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94 | Skills for Life Series #4 - Essential Bathing Skills: Practical Tips for Parents and Caregivers
Unlock the secrets to nurturing independence in your child’s hygiene routine on this week’s episode of Especially Organized Sensible Solutions for Special Needs Moms. Join me as we navigate the often-challenging path of teaching children with intellectual disabilities to shower or bathe independently. You’ll discover practical strategies to transform the bathroom into a safe and inviting space while tackling common obstacles like sensory sensitivities and boredom. We'll discuss ways to empower your child towards self-reliance, enabling them to boost their confidence and reduce their dependence on caregivers. Safety is at the heart of our discussion, focusing on essential precautions such as managing hot water temperatures and preventing slips to ensure a secure environment.
The following are links to various clothing companies
Sensory Friendly Clothing Options
https://magnaready.com/
https://joeandbella.com/collections/down-syndrome-adaptive-clothing
https://joeandbella.com/collections/special-needs-adaptive-clothing
https://us.specialkids.company/
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Hey! Are you a parent of a loved one with a disability? Have you ever wanted to be on a podcast? Then I want to hear from you! Literally! Send me an audio message that I can include in an upcoming special episode.
Just click here to be directed to a website where you can record your response to the following question:
If you could go back in time to when your child was first diagnosed with a disability, what would you tell yourself?
I would LOVE to hear from you!! And finally, if you have been wondering how long you need to keep certain documents, whether its a utility bill, and IEP, medical records, or an insurance policy, I have a quick and accessible one-page document for you to download that shares exactly how long you should be holding on to these items and when you can let them go (e.g. shred and/or recycle.)
Click here to get on my email list and I will send this handy doc straight to your inbox.
And I promise I won't start bombarding your inbox with emails -- that is not my style! I just want to be able to stay in touch and keep you informed occasionally of resources to help you reclaim whatever it is YOU need!
Happy Organizing!
Are we friends? Connect with me:
Instagram (@yourspacereclaimed)
Facebook (Your Space Reclaimed)
Website Your Space Reclaimed Professional Organizing
93 | Skills for Life Series #3 - Practical Strategies in Better Oral Hygiene for Our Disabled Kids
Unlock the secrets to empowering your child with intellectual and developmental disabilities by fostering independence in dental care. Join me, Angela, a seasoned advocate and parent of a daughter with Down syndrome, as we uncover practical strategies to integrate essential oral hygiene into your child's daily life. Learn how to transform toothbrushing from a dreaded chore into a confidence-boosting skill that enhances their overall health and social interactions. From picking the right tools to teaching critical mouth vocabulary, this episode offers invaluable insights to help your child thrive. Let's work together to equip our kids with the skills they need for a lifetime of healthy teeth, fresh breath, and meaningful social connections.
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Hey! Are you a parent of a loved one with a disability? Have you ever wanted to be on a podcast? Then I want to hear from you! Literally! Send me an audio message that I can include in an upcoming special episode.
Just click here to be directed to a website where you can record your response to the following question:
If you could go back in time to when your child was first diagnosed with a disability, what would you tell yourself?
I would LOVE to hear from you!! And finally, if you have been wondering how long you need to keep certain documents, whether its a utility bill, and IEP, medical records, or an insurance policy, I have a quick and accessible one-page document for you to download that shares exactly how long you should be holding on to these items and when you can let them go (e.g. shred and/or recycle.)
Click here to get on my email list and I will send this handy doc straight to your inbox.
And I promise I won't start bombarding your inbox with emails -- that is not my style! I just want to be able to stay in touch and keep you informed occasionally of resources to help you reclaim whatever it is YOU need!
Happy Organizing!
Are we friends? Connect with me:
Instagram (@yourspacereclaimed)
Facebook (Your Space Reclaimed)
Website Your Space Reclaimed Professional Organizing
92 | Skills For Life Series #2 - Teaching Our Disabled Kids Face and Hand Washing
Transform the way you approach personal hygiene education for children with special needs by uncovering practical techniques to conquer sensory challenges. In this episode, I share actionable strategies to help your child master face and hand washing, ensuring they embrace independence and showcase their best selves to the world.
I discuss breaking down hygiene tasks into manageable steps, focusing on the importance of using correct terminology and demonstrating each action slowly. Whether your child can wash independently or needs complete assistance, we explore how to reduce their sensitivity to water and soap, making the process smoother for everyone involved. By investing time and effort into these foundational skills, we can empower our children to gain confidence and independence, while alleviating some of the daily pressures we face as caregivers. Join me on this journey to enhance your child's quality of life and reclaim some precious time for yourself.
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Hey! Are you a parent of a loved one with a disability? Have you ever wanted to be on a podcast? Then I want to hear from you! Literally! Send me an audio message that I can include in an upcoming special episode.
Just click here to be directed to a website where you can record your response to the following question:
If you could go back in time to when your child was first diagnosed with a disability, what would you tell yourself?
I would LOVE to hear from you!! And finally, if you have been wondering how long you need to keep certain documents, whether its a utility bill, and IEP, medical records, or an insurance policy, I have a quick and accessible one-page document for you to download that shares exactly how long you should be holding on to these items and when you can let them go (e.g. shred and/or recycle.)
Click here to get on my email list and I will send this handy doc straight to your inbox.
And I promise I won't start bombarding your inbox with emails -- that is not my style! I just want to be able to stay in touch and keep you informed occasionally of resources to help you reclaim whatever it is YOU need!
Happy Organizing!
Are we friends? Connect with me:
Instagram (@yourspacereclaimed)
Facebook (Your Space Reclaimed)
Website Your Space Reclaimed Professional Organizing
91 | Skills For Life Series #1 -- Hair Care for Our Disabled Kids and Adults
Empower your child with greater personal hygiene independence, while easing your own caregiving journey. Join me as I share valuable insights and practical strategies drawn from a variety of parent experiences as well as tips from occupational therapist Shannon Anderson. as I tackle the often-overlooked challenges of personal hygiene for children with special needs, particularly as they transition into adulthood. From hair washing to toileting, discover how simple adaptations can make a world of difference in nurturing self-reliance and boosting confidence.
Simplifying hair care routines with actionable tips, like using pump bottles, labeled products, and even shower mirrors to aid self-guidance. Learn how practicing on mannequins can build skills and confidence, making each step more intuitive for your child. Whether it’s organizing hair supplies for easy access or adjusting routines to fit different schedules, these strategies are designed to set your child up for success.
Also -- you have just a few days left to celebrate with us the milestones Ruby's Rainbow has achieved and the dreams it continues to fulfill by taking the 321 Pledge that aims to raise $600,000 for scholarships.
I hope you will join me in contributing to this amazing cause. Just $21 can make a difference in the life of someone with Down Syndrome! My goal is to raise $3000 for Ruby's Rainbow so that someone with Down Syndrome can attend the college of their dreams!
AND -- For every dollar donated through this podcast, I will match your donation up to $1000! So let's see what this community can do!
Click here to donate -- Just $21 can make a difference in the life of someone with Down Syndrome getting to live out their college dream!
(or click here...) https://321pledge.org/share/angela-obrien
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Hey! Are you a parent of a loved one with a disability? Have you ever wanted to be on a podcast? Then I want to hear from you! Literally! Send me an audio message that I can include in an upcoming special episode.
Just click here to be directed to a website where you can record your response to the following question:
If you could go back in time to when your child was first diagnosed with a disability, what would you tell yourself?
I would LOVE to hear from you!! And finally, if you have been wondering how long you need to keep certain documents, whether its a utility bill, and IEP, medical records, or an insurance policy, I have a quick and accessible one-page document for you to download that shares exactly how long you should be holding on to these items and when you can let them go (e.g. shred and/or recycle.)
Click here to get on my email list and I will send this handy doc straight to your inbox.
And I promise I won't start bombarding your inbox with emails -- that is not my style! I just want to be able to stay in touch and keep you informed occasionally of resources to help you reclaim whatever it is YOU need!
Happy Organizing!
Are we friends? Connect with me:
Instagram (@yourspacereclaimed)
Facebook (Your Space Reclaimed)
Website Your Space Reclaimed Professional Organizing
90 | Reimagining the Good Life with Kids with Disabilities
When Amy Julia Becker's daughter, Penny, was diagnosed with Down syndrome, the family's vision of the future shifted dramatically. What they discovered was not a life of limitations but a new perspective on fulfillment and connection.
Our conversation explores her framework for how redefining disability can transform it from a perceived burden into a natural part of life, emphasizing joy, love, and community support. Amy Julia shares how responsive parenting focuses on a child's strengths and delights, avoiding frustration loops and fostering a nurturing environment. Her insights offer a way for other families to imagine a hopeful future, rooted in love and connection rather than societal expectations and highlights the power of small, purposeful actions in building meaningful relationships.
Amy Julia Becker helps people reimagine the good life through her writing and speaking on disability, faith, and culture. She is the author of To Be Made Well, White Picket Fences, Small Talk, and A Good and Perfect Gift and the creator of the Reimagining Family Life with Disability workshop. She is a guest opinion writer for national publications and hosts the Reimagining the Good Life podcast. Becker is a graduate of Princeton University and Princeton Theological Seminary (MDiv). She lives with her husband and their three children in western Connecticut.You can reach Amy Julia at:
Instagram: @amyjuliabecker
Facebook: @amyjuliabeckerwriter
YouTube ChannelThreads: @amyjuliabecker
TikTok: @amyjuliabecker
Don't forget!! I hope you will join me in supporting Ruby's Rainbow! Just $21 can make a difference in the life of someone with Down Syndrome! My goal is to raise $3000 for Ruby's Rainbow so that someone with Down Syndrome can attend the college of their dreams!
AND -- For every dollar donated through this episode, I will match your donation up to $1000! So let's see what this community can do!
Click here to donate -- Just $21 can make a difference in the life of someone with Down Syndrome getting to live out their college dream!
(or click here...) https://321pledge.org/share/angela-obrien
-----
Hey! Are you a parent of a loved one with a disability? Have you ever wanted to be on a podcast? Then I want to hear from you! Literally! Send me an audio message that I can include in an upcoming special episode.
Just click here to be directed to a website where you can record your response to the following question:
If you could go back in time to when your child was first diagnosed with a disability, what would you tell yourself?
I would LOVE to hear from you!! And finally, if you have been wondering how long you need to keep certain documents, whether its a utility bill, and IEP, medical records, or an insurance policy, I have a quick and accessible one-page document for you to download that shares exactly how long you should be holding on to these items and when you can let them go (e.g. shred and/or recycle.)
Click here to get on my email list and I will send this handy doc straight to your inbox.
And I promise I won't start bombarding your inbox with emails -- that is not my style! I just want to be able to stay in touch and keep you informed occasionally of resources to help you reclaim whatever it is YOU need!
Happy Organizing!
Are we friends? Connect with me:
Instagram (@yourspacereclaimed)
Facebook (Your Space Reclaimed)
Website Your Space Reclaimed Professional Organizing
89 | Sending Kids with Down Syndrome to College with Ruby's Rainbow
Today, we are talking about an amazing organization that has become near and dear to my heart! My friend, Liz Plachta takes center stage to share her remarkable journey as the co-founder and executive director of Ruby's Rainbow, which raises money and provides scholarships to individuals with Down syndrome who are pursuing their higher education goals.
When my daughter was born in 2003, I would never have imagined that she and/or other individuals with Down Syndrome could pursue college dreams. But when Liz's daughter Ruby was born, she did! With over $3.2 million in scholarships awarded since 2011, Liz's mission is as inspiring as it is impactful. Listen as she recounts her personal experience as a mother navigating the unknowns of Down syndrome and her relentless pursuit to ensure her daughters, including Ruby, have equal opportunities. Liz's vision for Ruby's Rainbow emphasizes a community that celebrates the capabilities and dreams of those it serves.
Celebrate with us the milestones Ruby's Rainbow has achieved and the dreams it continues to fulfill. We highlight heartwarming stories of hope, like Ruby's aspiration inspired by attending a wedding, and explore the broader initiatives like the 321 Pledge that aim to raise $600,000 for scholarships.
Get ready to be inspired by how one mother's love and determination is creating ripples of change and opportunity.
I hope you will join me in contributing to this amazing cause. Just $21 can make a difference in the life of someone with Down Syndrome! My goal is to raise $3000 for Ruby's Rainbow so that someone with Down Syndrome can attend the college of their dreams!
AND -- For every dollar donated through this episode, I will match your donation up to $1000! So let's see what this community can do!
Click here to donate -- Just $21 can make a difference in the life of someone with Down Syndrome getting to live out their college dream!
(or click here...) https://321pledge.org/share/angela-obrien
-----
Hey! Are you a parent of a loved one with a disability? Have you ever wanted to be on a podcast? Then I want to hear from you! Literally! Send me an audio message that I can include in an upcoming special episode.
Just click here to be directed to a website where you can record your response to the following question:
If you could go back in time to when your child was first diagnosed with a disability, what would you tell yourself?
I would LOVE to hear from you!! And finally, if you have been wondering how long you need to keep certain documents, whether its a utility bill, and IEP, medical records, or an insurance policy, I have a quick and accessible one-page document for you to download that shares exactly how long you should be holding on to these items and when you can let them go (e.g. shred and/or recycle.)
Click here to get on my email list and I will send this handy doc straight to your inbox.
And I promise I won't start bombarding your inbox with emails -- that is not my style! I just want to be able to stay in touch and keep you informed occasionally of resources to help you reclaim whatever it is YOU need!
Happy Organizing!
Are we friends? Connect with me:
Instagram (@yourspacereclaimed)
Facebook (Your Space Reclaimed)
Website Your Space Reclaimed Professional Organizing
88 | Talking About Death with our Intellectually Disabled Kids
When my daughter with Down syndrome lost a sweet friend at the young age of 12, I found myself facing the daunting task of explaining death in a way she could understand. This journey led me to discover not only the challenges but the deep importance of having these conversations with children, especially those with intellectual disabilities.
Through this episode, I share heartfelt stories and practical insights from these experiences, offering guidance on approaching such sensitive topics with gentleness and clarity. Our societal reluctance to address death often leaves us unprepared, but through personal anecdotes, I believe we need to normalize these discussions to foster better communication and coping mechanisms.
This episode is packed with thoughtful strategies to support children as they navigate grief like the importance of validating emotions and maintaining stability through routines to coming up with creative ways to honor and remember loved ones, from memory boxes to acts of kindness. Don't forget to give grace for both yourself and your child throughout this healing journey.
Books I might recommend to help explain death:What Happens When a Loved One Dies by Jillian Roberts and
I Have a Question About Death by Arlen Grad Gaines and Meredith Polsky
Death, Children, Intellectual Disabilities, Grief, Coping, Sensitivity, Communication, Normalizing, Strategies, Encouragement, Loss, Personal Experiences, Parenting, Funerals, Memory Boxes, Acts of Kindness, Grace, Healing Journey, Resources-------
Hey! Are you a parent of a loved one with a disability? Have you ever wanted to be on a podcast? Then I want to hear from you! Literally! Send me an audio message that I can include in an upcoming special episode.
Justclick here to be directed to a website where you can record your response to the following question:
If you could go back in time to when your child was first diagnosed with a disability, what would you tell yourself?
I would LOVE to hear from you!! And finally, if you have been wondering how long you need to keep certain documents, whether its a utility bill, and IEP, medical records, or an insurance policy, I have a quick and accessible one-page document for you to download that shares exactly how long you should be holding on to these items and when you can let them go (e.g. shred and/or recycle.)
Click here to get on my email list and I will send this handy doc straight to your inbox.
And I promise I won't start bombarding your inbox with emails -- that is not my style! I just want to be able to stay in touch and keep you informed occasionally of resources to help you reclaim whatever it is YOU need!
Happy Organizing!
Are we friends? Connect with me:
Instagram (@yourspacereclaimed)
Facebook (Your Space Reclaimed)
Website Your Space Reclaimed Professional Organizing
87 | Being Mindful in the Kitchen: Reduce Food Waste and Foster Connection
We are in the kitchen this week, talking with Janet Irizarry, a distinguished voice in the restaurant and hospitality world, as she brings her extensive expertise to the table. Janet shares her innovative approach to reducing food waste through My Mindful Kitchen. Janet's passion for fostering mindful eating habits provides a unique lens through which we explore the significant impact of household food waste on climate change. Join us as we learn how to cultivate better habits in children to foster respect for food and its journey to our tables, encourage greater connection in the kitchen, and SAVE MONEY by reducing food waste. (Who doesn't want that?)
Connect with Janet via email: [email protected]
Other ways to connect:
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Hey! Are you a parent of a loved one with a disability? Have you ever wanted to be on a podcast? Then I want to hear from you! Literally! Send me an audio message that I can include in an upcoming special episode.
Just click here to be directed to a website where you can record your response to the following question:
If you could go back in time to when your child was first diagnosed with a disability, what would you tell yourself?
I would LOVE to hear from you!!
Click here to get on my email list and I will send this handy doc straight to your inbox.
And I promise I won't start bombarding your inbox with emails -- that is not my style! I just want to be able to stay in touch and keep you informed occasionally of resources to help you reclaim whatever it is YOU need!
Happy Organizing!
Are we friends? Connect with me:
Instagram (@yourspacereclaimed)
Facebook (Your Space Reclaimed)
Website Your Space Reclaimed Professional Organizing
86 | Fostering Empathy with "To Be Like Me"
I share the microphone today with two leaders in the effort to offer understanding, empathy and compassion toward individuals with disabilities. They represent an organization called, To Be Like Me, providing disability awareness education to shape our future leaders with greater empathy, compassion and understanding.
Hollis Owens and Jaime Bolton share their organization's mission to orchestrate a community where advocacy meets education through authentic connection and open dialogue.
Join us as we uncover how this initiative celebrates students as heroes, transforming uncertainty into confidence and inspiring a new wave of disability advocacy.
To Be Like Me is a unique field trip destination for schools in North Texas providing disability awareness education to students and teachers. Through meaningful interactions with our LEADers, we create a learning opportunity that fosters empathy and compassion and equips our communities to be more inclusive.
Their vision is to unite a global community through education and advocacy, where disabilities and differences are understood, accepted, and valued.
Their mission is to encourage empathy, kindness, and compassion through disability awareness programs led by people living with disabilities.
You can get all their informationhere.
Resilience, Disability Advocacy, Empathy, Authentic Connection, To Be Like Me, Nonprofit, Dallas, Cerebral Palsy, Loneliness, Community, Awareness, Empathetic Future Leaders, Confidence, Disability Awareness, Parents, Educators, Field Trips,
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Hey! Are you a parent of a loved one with a disability? Have you ever wanted to be on a podcast? Then I want to hear from you! Literally! Send me an audio message that I can include in an upcoming special episode.
Justclick here to be directed to a website where you can record your response to the following question:
If you could go back in time to when your child was first diagnosed with a disability, what would you tell yourself?
I would LOVE to hear from you!! And finally, if you have been wondering how long you need to keep certain documents, whether its a utility bill, and IEP, medical records, or an insurance policy, I have a quick and accessible one-page document for you to download that shares exactly how long you should be holding on to these items and when you can let them go (e.g. shred and/or recycle.)
Click here to get on my email list and I will send this handy doc straight to your inbox.
And I promise I won't start bombarding your inbox with emails -- that is not my style! I just want to be able to stay in touch and keep you informed occasionally of resources to help you reclaim whatever it is YOU need!
Happy Organizing!
Are we friends? Connect with me:
Instagram (@yourspacereclaimed)
Facebook (Your Space Reclaimed)
Website Your Space Reclaimed Professional Organizing
85 | Getting Organized When You Have ADHD
Website
TikTok
Linktree
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Hey! Are you a parent of a loved
Just click here to be
If you could go back in time to
I would LOVE to hear from you!!
Click
And I promise I won't start
Happy Organizing!
Are we friends? Connect with me:
Instagram
Website
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