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
Special Needs
Tactile Defensiveness in Children: Strategies to Help
Concerned about your child’s strong reactions to being touched? Learn more about tactile defensiveness and how you can help your child manage their response to sensory information.
Special Needs
Hand Flapping and Autism: How Are They Related?
Hand flapping is one type of repetitive movement that provides sensory stimulation and comfort. Find out more about the connection between hand flapping and autism.
Visual Impairment
Insight Beyond Eyesight
Insight Beyond Eyesight provides support, information, and networking for Jewish individuals who are visually impaired and their families.
Feeding and Eating, Special Needs
Reusable Food Guards Prevent Spills!
Using a plastic food guard can help your child feed themselves independently while avoiding spills and messes!
Assistive Technology, Visual Impairment
BlindShell Accessible Cell Phone
The BlindShell Accessible Cell Phone, with a tactile keypad, large screen, and enhanced voice control, is the perfect phone for those blind users.
Assistive Technology, Cooking and Kitchen Play, Special Needs
Switch-Accessible Smoothie Activity For Special Needs Kids
Switch play can include interacting with online switch activities, activating musical toys, or even controlling kitchen appliances like blenders.
Product Reviews, Special Needs
SAMi-3 Seizure Monitor Review
The fully customizable SAMi-3 seizure monitor can alert you when your child has a seizure while also minimizing the number of false alarms you receive.
Special Needs
Your Child’s First SLP Evaluation: What to Expect
Speech-language pathologists will conduct an initial evaluation to determine how a child is using language, understanding language, and interacting with others.
Visual Impairment
Developing Multisensory Skills in Blind Babies
Multisensory play, combining sounds and touch, and encouraging reaching and exploration can help your blind baby develop better spacial awareness.
Special Needs
14 Tactile Input Activities, Toys, & More
Tactile input is important for the healthy development of every child. Try these activities and toys at home to engage your child's tactile system.
Special Needs
5 Benefits of Skin-to-Skin Contact for Babies With Special Needs
Skin-to-skin contact is particularly important for babies with special needs, such as premature babies, babies with disabilities, or babies in the NICU.
Special Needs
Habilitation vs Rehabilitation: What’s the Difference?
Habilitation and rehabilitation are services that often fall under the same umbrella. Curious to know how they differ? Read on below for more information!
Autism
Managing Repetitive or Stereotyped Behavior in Autism
Struggling with repetitive behaviors in your child with autism? Learn how to understand and manage these behaviors.
Potty Training, Product Reviews, Special Needs
Peelaways Disposable Bed Sheets Review
Changing sheets and cleaning up after bedwetting can be a challenge. Peelaway disposable bed sheets are waterproof and make changing sheets easy!
Special Needs
7 Winter Must-Haves for Kids in Wheelchairs
Winter can be challenging for parents of kids in wheelchairs. Luckily, there are things you can do to keep your child warm and safe in the winter.
Autism, Behavior
How to Discipline a Child With Autism
Disciplining a child with autism involves using consistent, gentle discipline techniques and understanding your child’s specific needs and behaviors.
Special Needs
Your Child’s First PT Evaluation: What to Expect
Preparing for your child’s first visit to a physical therapist? Find out what happens in an initial physical therapy evaluation!
Special Needs
10 Vestibular Input Activities and Toys
The vestibular system helps us to maintain postural control, balance, and coordination. Try these fun vestibular input activities and toys with your child!
Development, Visual Impairment
Development Charts for Blind and Visually Impaired Babies and Children
Blind children may have delayed development in several key areas. These development charts outline milestones for visually impaired babies.
Special Needs
What Is Adaptive Equipment… And How To Pay for It
Adaptive equipment and Durable Medical Equipment (DME) can increase your child’s independence and ease the physical burden on caregivers.
Crawling, Visual Impairment
When does a blind baby start crawling?
When does a blind baby usually start to crawl? When should I start to be worried that there is another issue besides blindness?
Autism, Development
What Is Fluid Reasoning and Why Is It Important?
If a child struggles to learn new ways to do things, it may be a problem with fluid reasoning. Learn about fluid reasoning, its importance, and ways to improve it.
Special Needs
11 Proprioceptive Input Activities and Toys
While proprioception is commonly addressed in physical and occupational therapy, there are a number of proprioceptive activities you can play with your child at home.
Fine and Gross Motor, Special Needs
What Does a Pediatric Physical Therapist Do?
Learn how to prepare for your child’s first physical therapist appointment so you can feel confident that they are getting the care they need.