eInsights - October 2010

SBA Launches Preparations Web site

Please refer to “Executive Skills and Your Child with Learning Disabilities.”

SBA is excited to announce a new online educational Web site that has launched called SB Preparations. This site employs an assessment technique that allows parents, caregivers, and clinicians to gauge the development of a child with Spina Bifida at different stages of life and learn potential interventions they can use to help the child develop into a successful and happy adult. It also has information for young adults seeking ways to become more independent and lead a fuller, richer life

How It Works
The user (such as a parent or clinician) can navigate the interactive site by age (such as pre-school, school-age, adolescent, or young adult) or by topic. He is then prompted to answer a series of questions about the child with Spina Bifida. Upon completion, the user receives a report containing suggested interventions that can be used to ultimately ensure the highest possibility for a successful transition into adulthood. The report also contains measures that can be used to assess progress over time. The report can be saved and accessed later.

Success stories will also be featured on the site, and parents/users will be able to share their own intervention suggestions with one another.

Evolution of the Preparations Site
Part of SBA’s vision statement is to help people living with Spina Bifida thrive in a barrier-free world that offers ready access to an array of effective treatment options and uniformly excellent medical care; their individual life choices are not influenced by Spina Bifida; and all experience rich and personally fulfilling lives. SBA believes SB Preparations speaks to that vision.

“We discovered the need for a program to help prepare individuals with Spina Bifida to lead more independent and ultimately happier adult lives. We believe SB Preparations will help parents and caregivers to guide individuals with Spina Bifida towards that goal by offering a solid resource for those critical transitions throughout life. It is our hope that parents and health care providers will look to Preparations as a valuable tool to help those with Spina Bifida as they develop the life skills they need to live independently in the future,” says Cindy Brownstein, SBA Chief Executive Officer and President.

The recommended interventions and resources featured on the SB Preparations Web site were developed as part of a project of the National Spina Bifida Program at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The project brought together clinicians and parents who deal with Spina Bifida every day.