Teacher Appreciation Week Would you be where you are today, without the teachers in your life who encouraged, inspired and believed in you? I know I would not be. I considered being a teacher – who does not love the idea of getting out of work by three every day and having summers off? What...
Sleep health is essential for everyone; it is just as important to take care of ourselves as parents and caregivers as it is for those living with Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS). We understand that disordered sleep has implications for cognitive outcomes, mental and physical health, and work and school performance. Sleep disturbances can occur from many...
The leadership in an organization is one of the most important elements to achieving long-lasting success. It is important for this individual to be passionate, knowledgeable and organized. They must be a team builder as well as build and maintain alliances. They must be vigilant in making sure there are the proper resources to maintain...
You may not know Gene and Fausta Deterling, but they changed your life and the life of your child with PWS. “Curtis has Prader-Willi syndrome.” The Deterlings stared at their doctor in disbelief when they heard those words in 1971. Gene was an engineer and a manager, a problem solver. “Can’t we do something?” That...
The pandemic has been a mixed bag for the PWS community. For some individuals, mental health has suffered, isolation has increased, and opportunities for engagement and inclusion have been limited. For others, former anxieties and struggles have been alleviated, and new hobbies and interests have developed. There are fewer opportunities to access food, but also...
It’s hard to imagine a time when you couldn’t pick up your phone or computer and do a “search” for information, resources and/or support on PWS. Or a time when there were no organizations, homes, conferences devoted to advancing research, education and awareness about PWS. A time when there was little to no research to...
The holidays, usually filled with excitement and family connection, often mean something completely different for families with a member with Prader-Willi Syndrome (PWS). Exorbitant amounts of food, continual interruptions to the normal schedule, and extended social interactions add stress for the individual with PWS and the entire family. Siblings of individuals with PWS are already...
Food Security: Planning for the Holidays, Family Gatherings and Parties Holidays, family gatherings, parties and FOOD go hand in hand. With thoughtful planning and proactive preparation, these events can be successful, healthy experiences for everyone. It’s important that everyone is prepared and knows the game plan. Without a plan, the person with PWS may experience...
For Immediate Release PWSA | USA Introduces Twenty-Four Hour Family Support [Sarasota, Florida, October 30, 2020] Prader-Willi Syndrome Association | USA (PWSA | USA) announced today it will begin providing 24-hour Family Support services to individuals and families in the Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) community. “The past year has been challenging for everyone, and this is...
Children, and many adults, look forward to Halloween with great anticipation…Bags full of sugary treats, scary decorations, and the thrill of trick or treating with friends and family…What could be more fun? But, what do you do for Halloween when your loved one has Prader-Willi syndrome? Can they safely participate in the festivities? The answer...
Students have been participating in virtual learning for months now, and families and educators are themselves learning what works and what does not. Parents, especially parents of students receiving special education supports, are taking on more responsibility for their child’s learning than ever before. However, the (public) school district is still responsible to provide a...
Finding a mental health professional who has experience working with individuals with Prader-Willi syndrome can be challenging. The following are some suggestions to help you with your search: Talk to your primary care provider. She or he might be able to recommend one or more clinicians who are familiar with PWS. Call your state or...
Jennifer Bolander has been serving as a Special Education Specialist for PWSA (USA) since October of 2015. She is a graduate of John Carroll University and lives in Ohio with her husband Brad and daughters Kate (17), and Sophia (13) who was born with PWS.
Perry A. Zirkel has written more than 1,500 publications on various aspects of school law, with an emphasis on legal issues in special education. He writes a regular column for NAESP’s Principal magazine and NASP’s Communiqué newsletter, and he did so previously for Phi Delta Kappan and Teaching Exceptional Children.
Evan has worked with the Prader-Willi Syndrome Association (USA) since 2007 primarily as a Crisis Intervention and Family Support Counselor. Evans works with parents and schools to foster strong collaborative relationships and appropriate educational environments for students with PWS.
Dr. Amy McTighe is the PWS Program Manager and Inpatient Teacher at the Center for Prader-Willi Syndrome at the Children’s Institute of Pittsburgh. She graduated from Duquesne University receiving her Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Education with a focus on elementary education, special education, and language arts.
Staci Zimmerman works for Prader-Willi Syndrome Association of Colorado as an Individualized Education Program (IEP) consultant. Staci collaborates with the PWS multi-disciplinary clinic at the Children’s Hospital in Denver supporting families and school districts around the United States with their child’s Individual Educational Plan.
Founded in 2001, SDLC is a non-profit legal services organization dedicated to protecting and advancing the legal rights of people with disabilities throughout the South. It partners with the Southern Poverty Law Center, Protection and Advocacy (P&A) programs, Legal Services Corporations (LSC) and disability organizations on major, systemic disability rights issues involving the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and the federal Medicaid Act. Recently in November 2014, Jim retired.