Chicago Special Parent Magazine 2008

TREATMENTS from page 25 Up to 40 percent of healthy children and more than 50 percent of children with chronic, recurrent and incurable conditions reportedly use complementary therapies, almost always in conjunction with mainstream care, the AAP’s standards state. But the standards also warn there is little research on the effectiveness of most CAM therapies. When selecting a medical professional, remember you are the consumer, says Eric Rovin, a Northbrook psychologist who works with children with a variety of special needs. “What parents have to remember is that when they go somewhere they have the right to ask questions and have those questions answered,” he says. The first meeting always should be a visit for everyone to get to know each other. “Make sure whomever you go to is regulated by a guiding community, whether it’s the state or a professional licensing board,” he says. “And ask for a resume.” Find out if they have a way for you to file a complaint, too. “Talk to other people who have gone to the facility and compare if the results are “How do you find chaos in the balance? For every family that is different. What can you handle? What can your family handle?” McGuffin asks. Sometimes the cost is too high—financially and personally. Amy Nelson and her ex-husband Is this therapy right? Michael made a number of sacrifices for Parents should look for research-based their daughter Abbey to treatments. undergo hyperbaric treat“I like in-depth ments seven years ago. Not research that is published knowing if the treatment in a peer review journal,” Complementary medicine is would relieve the number Rovin says. Consider how used together with conventional of seizures their daughter many kids participated medicine, according to the AAP. experienced, it was their in the study, if any of final hope. the children had similar Alternative medicine is As Abbey began the challenges and where the used in place of conventional treatment to regenerate kids live. medicine. brain cells Nelson set up Lewis says research a second home in Naples, should be conducted Fla. Her health insurance didn’t pay for independently—a company that benefits the treatments and she left behind her from a positive outcome should not fund two elementary school-aged children in the research. Downers Grove. As parents research treatments they Later the family considered patternshould consider their financial resources, the ing, a therapy the Institutes for Human time commitment, their other children and Achievement developed to treat children their marriage, suggests Mindy McGuffin, a with brain injuries. Not only was the cenhigh school special education teacher and ter in Pennsylvania, which would require mom to a child with special needs. similar,” he says. Every treatment has a negative side so ask about that side. “Keep in mind if a treatment sounds too good to be true, then it probably is,” Rovin says. TERMS TO KNOW Connecting and Supporting the Autism Community ASI works to impact the lives of people with autism by providing educational and practical support for parents and increasing public awareness of autism. We offer a referral network of professionals and promote legislation which directly impacts individuals with autism and their families. For more information contuct us at: info@autismillinois.org For over 60 years, The Cove School has recognized the complex needs of students with learning disabilities. We provide the integrated, specialized services required to develop their academic, social and emotional skills. If you know of a child that could beneﬁt form the exceptional learning environment and individualized program at Cove, contact Dr. Sally L. Sover, Executive Director at 847-562-2100 or ssover@coveschool.org. Please also visit our new website at www.coveschool.org. (630) 691-1270 or visit our website www.autismillinois.org 26 | Specıal Parent 2008 CHICAGO | ChicagoParent.com http://ChicagoParent.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Chicago Special Parent Magazine 2008

Chicago Special Parent Magazine 2008 Contents In Our Shoes Of Mothers and Mission Control A Love Story Keeping the Whole Family Well What Do I Do? Resources God's Special Child Our Kids Inspirations

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