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Medical Identification Accessories
A medical identification or medical alert accessory can be a life saver in an emergency. It can provide critical information to a person assisting a child or adult who may not be able to communicate their condition or needs. If you or a loved one has a severe allergy, medical condition, disability or special need, adding a medical identification accessory to your daily outfit can alert emergency or medical professionals before they provide care. In this guide you will find more information about who may need to wear or carry some form of medical identification or alert, and the variety of accessories that are available for those who do.
Support for Siblings
A serious medical diagnosis in childhood can result in a lot of lifestyle changes for the child and their family. Appointments with specialists, modifications to the home or the daily routine, and new accommodations for a child who has special needs can be expected. If there are other children in the home it is not uncommon for these new found needs to impact and disrupt the life experiences of these kids as well. In this guide you will find resources designed to help siblings of children with medical and other special needs understand and cope with their new-found circumstances.
Support for Children with Asthma
Caring for a child with asthma can be intimidating. Understanding what triggers asthma attacks, and the treatments available to prevent and resolve severe reactions can be very complicated. The following guide is not meant to replace medical advice, but can be a starting point for a parent or caregiver who is navigating life with a child who has asthma.
Creating a Social Story
If your child has difficulty navigating new experiences, preparing in advance with a social story may help to alleviate some of their stress and anxiety. Social stories are brief, visual explanations that detail what you might expect to happen during an upcoming life event. They can be helpful when your child needs a little extra preparation for a new activity or a known change to their regular routine. In addition to reviewing individual parts of the upcoming experience, social stories list appropriate behaviors so that a child knows not only what to expect, but what is expected of them!
Breastfeeding Resources
If breastfeeding is an option that you are considering for you and your child, there are a variety of resources out there to help you be successful on this journey. It’s never too early to start the conversation about breastfeeding with your doctor or midwife, so that you can be as prepared as possible for the road ahead. In addition to speaking with a medical professional, this guide includes several resources that may be helpful in answering some of your breastfeeding questions.
Back to School - Eye Health
The 2021 school year may once again include more screen time and distance learning than years prior, which means that many children will be using computers, tablets and other devices with greater frequency than they have in the past. Since eye care is an important part of your child’s overall health, now is a great time to schedule a check up and prepare for the potential impact that distance learning may have on your child’s vision.
Service, Emotional Support, and Therapy Animals: What’s The Difference?
Although the lines between service, emotional support, and therapy animals may seem blurred, this helpful guide will explain the difference between each type of animal, the services they provide, and the intricacies of bringing one into your life.
Supporting Children Through Grief
Losing a loved one can be difficult at any age, but for children who have yet to fully understand the concepts of life and death, the impact of loss and complex feelings of grief can be overwhelming. On average, 1 in every 5 children will experience the death of someone they are close to prior to their 19th birthday, and grieving that loss will be a lifelong journey that follows kids into adulthood. While grief is a complex topic to discuss, professional insights into this unique journey can help caregivers facilitate healthy conversations related to loss and death.
Fatherhood: It Takes a Village
The presence of a father plays a vital part in child development, which is why organizations around the country have stepped up to welcome fathers and help them take attentive, responsible roles in their children’s lives. A father’s active presence in his child’s life not only strengthens their relationship, but also improves the child’s cognitive ability, educational achievement, and psychological well-being. These helpful organizations, programs, and online tools are available to assist fathers in their efforts to become better parents, partners, and providers.
Dental Care for Children With Sensory Processing Issues
Helping to manage your child’s dental hygiene can be an especially difficult task if they struggle with sensory processing issues. In this guide you will find general information and helpful tips on establishing good dental care practices with your children, as well as specific dental care resources and suggestions for assisting children with sensory processing challenges as they develop positive oral hygiene habits.
Nutrition Knowledge: Food For Thought
Nutrition is important at every age, but never more so than in childhood. Kids are establishing healthy habits and building knowledge that will help them throughout their lives. This guide is filled with resources that will help you and your children understand the importance of good nutrition. Knowledge is power, and the more a child learns about the value of nutritious food, the more excited they will be about healthy eating.
Well-Child Visits and Preventative Care
Taking your children to the pediatrician when they are sick or injured is generally just common sense, but keeping up with routine well-child care is just as important for their overall health. Preventative health care can help you make sure that a minor issue today doesn’t turn into a major challenge tomorrow. In this guide you will find resources that can help you prepare for appointments with your child’s healthcare team, and recommendations for seeking care as your child grows and develops.
Stronger Together: Talking with Kids about Racism, Hate and Violence
Ronald McDonald House Charities is stronger together because of our diversity. We pride ourselves on being an organization welcoming of all families, and celebrate the differences that make each of us who we are. If you are struggling to find a way to talk with your children about race, prejudice, and other important topics, here are some resources to help you get the conversation started.
Financial Support for Children with Special Needs and Medical Challenges
Having a child with a disability, a new medical diagnosis, or frequent medical care needs often results in added and unexpected costs for a family. Dealing with these financial burdens can make an already difficult situation even more challenging, which is why many organizations have made it their mission to help bridge the gap for families in need. In this guide you will find a list of organizations that may be able to help should you find yourself in need of monetary resources to fully fund or reduce the costs associated with medical care, travel, and basic living expenses.
Wish-Granting Experiences & Gifts
Wish-granting foundations help families lighten their load, granting wishes ranging from a trip to Disneyland to a new computer to a chance to throw the first pitch at a major league game. If your child has a serious illness, disability or medical condition they may be eligible to receive a gift or have a wish granted through one of the organizations listed in this resource guide.
UV Safety: Protect Yourself & Your Family
Ultraviolet (UV) light from sun exposure can be harmful. In this guide you’ll find suggestions of ways to keep yourself and your family safe from UV light and exposure., as well as skin change and melanoma screening guidance for you and your children.
Everyone Needs a Will – We Can Help
Writing a will is one of the most important things you can do for your family and your loved ones regardless of your financial status. If you have children with health care needs or disabilities, it is particularly important to have a will in place to ensure your child can continue to receive the care and treatment they need. Learn more about a free, online resource and special considerations.
Special Needs Trusts and ABLE Accounts
Learn about financial planning tools that are available to people with disabilities and how these tools can be used to protect assets and eligibility for means-tested government benefits (SSI and Medicaid).