Contact Me
Have a comment or question? Want to see posts or recommendations about something specific? Let me know here! You can also email me at msearfoorce@gmail.com.
Have a comment or question? Want to see posts or recommendations about something specific? Let me know here! You can also email me at msearfoorce@gmail.com.
My son Marquis is alot like Neli…he is young, autistic, black, a male and also has been arrested and jailed. Now, Marquis has been committed to an abusive state institutiion and he feels like he is in prison. He has been repeatedly assaulted, neglected and abuse and is frequently tied to a bed in his room. As his mother, I am seeking your support for Marquis and this petition, please read Marquis’ story, sign and share.
https://www.change.org/petitions/please-release-marquis-who-is-autistic-for-his-safety-and-well-being
Gary Shulman, MS. Ed.
shulman.gary@yahoo.com
gary.shulman@hotmail.com
646-596-5642
After more than 24 years as Program Director of Social Services and Training Coordinator of Resources for Children with Special Needs, Inc., I have now transitioned to the next phase of my career-that of consultant and independent trainer. Please feel free to call upon me so you can utilize my years of expertise, training skills and passion for imparting valuable information, strategies and motivation to families and staff. It would be my pleasure to provide your families and staff with my services. Please contact me to arrange for a session at your site.
Workshops for Parents of Children with Disabilities and
Professionals who Provide them with Support
Topics
“Needs, Wants Wishes and Dreams: Programs and Services that Bring Relief to Parents of Children with Disabilities”
Parents of children with disabilities are confronted on a daily basis with many stresses that can lead to: abusive behaviors, emotional turmoil, family chaos and in some cases family dissolution. This workshop will take participants through a journey of realization that there are indeed programs, services, systems and strategies that can help parents of children with disabilities feel supported and empowered to bring up their child or children with disabilities in a safe and nurturing environment.
The workshop can be done in one session or broken up into sub topics covering specific social service needs such as: Respite, Recreation, Benefits and Entitlements, Child Care, Support Groups, Housing, Transportation, Financial Aid, Advocacy Strategies, Legal Help, Laws that Protect the Rights of Families, Future Planning, Guardianship. Participants will certainly be given the opportunity to raise their own issues and share so feedback can be provided.
The session (or sessions) is presented in an interactive manner respecting and welcoming participant’s involvement. Each participant leaves the session with a comprehensive packet of information that can hopefully provide future relief and hope for a bright, supportive future in which the child with disabilities can grow and develop reaching his/her potential. Every child with a label of disability, has strengths and abilities. That reality can be better realized when a family is linked with support services.
Come and share your own Needs, Wants, Wishes and Dreams!
Summertime and the Living is Easy: Summer Options for Children with Disabilities
School is out, now what! Parents of children with disabilities need to know about their options when it comes to summer programs that will provide an appropriate experience for their children. This session will cover such issues as:
What questions do I need to ask the summer program in order to determine if it meets the goals that I would want for my child during the summer?
How do I prepare my child with special needs for a summer program?
Day programs vs. Sleepaway programs
Mainstream programs vs. Special Needs programs
Financial Aid to pay for camp
Summer Remedial Programs
Specific quality summer programs serving NYC children with disabilities
How do I find those camps?
Where do I find Summer Camp Fairs so I can meet the staff?
We All Belong!
This workshop, designed for mainstream program providers, gives a multi-sensory experience taking participants on a journey of sensitivity and understanding so they are better prepared to include children with disabilities. It will cover issues such as:
How to sensitize all staff and children in your programs to the concept of inclusion: We all have differences and in many ways we are all the same. We all have skills, talents and strengths and we all have areas of need.
What are the various types of disabilities and how do they impact on the functioning of the child in our program?
Where to obtain greater skill competency in working with a wide variety of children.
Expanding the view of your program to be more holistic in its purpose: giving information out on a regular basis that supports all types of families.
Develop a better understanding of your own vulnerability so that compassion toward others must be nurtured.
Not sure if you guys heard about this yet – babysitting for children with special needs.
http://www.minimore.org
Great service – many thanks!
Hi all – i have been working with a young man – 18 yrs old who is both vision impaired and MR. We have been running together once or twice a week for several months. We hare participated in several 5ks. I was wondering if other people with similar experience might be able to help me overcome a problem. In races he runs very well for between 1 & 2 miles, but then generally starts to shut down on me. I know from some training runs that he is quite capable of more, but outside of the very first race, he has done this each time. I spend most of the last half of the distance pulling, pushing, cajoling, wheedling, whining and sometimes yelling to keep him moving. He always finishes, but it requires a lot of effort on my part and I feel he could easily do better.
Do you participate in Achilles, or have any contacts there? I imagine they must run into issues often enough to have some good advice!
My developmentally delayed son told me he was pinched by his paraprofessional. I looked at his arm and found a dark, thumb sized bruise. I went to the school looking for answers and was basically told “kids lie”. The para has yet to contact me. I want her removed asap. What should I do? Feel free to email me off list if you have any experience or advice to offer.
Hi I was wondering if you could point me in the direction of a (reasonably priced) adapted dance program, as well as a social group for girls in The Bronx or Manhattan area. My daughter is a very girly, home schooled, 8 year old who is diagnosed with PDD-NOS. She’s already involved in swimming, and Girl Scouts (she’s a 2nd year Brownie, and I’m the co-leader) but I need to find a group that is a little more adapted for her socially. Thanks
Irene
i have a 9 year old boy who was born with a birth defect of his spinal cord which has resulted in him being paralyzed below his waist. yet, he is very active in sports, particularly ice (sled) hockey and track & field. we live in manhattan. we are particularly looking for players, less than 18, for our new NYC-based kids sled hockey team. please email me if interested (wgreenberg1@me.com).
That sounds really interesting! Are you looking to create a team or does one already exist? Please keep us posted as your plans progress.
Hi, I am looking for dance classes and social skill classes for my daughter. she is 6 years old. It can be in the Bronx or manhattan .
Thank you
Did you see my summer activities word doc – I think there are a couple of things like that, and know we have our own little social group that meets all summer, though it is not official or formal in any sense. Email me if you want me to send the doc to you via attachment. You might also try http://www.defdancejam.org?
Hi I’m looking for a sensory gym for my 2year old he is autistic. He already receives therapy I’m looking for a sensory gym me and my husband can take him so he could enjoy. I would like to know if you know of any places like that
Thank you
Where in NYC are you looking?
I live in Brooklyn
You are in luck! There is a new, amazing, affordable drop-in sensory gym in Brooklyn called Space No. 1. Go to http://www.extremekidsandcrew.org/xkids_site/Space_No._1.html for details – I have heard great things!
There is a website that describes itself as
“A Social Network for Special Needs” and has many kinds of resources for all sorts of special needs. It’s worth checking out.It’s: eSpecialMatch.com
Meri