www.friendlyfaces.org

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Lisa Pleasants-Smith
From a Family Perspective
Childrens Healthcare of Atlanta 17th Annual
Cleft Lip and Palate Symposium July 22, 2004
www.friendlyfaces.org
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Lisa Pleasants-Smith
A resource for, and network of, individuals with
facial differences, parents, families, friends,
and healthcare professionals
www.friendlyfaces.org
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Lisa Pleasants-Smith
www.friendlyfaces.org
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Lisa Pleasants-Smith
www.friendlyfaces.org
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Lisa Pleasants-Smith
www.friendlyfaces.org
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Lisa Pleasants-Smith
NICU Coping Strategies 1. Acquiring information
2. Gaining Control (bonding) 3. Social
Comparison
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Lisa Pleasants-Smith
Early Intervention 1. Craniofacial Team 2.
Audiology 3. Babies Cant Wait, CMS, Georgia
PINES
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Lisa Pleasants-Smith
Advocacy Begins Proactive Parenting 1.
Self-Education/Research 2. Networking
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Lisa Pleasants-Smith
Ongoing Challenges Health/Medical Issues 1.
Airway Management 2. Nutrition 3. Hearing 4.
Craniofacial Surgery 5. Dental 6.
Ophthalmology 7. Speech Therapy (Oral Motor and
Articulation) 8. Home Health Nursing
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Lisa Pleasants-Smith
Ongoing Challenges Education Issues 1.
Preparation for Individualized Education
Plans 2. Special Education/Hearing Impairment
Program Options Oral/Speech American Sign
Language (ASL) Total Communication (Oral and
ASL) 3. Assistive Technology
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Lisa Pleasants-Smith
Ongoing Challenges Social/Psychological Issues
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Lisa Pleasants-Smith
Ongoing Challenges Health Insurance 1. Deeming
Waiver 2. Health Insurance Premium Plan
(HIPP) 3. Babies Cant Wait 4. CMS 5. Medicaid
Waivers
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Lisa Pleasants-Smith
Ongoing Challenges Stress 1. Chronic 2. Affects
Entire Family 3. InterventionCounseling,
Support Groups
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Lisa Pleasants-Smith
Support 1. Continuing Education Internet
Journal Articles and Books 2. Parent-to-Parent
Networking Parent to Parent of Georgia
Families of Children Under Stress (FOCUS)
Mothers United for Moral Support (MUMS)
Condition-Specific Listservs (e.g. Yahoo! Groups)
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Lisa Pleasants-Smith
Essential Resources Charkins, H. (1996)
Children with Facial Difference A Parent's
Guide. Bethesda Woodbine House. The Resource
Guide for People with Disabilities and their
Families in Georgia published by the Governor's
Council on Developmental Disabilities. Call
404-657-2126 for a copy. Families Of Children
Under Stress (FOCUS) 3050 Presidential Drive,
Suite 114, Atlanta, Georgia 30340 Phone
770-234-9111 Web site www.focus-ga.org
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Lisa Pleasants-Smith
Thank You!
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