How do you motivate people with disabilities?

I believe in motivating people to be the best they can be.  Like others with disabilities, I oftentimes need extra motivation because I’m so used hearing words like “no”, “you can’t”, or “you won’t”.  These words are so demoralizing and heard so often that is easy to just  give up on things that we stand for.  Here’s a question for you though: How do you motivate people with disabilities?  Do you say a kind word?  Do you encourage individuals to do things that we think cannot do?  Do you argue?  Let me know your thoughts.

How does our attitude affect the way people treat us?

As a person with a disability, we often speak of people and their attitudes.  We are often times speaking of their acceptance of us and our disability.  However, I don’t think that we as people with disabilities take the time to think about our attitudes and the perception that we give the individuals who interact with us every day.  With that being said, I would like to know your thoughts.  How does our attitude affect the way people treat us?  Let me know.

We want to hear from you!

Working with individuals with disabilities on a daily basis we see everything from severe disabilities to not-so-severe ones.  However, I’ve noticed that a few people with disabilities sometimes use it to their advantage.  For example, sometimes I see people on the bus with disabilities who wait to be escorted to their seat even though they can find a seat on their own.  Therefore, I’m interested in knowing how this affects the way you view an individual with a disability.  Are they a person?  Do you see the disability before you see the person?  Do you have a tendency to have pity on them because of their disability?  Let me know how you think a person with a disability should be treated.  

Helpful link about autism

Check out the following link for information about autism screening, diagnosis, and treatment. http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/a-parents-guide-to-autism-spectrum-disorder/index.shtml

Who is your source of empowerment?

Our mission at The Arc Mid-south is to empower individuals with disabilities to achieve to their full potential. I'd like to know who is your source of empowerment? (Is a friend of the family, a coworker, etc.) Who should it be? Think about it.

Does Autism Make Moms Parent Differently?

By SHAUN HEASLEY

February 20, 2014Text Size  A  A

A new study suggests that moms of kids with autism address their children’s behavior differently than parents of kids without the developmental disorder.

Researchers found that mothers with children on the spectrum were less likely to set rules or use discipline, but more frequently imposed so-called positive parenting, encouraging good behavior rather than focusing on the bad.

The findings come from a study published in the March issue of the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders which is believed to be among the first to look at parenting behavior among moms of individuals with autism.

For the research, nearly 1,000 mothers of children ages 6 to 18 in Belgium and the Netherlands completed a questionnaire about their parenting approach. Participants in the study included 552 families with a child with autism and 437 families of kids without. None of the children had a diagnosis of intellectual disability.

For more information, please visit the following site:  http://www.disabilityscoop.com/2014/02/20/does-moms-parent-differently/19128/ 

Tennessee STEP UP Scholarship

Tennessee STEP UP Scholarship! 
The Tennessee STEP UP Scholarship is a program designed to assist students with intellectual disabilities who have completed high school and enroll in a two-year individualized program at an eligible postsecondary institution.

The award amount is $4,000 per year. Awards are made in equal installments for the fall and spring semesters. Students and parents must complete the STEP UP Scholarship application and submit the completed application to the Tennessee Student Assistance Corporation (TSAC). In addition, recipients must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

To be eligible, the applicant must:
• Not be ineligible for the scholarship under § 49-4-904
• Have been a Tennessee resident for one (1) year immediately preceding the date of application for a scholarship or the renewal of the scholarship
• Complete high school in a Tennessee high school in accordance with the requirements of the student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP) and receive a high school diploma or certificate, a special education diploma, a transition certificate, or an IEP certificate
• Be admitted to and enroll in an eligible postsecondary institution in an eligible postsecondary program no later than sixteen (16) months after completing high school; and
• Apply for a Tennessee STEP UP Scholarship

To apply or find out more, go to the following web address:http://www.tn.gov/collegepays/mon_college/stepup.shtml