any person at any age in their lifetime.  New cases of epilepsy are more commonly diagnosed children and usually within the first year of their life.

According to the Epilepsy Foundation, 1-in-10 people will experience a seizure throughout their life, and 1-in-26 will develop epilepsy.  Epilepsy is a relatively common disorder, but there is very little understanding in the grand scheme of things.  Though there are treatments and medications available to patients diagnosed with epilepsy , a person will live with the condition forever. The goal of medicine is to decrease the frequency of seizures.

Seizure First Aid
Knowing how to respond in the event that someone has a seizure is just as important as knowing CPR. Seizures occur when abnormal electric signals from the brain change the way the body functions. There are many different types of seizures, which may cause anything from convulsions, muscle spasms, brief or prolonged loss of consciousness, strange sensations and emotions, and/or abnormal behaviors. Seizures can be triggered by an isolated incident such as high fever, infection, exposure to toxin, and metabolic abnormalities like hypoglycemia, but are frequently evidence of an underlying medical condition.

Seeing someone collapse and seize can be frightening, but there are simple steps to take to provide a safer environment when it happens.  For most seizures, basic seizure first aid is all that is needed. The steps are simple - Stay. Safe. Side.

To the following organizations are great resources for families looking to get more information about epilepsy.

 Epilepsy Foundation:  https://epilepsywdc.org/
Cure Epilepsy: http://www.cureepilepsy.org/
International League Against Epilepsy https:www.ilae.org/