My wish is that the hard times my family and other families have gone through become a situation of the past.

My hope is that 21^st Century Children becomes a vehicle that helps make this wish a reality.  If this is accomplished, even for one family, then all of the effort is worth it.

                                    Rhonda Kline
                                    Founder & President

There are (at least) four ways we know of through which parents can be powerful in supporting and working with their children.  They can be implemented while working with your school and/or practitioner.  When we say practitioner, we refer to anyone who is working with your child, including, but not limited to, therapists, speech therapists, occupational therapists, pediatricians, other physicians, nutritionists, naturopaths, teachers of exercise therapy, etc.  These four ways are:

1. Finding options that work well for your family.  We hope 21^st Century Children is helpful in assisting you to find an option you feel good about.

2. Assisting and supporting the process, once you choose an option.  For example, if you choose options such as speech therapy, occupational therapy, Brain Gym, Dore Achievement Centers, tutoring, play therapy, or other such options, you can ask how to implement the techniques at home between sessions.  Many parents do this with great results.  It not only reinforces the techniques but also provides the child with encouragement between sessions.  Your efforts may accelerate your child’s development and you may find that you will get closer to your child through the process.

3. Observing your child.  Observations can provide great insight into the cause of a child’s challenges.  Remember, a parent is with a child in different environments every day.  A teacher is with a child in another environment during the week.  Practitioners who only see a child once for an hour or two can be greatly assisted by information from a parent or a teacher.

4. Paying close attention to the interactions between others and you and your child.  Are the practitioners you chose patient with you and your child?  Do they listen to you and your child?  For example, a physician can be a very powerful ally, and should be open to possibilities you and your child want to explore.    It is your right to change those who interact with you and/or your child.   Please seek multiple opinions or change practitioners if you feel any of the following:

• You are uncomfortable with them, for any reason;

• You do not have sufficiently clear two-way communication with them;

• They have not done a thorough evaluation; or

• They are unwilling to share with you what they are doing to enable you to support their treatment between sessions, or they are unwilling to work with other physicians/practitioners with whom you wish to work.

Those who teach your children and care for them while they are at school should be evaluated in this same light.

The goal is to establish a collaborative effort between you and your practitioner or teacher in working with and teaching your child.

Please consider becoming very creative in finding the support you need.  The teacher who might be most beneficial for your child may not be the teacher in his/her classroom at school.  It may be a tutor or your friend or neighbor. The medical doctor who is the most helpful may be your friend or person you see on Oprah, Dr. Phil, Smart Women, or 60 Minutes.  The family or friend who supports you may be the therapist you pay, the teacher from school, or your husband.  Thinking outside the box can be a crucial part in finding the support you need. 

In order for us to be the best resource for you, you can assist us by sending your comments, recommendations, or experiences or hello@21stcenturychildren.org.  Your input is important to us to help us help others.