Guest Contributer

Many of the articles written for WonderBaby.org are contributed by parents or caregivers of children with special needs. Please contact us if you would like to tell your story or share a resource with the WonderBaby.org community!

Baby with Playtex Trainer Cup

Feeding and Eating

Playtex Twist ‘n Click Straw Trainer Cup

Shannon Austin wrote in to share a neat (and affordable) sippy cup find that has worked great for her daughter. This Playtex straw trainer teaches kids how to use a...

Kekoa helps Oliana open a present

Parenting, Special Needs

Growing up with a special needs sister

Shannon Gardner writes about her son, Kekoa, and his relationship with his younger sister Oliana, who is blind. She writes about how it can be difficult to have a disabled...

soccer players

Play

Life Lessons from the VIP Special Needs Soccer Program

David wrote this essay as part of a college scholarship application. He writes about his experience as a football player in high school and compares that to his experiences volunteering...

Ivan in his swing

Development, Visual Impairment

Vestibular Stimulation: Making Sense of the Other Senses When Your Child is Blind

Many children with visual impairments seek out physically stimulating activities, like swinging or rocking. Here are ways you can help channel that energy.

surfboards

Visual Impairment

“So Dad, When Can I Go Surfing?” Letting Your Blind Child Experience Adventures in the World

Eric Vasiliauskas writes about encouraging independence and exploration in your blind children.

busy board idea

Visual Impairment

The Independent Little Bee: A little something for children with vision impairments & their families

This blog focuses on the Expanded Core Curriculum (ECC) for visually impaired students and how to implement it into everyday life. There are posts with topics on all aspects of...

students reading braille in a classroom

Advocacy, Visual Impairment

Bringing Blindness Awareness to the Sighted Classroom

We'll give you some tips on how to teach sighted children about blindness so they can interact with their blind classmates.

Irish mountainside

Visual Impairment

Thoughts on Growing Up Blind

Read about how June, who was born blind, was brought up by her grandmother and where she finds herself now.

Chad and mom

Support

Chad’s Story: How a Mom & Her Son are Using their Experience to Help Others

Marsha Peterson writes about her son, Chad, and how she helped him learn to communicate. Chad was born with Down syndrome, diagnosed with autism, is hard of hearing, and near...

car

Development

The Drive-Thru Carwash, What’s Not To Like? Making the case for Occupational Therapy

Reduce the stress of the weekly errands by helping your child strengthen their sensory response through occupational therapy. The OT Mom, of the Sense-Able Baby website, suggests providing calming sensory...

Milagro reading her books

Braille and Literacy

Braille for My Baby: Six Things You Can Do at Home for Your Young Blind Child

Graciela writes about how she introduced her daughter, Milagro, to braille at an early age. Here are six things you can do now to encourage early literacy!

Ivan loves music!

Music Play

Rhythm & Blues for the Winter: Motivating your child to move through music!

Music therapist Meredith R. Pizzi explains how you can use music and rhythms to encourage your child to get up and move!