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

Smiling child psychologist and kid with dyslexia playing with building blocks.

Autism, Development, Special Needs

Understanding Cognitive Developmental Delay in Children

Cognitive developmental delays occur when a child’s thinking and reasoning are significantly below the expected average. Learn the signs and best ways to help.

The Impossible Dream sail boat.

Special Needs

Impossible Dream Accessible Sailing

The Impossible Dream, a universally accessible catamaran, travels the world creating access to the water for thousands of people with disabilities.

Mother teaching her child to read.

Braille and Literacy, Special Needs

How to Teach a Child With Dyslexia

Dyslexia can be challenging for kids and parents, but there are ways to teach a child with dyslexia to help them achieve their literacy - and life - goals.

Two moms telling you to stop

Support

3 Things All Special Needs Moms Need To Do Now To Maintain Their Sanity

It’s natural for special needs parents to go above and beyond for their children, but we need to remember that it's important to take a break as well.

A boy with his grandfather.

Visual Impairment

10 Tips for Grandparents of Visually Impaired Children

What can you do when your grandchild is born with a disability? Here are tips to help you relate to your family and give them the support they need.

Child cover ears with hands and closed eyes.

Autism, Behavior

How to Deal With Sensory Overload in Children

You can help your child manage their symptoms and even prevent future meltdowns by learning how to deal with sensory overload.

Therapist working with low tone boy.

Special Needs

Understanding Low Muscle Tone in Children

Hypotonia, or low muscle tone, is a condition in which a child’s muscles appear floppy, weak, or less stiff than expected for a child.

CosmoBally

iPad Apps and Accessibility, Math and Science, Visual Impairment

Sonokids Apps Introduce Space, STEM, and Sonification to Kids Who Are Blind

These iPad apps from Sonokids feature the astronaut character CosmoBally who teaches blind children about space and sonification.

Ivan sleeping in his Safe Place Bedding Travel Bed.

Sleep, Special Needs

Safe Place Bedding Travel Bed Review

Traveling with a special needs child can be stressful! Having a safe, durable, and easy to use travel bed can make traveling so much easier!

Young girl with down syndrome playing with toy blocks alone and wearing noise cancelling earphone.

Autism, Product Reviews

13 Best Noise Canceling Headphones for Autism of 2023

Here are our 13 best noise canceling headphones for autism to help your child cope with loud noises, sound sensitivity, and sensory overload.

CCLVI logo on a purple background.

Visual Impairment

Council of Citizens with Low Vision International (CCLVI)

The Council of Citizens with Low Vision International (CCLVI) is dedicated to providing information and tips to help you live well with vision loss.

Sensory experiences for autistic boy.

Autism, Toys

The 10 Best Sensory Toys for Autism of 2023

There are many sensory toys for children with special needs that will help develop their sensory systems as well as being fun. Here are a few of the best!

Little boy with down syndrome cuddles up to his mother and looks a bit sad.

Autism, Special Needs

How to Help Special Needs Kids Cope with Social Anxiety

Searching for coping tools for social anxiety in children? You can use several effective strategies to help your special needs child cope with anxiety. Let us help!

A mother holding her son.

Special Needs

6 Hard Truths I’ve Learned Being a Special Needs Mom

Parenting a special needs child can be exhausting, both physically and emotionally, but it will also be the most rewarding thing you'll ever do.

Upset toddler having a meltdown.

Autism, Behavior

Sensory Meltdown Survival Guide for Parents

There are many remedies to handle your child’s sensory meltdown. They vary based on the environment and the type of sensitivities your child experiences. 

Little boy using a bowl as a drum.

Play, Visual Impairment

The 8 Best Indoor Activities for Blind Kids

Finding fun activities for your visually impaired child can be a challenge, especially when you are stuck inside all day!

A stepping stone path in a sensory garden.

Sensory Activities, Special Needs

Creating a Sensory Garden for Your Special Needs Child

Anyone can benefit from the sensory experiences in a garden, but sensory gardens are particularly ideal for children with special needs.

sad mom

Special Needs, Support

COVID Taught the World About Grief and Isolation; Special Needs Families Already Learned These Lessons

Maybe the world now recovering from the COVID pandemic can learn something from parents of disabled children who have already developed coping skills.

little girl on a platform swing

Sensory Activities, Special Needs

The 8 Best Sensory Swings for Kids with Special Needs

Sensory swings can create a relaxing space for any child, but they are particularly useful for children with special needs.

Mom and child smiling

Research Studies, Visual Impairment

Family Interactions and Blind Children Research Study

University of Bristol is looking for families who can share videos of their children who are blind interacting with their friends and family.

Support

Aware Bears Support Kids with Disabilities

Find out about Aware Bears and Never-Ending Stories. They aim to change the perception of what people with disabilities are capable of.

Tactile eggs.

Holiday Crafts and Ideas, Visual Impairment

11 DIY Tactile Easter Eggs for Kids with Visual Impairments

We'll show you how to make tactile Easter eggs for kids who are blind by adding textures or other tactile elements to your dyed eggs.

A completed leprechaun trap.

Holiday Crafts and Ideas, Special Needs

Leprechaun Trap: 3 Accessibility Tips for Special Needs

Leprechaun traps are a traditional March school project and they can be effective special needs curriculum additions as well!

little girl looking through a red block

IEPs, Visual Impairment

CVI Now Creates IEP Guide for Parents of Kids with CVI

Navigating the IEP can be stressful. Learn about the IEP process, what to expect, and how to develop CVI-specific goals and evaluations.