Raising kids can be challenging. Raising kids with special needs presents special challenges. With “Supernanny,” the hit television show on ABC originally from the UK, nanny Jo Frost brings the special challenges of raising disabled kids to a wide audience with two episodes — one concerning Down Syndrome, which aired last month, and another about autism, which will air Nov. 4. Frost teams with world-renowned autism expert Dr. Lynn Koegel to tackle the parenting issues faced by a family whose 3-year-old autistic son is an “outsider” in his own home.
Parents Deirdre and Trae Facente don’t know how to integrate their autistic son Tristin into their daily life with their 4-year-old twins Kayla and Marlana. Tristin is completely nonverbal, caught up in his own world of spinning, jumping, swinging and, often, taking off his clothes. The only time he spends with his family is sitting at the dinner table. The twins, who demand much of their stay-at-home mom’s attention, can’t figure out how to play with their little brother. The parents are at a loss as to how to help Tristin come out of his zone and join the family.
Enter Dr. Koegel and Supernanny. Together they refine the classic Supernanny methods and teach all the family members Koegel’s inclusion and communication techniques to help engage Tristin.
Autism — a collection of neurologically based developmental disorders characterized by social withdrawal and repetitive behaviors — now afflicts 1 in 166 American children. What’s more, the Autism Society of America estimates that the number of autistic children is growing by 10 percent to 17 percent every year. U.S. Department of Education statistics show that in the past decade the number of children ages 6-21 who were diagnosed with autism and served under the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act increased more than 500 percent.
Parents of special needs children are thrilled to see “Supernanny” include disabled children in the series.
“Supernanny” is broadcast with Spanish subtitles via secondary closed captioning.
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