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

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.

Portrait of caring mother kissing child with down syndrome at bedtime.

Autism, Sleep

9 Tips for Sleep Training a Child With Autism

When sleep training a child with autism, it’s helpful to eliminate background noises and unnecessary noises, along with establishing a solid bedtime routine.

A girl with a tray of food walking into the school cafeteria.

Feeding and Eating, Special Needs

Managing Food Allergies at School: A Comprehensive Guide

Students with food allergies require consistency from all school team members to avoid severe reactions and maintain a safe environment.

The girl does not respond to the world around us.

Special Needs

What Is Heller’s Syndrome (Childhood Disintegrative Disorder)?

Childhood disintegrative disorder is marked by a child achieving normal developmental milestones, then demonstrating a loss of previously acquired skills.

High five gesture team in classroom.

Autism, Special Needs

Using Extinction in Applied Behavior Analysis with Kids

Are you unsure of how to manage your child’s problem behaviors? Learn if the ABA Extinction Method could be right for you and your child!

A girl with EEG leads on her head.

Special Needs

5 Coping Strategies for Parents of Kids With Epilepsy

Coping with childhood epilepsy can be stressful, but focusing on strategies to support you and your family can positively impact your child’s well-being.

otolaryngologist checking babys ear with otoscope.

Health & Nutrition, Special Needs

How Do Doctors Test a Baby’s Hearing?

A newborn hearing test is an important screening test to evaluate for hearing loss. An early diagnosis can help prevent further hearing loss.

Little girl with syndrome down talks with her mother in a summer park.

Special Needs

How to Support Children with Disabilities to Be Physically Active

Regular physical activity offers numerous benefits for all people. It's important to find ways to include disabled children in physical activities so they can experience these benefits too.

Paediatrician checking baby boy's eyes.

Health & Nutrition, Special Needs

How Do Doctors Test a Baby’s Vision

A complete eye exam is a good way to test a baby’s vision and overall eye health.

Keto food.

Feeding and Eating, Health & Nutrition, Special Needs

Does the Ketogenic Diet Work for Kids with Epilepsy?

If your child has epilepsy, a ketogenic diet may reduce their seizures. Learn everything you need to know about a keto diet in this guide.