Tip of the Day: The Period of PURPLE Crying
In my last tip sheet I reviewed how crying in new babies can elicit an anger response in inexperienced parents and caregivers that can potentially lead to child abuse resulting in severe injury to the baby that may result in permanent disability and/or death. There is currently a lot of research around the diagnosis of unexplained crying in small infants, and the new conventional wisdom is that crying due to “colic” is not a medical diagnosis that can be treated with formula changes, gas drops or other medications, but rather a devel-opmental phase. A new phrase has been coined called “The Period of PURPLE Crying”. http://purplecrying.info/
PURPLE is an acronym that means:
P—Peak of Crying – the baby cries more each week peaking at 2 months of age and dissipating between 3-5 months of age.
U – Unexpected – the crying can come and go and it is not related to eating or sleeping or diaper changes.
R – Resists Soothing – the baby continues to cry no matter what you do to try and soothe the symptoms.
P – Pain-like face – the baby cries as if she is in pain, even when there is no particular source.
L – Long lasting – the crying can last up to five hours or more per day.
E – Evening – the baby may cry more in the late afternoon or evening.
Here are some techniques to soothe a crying baby:
Swaddling
Swaddling can soothe even the fussiest of babies. This action helps the baby to feel secure and simulates the warmth and tightness of being in the womb.
Breastfeeding or Pacifier Use
Breastfed babies can be nursed when fussy to provide them with comfort. Nursing releases hormones in the mother and baby that help both to calm down, providing a quiet time to bond. Breastfed babies can be nursed even if they are not hungry, without fear of overfeeding. Often, the act of suckling in the comfort of a parent’s arms will help the infant to quickly fall asleep.
Infant Massage
Infant massage can provide babies with a soothing bonding experience with caregivers, and also helps to relieve any discomfort or gas that the baby is experiencing.
Gas Relief
Fussiness is often caused by a difficulty passing gas. Parents can provide their baby with gas relief by laying him on his back and gently moving his legs as though riding a bicycle.
Soothing Sounds
Infants are used to many soothing sounds while in the womb. Parents can try to simulate these sounds by making quiet “shh” or “whoosh” sounds repeatedly to the baby. Some babies are also comforted by hearing the voice of their mother or listening to soft singing.
Call a Friend or Relative
All parents need support, and sometimes taking care of an infant is just plain exhausting. Ask parents to keep a list of folks handy they can call for support. Isolation is dangerous for both infants and parents. Oftentimes there are local parenting support groups run by non-profit organizations that meet in a community center or library.
Michelle Terry, MD
Ask Dr. Terry
February 24. 2012
All Kids are Our Kids

Tip of the Day: Safe Sleep—Colic
In a study that is getting press today, that has yet to be peer reviewed and published in a medical journal, research-ers in San Francisco surveyed 154 mothers at their babies’ 2 month old well child care visit at pediatric clinics in San Francisco regarding whether or not their infants had colic. The results showed nearly 29% of infants whose mothers had a history of migraine headaches had colic, compared with 11% of those whose mothers did not have migraine headaches. And I am sure all of that crying probably helped trigger more migraine headaches!
This study really spoke to me on a personal level because I had terrible migraine headaches when I was pregnant with my first child, and my baby also had a world record case of colic… he cried so much that both of his grandmoth-ers commented on the screaming baby they heard while exiting the elevator to the maternity section at the hospital on their way to meet him all those years ago, “We hope that is not ‘our’ baby”.
Colic, typically described as the rule of 3’s:
Starts in earnest when an infant is around 3 weeks old Crying goes on for 3 or more hours per day for 3 or more days of the week Lasts until age 3 months (or so)
Although colic affects about 20% of infants, and is usually attributed to a gastrointestinal complaint or milk intoler-ance, the reality is that there is no known reason for colic, and unfortunately there is no “cure” save the tincture of time and lots of loving from parents and caregivers.
This research has implications from a medical reason because the scientists hypothesize that colic may be a mi-graine variant and that children with colic will be more prone to migraine headaches in childhood and adulthood. The research also has social implications for all of us who work in the child welfare realm because many infants who suffer “shaken baby syndrome” are infants younger than six months who are described as chronically fussy or colicky.
As I say all the time, pediatricians are all about the prevention of illness and injury and anticipatory guidance is usually given during a scheduled office visit. But anyone can give guidance to help keep children safe and sound. While screening mothers under Department supervision for substance use, some may report that they have mi-graine headaches that necessitate opiate use (in reality narcotics for headache pain is a rare treatment reserved for occasional use in case of the “worst” headaches). In any event, if a mother reports that she is having chronic mi-graine headaches, anticipate that that child may have a higher than average risk of developing colic.
Fussy babies are more likely to be abused early in life, so an elevated level of concern can be taken into considera-tion if babies in “at risk” households are described as having colic or crying a lot. Please be prepared to have ideas on how to soothe a crying baby to share with parents, because most of the time, a reason for the crying cannot be attributed to an organic medical condition.
Michelle Terry, MD

resource family training institute

training for foster parents, adoptive parents, and kinship care providers

http://fosterparent.dshs.wa.gov

presents:

“the paper trail”– documentation training

for caregivers

· Have you ever wondered what your records should include?

· What should you document?

· How to appropriately document?

· What you must report?

· And to whom you must report?

This 3 hour class will help you unravel the mysteries of record-keeping and

help you create your own “Paper Trail”. This is an excellent class for both

new and experienced foster parents and relative caregivers.

Thursday, March 01, 2012 Christian Life Center 1780 SE Lincoln Room 202 Port Orchard, WA. 98366 Time: 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm

To register Contact: Lynne Welton, MA (253) 983-6435 lywe300 Linda Falcocchio, MSW (253) 983-6474 fali300

Pre-Registration is Required

Contact for Special Needs 10 days prior

American Resource Families Institute

Providing education to resource families across America

Federal Tax Benefits for Resource Families

It’s not too late! Attend a Tax Workshop for Foster, Adoptive, and Kinship Families Have you ever wondered… What types of foster care payments are taxable? Can you take a foster child as a dependent? Are there benefits for kinship providers? Are there tax deductions available to foster parents? What expenses are deductable? What is the Adoption Credit? Join us as we explore the wonderful world of taxes and foster care. Workshop presented by Kathy Suits, EA and Christin Kundert, Foster/Adopt Parent

Come to the workshop and receive a printed copy of the 2011 Federal Tax Guide for Resource Families (1 copy per family)

March 17, 2012 9:30am-11:30am Workshop fee: $20.00 per family Renton Technical College 3000 NE Fourth Street, Room C-110 Renton , WA 98056-4195

American Resource Families Institute To Register, visit: www.ARFInstitute.org Phone: 253-988-2275 ckundert P.O. Box 112079 Tacoma, WA 98411-2079 ARFI is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization

To remove your name from our mailing list, please click here. Questions or comments? E-mail us at info or call (253) 988-2275 Please forward to resource families… thank you.

De-escalation Techniques for Children – Real Tools for Foster Parents, Adoptive Parents, Relative Care Providers, Staff

With

Scott Hanauer, MA

Scott Hanauer is Clinical Director of Community Youth Services, Olympia.

He has worked with “at risk” children and their families within the residential setting for over 30 years with the Children’s Home Society of Washington, Seattle and now is Director of Community Youth Services in Olympia.

Scott has extensive experience working with children who have “Reactive Attachment Disorder” as part of their diagnosis. Scott also was a Parent Educator for the Bureau of Prisons, providing a non-traditional approach to Parent Education Services within that setting.

Time: 9:00am to 4:00pm

When: Thursday, March 29, 2012

Where: Christian Life Center

1780 SE Lincoln Room 202

Port Orchard, WA. 98366

Topics included in this 6 hour workshop are:

Part One: Being the Second Family; Part Two: Changing Brain Neurology of

– The Impact of Trauma on the Behavior Children through Effective Parenting;

of the Child & Caregivers – Developing Therapeutic Environments

– Diagnostic Profiles: Reactive Attachment, – Neuro-Imbedding, Mirror Imaging

– Post Traumatic Stress, Depression – Supporting Caregivers…Adoptive, Foster, Kinship

(Anxiety), Conduct Disorder, ODD – Collaborating with Schools.

– Managing Escalated Behavior.

Please note: This training is purchased with funds from the Resource Family Training Institute. Training for Foster Parents, Adoptive Parents, and Kinship Care Providers, Children’s Administration. Anyone working with the foster care population is welcome to attend on a space available basis. There is no charge to participants.

Pre-Registration is required. Please call or e-mail to Linda Falcocchio, Resource Family Training Institute, fali300 or 253-983-6474 or 360-475-3586 or Lynne Welton at 253-983-6435 or Lynne.Welton@dshs.wa.gov

For Special Needs, Please advise 10 days prior to presentation.

De-escalation Techniques for Children – Real Tools for Foster Parents, Adoptive Parents, Relative Care Providers, Staff

With

Scott Hanauer, MA

Scott Hanauer is Clinical Director of Community Youth Services, Olympia.

He has worked with “at risk” children and their families within the residential setting for over 30 years with the Children’s Home Society of Washington, Seattle and now is Director of Community Youth Services in Olympia.

Scott has extensive experience working with children who have “Reactive Attachment Disorder” as part of their diagnosis. Scott also was a Parent Educator for the Bureau of Prisons, providing a non-traditional approach to Parent Education Services within that setting.

Time: 9:00am to 4:00pm

When: Thursday, March 29, 2012

Where: Christian Life Center

1780 SE Lincoln Room 202

Port Orchard, WA. 98366

Topics included in this 6 hour workshop are:

Part One: Being the Second Family; Part Two: Changing Brain Neurology of

– The Impact of Trauma on the Behavior Children through Effective Parenting;

of the Child & Caregivers – Developing Therapeutic Environments

– Diagnostic Profiles: Reactive Attachment, – Neuro-Imbedding, Mirror Imaging

– Post Traumatic Stress, Depression – Supporting Caregivers…Adoptive, Foster, Kinship

(Anxiety), Conduct Disorder, ODD – Collaborating with Schools.

– Managing Escalated Behavior.

Please note: This training is purchased with funds from the Resource Family Training Institute. Training for Foster Parents, Adoptive Parents, and Kinship Care Providers, Children’s Administration. Anyone working with the foster care population is welcome to attend on a space available basis. There is no charge to participants.

Pre-Registration is required. Please call or e-mail to Linda Falcocchio, Resource Family Training Institute, fali300 or 253-983-6474 or 360-475-3586 or Lynne Welton at 253-983-6435 or Lynne.Welton@dshs.wa.gov

For Special Needs, Please advise 10 days prior to presentation.

De-escalation Techniques for Children – Real Tools for Foster Parents, Adoptive Parents, Relative Care Providers, Staff

With

Scott Hanauer, MA

Scott Hanauer is Clinical Director of Community Youth Services, Olympia.

He has worked with “at risk” children and their families within the residential setting for over 30 years with the Children’s Home Society of Washington, Seattle and now is Director of Community Youth Services in Olympia.

Scott has extensive experience working with children who have “Reactive Attachment Disorder” as part of their diagnosis. Scott also was a Parent Educator for the Bureau of Prisons, providing a non-traditional approach to Parent Education Services within that setting.

Time: 9:00am to 4:00pm

When: Thursday, March 29, 2012

Where: Christian Life Center

1780 SE Lincoln Room 202

Port Orchard, WA. 98366

Topics included in this 6 hour workshop are:

Part One: Being the Second Family; Part Two: Changing Brain Neurology of

– The Impact of Trauma on the Behavior Children through Effective Parenting;

of the Child & Caregivers – Developing Therapeutic Environments

– Diagnostic Profiles: Reactive Attachment, – Neuro-Imbedding, Mirror Imaging

– Post Traumatic Stress, Depression – Supporting Caregivers…Adoptive, Foster, Kinship

(Anxiety), Conduct Disorder, ODD – Collaborating with Schools.

– Managing Escalated Behavior.

Please note: This training is purchased with funds from the Resource Family Training Institute. Training for Foster Parents, Adoptive Parents, and Kinship Care Providers, Children’s Administration. Anyone working with the foster care population is welcome to attend on a space available basis. There is no charge to participants.

Pre-Registration is required. Please call or e-mail to Linda Falcocchio, Resource Family Training Institute, fali300 or 253-983-6474 or 360-475-3586 or Lynne Welton at 253-983-6435 or Lynne.Welton@dshs.wa.gov

For Special Needs, Please advise 10 days prior to presentation.

ATTENTION DEFICIT DISORDERS

Presented by:

Randi Hankins, CSW, CMHS

Randi Hankins is an Associate Professor of Clinical Social Work in the Masters of Social Work program at Walla Walla College. She has worked in the community mental health system as a therapist and clinical director and has been a practicing County Designated Mental Health Professional for the past 28 years. She is a Certified Social Worker and is both a Child Mental Health Specialist and a Developmental Disabilities Mental Health Specialist. Her primary areas of clinical practice and expertise include sexually reactive children, adolescent disruptive behaviors, psychotropic medications, crisis intervention and suicide prevention.

Foster parents and relative caregivers are increasingly called upon to deal with Attention Deficit Disorder for children placed in care. This training will focus on hands-on techniques to circumvent, defuse, and redirect acting out behaviors to reduce conflict and drama, while increasing communication and cooperation within the home.

Don’t miss this excellent workshop!

When: Monday: March 19, 2012

Time: 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM

Where: Christian Life Center

1780 SE Lincoln Ave.

Port Orchard, WA. 98312

There is no charge for this training. Please do not bring children as NO child care is available. For special needs please contact RFTI Trainer 10 days prior to workshop.

To register contact Linda Falcocchio, RFTI Trainer at 253-983-6474 or 360-475-3586 or e-mail : Linda. Falcocchio@ dshs.wa.gov

or Lynne Welton, RFTI Trainer at 253-983-6435 or e-mail: Lynne.Welton @ dshs.wa.gov

TACOMA

Behavior Management Skills for Caregivers

Resource Family Training Institute

Training for Foster Parents, Adoptive Parents, and Kinship Care Providers

http://fosterparent.dshs.wa.gov

Presents:

behavior management skills for caregivers:

real tools for foster parents

with gary benton

gary has been in social work for over 30 years providing marriage and family therapy, anger management, and domestic violence treatment to a widerange of participants. he is a local and national consultant, trainer, and seminar presenter providing training on a wide variety of topics. Join us for a packed day of education and information!

this presentation will:

· identify factors that lead children to act out

· strategies to prevent or minimize acting out

· strategies to improve adult response to an acting out child/youth

Monday: February 27, 2012 Time: 9:00 am – 4:00 pm Christian Life Center 1780 SE Lincoln Room 202 Port Orchard,WA. 98366	To register Contact: Linda Falcocchio, MSW (253) 983-647 Or fali300 Lynne Welton, MA (253) 983-6435 or Lywe300

Pre-Registration is Required

Contact for Special Needs 10 days prior

SEPAC NEWS for Special Education students and those who care about them

For more information or to be added to the email group, contact Sharon Dommermuth, theupside, 360-308-0187

SEPAC informational meetings Date/ Topic: Feb 16-School Behavioral Strategies You Can Use At Home: Julie Bylin, Autism Specialist

Feb 23- PIX, PECS, and Social Stories (rescheduled from Jan. snow): Cindy Tveit, SLP

March 22- Sensory Integration: Andy Hoskins, OT

Where: Ridgetop Junior High, 10600 Hillsboro Dr. NE, Silverdale98383

Time: 6:45-8:15pm

RSVP free Childcare: Sharon, 360-308-0187, theupside

Topic: Teaching appropriate Social Behavior and a Healthy, Safe Awareness of One’s Sexuality: Jean Edwards, Professor Emeritus, Sexuality Expert, University of Portland

Where: KlahowyaSecondary School, 7606 NW Newberry Hill Rd., Silverdale, 98383

When: April 19, 4-6pm for professionals

April 19, 7-9 pm for parents and guardians

RSVP free Childcare: Sharon, 360-308-0187, theupside

Dyslexia Interest Group- for math, reading and writing challenged students

Second Wednesday of the month, Cafe Noir next to Target, 6:30-8:30 pm

Contact Birgit Zacovic, bzacovic, 360-307-0351

The Dyslexic Advantage, Author presentation and book signing: Brock and Fernette Eide

Organized by Gifts and Challenges Parent Network, Sally Kidder Davis, 206-780-0104

March 21, 7-9 pm, IslandWood, 4450 Blakely Ave. NE, BainbridgeIsland. Tickets available at the door $15 or advanced sales $10-$35 (including book or audio book) online: www.giftsandchallenges.eventbrite.com or at Eagle Harbor Book Company, Bainbridge Is.

Conferences:

***2012 Special Education Conference:

Improving Special Education and Related Services to Students of All Ages

Wed- Friday, March 7-9, 2012, ShorelineConferenceCenter

http://www.rehabseminars.org for full conference program and registration

***Fitness, Nutrition and Health for Individuals with Developmental Disabilities and resource fair

Presented by the Down Syndrome Community, www.downsyndromecommunity.org

Saturday, April 14, 2012, Blackriver Training and ConferenceCenter, Renton, WA

Registration: Anne, 206-842-9027