(by 2 people)
Forgotten Kids, Children who have disabilities that aren't visible
Forgotten Kids - the children that have nearly invisible disabilities. They have their arms and legs, can see and hear, run, play, etc., but most have never been to a birthday party or a sleep-over.
They are last to be chosen to play, and first to be blamed.
Their illnesses aren't fatal, but a small part of their hearts and souls die with every rejection.
Their behaviors may seem odd or unpredictable to themselves as much as to society.
I wrote that many years ago, and see it used as a Mantra for many disability sites. Though others have 'taken it', they remain my words, my heart, my soul, and my tears.
Throughout this Lens, you will see the different ways I've just decided to use those words and thoughts, as well as help you get some information needed to survive life with a Special Needs child.
20 years ago, a Bipolar Child was extremely rare
Thankfully that has now changed. The information and support available to parents today is a Blessing.
Forgotten Kids Shirts, Hats, Mugs and Awareness Gifts
Spreading the word increases Awareness and fights Stigma
Special Needs Kids Women's Dark T-Shirt
For parents of Special Needs Children. Invisible disabilities. Forgotten Kids. Caregivers, friends, family, teachers and loved ones.
Women's Dark T-Shirt
Special Needs Kids Tote Bag
For parents of Special Needs Children. Invisible disabilities. Forgotten Kids. Caregivers, friends, family, teachers and loved ones.
Tote Bag
Special Needs Kids Tile Coaster
For parents of Special Needs Children. Invisible disabilities. Forgotten Kids. Caregivers, friends, family, teachers and loved ones.
Tile Coaster
Special Needs Kids Keepsake Box
For parents of Special Needs Children. Invisible disabilities. Forgotten Kids. Caregivers, friends, family, teachers and loved ones.
Keepsake Box
Parenting and Diagnosing a Bipolar Child
- What is Bipolar Disorder
- Bipolar disorder (also known as manic depression) is a disease; it is a medical condition that causes psychological problems to such a degree that daily functioning is hampered by the symptoms. The most prominent symptoms include extremes of mood known as depression and mania.
- The Red Flag Warnings of Bipolar Disorder
- Knowing some of the warning signs can help you to help your child before he or she spirals out of control.
- An Illustration of Bipolar Disorder for Children
- The concept of extreme mood swings associated bipolar disorder is difficult to articulate to other adults. Explaining it to children, whether it is them or a loved-one with the disorder, is even more problematic. How do you illustrate depression or mania to a child?
- BPChildren
- "A friend of mine once told me, 'The more we know, the better we do.' I believe this to be true of parents struggling to raise children with bipolar disorder. I also believe it to be true for the children themselves. Initially it was to help my own son 'know more' that I wrote Brandon and the Bipolar Bear. It wasn't long before I realized how many people need to 'know more' about bipolar disorder. I hope that through my writing I will touch the lives of many who suffer from this illness. While my pencil can't erase the difficulties that may lie ahead perhaps it can in some small measure ease the burden carried by such small souls."
- NAMI Facts: Child and Adolescent Bipolar Disorder
- NAMI, National Alliance on Mental Illness offers a vast ocean of information on Bipolar Disorder
- Child and Adolescent Bipolar Foundation
- Vital information on Pediatric Bipolar Disorder, resources at your fingertips, and a network of parents and experts who can help.
- Diagnosing Bipolar VS. ADHD
- Both disorders share many characteristics: impulsivity, inattention, hyperactivity, physical energy, behavioral and emotional lability (behavior and emotions change frequently), frequent coexistence of conduct disorder and oppositional-defiant disorder, and learning problems. Motor restlessness during sleep may be seen in both (children who are bipolar are physically restless at night when "high or manic",though they may have little physical motion during sleep when "low or depressed"). Family histories in both conditions often include mood disorder. Psychostimulants or antidepressants can help in both disorders (that is, depending on the phase of the bipolar disorder). In view of the similarities, it is not surprising that the disorders are hard to tell apart.
Pretty in Pink, Forgotten Kids T-Shirts, Keepsake Boxes, Magnets and more
Spread the word, Hold your head up, and end the Ignorance and Stigma
Kids Special Needs Tote Bag
For parents of Special Needs Children. Invisible disabilities. Forgotten Kids. Caregivers, friends, family, teachers and loved ones.
Tote Bag
Kids Special Needs Teddy Bear
For parents of Special Needs Children. Invisible disabilities. Forgotten Kids. Caregivers, friends, family, teachers and loved ones.
Teddy Bear
Kids Special Needs Women's Plus Size V-Neck Dark T
For parents of Special Needs Children. Invisible disabilities. Forgotten Kids. Caregivers, friends, family, teachers and loved ones.
Women's Plus Size Dark V-Neck T-Shirt
Kids Special Needs Women's V-Neck Dark T-Shirt
For parents of Special Needs Children. Invisible disabilities. Forgotten Kids. Caregivers, friends, family, teachers and loved ones.
Women's V-Neck Dark T-Shirt
Kids Special Needs Jr. Spaghetti Tank
For parents of Special Needs Children. Invisible disabilities. Forgotten Kids. Caregivers, friends, family, teachers and loved ones.
Jr. Spaghetti Tank
Must-Have Books on Bipolar Disorder
The Bipolar Child: The Definitive and Reassuring Guide to Childhood's Most Misunderstood Disorder -- Third Edition
Release Date: 10/02/2007
Avg. Customer Rating: 
Amazon Price: $10.85 (as of 10/07/2008)
Usually ships in 24 hours
Brandon and the Bipolar Bear: A Story for Children with Bipolar Disorder
Avg. Customer Rating:
Amazon Price: $11.00 (as of 10/07/2008)
Usually ships in 24 hours
Survival Strategies for Parenting Children with Bipolar Disorder: Innovative Parenting and Counseling Techniques for Helping Children with Bipolar Disorder and the Conditions that May Occur with It
Avg. Customer Rating:
Amazon Price: $19.75 (as of 10/07/2008)
Usually ships in 24 hours
Bipolar Kids: Helping Your Child Find Calm in the Mood Storm
Avg. Customer Rating: 
Amazon Price: $17.16 (as of 10/07/2008)
Usually ships in 24 hours
The Childhood Bipolar Disorder Answer Book: Practical Answers to the Top 300 Questions Parents Ask (Answer Book)
Avg. Customer Rating:
Amazon Price: $10.17 (as of 10/07/2008)
Usually ships in 24 hours
Bipolar Disorder: Children and Teenagers
Mommy I'm Still in Here: Raising Children with Bipolar Disorder
Amazon Price: $12.55 (as of 10/07/2008)
Usually ships in 24 hours
Losing Control: Loving a Black Child with Bipolar Disorder
Amazon Price: $14.99 (as of 10/07/2008)
Usually ships in 24 hours
Acquainted with the Night: A Parent's Quest to Understand Depression and Bipolar Disorder in His Children
Release Date: 06/14/2005
Amazon Price: $10.17 (as of 10/07/2008)
Usually ships in 24 hours
The Connected Child: Bring hope and healing to your adoptive family
Amazon Price: $11.53 (as of 10/07/2008)
Usually ships in 24 hours
Intense Minds: Through the Eyes of Young People with Bipolar Disorder
Amazon Price: $16.15 (as of 10/07/2008)
Usually ships in 24 hours
Fight the Stigma
Just because you can't see a disability doesn't mean it doesn't exist
Kids Disabilities Special Nee Dark T-Shirt
For parents of Special Needs Children. Invisible disabilities. Forgotten Kids. Caregivers, friends, family, teachers and loved ones.
Dark T-Shirt
Kids Disabilities Special Nee Rectangle Magnet
For parents of Special Needs Children. Invisible disabilities. Forgotten Kids. Caregivers, friends, family, teachers and loved ones.
Rectangle Magnet
Kids Disabilities Special Nee Women's Cap Sleeve T
For parents of Special Needs Children. Invisible disabilities. Forgotten Kids. Caregivers, friends, family, teachers and loved ones.
Women's Cap Sleeve T-Shirt
Kids Disabilities Special Nee Keepsake Box
For parents of Special Needs Children. Invisible disabilities. Forgotten Kids. Caregivers, friends, family, teachers and loved ones.
Keepsake Box
New Guestbook
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TopStyleTravel
Good lens on an often misunderstood topic. To be born whole, though imperfect is a blessed thing. But sometimes mental issues arise later in life. Thanks for shedding light on the topic. Prayer gives the ability to cope beyond what is normal. Posted June 18, 2008 |
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spirituality
Great lens, but the title is a bit misleading. Bipolar disorder is not the only invisible disability. Autism, ADHD, being deaf etc. all fit that bill. I'd have given you 5 stars if the title had fit the content. As it was: 4 stars (and I wouldn't have posted this publicly if you had had 'contact me' on) Posted June 10, 2008 |
