Emily Joswiak, Author at Talbert Zoo

Financial Tools for Special Needs Families

April 28, 2020April 28, 2020 Emily Joswiak

Financial planning for a family is always tough. As a parent, you want to give your child the best life possible, no matter the obstacles they may have to maneuver. When a family has a special needs child, the financial planning gets even more difficult. Special needs children require many extra services to help them manage daily life and schooling. These services are expensive, which forces many families to compromise on what they can do as a family and what services are essential to their child’s success. Luckily, there are…

4 Shelter-In-Place Tips for Parents of Children With Autism

April 27, 2020April 27, 2020 Emily Joswiak

As we attempt to physically distance ourselves from others to stop the spread of the Coronavirus, millions of lives look different than they did a few months ago. Few people see others outside of their home except when they video chat with loved ones, kids are out of school and beginning e-learning lessons, and millions are out of work. Routines are drastically different, and that complicates life for our kids on the autism spectrum. Here are some shelter-in-place tips for parents of children with autism. Ride Out the Initial Change…

5 Awesome Sensory Play Activities and Ideas

March 19, 2020March 19, 2020 Emily Joswiak

For quite some time now, people have recognized the benefits of sensory play for children with Autism and ADHD, and for babies and toddlers in general. Sensory play is important because It helps build nerve connections in the brain, leading to a better ability for the children to complete more complex tasks. Better yet, it supports language development, cognitive growth, and so much more! It’s such a vital part of growth, education, and development—everyone should take a look at these awesome sensory play activities and ideas listed below. Rainbow Rice…

Tips for Planning a Vacation with a Child with Special Needs

March 16, 2020March 16, 2020 Emily Joswiak

Planning a family vacation can be quite a taxing ordeal. Supreme foresight and organization is required to ensure that everyone in your family is pleased and that the entire vacation goes off without a hitch. Planning a family vacation that not only meets the interest of all family members, but also their skills and abilities, makes the entire planning process even trickier. Luckily, the following tips for planning a vacation with a child with special needs can help you arrange a family adventure that everyone will enjoy. Choose family-friendly activities…

Important Life Skills to Teach Your Child with Special Needs

March 5, 2020March 5, 2020 Emily Joswiak

Teaching your child crucial life skills can greatly impact their future. Here are some of the most important life skills to teach your child with special needs.

As a parent, it’s your job to love and protect your children. In addition, it is also a parent’s duty to prepare their kids with skills to adapt to whatever the world throws at them. Life skills refer to the abilities and behaviors necessary to overcome the challenges that one encounters in everyday life. When raising a child with special needs, parents may have to set aside more time to help their child develop these skills. Doing so, however, will be well worth it, as these skills will play an…

4 Tips for Hiring a Caregiver for Your Children

February 4, 2020October 27, 2020 Emily Joswiak

Hiring a caregiver for your children can be a daunting task. You want to find someone who is qualified, gets along with your kids, and agrees with your parenting values. It’s a tall order, and the process gets even more difficult when your kids have special needs. Fortunately, there are plenty of resources to help you through the experience. We provide four tips for hiring a caregiver for your children. Set Clear Expectations Before you even begin to look for a nanny or caregiver, you should get a clear idea…

The Ultimate Pregnancy To-Do List for First-Time Mothers

January 24, 2020October 27, 2020 Emily Joswiak

Nothing is more exciting than finding out you’re pregnant, and no feeling is akin to becoming a mother for the first time. However, as exciting as the news is, it can also be overwhelming. Ease some of your worries with this ultimate pregnancy to-do list for first-time mothers. Remember, even though you’re stressed now, you’ll have a beautiful bundle of joy in nine months. Visit Your Doctor The first thing on your pregnancy to-do list should be visit your doctor. Make a doctor’s appointment soon after you see a positive pregnancy test. Come prepared…

Ways to Challenge Yourself Creatively

January 20, 2020January 20, 2020 Emily Joswiak

Every so often, you’re bound to get in a creative rut. And when your creative outlet is what helps you find fulfillment and maintain your mental health, ruts feel terrible and invite self-criticism. If they’re bad enough, you can begin to spiral and question your abilities. Here are some ways to challenge yourself creatively so you can rest from your many responsibilities, express yourself, and come back refreshed. Limit Your Medium Being inventive doesn’t always mean finding something new. No matter how you get away and express yourself, there are ways to…

Together Wherever We Go: Best Vacation Ideas for Families

January 16, 2020January 16, 2020 Emily Joswiak

Everyone needs a break once in a while, and sometimes a vacation is exactly what the doctor ordered. Settling on a vacation destination that will please everyone in your family can prove quite difficult, though, particularly when you have kids of drastically different ages and areas of interest. This guide to some of the best vacation ideas for families will help take some of the guesswork and stress out of planning your family’s next great getaway. RV road trip An RV road trip is perfect for families that prefer to take their…

Caring for a Child With Autism

January 6, 2020January 6, 2020 Emily Joswiak

Parents of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) often struggle knowing how to raise their child when their needs are so different from other kids’. Children with autism have unique motivations for behavior, and understanding these motivations is a constantly evolving process. You need to use a completely different parenting playbook when caring for a child with autism—we offer a few tips to help your child flourish in a world that isn’t structured with them in mind. Learn About ASD, Learn Your Child The first step is understanding the tendencies of…