Power of forgiving.

CBN News featured on article reading how there are major health consequences for people who are not able to forgive and let go.

I (Danny Pettry) featured, forgiving, in my book, Building Character with Sam an Izzy: 15 Tips to help children build character, as a friendship tool. I believe people who aren’t able to forgive will have a difficult time making and keeping friends. Example: if I didn’t forgive for any minor offense (on purpose or by accident) then there wouldn’t be any friends left for me. Forget about me forgiving them. I’m just grateful my friends have forgiven me. I strive to be the best person I can be, but I have let others down.

Here is the article (it features a video) 

http://www1.cbn.com/cbnnews/healthscience/2015/June/The-Deadly-Consequences-of-Unforgiveness 

Positive parenting

I’ve not read, “positive parenting,” but it looks like a book I’d enjoy reading.

I (Danny Pettry) provide services for children at a residential treatment facility. Our staff often serve substitute parents while the children are in treatment programs like this.  We, RTs often work in community reintegration with families and have a role in helping to teach parenting skills as well.

Read about this book here:

http://www.positive-parents.org/2016/05/the-parenting-stuff-we-dont-talk-about.html

girls and sports by Chelsea Clinton

I (Danny Pettry) am politically neutral when it comes to politics.  

I will not publically endorse any political party or candidate.

NOW:

I will post that Chelsea Clinton had an article in Women’s Health mag online about girls and sports.

I think RTs would be interested in reading this:

http://www.womenshealthmag.com/fitness/chelsea-clinton-girls-and-sports

replace time-out chair with calming corner

CreativeChild.com has an article that argues parents should replace the time out chair with a calm down area.

As a child advocate, I agree with this.

I’d add that the calm down area should have sensory items to help the child to relax and self-soothe.

http://www.creativechild.com/articles/view/parenting-replace-the-time-out-chair-for-a-calm-down-area 

Legos helping kids with autism to build social skills

Legos® is helping children with autism to learn social skills! read the article at the Huffington Post link below.

My (Danny Pettry) focus as a practitioner is providing services for children with abuse-reactive/ trauma needs. However, from time to time I’ve provided services for children with (usually higher functioning) Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Of course, social skills trianing can benefit many children.

REad the article here: 

http://snip.ly/ro9ew#http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/lego-based-therapy-children-with-autism-social-skills_uk_5721efb9e4b06bf544e15ddf

Tommy Hilfiger

Tommy Hilfiger has my suppoRT. 

a facebook friend of mind just posted the link below.
tommy Hilfiger is launching a new adaptive collection for children with disabilities.
Way to go Tommy!

http://themighty.com/2016/02/tommy-hilfiger-launches-adaptive-collection-for-children-with-disabilities/?utm_source=Facebook&utm_medium=Mighty_Page&utm_campaign=DISABILITY

Martial arts for children with autism spectrum disorders.

I am a big fan of the RT Wise Owls.

There was a great research article by Rhonda Nelson, Ph.D, CTRS, MT-BC, associate professor at Temple and three students who are in the M.S. recreation therapy degree program at Temple: Alexis Bell, Kelly Palace, and Morgan Allen.

The article outlines the benefits of a martial arts program for children with autism spectrum disorders.

I have provided services for children who had previous dx of aspergers, which was taken out of the DSM-5. I do find children with ASD to be very interesting and fascinating.

I was hesitate to share this information about myself. I've often wondered if I am not on the spectrum.  Here are some reasons:

• I have always had off fascinations with things like states and capitals, U.S. presidents, license plates, interstate numbers.
•  I had strong sensory problems with certain types of clothing that would drive me crazy as a child. Imagine having an itchy sweater X10. That is what it was like for me to wear certain types of clothing. As a teen, I was able to pick out more of my own clothing. As an adult, I do the same, but I have also learned tolerance. 
• I had poor social interactions. I was shy, backwards. I lived a lot more in my head. 

Regardless, I don't have a dx. I do think having some of those odd character traits listed above help me to be more empathetic when providing services for children who have autism spectrum disorders. 

Here is a link to the RT Rise Owls article I was telling you about:

https://rtwiseowls.files.wordpress.com/2016/01/using-martial-arts-to-address-social-and-behavioral-functioning-in-children-adolescents-with-autism-spectrum-disorders_final_accepted.pdf

Helping kids with anxiety

Darla Hernadez had posted a great story about a psychologist, Margaret Jessop in South Bend.
Jessop has created a really neat program to help children who suffer from anxiety disorders.

Her program appears to provide:

• psycho-education about the brain and how it works
• relaxation skills: like deep breathing and imagination, and
• mindfulness meditation. 

I sure hope Jessop puts this information in a book. 

Here is a link for the article: 

http://www.wsbt.com/news/local/local-psychologist-helping-kids-cope-with-anxiety-with-new-program/37668352

Three-legged cat adopted by girl who lost arm to cancer

There was a story about a 3-legged cat who was adopted by a girl who was an amputee. The girl had lost her arm to cancer.

This story sounds like something out of Jack Canfield and Mark Victor Hansen's Chick Soup for the Soul books.

Read about it here:

http://www.boredpanda.com/doc-three-legged-cat-amputee-girl-scarlette/

Sensory World

There was a neat story in the Dallas Morning News about a non-profit organization, Sensory World, that provides educational, recreational, and therapeutic services for children.

They provide services for all abilities.

However, they specialize in providing services for those with autism, Down syndrome, and other special needs.

Here is their SMART acronym model:

• Sensory integration
• Motor Skills
• Academics
• Recreation
• Technology

It appears they don’t provide services for just the child. They take a whole-family approach.

What a wonderful idea. I hope they can get a Recreational Therapist on staff if they don’t already have one.

Read more here: 

http://www.dallasnews.com/news/community-news/northwest-dallas-county/headlines/20160104-looking-ahead-farmers-branch-therapeutic-support-center-focuses-on-entire-family.ece 

Outcomes: dance parties good for kids

I read an interesting article regarding dancing/ fitness improving brain function of children.

It is based on a research study.

check it out here:

http://teacherpop.org/2015/01/science-says-your-classroom-needs-more-dance-parties/

Kids who have lost a parent

Have you ever provided services for a child who has lost a parent? (or anyone who has lost someone for that matter).

I provide services for children and adolescents. Sometimes they have lost a parent prior to being admitted to treatment. Some of them have lost a parent or sibling while in treatment.

One of my good friends had lost her mother while she was still in high school. Her mother was a really good person, too.

My friend had posted this link with an open letter to every kid who has lost a parent. She said this article rings true for her.

http://familyliveson.me/2015/08/22/an-open-letter-to-every-kid-who-has-lost-a-parent/

5 reasons students should be reading comic books!

I love comics. Yes, I am 35. and I still love them.

Here is an article that includes 5 reasons your students should be reading comic books:

http://www.brilliant-insane.com/2014/09/5-reasons-your-students-should-be-reading-comic-books.html

Learning more about people with mental illness

Learning more about people with mental illness.

Watch this video about an amazing girl:

https://www.facebook.com/Upworthy/videos/1115803941793796/

teaching children

I think it is a good idea to go beyond teaching children to simply follow directions, but to make an inside choice on what is right or wrong. I believe it is real good to teach children the assertiveness skills needed to say "no," even if it is to an adult request. Watch this video.

It is at facebook. you may need a FB account to watch this video:

https://www.facebook.com/w33king/videos/183285758681047/

Childhood self-esteem

Want to know more about boosting self-esteem for those in early childhood? if so - read this article:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/early-childhood-self-esteem_56390fefe4b0307f2caaec85

Trying to make kids happy can backfire.

I found this article to be very interesting.

Here is the big question that is asked by Carter:

"Do we do things to make our children happy because they are happy when we provide them with an iPad to play with or an ice cream cone? Or do we teach them the skills that they need to lead happy, meaningful, fulfilling lives?"

Here is the link to the article:

http://www.cnn.com/2015/04/02/living/feat-happy-project-kids-happiness-backfire/index.html

Safety skills - keep children safe from abuse/ harm

Here is a site with books that teach children, teens, and parents about safety skills to keep children safe from abuse.

http://www.kidpower.org/store/safety-comics/