Does Your Special Needs Family Practice Water Safety?

A day at the beach, lake or pool can be a great way to beat the summer heat. Before you make a splash this summer, make sure you know basic water safety tips to keep you and your loved ones safe. 

How much do you know, and practice, when it comes to water safety? Unfortunately, there are many dangerous misconceptions that adults unconsciously pass on to children and other family members. It is unsettling how many people reportedly answered the following questions inaccurately:

1. One way to keep young children safe in the water when you can’t stay close by is to have them wear inflatable arm bands or “water wings.” FALSE Inflatables, such as water wings, swim rings or other floatation devices, are not substitutes for U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets. Weak and inexperienced swimmers should wear U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets and remain under constant supervision. [1]
2. It’s okay to swim without a lifeguard present if you are swimming with a buddy. FALSE Buddies alone are not enough to keep swimmers safe. Swimmers should swim only in designated swimming areas supervised by lifeguards. 
3. It’s okay to read a magazine or talk on the phone while supervising children in the water. FALSE Parents and guardians should always actively supervise children whenever they are in or around water, staying within arm’s reach of young children and avoiding distractions, even when lifeguards are present. 
4. This is the right order of actions to take if you see someone drowning: shout for help, reach or throw a rescue or flotation device, call 9-1-1 if needed. TRUE A whopping 93 percent of respondents were unable to identify the correct order of these actions if they were to see someone drowning. If you see a swimmer in distress, shout for help, reach or throw a rescue or flotation device, call 9-1-1 if needed.
5. All of these signs can indicate a swimmer in trouble: Doggie paddling with no forward progress, hanging onto a safety line, floating on his/her back and waving arms. TRUE All of these signs can indicate a swimmer is in trouble. More than a third of Americans didn’t know these signs. A person may scream or splash, but quite often people who are in trouble in the water cannot or do not call out for help. They spend their energy trying to keep their head above water to get a breath.

All of my children (and grandchildren) love to play in the bathtub, swimming pool, lake and anywhere there is water. Before anyone in my special needs family is allowed to get into the water, or go anywhere near water, they have "water rules" they have to follow:

• The only way for you, or anyone else, to go into the water is for me to supervise your play time in the water. 

• Make sure that you use the bathroom, and grab your beach towel, before getting ready to play in the water.

• Be safe and walk slow when you are near water of any kind such as a pool, bathroom or any slick surface.

• Treat everyone as you want them to treat you. If you do not want to be splashed, do not splash anyone else. 

• If you have, or someone else has, a problem while playing in the water, tell me immediately so that I can help.

• When we tell you it is time to get out, there is no arguing allowed. If you decide to argue, no more water time.

Even if you have similar water safety rules for your family to follow, there is always the need to make sure you are prepared for the unexpected. It is important to have fences around swimming pools with gates that latch securely and that you can lock. Children, especially with Autism and other processing disorders, are drawn to bodies of water.

You should always be watching, and within arms length of, the children while they are playing in or near water. If you have to step away, have another responsible adult watch them until you can return. Being aware of your surroundings and responsible during water play reinforces and ensures the safety of everyone. 

I advise all parents, childcare workers and babysitters to take a CPR course. As a special needs parent and educator, I renew my CPR certification every two years. You can never be too careful when it comes to special needs children and their being drawn to water of any kind.

Drowning is one of the leading causes of death for children and adults with autism. Keep your child safe by making sure he or she knows how to swim. You should look for swimming lessons for children with special needs. Your child should learn how to swim with his/her clothes on, too.

However you choose to cool off, make sure you and your loved ones are prepared for a fun and safe summer. So, grab your towels, water, sunblock and remember to put safety first when around water!

[1]  American Red Cross

Embracing Changes Through #Autism - Helping Others and Myself

In the previous post, I mentioned that I have difficulty with change. Flexibility doesn't come easy for me but, I am working to become more flexible when things don't go my way. In an effort to provide a better role model for my children, I will be choosing to make changes in select areas of my life that I would normally consider off limits. This is where I announce, what I value, as a major change in my life. For anyone that has spent any time around me, you will most likely know how much I like my long hair.

It was last Friday morning and I had been trying to find the time to get the dead ends trimmed off of my for the summer. I was thinking that I could have three to five inches of my hair cut off and probably still have enough length to be able to pull it up in a clip. So, I grabbed the tape measure to see how long my blonde hair was before making any crazy decisions. I was surprised at how long I had let my hair grow. I remembered that my younger sister had donated her hair after letting it grow out. I decided to look up Locks of Love to find out what the requirements were to make a donation. 

It was a straight forward and an easy process to follow. I called the hair school to make sure that they would be able to help me with cutting my hair for the donation before going in. I printed the guidelines, the donation form and besides taking a plastic ziplock bag with me to protect the donation once it was cut. Vincent was kind enough to take pictures of this event for me.

I did my best not to think about how much hair I would be losing if I took the 10 inches required to make the donation to Locks of Love. I focused on how it would help a child in need and also give myself a fresh look for summer. It helped that I had the moral support of my two youngest sons as I made this change in my life. I truly believe that things happen for a reason and this came about at the right time.

My hair was getting so long that it was taking much more time and energy than I had to give these days. Having shorter hair was going to be better for me and take less time to take care of. I could sleep later because I would not have to get up as early in the morning to wash, dry and style my hair. If I'm able to get more sleep, I would definitely have more energy to do what I need to every day.

Having approximately 12 inches in length cut off of my hair was literally painless and I feel so much better that I was able to help a child through Locks of Love. I realize that this was my choice, and I don't expect everyone to do what I did but, I encourage you to check out their website. I hope to see and/or hear from anyone who would like to contact me. I'll be enjoying my new look and being able to spend more time with my family this summer!  

Embracing Change Teaches Flexibility In An #Autism Family's Routine

I have to admit that I am not an individual that readily accepts change, in anything. It takes a lot for me to be flexible when something doesn't go the way that I planned or expected it to go. I have also noticed that all four of my children, especially my youngest son whom has Autism, is prone to hang onto certain aspects of his life with a death grip. When it comes to change, we both prefer to walk away than to embrace change. In the next few weeks, I will be venturing out of my comfort zone in order to provide a better example for my special needs family. Be sure to watch for changes that I will be making in my own life. 

Celebrating Three Year Anniversary of Starting My #Autism Blog!

     It's so exciting to look back and reflect upon everything that our special needs family has been able to accomplish over the last three years! We appreciate how everyone shows their support by following us on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, LinkedIn, Pinterest, and of course, here on Nathan's Voice. 

     We will continue to provide a variety of informative posts to our readers. We also look forward to being able to share additional resources and personal stories by guest writers. Please contact me if you know of a resource that would benefit the #Autism community. Thank you!

Our Youngest Son Who Has #Autism Is Now Eleven Years Old!

Nathan is eleven years old and enjoying his summer. It is difficult to believe that so much time has gone by since he was born. It was 11 years ago yesterday that our youngest son, Nathan, came into our lives, and earlier than we expected! Between the numerous Braxton Hicks trips to the hospital (which we didn't want to ignore, especially with me being older), then the doctor actually having to administer Brethine to keep me from going into labor too early and having an amniocentesis four days earlier, we still weren't prepared for what lay ahead. Everything to do with my fourth pregnancy was different from the first three times. Our journey started out a little rough, escalated way beyond our imagination but, we are so glad to have been blessed by having him in our lives! 

It has been an experience that has actually made us better parents and has given other family members the chance to see a glimpse into the lives of a special needs family. Nathan is considered to have high functioning autism "HFA" but, when he was diagnosed with autism, they actually told us to look up Asperger's Syndrome. Nathan was very intelligent for being almost five years old but, he was challenged socially and behaviorally. Without even knowing it, they were asking us to "Think Differently" about our son's situation. I am thankful to have the support of family, friends and the community connections in which I have made over the years since Nathan's diagnosis. It makes a BIG difference when you realize that YOU are not alone!

The #Autism "Camp C.A.N.O.E" @CampFireHOK is Almost Here!!

You might be asking what Camp C.A.N.O.E. is? It's the NEW Autism Camp that was started in 2012 by Camp Fire Heart of Oklahoma at Camp DaKaNi. What makes me proud as a parent, and to be involved as a camp counselor during this wonderful day camp, is that Camp C.A.N.O.E. actually stands for "Children with Autism Need Outdoor Experiences"! What I love most is that Camp C.A.N.O.E. offers each of these children the chance to improve fine and gross motor skills, to increase their confidence, self-reliance, to help them to work with others as a team, to solve problems, to strengthen independent thinking, communication and social skills as they make friends...every parent's dream, or at least mine!!

The staff of Camp Fire Heart of Oklahoma at Camp DaKaNi have been preparing all year for the 2014 Camp C.A.N.O.E. This will be my third year to work as a camp counselor during Camp C.A.N.O.E. and along side many other awesome volunteers. We will enjoy exploring the thirty-three acres of Camp DaKaNi while learning or perfecting skills such as the zip line, archery, rock climbing, canoeing and fishing. We can't wait until Camp C.A.N.O.E. 2014!! If YOU have a child that might enjoy getting out of the house each day for a FUN-filled week, you will want to check this out before registration closes!

We are always looking for individuals, and companies that will allow their employees, to volunteer during Camp C.A.N.O.E. each year. If YOU are interested in volunteering, or know someone who might want to, please contact Penn Henthorn, the Camp Director, either by calling him at (405)254-2080 or by emailing Penn@campfireusa-ok.org for more information. 

You can follow me @MissMaryMackOKC and Camp DaKaNi @CampFireHOK for updates. I look forward to hearing from anyone that wants to give me a shout!

There's Nothing Like Having a Recent "Flash Back To The Eighties" Experience Through a Summer #Autism Camp That Nathan Attended

Last week, Nathan aka "Nate" attended the most AWESOME Camp Noggin, while I worked as a Camp Counselor and Vincent was a Peer Mentor to the campers. We were all extremely happy to be back at Youth & Family Services in El Reno, especially since we had been displaced last year with the tornadoes that swept across Oklahoma. The children were excited to play on the new playground and see their friends from the year before. Everyone had been anticipating the annual Autism Camp Noggin for several months and none of us were disappointed with the wait!

The above is a snippet of Nate singing "Crazy Little Thing Called Love" by Freddie Mercury of Queen at Camp Noggin last week. He did a fantastic job learning the music tempo and the lyrics. We are so proud of him and our family is very thankful for activies like Camp Noggin so that children with Autism, like Nate, are able to have this wonderful experience!! 

Each child was given a chance to pose for pictures before the talent show and the awards ceremony. These are my guys, of course! They let their hair grow out so that they would have longer hair for the eighties rock theme of our camp. After the talent show and awards ceremony, we stopped to get them each a haircut on the way home. With shorter hair, they were able to enjoy the waterslide on the last day and not have the long hair in their eyes. It was an absolutely amazing week! My family is still reminiscing and can't wait until next year!!