Families' Tips for Challenging Situations

Parents tell us...
"There were parts of our lives that were hard to talk about, I knew that I needed help."
"At first, I was embarrassed, but our doctor really understood and had some good suggestions."
Behaviors: Pica (eating non-foods), head banging, car seat safety etc.
Contact your child's doctor and/or case manager and request a behavioral evaluation. Read about managing behaviors in Autism Speaks toolkits
Car Seat Options for Children with Behavior Challenges: Seattle Children's Hospital tip sheet.
Constipation, impaction, diarrhea, vomiting and other digestion issues
Contact your child's doctor. Digestion issues are included in the Autism Speaks toolkits
Diapers for older children, teens, and young adults
Contact the Intensive Care Manager or Exceptional Needs Care Coordinator at your health plan to request financial assistance for diapers and supplies. Read our tip sheet: Getting to know your ENCC
Preparing your youth/child for contact with police or paramedics
This can be especially important for children who have life-threatening medical conditions, wander, or whose behaviors become extreme when they are under stress.
Consider self-disclosing cards and teach your child how to use them.
Medical ID bracelets can be lifesavers. Many insurance companies pay for ID bracelets with a prescription. Some organizations offer them for free, or at a reduced cost.
Autism Speaks offers social stories about safety. You can order printed copies or use them as templates for creating your own. Learn more in this webinar, "Teaching Safety Skills to Individuals with Autism".
This emergency room planning sheet was written by parents and professionals together, to prepare for trips to the emergency room or riding in an emergency vehicle.
Undocumented
Immigration Law Resource Center: One page sheets outlining immigration options for undocumented children.
Healthier Oregon adds coverage for all Oregonians regardless of immigration status between ages 19-26 or over 55 as of July 1, 2022
Post-partum depression
Peer support: Baby Blues Connection
Oregon Health Authority: Mental health support and information for new moms
Extreme or dangerous behaviors
Oregon Community Developmental Disabilities Program: Stabilization and Crisis Unit for emergency residential care
"A Tip Sheet for Families Considering Residential Programs"
Parent to Parent support for challenging parenting situations: Reach Out Oregon
Parent to Parent support for parents with mental health issues, or those parenting children with mental health issues: NAMI Oregon
Financial, food, or medical debt, crisis
Bedbugs, lice, and other infestations
Parent incarceration and criminal justice issues
Sesame Street: Tips, videos, and activities
University of Minnesota: "The Justice System and People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities."
Autistic Self-Advocacy Network: Autism and safety toolkit
Oregon Department of Corrections: Friends and Family Handbook
Grief and loss of a family member
Coping with a Child's Death or Life-limiting Illness
Child mind Institute: Helping Children Cope with Grief
Dougy Center for Grieving children
Providence: Camp Erin
Disclaimer
Inclusion of resources on our site does not imply endorsement nor does exclusion mean we do not think it is valuable. We work to keep our list of resources current and relevant but it is not exhaustive.
If you have any questions call or email us tel. 855-323-6744 (English) o 833-990-9930 (español) contact@oregonfamilytofamily.org