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Iowa Connects

Iowa Connects

Networking for Iowa's Children and Families

Providing training and consulting to professionals and families working with Drug/Alcohol Affected and Attachment Disordered Children.

E-mail at IAConnects@aol.com

Iowa Connects Founders are -- two women with 15 children. We connected because we have children, the majority of whom are foster/adopted children and who face many difficult life challenges. We love our children, as all parents do. We began searching for help, learning new parentings skills, finding the answers through doctors, therapists, family, friends, conferences, training and speakers. We wanted to know what we could do for our kids -- what we could learn from them -- what it is that caused them to be the way they are... In this process, we began hearing from many of you whose children (and clients and patients) have difficult problems too, and the idea of a "networking newsletter" began to form. Iowa Connects is the result of our efforts. We hope this newsletter provides information for foster, adoptive and birth parents, physicians, clinicians and caseworkers to connect, share ideas, hopes, and resources for Iowa's children and children everywhere. We hope to make a better life for all.

We work with children whose lives are defined by Initials.

Our children have initials behind their names. Not because they have degrees, but because they have been diagnosed with disorders. Some have just a few, some have many. Some were caused by a mother drinking or using drugs while pregnant. Some were caused by neglect, abuse, accidents, or the luck of the draw.

All of our children are lovable and sweet and deserve a chance at a better life. We are determined to help them attain that higher quality of life.

The initials in our children's lives include:

FAS/FAE - Fetal Alcohol Syndrome/Fetal Alcohol Effects
RAD - Reactive Attachment Disorder
ADHD - Attention Deficit & Hyperactivity Disorder
OCD - Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
ODD - Oppositional Defiance Disorder
CD - Conduct Disorder
BD - Behavioral Disorder
Bi-polar- Bi-polar Disorder
PTSD - Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
SID - Sensory Integration Dysfunction
LD - Learning Disabled
MR - Mentally Retarded
DD - Dissociative Disorder
DA - Drug Affected
TBI - Traumatic Brain Injury
RSS - Russell Silver Syndrome
D - Depression

We have 14 and 19 years of experience with special needs children in our homes. We have learned to appreciate the small steps of success and to endure the back slides of failure.

We offer support and training to parents and professionals. Living with children 24/7 brings a different prospective on what works best to help these children be successful. Our tips work in the classroom, the home or while shopping. We have learned what these children need in order to live, learn, focus, stay safe and "be respectful, responsible and fun to be around." to quote Foster Cline of the Attachment Center, Evergreen Colorado.

We welcome you to our site and encourage you to send your comments and questions to www.IAConnects@aol.com. Thank you for your interest and may you make a difference in the life of a child each and every day.

Deb Hoyt
Iowa Connects


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