Bayou Land Families Helping Families Newsletter
- Jacki Pierce
- Oct 13
- 5 min read
October, November, December 2025
Migraines in Children and Teens
Migraines are more than just a headache; they are neurological disorders with symptoms including severe headaches, nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light and sound. Triggers for migraines may include stress, hormones, lack of physical activity, and poor sleep habits to name a few. The article outlines new pediatric migraine treatment guidelines released by the American Academy of Neurology and the American Headache Society . These guidelines provide evidence-based recommendations for managing both acute migraine attacks and preventing future episodes in children and teens. It highlights effective treatments like medications (e.g., NSAIDs, triptans) and lifestyle modifications (e.g., regular exercise, proper sleep) to reduce migraine frequency. The guidelines also acknowledge the limited research on managing non-pain symptoms like nausea and light sensitivity, calling for more studies in this area. Overall, the guidelines aim to improve migraine care for young patients by offering a clearer approach to treatment.
For more information visithttps://www.brainandlife.org/the-magazine/online-exclusives/migraine-treatment-in-children-and-teens/
How to Explain Your Child's Diagnosis To Them
By: Lauren Agotatus, M.A
In this article from Exceptional Parent Magazine, Lauren Agoratus, the State Coordinator for Family Voices in New Jersey, discusses timing and techniques to explain a diagnosis to your child—not just label it. Even at young ages, children are often aware of their differences. There are several resources available to assist and educate you on how to approach these conversations, including your local Families Helping Families center.
Read the entire article:
Other available resources:
· Families Helping Families Centers: https://www.blfhf.org/centers
· Louisiana Family to Family Health Information Center: https://www.blfhf.org/
· Louisiana Parent Training & Information Center: https://fhfofgno.org/laptic
· LaDDC Advocacy 101: https://laddc.org/lacan/advocacy-101/
· Courageous Parents Network: https://courageousparentsnetwork.org/guides/guide-to-speaking-with-your-child-about-prognosis/
Accommodations vs. Modifications in Special Education: Understanding the Difference
Navigating special education can feel overwhelming for parents and caregivers, especially when terms like accommodations and modifications are used. While these terms are often mentioned in IEP or 504 plan meetings, they serve very different purposes in supporting students with disabilities. Understanding the distinction can help families advocate effectively for their child’s needs.
Accommodations are adjustments that change how a student learns or demonstrates knowledge, but they do not alter the academic expectations themselves. The goal of accommodations is to provide equal access to the curriculum, enabling students to participate fully alongside their peers. For example, a student might receive extra time on tests, preferential seating in the classroom, or access to assistive technology like text-to-speech software. Other accommodations may include breaking assignments into smaller, manageable steps or providing visual aids to help organize information. In all cases, the student is expected to learn the same material as their classmates; the accommodations simply remove barriers that might make this difficult.
Modifications, on the other hand, involve changes to what a student is expected to learn. When a student cannot meet grade-level expectations, modifications adjust the curriculum to match their abilities. These changes might include simplified assignments, a reduced number of questions, alternate grading criteria, or individualized learning goals outlined in an IEP or 504 plan. While accommodations maintain the same learning standards, modifications change the learning expectations themselves to help the student achieve success in a way that is realistic and appropriate for their abilities.
To illustrate the difference, consider a reading assignment. With accommodations, a student might receive extra time or a digital reader to complete the same text as the rest of the class. With modifications, the student might read a shorter or simpler version of the text, or focus on only key concepts instead of the full assignment. Both approaches aim to support learning, but they do so in different ways.
Understanding whether your child needs accommodations, modifications, or a combination of both is essential. Accommodations allow students to access grade-level work without changing expectations, while modifications adjust expectations so the student can succeed at a level suited to their abilities. When working with teachers or special education teams, consider whether your child’s challenges require a change in how they learn or a change in what they are expected to learn. Clear communication and collaboration with educators can help ensure your child receives the support they need to thrive academically.
By understanding the difference between accommodations and modifications, parents can more effectively advocate for supports that help their child access learning, achieve success, and feel confident in the classroom.
Medical Home and Care Coordination
There’s an old saying, “It takes a village to raise a child.” Having a child with a disability
takes that saying to another level—it does take a village. The village consists of specialists, doctors, therapists, and, of course, the family. When we discuss Medical Home, we are not referring to a place, but a partnership where the patient is provided comprehensive, high-quality care and open communication among all health-care providers and the family.
You have the right to ask your child’s doctors questions about any diagnosis, medications, plans of care, etc.. If you have questions, request extra time when scheduling appointments and be sure to write the questions and take them with you to the appointment. Discuss diagnosis, medications, and other information from other doctors or specialists to ensure that your child is receiving appropriate care. As a parent, YOU are the ultimate decision-maker for the type of care and treatment your child with special health care needs will receive.
Aside from providing peer support, your local Families Helping Families center specialists can assist you by:
Providing assistance with navigating the healthcare system;
Building family-professional partnerships to promote shared decision-making;
Linking you with community resources;
Providing training and education on disability-related topics;
Providing information on current disability/health topics.
For more information on Medical Home and Care Coordination in Louisiana, please visit:
From the Executive Director, Jacki Pierce
Bayou Land Families Helping Families (BLFHF), one of nine regional Families Helping Families centers, has been part of Louisiana’s Family and Community Support System since the late 1900s. We were created to be a one-stop-shop for individuals with developmental disabilities and their families. Over the years, the centers have expanded to support all individuals with disabilities and special health care needs, regardless of the age of the individual and the disability. The network of Families Helping Families centers provides information and referral, education and training, and peer support to individuals with disabilities, their family members, and the professionals who serve them. Contracted through the State Department of Education, we also provide assistance and support for educational meetings (SBLC, IEP, 504, etc.).
All of our services are FREE. While we do not provide direct services to families, we assist with navigating the very complex disability system, provide resources, and give opportunities for socialization with other families who are also navigating life with a disability through our Parent Support Groups (last Wednesday of the month at BLFHF). Through our Granting Adventures to Our Region (GATOR) program, we provide fun adventures to individuals with disabilities and a parent/caregiver. Beginning this October, Bayou Land Families Helping Families and South Central Louisiana Human Service Authority (SCLHSA) will activate the South Land Program, which will provide several educational opportunities encompassing Special Education, employment, and opportunities for Continuing Education Units (CEUs), along with some fun social activities for families who receive services through SCLHSA and BLFHF. We will send out more information about the South Land Program through our email list, so please contact us if you’d like to be added to our email list.
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