Special Needs

Find support for parents of children with special needs. Learn how to advocate for your child, raise funds for needed equipment and find helpful organizations.

Filter by: Advocacy, Assistive Technology, Autism, Schools for the Blind, Support, Visual Impairment

Teacher near preschooler girl and disabled child with down syndrome.

Education, Special Needs

Top Five Special Education Acronyms Explained

Confused by all the special education acronyms you see? Trying to remember what they all mean? Check out our list of the top five for everything you need to know.

Mother holding her new born baby boy.

Sleep, Special Needs

Sleep Regimen for Premature Babies: Special Considerations

It can take premature babies much longer than their full-term peers to sleep for long stretches. A preemie sleep schedule may encourage better sleep.

Teenage Boy In Wheelchair Playing Basketball With Friends.

Education, Special Needs

Empowering Students with Disabilities Through Adapted Physical Education

Understand the role of adapted physical education and how personalized and inclusive practices reshape physical education for students with disabilities.

Attentive girl looking at her doctor.

Eye Conditions and Syndromes, Visual Impairment

Stargardt’s Disease: Navigating the Challenges of Juvenile Macular Degeneration

Stargardt’s disease is the most common form of inherited retinal disease. Many accommodations are available to help with low vision and vision loss.

Frightened kid in spectacles looking from under table desk.

Eye Conditions and Syndromes, Visual Impairment

Leber’s Congenital Amaurosis (LCA): Early Diagnosis and Intervention Strategies

Leber’s Congenital Amaurosis is a genetic disease passed from parents to children that disrupts the development of the retina of the eye. This can lead to vision loss and even...

Family working on origami together.

Tactile Arts and Crafts, Visual Impairment

10 Ways To Help Your Blind or Visually Impaired Child Get Started With Origami

Find tips for parents on introducing and getting started with origami with their children who are blind or visually impaired.

One of the sets with text instructions for blind builders.

Toys, Visual Impairment

Bricks for the Blind

Bricks for the Blind provides text, audio, and braille instructions for LEGO sets that allows blind people to build LEGO sets independently.

A macro view on the eye of a young child suffering from Aniridia.

Eye Conditions and Syndromes, Visual Impairment

Aniridia: A Closer Look at Congenital Absence of the Iris and Its Effects on Vision

Aniridia is a condition where part of all of the iris of the eyes is missing. It can lead to blurry vision, light sensitivity, or even blindness.

A young boy with his eyes closed.

Eye Conditions and Syndromes, Visual Impairment

Microphthalmia in Children: Understanding its Causes, Implications, and Management Strategies

Microphthalmia is a condition where the eye does not fully develop. There’s no cure, but early intervention can improve function for children with poor vision.

An ophthalmologist examines a boy who complains of burning and pain in his eyes.

Eye Conditions and Syndromes, Visual Impairment

Congenital Glaucoma: Early Signs, Diagnosis, and Treatment Options for Young Children

Congenital glaucoma is a disease where the pressure inside your baby’s eye is too high. This can damage the optic nerve and can even make your child go blind.

Sense of Play by Dana Meachen Rau

Braille and Literacy, Product Reviews, Visual Impairment

Sense of Play

Dana Meachen Rau's book, Sense of Play, follows the adventures of Chip and Joy as they play. Chip is blind, but this doesn't get in the way of their play!

Causian little boy making inhalation with nebulizer at home.

Special Needs

Emergency Preparedness for Special Needs Kids

Special needs emergency planning helps you prepare for the unexpected and gather everything you need to care for your child in an emergency situation.

Newborn baby with open mouth is in arms of his mother and looks up.

Autism, Development

My Baby’s Mouth Is Always Open. Is It an Autism Indicator?

If your baby’s mouth is always open, you might be concerned about a link to autism. However, there are many other reasons for a babies mouth to be open.

Church People Believe Faith Religious.

Special Needs

Finding a Special Needs-Friendly Church: A Guide for Christian Parents

Your complete guide to finding a special needs-friendly church with expert tips and insights to ensure an inclusive, spiritual home for your family.

Mother supporting sweet down syndrome daughter to learn and relax from the internet.

Advocacy, Special Needs

Advocacy Strategies for Parents of Special Needs Children

Learn about effective advocacy strategies for parents of special needs children and discover how to ensure the best possible outcomes for your child.

Portrait asian disabled kids or autism child learning looking and writing at desks in classroom.

Education, Special Needs

What Does Inclusion Look Like? Special Needs Students in Mainstream Classrooms

All children have the right to a decent education. Inclusive classrooms allow all children to learn together, but what does an inclusive classroom look like?

Child and his therapist exercising during sensory integration therapy

Special Needs

What Is Sensory Integration?

Sensory integration is the brain's way of making sense of the world around us. Read more about how it can affect your child's development here.

Speech therapist and little patient training articulation.

Special Needs

Early Intervention for Kids with Developmental Delays

Discover the benefits of early intervention for children with developmental delays and how support and services can unlock their full potential.

Pretty nice schoolgirl feeling good while feeding a kid.

Eye Conditions and Syndromes, Visual Impairment

Albinism and Vision: Unraveling the Myths and Understanding the Facts

Albinism is a genetic condition that reduces melanin. There are many myths about albinism and vision, so educating yourself with the facts is important.

Mother and authistic daughter sleeping together on a sofa in living room at home.

Autism, Sleep

Autism and Sleep: Strategies to Improve Bedtime for Your Child

Autism and sleep problems often go together. Improving sleep can help your child be less irritable and learn better and reduce stress in your home.

Close up of young mother kissing her baby girl while lying under a blanket in the bedroom.

Eye Conditions and Syndromes, Visual Impairment

Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP): What Parents Need to Know

Retinopathy of prematurity is common in babies born before 33 weeks. Early intervention can help prevent blindness in babies with this condition.

Optometry, vision and mother with child with glasses after examination, test and diagnosis for eyesight.

Eye Conditions and Syndromes, Visual Impairment

Understanding the Impact of Retinitis Pigmentosa in Children: A Comprehensive Guide for Parents

If you have a child with retinitis pigmentosa (RP), family members, therapists, and eye specialists can help you manage the stress that comes with vision loss.

Little girl looks out open window at spring time.

Autism

Creating A Sensory-Friendly Home for Autistic Children

A sensory-friendly home promotes a safe environment, reduces anxiety and stress, improves focus, and establishes better sleep patterns.

Woman chooses durable, comfy clothing for child's playtime outdoors

Autism, Special Needs

A Guide to Sensory-Friendly Clothes for Sensitive Kids

Sensory-friendly clothes are ideal for children with sensory sensitivities, help with overall comfort, and can help reduce anxiety.