CONNECTING & ACCEPTING : ADDITIONAL STRESS TIPS

Other tips and ideas for managing stress include:

COVID-19 changed the world. We are all adjusting to changes every day. As special needs parents, teachers, and special needs students, the goal is to press onward. Changes are inevitable as new information is gathered and disseminated daily.

You are resilient! You can do this successfully when you stay positive, focus on the good, be kind to yourself, and believe in one another.

Originally published in Issue 1 of Exceptional Needs Today.

Visit exceptionalneedstoday.com

References

Klass, Perri, M.D "The Pandemic’s Toll on Children with Special Needs and Their Parents" The New York Times, 27 July 2020. https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07 /27 /wellfamilylchildren-special-needs-pandemic.html

Mayo Clinic Staff "Parenting children with special needs during COVID-19," 21 July 2020. https://www.mayoclinic.org!diseas es-conditions!coronavirus!in-depth!special-needs-parent ing-covid-19/art-20487665

North, Anna. "We need to talk about what school closures mean for kids with disabilities," 6 August. 2020. https://www. vox.com/2020/8/6/21353154/schools-reopening-covid-19-special-education-disabilities

Stein, Perry and Strauss, Valerie. "Special education students are not just falling behind in the pandemic - they’re losing key skills, parents say" The Washington Post, 7 August 2020. https:/I www. Washington post. com! local education!special-education-students-are-not-just-falling-behind--they're-losing-kev skills-parents-sav/2020/08/05/eclb91ca-cffd-llea-9038-af-089b63ac21 story.html

Interviews

Isbell, Dr. Bergina. Personal Email Interview. Chief Medical Officer of Led Life, LLC. and Special Needs Mom. Ellicott City, MD, 30 September 2020

Lease, Bonnie. Personal Email Interview. Kindergarten Teacher, Greensboro, MD, 27 September 2020 Poling, Becky. Personal Email Interview. Special Needs Mom, Marysville, Ohio, 24 September 2020 Powell, Callista M.Ed. Personal Email Interview. Special Needs Teacher, Spearfish, SD, 26 September 2020

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Margie Harding is a wife to Charles, mother to five adult children, grandmother to 17 grandchildren, and a loyal friend and writer. She has an AA degree in Early Elementary Education and, while not currently enrolled in any formal school environment, is a perpetual student in a variety of different subjects! She enjoys quilting, reading, and learning new things. Her passion is creative writing, particularly in special needs, but also in the Christian genre. She dabbles in other genres, as well. Find her on the web at margieharding.com and at Linkedln at https:llwww.linkedin.com/inlmargie-harding-6212a859

Children ages 5 and up are eligible for COVID-19 vaccines. The New Jersey Department of Health strongly recommends talking with your pediatrician or finding an appointment near you at covid19.nj.gov.