Back to School Shopping: In(clusive) Brands Create Clothing for People with Sensory Sensitivities
Back to School Medication Forms – Autism RNs Share What You Need to Know
RNs Kerri Morales and Jan Bersin
It’s almost back to school time and our RNs at Seattle Children’s Autism Center want to share information to ensure it’s a smooth and timely process for you.
Q: What type of medication forms do I need to give to my child’s school?
A: Seattle Children’s has implemented a new process for school medication forms. To help expedite this, please email autismnurses@seattlechildrens.org or call 206-987-7149 with your child’s name, date of birth, name of school, medication they need to take at school, and the time the medication needs to be taken. We no longer use forms provided by your school. The medication at school form will be electronically sent to the school with your child’s provider’s signature. This process can take up to 5 days.
Q: What do I do with Sports Physical or Camp Physical forms?
A: These are not filled out by our clinic, but should go to the primary care provider to verify your child’s physical health. We can have your child’s provider sign the portion regarding medications we prescribe if needed.
Q: How much time should I allow to refill a prescription?
A: Please allow 2-5 days for refills to be sent to your pharmacy, and it may take up to one week for paper prescriptions to arrive in the mail. Many ADHD stimulant prescriptions require a signed original paper prescription, so please request these at least 7 days in advance of when they are needed.
Q: Do I need an appointment to get my prescription filled?
A: Every patient needs regular follow up appointments with their provider to ensure that refills can be approved. Please make sure these are scheduled well in advance as our providers’ schedules get filled quickly. We do not have urgent appointment slots available.
What to Tell Your Summer Program Staff
As we turn toward the long summer months, many parents of children with autism are busy filling out summer program forms. If you are like me, you pause when you get to this section:
Does your child have any behavioral concerns?
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
Why do I pause at this question…?
First of all, I usually marvel at how little space is provided to answer such a complex question. My son’s Behavior Intervention Plan is nine pages long!
Second, the answer for my son is YES, he does have behavioral concerns. I’ll admit to being afraid to list his specific challenging behaviors for fear of being excluded from the camp. I’m tempted to simply write “some” with a little smiley face and leave it at that—-but this would be unfair to everyone— Read full post »
Autism and Race
Based on Kanner’s observations of the children he worked with, autism was once thought to be a disorder that disproportionately affected families of higher socioeconomic status (Kanner, 1943). He noted that the parents of the children he described in his seminal work were highly educated, upper middle class, and of European-American descent. Subsequent studies failed to corroborate Kanner’s belief. The likely reason for Kanner’s finding was a result of bias caused by a greater access to diagnostic and treatment options for families with financial means.
In the 70 years since Kanner’s report we now know that autism clearly affects children from diverse racial and socioeconomic backgrounds yet disparity continues to exist in services. Nowhere is this more Read full post »
Happy
A Day in the Life at the Alyssa Burnett Adult Life Center
Today marks the first day of fall quarter classes at the Burnett Center and that ‘back-to-school’ buzz has been circulating throughout the center all morning.
As I walk down the hall, I greet new and returning participants – adults with autism and other developmental disabilities – here to learn something new and be amongst peers. Beloved instructors are returning and new ones are here too, eager to bring their expertise and fresh ideas to each classroom.
At the beginning of each music class, the instructor often asks each participant how they’re feeling that day.
Today, a common theme is happy. Read full post »
