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

leandra and abby

Parenting, Special Needs

I Lost My Daughter. Even though She is Alive, I Lost Her, and I Grieve Her all the Time

Having a special needs child is a lifelong grieving process. Each new milestone that does not happen is a painful reminder of what you've lost.

a mom holding hands with her daughter

Parenting, Special Needs

Something Happened While I was Waiting for My Daughter to Tell Me She Loves Me

If your child is nonverbal they may not be able to say, "I love you." But they can express their love in so many other ways!

Boy taking his blood pressure test

Advocacy

How to Work with Difficult Doctors & Therapists

As the parent of a disabled child you probably have to meet with quite a few doctors and therapists. What can you do if you just don't agree with their...

lily pads

Advocacy, Parenting

Family vs Ableism: What I’ve Learned As a Mother of a Child with a Disability

Is it more important to be worried about how you're presenting yourself and your family to the outside world and the wider disability community, or to focus on the needs...

fingers touching a Feelif screen

Assistive Technology, iPad Apps and Accessibility

Feelif: The Accessible Tactile Tablet for Kids who are Visually Impaired

Feelif is a tactile tablet that is able to combine native features of the Samsung tablet, like vibrations and the built-in screenreader, with a tactile surface to create a whole...

Michael sitting in a chair and smiling

Parenting, Special Needs

My son will not read this post

For a special needs parent, being realistic does not mean losing optimism. It means finding peace with what is.

Support

When Your Special Needs Support Group is Anything but Supportive (and 5 Tips to Get it Back on Track)

Moms yelling at each other certainly isn't a new thing, but online support groups can take it to a whole new level! Find tips on how to keep your special...

valentines crafts, including braille cookies

Holiday Crafts and Ideas, Visual Impairment

11 Accessible Valentine’s Day Crafts (with Braille!) for Kids who are Blind

Fun and accessible Valentine's Day crafts for kids who are blind or visually impaired, including braille Valentine's cards!

colorful doorway in rainbow colors

Parenting, Special Needs

What does it really take to make a home accessible?

What really makes your home an inclusive space for your special needs or blind child? Is it the furniture? Or is it the way you think?

woman holding a sad face mask in front of her face

Support

What can you do for the special needs mom who doesn’t feel anymore?

Sometimes it seems like I don't have the time to feel, and I know this isn't a new thing. I've been not feeling for a long time. Is it OK...

Mother kissing her baby's foot

Parenting, Special Needs

When my family accused me of using my special needs child as an excuse

We make decisions for our medically fragile kids every day, but sometimes family members just don't understand our reasons.

Rebecca playing with play-doh

Braille and Literacy, Toys, Visual Impairment

How I will change the world for my deafblind daughter, one toy at a time

One father's journey to imagine, create and even distribute accessible educational toys for children who are visually impaired

Make your own white cane lapel pin with beads

Advocacy, Visual Impairment

Make Your Own White Cane Lapel Pin for White Cane Day

Celebrate White Cane Day with your very own white cane lapel pin! Show your white cane pride with this hand-made bead pin.

three ropes in a knot

Support

The hidden truth about special needs resources: It doesn’t need to be this complicated

Do you ever feel like you're tied up in knots looking for support and resources for your special needs child? Maybe it doesn't have to be this way!

group of friends

Support

Do you have the courage to redefine disability?

What does disability look like to you? How do people with disabilities interact with the mainstream world? What can you do to help?