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

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.

mom reading medication labels

Health & Nutrition, Special Needs

Managing Medications: 7 Tips for Parents of Medically Complex Kids

When you have a child with complex medical issues chances are they are taking multiple medications. Learn how to make managing meds easier.

blind boy walking down stairs

Visual Impairment

Childproofing Your Home for Your Blind Child

Blind kids are very good at mapping their environment and can learn to get around their home safely, but there are things you can do to make that easier.

little girl sleeping in bed

Sleep, Special Needs

Top 10 Special Needs Beds (and How to Pay for Them)

We list the top special needs beds and their features so you can find the bed that best meets your requirements.

baby in a play space

Visual Impairment

Defined Spaces: How to Create Big and Small Playspaces for Children Who are Visually Impaired

A defined space is any area in which meaningful objects are kept in predictable, accessible, and easily detectable locations.

a yellow lab puppy

Orientation and Mobility, Visual Impairment

Southeastern Guide Dogs

Southeastern Guide Dogs places skilled companion dogs with children with vision loss and guide dogs with teens as young as fifteen.

covid vaccine

Autism, Health & Nutrition

Getting My Special Needs Son the COVID Vaccine: One Mom’s Mission

While others debate the pros and cons of the COVID-19 vaccine, some desperate special needs families hopelessly search for resources to get their kids vaccinated.

a little girl opening a christmas present

Holiday Crafts and Ideas, Visual Impairment

The Best Christmas Toys for Blind Children!

Find the best toys for blind or visually impaired babies and children for Christmas. For all ages and all abilities!

baby girl sitting on the floor with a stacking toy

Toys, Visual Impairment

Toys for Blind Children: 7 Tips to Help You Choose the Best Toys

How do you know which toys will work best for your blind child? We'll give you tips on how to choose the best toys!

toddler playing with a train set

Toys, Visual Impairment

8 Really Fun Toys for Blind Toddlers

How do you know which toys will work best for your visually impaired toddler? Here are some of our favorite toys for blind two and three year olds.

braille blocks, puzzles and buttons

Braille and Literacy, Toys, Visual Impairment

The Best Braille Toys for Kids Who are Blind

Everything from alphabet blocks to raised line coloring pages and activity books to puzzles to card and board games... and so much more! And it's all in braille ready for...

accessible sensory play kits for kids who are blind

Sensory Activities, Toys, Visual Impairment

7 Best Accessible Sensory Play Kits for Kids who are Blind or Visually Impaired

Accessible sensory activity kits for blind children are easier to find than you might think and we've been through a lot of them!

girl sleeping in her Safety Sleeper

Sleep, Special Needs

The Safety Sleeper: A Versatile and Safe Special Needs Bed Solution

The Safety Sleeper is a customizable, fully enclosed special needs bed that is appropriate for both home and travel use.

two young children playing with a toy

Toys, Visual Impairment

The Best Toys for Blind Kids and Where to Find Them

How to choose the BEST developmental toys and activities for children who are blind, deafblind or multiply disabled.