Parenting a Special Needs Child

As a mom of a special needs child, I'm finding it hard to find information that DIRECTLY affects us, our needs, our issues.  This page is devoted to helping families access resources, information and assistance.

My son is 7, and has multiple issues, including social, emotional and behavioral.  He also has sensory issues.  All of these directly impact and influence his day to day life, especially at school.   He is on an IEP, and we work very closely with the para-professionals at his school to give him the best foot forward we can.

I encourage you to look into your child's teachers qualifications!!  You have the right (it's in most school districts 'rules') to request information about your child's teachers and the professionals that work with them (special ed teachers etc) specifically, about their qualifications.  This includes their degrees.  Making sure that those teaching your children have the degree's necessary is vital!

Are your children getting the proper education?  Whenever speaking with anyone from your district, remember these KEY words:
FREE AND APPROPRIATE EDUCATION
This is what the law REQURIES they be given...  an APPROPRIATE education for one child is NOT the same as it is for another.
For example, my son requires much more intervention than another's would.  This is part of the appropriate education he needs, thus, they are required by law to give it to him.
Make sure that your child is not getting lost in the cracks!!!


Special Needs Blog Roll 
Lately I've been looking for and reading blogs that are written by parents of special needs children.  Somehow, reading them makes my life feel more normal, more, understandable.  It also allows me to understand and remember that I AM NOT ALONE...that there are thousands upon thousands of parents who are dealing with similar issues, worse issues, better issues...  I am grateful to these bloggers for sharing their stories.  Here are a few I've ran into.  If you have a blog of your own that is dedicated to/about/or shares stories of your special needs children and you want me to share it, drop me a line via my contact me page.  I am happy to share your story.

Lost and Tired -Raising 3 boys on the #Autism Spectrum (-this is a father's blog, and it's amazing reading!!!)
The New Normal
Living With Autism: A Parent's Perspective


Are you in need of an app for your special needs child?  There is a laundry list of them here many are free (at last check).

Here are some websites that you may find useful:
SpecialNeeds.com
childrenwithspecialneeds.com
Autism Resources @ HollyRod.org
Children's Disability Information
Children With Disabilities - Child Welfare Information Gateway

National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities —
The National Association of School Psychologists

Please read this article!!
Why do symbols matter? Exploring the international symbol of access and it's influence on perceptions of people with disabilities.

Do you have a need?  a resource, information or just an ear? Please leave a comment below and I WILL answer...if you want a personal reply, leave your email.. (when leaving an email on a comment form, leave it like this:  Sandling All Day (at) so and so (dot) com.  This way, robots can't 'take' it and use it to send you spam! :)