Welcome to “On the Horizon”

Issue 116: Five Tips for Parents
Making School-Related Decision

On the Horizon is an award winning weekly ezine for parents of children with developmental disabilities who want simple, effective strategies to reduce stress, support their child’s development, and improve quality of life for the whole family.

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Great Information

A Note from Nicole: Amazing Discoveries

Idea of the Week:  Funky Trail Mix

Feature Article: Five Tips for Parents Making School-Related Decisions

The Horizons Team Recommends: Explorations in Eating

Allergen-Free Recipe of the Week: Garfava Roll, Danish, & Pizza Crust Mix

Allergen-Free Product of the Month: KinniTOOS Chocolate Sandwich Crème Cookies

Hi Everyone,

I’m getting back into the swing of things at the office this week after an awesome three days at our Extreme Makeover workshop last week. Erin and I enjoyed spending the three days with a group of educators and parents who are passionate about helping students with autism reach their fullest potential in life. It was awesome to see the amazing discoveries people made and I can’t wait to hear how they implement everything when they get back to their homes and classrooms. If you weren’t able to attend we’ve got some special opportunities coming that will let you benefit from the content and experience as well. Stay tuned!

The new school year is just around the corner in many parts of the United States. My feature article this week provides you with five important things to consider when making school-related decisions for your child. Take a few moments to read it and let me know what you think!

Here’s to a great rest of the week!

Looking to the horizon,

Funky Trail Mix

Make your own mixture of trail mix. What fun edible items can you include that have different textures, colors, tastes? Some examples are dried pineapple, macadamia nuts, cashews, dried cherries, coconut flakes, chocolate chips, goldfish, candy worms, etc. What did the kids think about this new trail mix? Did they like it or not like it? What interesting names can you come up with for your unique version of trail mix?

Five Tips for Parents
Making School-Related Decisions

By: Nicole Beurkens, M.ED.

School-related decisions seem to be an ever-present issue for all families, but especially for families with a child with unique learning needs. Here are some tips I find myself frequently providing parents in regards to their child’s education:

• Just because a service or option is available doesn’t mean you have to take it. Go with your gut feeling and do what you believe is right for your child. If you don’t think the speech sessions are helping then stop them. If you don’t want the weekly home visit from the early intervention specialist then don’t do them. If you think your child needs to be home with you rather than at school for some of all of the day, then do it. Do not allow what “other people” say or do to steer you in the wrong direction with your child. Do not allow “the professionals” to over-ride your own good judgment about what your child needs. Don’t be afraid to go against the grain or make a different choice in the best interest of your child and family.
• Don’t hem and haw over the next 15 years of your child’s school career when you only need to be making a decision about what to do for right now. I have met with too many parents who are paralyzed at the thought of pursuing something different from the status quo because they wonder what the ramifications will be 10 years down the road. Schools make decisions about placement and services one year at a time based on the current needs of the child and parents should do the same. You may feel that something is important for your child right now, and feel completely different about it a year from now. None of us can predict the future with certainty – no matter how hard we try! What is important is making the right decision for this point in time, and re-evaluating as you go along.

Read more …

Garfava Roll, Danish, & Pizza Crust Mix

Whether you have just started a special diet with your child or you have been following one for years, it can be difficult to come up with what to serve. We decided to try to make that just a bit easier by providing you with a new allergen free recipe each week. While it is impossible to meet every person’s unique food sensitivity needs, we hope you will find these recipes helpful and delicious. Please feel free to adapt the recipes to meet your needs and taste buds; we do it all the time. In addition to the weekly recipes, we will be highlighting a specific allergen free product of the month. Enjoy!

Garfava Roll, Danish, & Pizza Crust Mix
(also good for bagels & breadsticks)

From The Super Allergy Girl™ Allergy & Celiac Cookbook pgs 190-191

Preheat oven to 350°

1 ½ cups garfava flour (or chickpea)

1 ½ cups tapioca flour

3 teaspoons xanthan gum

3 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon salt

4 teaspoon Egg Replacer™ (or 2 eggs if you can tolerate eggs)

2/3 cup oil

1 cup DariFree™ milk or milk substitute of any type

1+ cup sparkling water or club soda until the batter is creamy

Get the recipe and all the varations …

KinniTOOS Chocolate Sandwich Crème Cookies

Gluten Free, Casein Free, Lactose Free, Peanut and Tree Nut Free