Media & Press

Wheelchairs 4 Kids

Wheelchairs 4 Kids’ flagship program, Let’s Roll, is dedicated to fulfilling our primary mission: improving the lives of children with physical disabilities. Let’s Roll provides wheelchairs, home and vehicle modifications, as well as other therapeutic equipment to children that have limited mobility due to illness, accident or abuse.

All of these services are offered at no cost to our wheel kid families. It is our goal to allow all kids to participate in life fully, and this program gives them the tools they and their families need to do so!

United Healthcare Children’s Foundation

United Healthcare Children’s Foundation provides grants to families of children with special needs in order to cover any copays that their insurance company does not cover for therapies or medical needs.

Talk to Me Technologies

Talk to Me Technologies is an organization that will fight on your behalf for your insurance company to cover the cost of a communication device for your child. If they are unable to do so, the can provide funding to cover the costs for your family.

Oracle Health Foundation

Oracle Health Foundation provides pediatric grants that cover a wide variety of clinical, equipment, travel and lodging, and vehicle modification costs related to children’s healthcare needs.

• The child must be 18 years of age or younger (a person 19–21 may be considered if they are in a child-like mental state).
• The child must be under the care of a physician.
• The request must be clinically relevant to a specific healthcare need of the child.
• There must be no existing insurance coverage for the requested expenses.
• One request per 12 months, per child for a maximum of three times in a child’s lifetime.

Lori’s Voice

Lori’s Voice provides financial assistance for families who are unable to afford adaptive equipment, travel, therapy and other items that are not [fully] covered by insurance or other organizations.

Keep Swimming Foundation

Keep Swimming Foundation is a nonprofit organization that provides financial relief to families of critically ill patients who require extended inpatient medical care at an accredited USA hospital.

Life can change in an instant. All too often families find themselves faced with unexpected medical bills after the diagnosis of a life-threatening or life-changing event.

While health insurance provides support for medical costs, families faced with extended inpatient care typically shoulder the burden of the external costs associated with visiting and caring for their loved one. Because of this need, Keep Swimming Foundation was born.

The Jiselle Lauren Foundation

The Jiselle Lauren Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that exists to advocate for, connect with, and provide opportunities for children with disabilities. Through generous donations and giving efforts, we are able to provide financial support to children and their families that allows them access to therapies, medical care, devices, equipment, transportation, and many other resources. Our purpose is to bring more joy to these kiddos and their families through everyday moments and experiences.

The Jax Memorial Autism Fund

The Jax Memorial Autism Scholarship is available to assist families with resources or funding for their loved one who is on the spectrum. This can be used to purchase sensory items for your child.

The Dental Care for Children with Special Needs Program

The Dental Care for Children with Special Needs Program is designed for children under 21 with one or more of the following conditions:Cerebral Palsy,
Muscular Dystrophy and related neuromuscular disorders, Intellectual Disabilities, including Downs Syndrome for profound to 2 years overall delayed. Documentation from the child’s school licensed psychologist, or physician, may be required.
Dental Care for Organ Transplant recipients pre & post operation.

Giving Angels Foundation

Giving Angels Foundation strives to enhance the daily functioning of a child with a physical disability from a lower income family by awarding grants for life-changing equipment, medical supplies, essential family bills, specialized camps, and therapeutic toys.

NAA’s Give A Voice program

The intent of NAA’s Give A Voice program is to provide the opportunity for meaningful, effective communication to individuals with autism who are nonspeaking or unreliably speaking, and whose communication challenges put them at increased risk of injury or harm.
NAA’s Give A Voice Program also can provide qualifying individuals with an assistive communication device.

Friends of Man

Friends of Man helps people of all ages in Colorado with a large variety of needs. Assists people who live outside of Colorado with a limited range of needs.

The Care Foundation

The Care Foundation has a grant program for helping families with medication, autism diagnosis/evaluation, therapy sessions (including speech, OT and ABA,) autism summer camps. There is an income requirement that the family earns less than $75,000 annually and IRS forms are required as proof.

Caleb Smiles

Caleb Smiles strives to assist families with funding for various activities such as: adaptive skiing lessons, horse riding therapy, swim lessons/therapy, other adaptive activities, sensory items, communication tools, adaptive toys and tools, etc. These types of things are typically not covered by insurance, and families may not have the budget to afford them.

Alyssa V. Phillips Foundation

Alyssa V. Phillips Foundation focuses on assisting children who have been diagnosed with cerebral palsy. They provide grants for families with this diagnosis on their website.

Autism Care Today

Autism Care Today can provide your special needs family with a grant for up to $5,000. These grants are designed to provide access to individuals and families affected by Autism Spectrum Disorders. They also have special grant opportunities for military families.

The Aubrey Rose Foundation

The Aubrey Rose Foundation provides scholarships for private schooling in the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky Area.

AstraZeneca

AstraZeneca has a program that allows you to more easily afford medications that you or your child might be in need of. They have a few different options available such as copay savings or patient assistance programs.

The Assistive Technology Fund (ATF)

The Assistive Technology Fund (ATF) will provide funds to cover 50% of the retail price of adaptive devices or software. The products covered by this program must retail for a minimum of $200 with a maximum retail price of $6,000. Persons eligible to apply for assistance must have a family income of less than $50,000 and cash assets of less than $20,000. Applications will be reviewed by the Assistive Technology Committee (ATC) and recommendations will be submitted for board approval. If applicants are selected to receive a technology grant, applicants will be asked to provide documents such as tax returns, bank statements and any other documents that the ABC board or its designee would deem necessary to assess financial need for the grant.

Abby Care

We help you get compensated by Medicaid for taking care of your child with disabilities or special needs.

No waitlists. Currently serving families in Colorado, Indiana, and Pennsylvania.

The Insurance Resource Center

Resources for consumers, providers, clinicians, employers, and educators on issues related to medical insurance for autism and behavioral treatments. This service is based in Massachusettes.

The Unforgotten Families

The Unforgotten Families is an advocacy group working to get the family CNA program implemented in every state. This would allow parents to be paid as a caregiver for their special needs child, or a family member can provide the care as well. This could provide some much needed respite and financial relief for special needs families.

SOAR

SOAR provides respite, social clubs, summer day camps, Wonderfully Made Disability Conference, Employer Disability Training, and church resources. In the future, SOAR looks forward to providing employment training opportunities for adults/teens with disabilities, housing and related communities to support individuals with disabilities as they age, and much more!

Sittercity

Specialized care to meet the individual needs of your child. Safety focused with background checks, ID Verification, fraud prevention, and safety screenings.

Rockin’ The Spectrum

Rockin’ The Spectrum provides respite care for special needs families twice a month and they also provide financial assistance! This organization is located in Spring Grove, Illinois.

Ronald McDonald House

Ronald McDonald House provides rooms for parents to stay nearby a hospital where their child is receiving treatment to get a little rest during a stressful time while remaining close to their loved one for peace of mind.

Lasagna Love

Lasagna Love is an organization that will deliver a hot meal of lasagna to your family as a night of respite from cooking dinner for the crew! It does take a little time to set up, so sign up early!

Kaitlyn’s Cottage

Kaitlyn’s Cottage is a respite care facility located in Defiance, OH. Daytime, evening, weekend and overnight respite services can be scheduled on any given day or time to accommodate your family’s need. Daytime respite can range from just a few hours to an entire day. The number of participants that can be served is dependent on the special needs of each individual and the planned activities. Overnights can range from one night, a weekend, even an entire week or more.

Jill’s House

Jill’s House is a nonprofit organization that provides short-term, overnight respite care for families with special needs children between the ages of 6-17 years old. This organization operates out of the Washington D.C. area.

Gio’s Garden

Gio’s Garden seeks to grow into a one-stop special services delivery organization for children with special needs and their families. Examples could include a respite care facility, professional therapy, client advocacy, and social work/support.

Tools to Grow

Tools to Grow, Inc. is a place to share ideas and inspire others with engaging print and go resources, interactive digital teletherapy technology activities, handouts, worksheets, activities, games, and educational material.

Surfers Healing

We take kids with autism surfing. We paddle out together on tandem boards to catch the waves that come our way. That’s what we do; that’s what we love. On the surface, our contribution seems simple: each year, our volunteer-staffed camps give over 4,500 children with autism and their families a fun, engaging day at the beach. But go deeper, and you’ll see that a quiet revolution is taking place. Through the simple act of riding waves together, we’re defying the status quo. When we help kids get up on a board, we’re challenging preconceived notions of capability. When we encourage participants to dive in, we’re empowering them to engage with the world. And when we ride the waves together, we’re affirming that every person is a gift.

Sailing Angels Foundation

We are in regular contact with families and others in the Greater Houston area who provide medical, rehabilitation,  or educational services to those of special needs. Individual families also sign up for sailing excursions.

SafeSplash

SafeSplash is a premium learn-to-swim and performance-based swim school that teaches all skill levels ranging from the fundamentals of water safety to competitive instruction so that our swimmers love the water, are safe and swim for life.

Rainbow of Hope Texas

Rainbow of Hope Texas is a 32-acre farm and ranch community serving youth with developmental disabilities, who are on the threshold of the most critical transition of their lives to date: the transition to adulthood.

Parker’s Purpose

The hope of the foundation is to not only help people that are in need but to also foster as positive self worth and self esteem to the individuals giving. There is nothing more uplifting than knowing you are helping someone and making their life better for it.

Oxford Kids Foundation

The Oxford Kids Foundation is dedicated to helping children with disabilities, chronic illness, and traumatic injuries have access to therapies and medical care not covered by insurance. We enable these children to receive the therapies they so desperately need but cannot afford. These therapies can help these children recover and give them back the life they deserve.

My Gym Foundation

The My Gym Foundation is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to helping children with disabilities and those struggling financially by awarding critically-needed gifts of equipment and services. Through the generosity of our supporters, we provide these indispensable articles and services to children living with physical or developmental disabilities and those facing chronic illness or severe economic limitations.

M.O.R.G.A.N. Project

The M.O.R.G.A.N. Project  is the labor of love created by Kristen Malfara and her family more than two decades ago dedicated to helping families of children living with diagnoses of so-called orphan diseases who needed help adapting to life in a world not designed for them.

McLindon Family Foundation

The mission of the McLindon Family Foundation (MFF) is to provide adaptive bikes to children with special needs so that they can build critical core strength, boost confidence and nurture friendships, all of which help these children maximize their potential and participation in society.

LENN Foundation

The LENN Foundation is a 501(c)(3) charity that provides grant opportunities for children with cerebral palsy to receive the pediatric intensive therapies they need to thrive.

Kris’ Camp

Kris’ Camp’s therapeutic philosophy has evolved from the professional experience of some of the core therapists in combination with the founder’s goals and direction in starting Kris’ Camp. We do not adhere to one particular school of thought related to treatment, but utilize a positive approach based on several empirical findings and theories. We look at autism as a cognitive motor/sensory processing disorder.

Family Hope Foundation

Family Hope Foundation is an established 501(c)3 non-profit organization providing resources, activities, support, and funding for therapies to families of children with special needs in West Michigan.

Canine Companions

Canine Companions is leading the service dog industry so our clients and their dogs can live with greater independence. We provide service dogs to adults, children and veterans with disabilities and facility dogs to professionals working in healthcare, criminal justice and educational settings.

Brain Balance

Brain Balance is a personalized, non-medical program offered in-center or at-home. The program is designed to strengthen and build brain connectivity so your child can find success in the classroom and unleash their untapped potential.

Abilities First

Abilities First empowers children and their families living with Autism and different abilities to celebrate their strengths and reach their unique and highest potential by providing comprehensive care and support in an inclusive learning environment. Located in Middletown, Ohio.

4 Paws for Ability

4 Paws for Ability enriches the lives of people with disabilities by placing life changing service dogs.We breed, raise, and train our service dogs in preparation to assist their partner with specific tasks and skills that mitigate the impacts of their partner’s disabilities.

Better Tomorrow Therapy

Better Tomorrow Therapy gives support and guidance during stressful or confusing chapters in life.

As a licensed therapist, Crystal helps the therapeutic process feel more comfortable with her nonjudgmental approach.

Evidence-based therapy approaches used: Solution Focused Therapy, Strength-Based Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, and EMDR.

We Rock the Spectrum Kid’s Gym

We Rock the Spectrum Kid’s Gym was founded to provide a place for children of all ability levels to play and grow together. As the only kid’s gym that offers an inclusive philosophy we have found all children can benefit from our uniquely designed sensory equipment that is specifically designed to aid children with sensory processing disorders.

Caregiver SOS

Caregiver SOS is a program that is supporting caregivers in our community with caregiver coaching, Caregiver Teleconnection, Stress-Busting Program and our annual Caregiver Summit.

Sunshine Foundation

Sunshine Foundation answers the dreams of children, ages three through eighteen, who have severe or profound physical/developmental/intellectual challenges or trauma from physical/sexual abuse, and whose families have limited income.

A Special Needs Plan

A Special Needs Plan Inc. is a nationwide special needs planning advisory firm founded to serve special needs families often struggling with the worry that comes with planning for the future care and financial well-being of their loved ones.

Parent to Parent USA

Our mission is to support a national network of Parent to Parent programs to ensure access to quality emotional support for families of individuals with disabilities and/or special health care needs.

PACER Center

PACER Center enhances the quality of life and expands opportunities for children, youth, and young adults with all disabilities and their families so each person can reach his or her highest potential. PACER operates on the principles of parents helping parents, supporting families, promoting a safe environment for all children, and working in collaboration with others.

With assistance to individual families, workshops, materials for parents and professionals, and leadership in securing a free and appropriate public education for all children, PACER’s work affects and encourages families in Minnesota and across the nation.

National Park Service

The Interagency Access Pass is part of the America the Beautiful – The National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass series and is available free for US citizens or permanent residents with permanent disabilities.

The Miracle League

The Miracle League removes the barriers that keep children with mental and physical disabilities off the baseball field and lets them experience the joy of America’s favorite pastime.

Meerkat Village

Meerkat Village connects you with your child’s providers and supporters in one place.

Levin & Perconti Attorneys at Law

When your child is diagnosed with cerebral palsy, it can dramatically alter the life you imagined for your child and your family. Caring for a child with cerebral palsy requires significant time and energy, and it can take a toll on your family’s finances. This guide can help you find support, cope with the changes, and explore ways to set your child on a path to a bright future.

Kindship

Kindship is a free social networking app for parents raising children with disabilities, delays, and neurodivergence. Build friendships, find support, and learn from like-minded families on similar journeys.

Kids’ Waivers

Kids’ Waivers is a compilation of information about Medicaid waivers, Katie Beckett or TEFRA programs, and other programs for children with disabilities or medical needs. This website is the product of years of ongoing research on these programs.

Jack’s Place for Autism Foundation

JACK’S PLACE for Autism Foundation is a 501(c)3 that provides families services for persons at any age with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) through a comprehensive menu of supportive, educational and referral services. The Foundation is a single source to provide families with needed support services, community initiatives, scholarships, and referrals.

INCLUDEnyc

INCLUDEnyc’s mission is to promote positive futures and enhance the quality of life for New York City children and youth with disabilities, ages birth through 26, and their families. INCLUDEnyc empowers families of children and youth with disabilities with the knowledge, confidence, and skills to make informed decisions, effectively access and navigate systems and services, and advocate for themselves and other young people with disabilities and their families. INCLUDEnyc supports educators, youth workers, and other professionals to partner with families for successful, person-centered services, and to support and promote a family voice in the policy process.

Hope on the Hard Road

Hope on the Hard Road is a special-needs ministry that was created from that collaboration has continued to grow in the years since, implementing a variety of supports for children, their families, and the church staff and volunteers, and giving input into the designing of special-needs’ classrooms, sensory rooms, and family live-feed rooms.

HopeKids

HopeKids provides ongoing events, activities and a powerful, unique support community for families who have a child with cancer or some other life-­threatening medical condition. We surround these remarkable children and their families with the message that hope is a powerful medicine.

Happy Healthy Caregiver

Happy Healthy Caregiver is here to support family caregivers and their loved ones.

Unfortunately, the resources for family caregivers are fragmented and there is not one place you can tap into everything we do our best to wade through all the caregiving content and shine a light on the good stuff.

Fiesta Education

Dedicated to educating and empowering families of individuals with disabilities to become effective advocates for their loved ones.

Federation for Children with Special Needs

The Federation for Children with Special Needs provides information, support, and assistance to parents of children with disabilities, their professional partners, and their communities. We are committed to listening to and learning from families, and encouraging full participation in community life by all people, especially those with disabilities.

Family Resource Center on Disabilities

FRCD is here to help you:

Learn about your Rights and Responsibilities under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)
Make informed decisions about your child’s Individualized Education Program (IEP)
Obtain appropriate services for your child
Communicate more effectively with school professionals
Come together with other parents who share your concerns and desires to make a difference
Learn more about Early Intervention and transition services
Effect positive change in your child’s school.
Learn about what he or she needs to lead a productive and independent adult life.
This resource is available in the Chicago Metro area.

The Family Hope Center

Our core mission is to partner with families of children who have neurological challenges or disorders. We do this by providing parent training courses and individualized plans for your child.

Washington Family to Family

Washington Family to Family serves families who have children and youth with special health care needs age birth to 26 years. We provide individual information on supporting your child in the health care system and refer you to resources that are available in Washington State that provide information on health care.

CCARC

CCARC is a private, nonprofit (501c3) organization offering an array of services to support adults with intellectual disabilities and their families.

Cargivers Cove

Caregiver’s Cove is a free parent caregiver support group available on Facebook brought to you by The Lucas Project.

We offer free weekly workouts, yoga sessions, art therapy, and more! We would love to have you join us!

Blue Bridge Autism Training

Blue Bridge Autism Training is a program that trains first responders to know how to treat situations where an individual with autism is involved. It was created to raise awareness in first responders to prevent misunderstandings in intense situations.

Best Buddies

Best Buddies International is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to establishing a global volunteer movement that creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment, leadership development, and inclusive living for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Located in Central Florida.

Autism Society of America Oregon

The state affiliate for the Autism Society of America. They provide resources, education, and advocacy for residents in Oregon.

We create connections, empowering everyone in the Autism community with the resources needed to live fully.

Autism Gym

The goal and/or mission of our program is to establish a center with recreational programs for individuals with autism and related disorders where innovative ideas come together to enhance the lives of individuals and their families. To build new friendships, promote learning, community involvement and disability awareness.  Someplace where the body, mind and spirit are supported in attaining their full potential, allowing support for the family in healing and normalizing their lives to the highest degree possible.

Autism Family Network

Dedicated and committed to Bridging the Gaps within our communities for those individuals on the Autism Spectrum and those with Special Abilities, through creating inclusive and proactive events, while providing educational resources, public awareness and a collaborative network of acceptance for all to reach their untapped potential.

Ask a Special Education Attorney

This is a facebook group for people to ask questions to an attorney who specializes in situations that may arise as a special needs family.

Advocates in Education

Advocates in Education, LLC believes all parents should have the opportunity to access high-quality special education advocacy services for their child.

A Kid Again

A Kid Again offers free local events and activities called Adventures for families who have a child facing a life-threatening condition.

National Disability Rights Network

The National Disability Rights Network (NDRN) is the nonprofit membership organization for the federally mandated Protection and Advocacy (P&A) Systems and the Client Assistance Programs (CAP) for individuals with disabilities.

We’re the only legally based advocacy organization established by Congress to protect the rights of all individuals with disabilities. As part of that mandate, our network includes agencies in every state and U.S. territory, working to provide legal protection and advocacy services for people with disabilities.

Woodside Bible Church

Our ministry provides opportunities for kids, teens, adults, siblings and parents affected by disability. The special needs ministry supports the entire family affected by disability, with classes, events and serve opportunities. We desire that every participant in the ministry Belong to Christ, Grow in Christ and Reach the world for Christ. Multiple locations throughout Eastern Michigan.

Wayzata Community Church

This group is designed to strengthen a community that is on a similar journey. A place you can ask where to find the right dentist or advice on Transition programs. A place to celebrate and lift up your beautiful children. This group is intended for moms, dads and caregivers. Come as you are! Lindy Purdy will facilitate each session based on your needs. Located in Wayzata, MN.

Warren Church

Come and experience a community engaged in living out God’s mission as we encourage and support one another to grow in faith and impact our world for Christ. Located in Augusta, GA.

Trinity Lutheran Church

A Sunday morning program for individuals with disabilities was initiated at Trinity Lutheran Church in February of 1972. The approval of our pastor and support of the congregation resulted in a successful experience for 10 young people. Through the continued support of Trinity staff and members, we continue to provide a safe and loving place for individuals with a variety of cognitive and/or physical challenges to come every Sunday morning. Located in Henrico, VA.

Trinity

We have trained volunteers who come alongside kids with various special needs so that they may participate and encounter Jesus Christ through His Word and His people. Our special needs ministry is called Special Journeys and we provide this ministry during our 10:30 AM service on Sunday mornings for kids age 3 – grade 8.

Parents’ Night Out is a time for trained volunteers to care for your special needs child(ren) & their siblings (infant-age 11) one Friday each month. Kids will eat a meal, watch a movie, play in the sensory room, or just enjoy playing with other children in our safe environment. Located in Lakeville, MN.

Resurrection

Matthew’s Ministry strives to support, empower, and encourage individuals of all abilities to become deeply committed Christians by knowing, loving, and serving God.

It is our desire to show the love of God to all people and to incorporate them into the life of the church. Located in Overland Park, KS.

Parkside Church

We desire that every person at Parkside Church, with differing abilities, intellect, and skills would become a committed follower of Jesus Christ. We recognize that the Special Needs Ministry will look different than a typical ministry for children, teens, and adults, and we desire that this ministry will:

enable the full participation of people touched by disability in the life of the church;
be a safe and loving place for children, teens, and adults with special needs;
teach children, teens, and adults with special needs the truths of God’s Word in ways they may understand;
show children, teens, and adults with special needs the love of the Lord Jesus Christ in practical ways;
allow parents/caregivers to worship and study God’s Word, while their family member is safely cared for;
be a support group for families with children, teens, and adults who have special needs.
Located in Chagrin Falls, Ohio.

New Life

At New Life we welcome all children, including those with special needs and/or disabilities. We realize church can be a challenging environment when families are navigating disabilities, developmental delays, learning challenges, autism spectrum disorders, or anxiety to name a few. Located in Dresher, PA.

Liquid Church

At Liquid, it’s our privilege and passion to serve children with a wide variety of Special Needs, including Autism Spectrum Disorder, Down syndrome, and ADD. We understand that having a child with Special Needs is life-changing. Please know that it’s our heart for every child to be supported to engage with their peers and feel a sense of belonging. Located in Mountainside, NJ.

Kiokee Baptist Church

Our Children’s Ministry welcomes first time guests. We strive to ensure that your child’s time here at Kiokee is safe as well as profitable for their spiritual growth. Located in Appling, GA.

King’s Table

Because every life has value and purpose, we are dedicated to serving individuals and families impacted by developmental and intellectual disabilities. Our vision is for individuals & families who are impacted by a developmental disability to have the opportunity to be a part of a thriving community in which they learn, live, and worship together. Located in Grand Rapids, MI.

We do this by providing supportive programs & enrichment opportunities in:​

Schools that provide special educational services to students ages 5-26.
Group Homes which are essential for many adults with disabilities.
Our Community Hub for adults impacted by disabilities.

Key Ministry

Key Ministry was founded to help churches welcome families of children with hidden disabilities. Since 2002, we’ve provided knowledge, innovation, and experience to the worldwide church as it ministers to and with individuals and families of kids with hidden, developmental, and physical disabilities. In addition to being a disability inclusion ministry resource, we find ourselves uniquely called and positioned to serve churches seeking to become more intentional and effective in ministry with children, teens, and adults impacted by mental illness and trauma.

Joni & Friends

We envision a world where every person with a disability finds hope, dignity, and their place in the body of Christ.

First Christian Church

When we say we want to be a church where Jesus is for “all people”—we mean it in every sense. That’s why we work hard to create environments where people with disabilities can participate, serve, and feel valued through weekly events, special events, and community involvement. Located in Canton, OH.

Crossroads

Our Special Needs Ministry fosters an environment of inclusion that brings Christ’s love and value to each person. We have a heart to reach those who have been affected by any form of a disability in our church and beyond.Located in Corona, CA.

County Line Church

At County Line, we aim to restore lives by including special needs children in our Sunday morning kids’ program, allowing parents to attend worship services. Buddies are the key to changing the lives of our special needs kids and families. We have a team of Buddies that serve during our 11:00 AM service. They are specifically paired up with a child who needs some extra help in group settings. We offer a sensory room for our Buddies and include them in our services when comfortable and able. Located in Auburn, IN.

Bellevue

At Bellevue, we want to offer a safe and accepting environment to help meet the needs of all children. The classroom is split into three rooms: the main room, the sound and light room, and the movement room. Each room and area has been specifically designed to engage and accommodate children according to their various needs. Located in Cordova, TN.

LifePoint Church

Our HUGS (Help for Uniquely Gifted Souls) Ministry at LifePoint welcomes kids, students, and adults with disabilities into all areas of ministry. Parents know their child’s strengths and needs better than anyone, so we’re excited to partner with you to help influence your child to find and follow Jesus. Located in Reisterstown, MD

T.C. Harris

T.C. Harris is a therapeutic residential and education center committed to developing educational, psychological and skill building treatment plans to meet the individual needs of each child and family. We offer both on-campus dorm and community group home options, depending on the needs of the student. Located in Lafayette, IN.

Melmark

Melmark Pennsylvania has several attractive, community-based and campus-based residences for adults with the following funding streams: Consolidated Waiver*, Intermediate Care Facility for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities* (ICF/ID) (Community and campus-based programs), Base Funding, Out-of-State Referrals,

and private pay options. Located in Berwyn, PA, Andover, MA, and Charlotte, NC.

Many Hands Lifesharing Community

Build and sustain quality care, housing, learning and activities for those with a disability, while educating our next generation of service professionals using a Lifesharing model. Located in Ypsilanti, MI.

Housing Choices

Our mission is to enhance the lives of people with developmental and other disabilities and their families by creating and supporting quality, affordable housing opportunities. We work to ensure that all people enjoy rewarding lives in affordable homes of their choosing. Located in San Jose, CA.

Hope Haven Ranch

Hope Haven Ranch by ASCEND is in the rural ranching community of Kirkland, AZ, about a 30-minute drive from Prescott. It will be home to adults with intellectual disabilities as well as their dedicated caregivers.

Autism Housing Pathways

Autism Housing Pathways works to educate families in Massachusetts about housing options for adults with developmental disabilities. Located in Winchester, MA.

Autism Breakthrough of Knoxville

Founded by parents of children with autism, Autism Breakthrough of Knoxville, a 501c3 non-profit organization, is changing the way autism services are provided in Tennessee. Breakthrough was founded in 1999 by a group of parents who wanted to make sure their children were supported after graduating out of the school system. The organization has grown each year as we continue to improve the lives of adults with autism and other intellectual and developmental disabilities. Located in Knoxville, TN.

Anne Carlsen

Anne Carlsen is a statewide leader in residential facilities for children and young adults with complex medical needs or behavioral disorders. We believe children and young adults of all abilities deserve the opportunity to live and thrive in an environment that enhances their potential. Located in Jamestown, ND.

A New Leaf

The Village is an expansion of A New Leaf’s services to better serve individuals with developmental disabilities and autism living in Green Country. The Village is safe and affordable housing designed to create a pathway of independence and consistency of care to maximize the personal choice of the individual.  The Village will expand both our vocational training, residential services, and behavior support programs, allowing us to serve more clients. Located in Broken Arrow, OK.

ALSO

ALSO is one of Oregon’s nonprofit disability support services providers in the Portland Metro area, Deschutes County, Klamath County, Umatilla County, Josephine County, Jackson County and Harney County. Founded in 1997, we are committed to full community inclusion and independence for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. We provide the best person-centered residential supported living services for individuals and families in their homes, workplaces and communities. We provide employment opportunities and services to ensure that the people we support live the life of their choosing. We see ability, not disability. Our work is Heart Work.

29 Acres

The 29 Acres Living Community is a safe and dynamic supported living community where adults with autism and other neurodiversities will live and be supported enabling them to build relationships, feel value, success and happiness in their lives. Located in Crossroads, TX.

Safe Haven Farms

The residences at Safe Haven Farms can house a total of sixteen individuals and are designed with special features valued by individuals with autism.  Each of the four homes has four bedrooms, four and one half bathrooms, a kitchen, living room, dining room, sun room, and patio or deck.  Autism friendly features include double-walls for better sound insulation, large bedrooms with sitting area, extra large bathrooms, and a staff office. Located in Middletown, OH.

Rusty’s Morningstar Ranch

The ranch has a work program filled with many social-style activities. The ranchers do their work in the morning and volunteer, exercise, and go on social outgoings in the afternoon. Evenings we wind down and enjoy a family-style dinner and relax. Located in Cornville, AZ.

OneCenter

OneCenter is our adult day program that provides a wide variety of support and services for adults with developmental disabilities and traumatic and acquired brain injuries. Participants in OneCenter are encouraged to establish goals and continue to enrich their lives through our lifelong learning approach. Center staff work collaboratively with our participants, their family, and the community to identify what is important to each individual. Located in San Francisco, CA.

New Horizons

To compassionately enhance the quality of life for adults who are physically and/or cognitively challenged, as we provide safe and enriching day services. Located in Ankeny, IA.

Morgan Autism Center

Our Adult Day Program serves individuals ages 22 and older. Clients participate in a variety of engaging and functional activities, designed to promote ongoing skill development and opportunities for community involvement. Located in San Jose, CA.

MBHTC

MBHTC is a 501c3 non-profit therapeutic riding center that offers equine-assisted behavioral modification for all levels of physical and emotional needs. We encourage and enable participants of every ability level to reach their full potential in a safe and nurturing environment. Located in Watsonville, CA.

Little Friends Adult Day Services

Little Friends Adult Day Services program seeks to provide adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities meaningful ways to spend their days. Our three programs: Community Day Services, Supported Employment Program, and Inklude Art Studio provide individuals with opportunities to pursue a variety of personal goals and lead empowered lives. Located in Warrenville, IL.

Heartspring

Heartspring offers a unique educational experience. We use evidence-based including Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) and Structured Learning. Our real-time data collection app tracks every aspect of a child’s day, giving members of a student’s team immediate access to valuable information they can use to improve programming. Whether a residential or day-only student, our school offers individualized programs to help students grow and find their path to greater independence.

A Farm Less Ordinary

We are a farm, a community, and a tribe. And we are part of a movement to create employment opportunities for adults with developmental disabilities. Help us get people out of their houses and into paying, meaningful jobs. Help us give individuals with developmental disabilities the support they need and the respect they deserve as contributing members of our society and…the producers of your food. Located in Purcellville, VA.

Endeavor 21+ Foundation

Endeavor 21+ Foundation is a 501c3 that offers educational, vocational, and life skills opportunities at the safe, diverse, and intergenerational community of the Threefold Educational Foundation in Rockland County, NY.

Dutton Farm

Our vision is to create a just-world where you will find dignified inclusion in our schools, workplaces, government, communities, churches and beyond. Located in Rochester, MI.

Day Solutions Foundation

The Day Solutions Foundation, or DSF, was founded in June of 2016 to cover the cost of community integration outings for all of the Day Solutions clients. Since then, it has grown to cover clients throughout the state of Missouri and brought about many new programs including: Community Events, Athlete Assistance Program, Tutoring, and more – all of which are completely free to participants.

Compassionate Heart Ministries

The Compassionate Heart vision was founded by its Executive Director, Donna Bunce. Donna’s first child was diagnosed cognitively impaired and mildly autistic in 1997 when he was 5 years old. Feeling overwhelmed with grief, loss and hopelessness, Donna prayed that God would give her the strength, wisdom and patience to persevere. As she watched her son grow into a teenager, he began to struggle even more with the lack of friendships, relationships and social opportunities. She dreamed and prayed for a place where he and others with disabilities could find friends, acceptance and a place to just have fun. In 2006, God answered that prayer and fulfilled that dream by leading her to create and establish such a place and it is Compassionate Heart Ministries. Since that time, hundreds of families with children (ages 14-45) with mild to moderate disabilities have found a home and a family of support at Compassionate Heart Ministries! Located in Zeeland, MI.

Charles River Center

Day Habilitation at Charles River Center provides a structured, goal-oriented program for adults with complex communication, medical and therapeutic needs. Our day habilitation programs are housed in our spacious, updated main building in Needham, MA. Our Center is fully accessible with wide corridors leading to spacious, bright group rooms, a fully accessible kitchen and large activity rooms.

Caring Pathways of Carrollton

Caring Pathways of Carrollton is a 501(c)(3) organization. We offer a daily (Monday – Friday) integrated program for underserved adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities living in the Carrollton, Texas, area. Our clients are not able to participate in most currently available programs due to geographical limitations, lack of available facilities, and/or were not accepted into programs due to independent functioning levels. Located in Carollton, TX.

Blissful Seeds

A non-profit organization giving jobs to young adults thriving with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Dedicated to creating an environment where young autistic adults have meaningful job opportunities. Located in Poway, CA.

Benjamin’s Hope

Benjamin’s Hope is committed to a whole-person approach that promotes life-long learning. Creative programming inspires participants to grow intellectually, spiritually, emotionally and in physical wellness. The Ben’s Hope Way approach fosters growth in tangible and relational skills that help participants develop a sense of purpose, achieve goals, and enjoy life to the fullest. Located in Holland, MI.

Autism Services Association

Autism Services Association (ASA) is a private non-profit human service agency which provides community employment services, supported employment, Day Habilitation Program, and other clinical supports to young adults and adults with autism and other challenging developmental disabilities. ASA was established in 1963 by a group of concerned parents, citizens, and community leaders to serve the needs of individuals with autism and other developmental disabilities in Central and Eastern Massachusetts.

AARP

Adult day care programs can provide caregivers with a needed break while giving older people a chance to socialize with their peers and alleviate the isolation and loneliness that many experience. Here are some tips to help you find the best fit for your loved one.

RAISE

In 2014, SPAN Parent Advocacy Network (SPAN), a parent-led and family-centered non-profit parent training and information center (PTI), was funded by the Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) to provide support to individuals with disabilities through the transition from secondary school and into competitive employment and independent living.

Wonders Within Reach

Wonders Within Reach is a blog that has recommendations for getting resources to take your family on a special family vacation. This includes grants and funding.

Very Special Camps

Dedicated exclusively to camps that serve individuals with one or more of a wide range of special needs.

Surfside Beach

Staying true to our “Family Beach” motto, Surfside Beach officially became the first autism-friendly travel destination in the world in January 2016.

Smugglers’ Notch Vermont

We are dedicated to providing therapeutic recreation for children and adults of all abilities in a supportive environment. Experiences are tailored to meet the needs and goals of each individual. The ratio of counselor to program guest is based on the individual needs of each person.

Sesame Place Philadelphia

Sesame Place Philadelphia has partnered with The International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES), a global leader in online training and certification programs, to become the first theme park in the world to be designated as a Certified Autism Center (CAC). It is our goal to provide every family with an enjoyable and memorable visit to Sesame Place Philadelphia, and we are proud to offer specialized services to guests with autism and other special needs.

Morgan’s Wonderland

In 2006, Gordon Hartman observed his daughter, Morgan, wanting to play with other vacationing kids at a hotel swimming pool, but the kids were leery of Morgan and didn’t want to interact with her. Then and there, Gordon resolved to create opportunities and places where those with and without disabilities can come together for fun and a better understanding of one another. On April 10, 2010, Morgan’s Wonderland became the world’s first theme park designed with individuals with special needs in mind.

Kids and Dreams Foundation

Everyone deserves to aim high! The Kids & Dreams Foundation desires to help individuals raise the bar in their hopes and dreams. Operation Shine Camp gives children with autism experiences to do things they never thought possible. Conferences provide resources to families and others to help them in their autism journeys.

Ironwood Springs Christian Ranch

Our ConnectAbilities Cognitive Program offers year-round family recreation and respite events to enrich the lives of individuals and families challenged with cognitive or developmental disabilities.  The events are designed to meet the needs of individuals with all levels of abilities along with their family members to provide a place where families can enjoy time together and also build community with others who share their life experiences.  Families can design their own experience by choosing from a list of creative, fun, and challenging activities during their time at Ironwood.  Our events also offer lower entry points such as a day experience (vs a 2 night, 3 day experience) to allow families to get introduced to camp.

Family Vacation Critic

Check out these 12 vacation recommendations for special needs families!

Disneyland

This page provides an overview of the many services and access options available at the Disneyland Resort.

Champion Autism Network

Creating an environment where the families impacted by autism feel supported and without judgment is the primary CAN mission. In January 2016, the town of Surfside Beach issued a resolution declaring it the first autism-friendly travel destination, with the City of Myrtle Beach and Horry County following suit at the end of 2018. CAN’s goal is to create and ensure inclusive communities where all people CAN happily live, work and play, by building a world-wide network of autism champions including businesses, local nonprofits and individuals with autism.

Camp Southern Ground

As an inclusive camp, we serve children ages 7-17, from all socioeconomic backgrounds, races and religions, with programs that challenge, educate, and inspire. We bring together typically developing children, children with neurodevelopmental differences, children from underserved areas, and children from military and veteran families. We believe that by including as many children as possible, we create a stronger community that can learn and grow together.

Camp Krem

We are proud to serve campers of all abilities, ages 5+ (there is no upper age limit), with different program options to accommodate varying camper support needs and interests!

Autism Society of North Carolina

Campers frequently say that their counselor is their favorite part of camp. Camp Royall staffers receive professional training on autism, so that they can meet campers where they are and give them the best week ever.

Autism on the Seas

Our Mission is to enrich the lives of families with autism and other developmental disabilities by providing the support required for family bonding, stress relief opportunities, reducing disability travel related barriers, and increasing public empathy through our financial assistance programs that help provide community support systems, travel subsidies, professional staffing services, quality of life research, and professional consultation and training to the travel industry.

SKI/NY

This comprehensive adaptive ski program takes place winters only at a smaller ski resort in the Adirondacks region of New York. They founded GP Adaptive Snowports in 1974. They have a dedicated training center and support the volunteer organization that provides instruction, as well as offering reduced rate lift tickets on weekends for skiers and snowboarders with disabilities. New York State Ski areas host other adaptive snowsports programs as well. Greek Peak has recently expanded with the Hope Lake Lodge and Indoor Waterpark, strengthening the family-friendly atmosphere and making it a fun mountain destination for families at any time of year.

Flat Rock

Flat Rock Homes is located in Flat Rock, Ohio where you can use a respite care waiver to receive care from anywhere from a few days up to 90 days. They are a Medicaid-Certified Immediate Care Facility.

Family Voices

Family Voices is a national family-led organization of families and friends of children and youth with special health care needs (CYSHCN) and disabilities. We connect a network of family organizations across the United States that provide support to families of CYSHCN. They can provide resources that will help you locate respite care in your area.

Easter Seals

Easter Seals has locations all of the United States and focuses on providing resources to parent caregivers to help meet the needs of their special needs family.

Care.com

Care.com is a nationwide resource where you can enter your zip code to find independent respite care providers in your area. In some cases, you are able to interview them before to make sure they are a good fit to provide respite care in your home.

Believe in Tomorrow Children’s Foundation

The Believe in Tomorrow Foundation provides hospital and respite housing services to critically ill children and their families. Their work focuses on keeping the family together, while also providing relief to parent caregivers when needed.

Autism Rescue Angels

Autism Rescue Angels looks to provide financial assistance to families with a child diagnosed with autism to receive medical, therapeutic, or respite needs. This organization serves the Houston, Texas community.

Autism Home Network

Autism Home Network is an organization that provides family respite care for special needs families. They can provide respite care in a variety of locations across the United States, so reach out to them and see if it is a good fit for your family!

Ady’s Army

Ady’s Army works to provide families that have an autistic loved one peace of mind, and financial resources because they believe in the power of community support for special needs families. They provide date night respite care for special needs families and is based in Alabama.

4C for Children

4C for Children is a Child Care Resource & Referral Agency that supports everyone who cares for young children, from parents to child care providers, to ensure high-quality early education and care for all children. Based in Ohio (Cincinnati Area).

Lutheran Services in Iowa

Parents and guardians dedicate their lives to lifting up their loved ones with disabilities. In order to provide the best support, they also need time to care for themselves. LSI Respite Care provides caregivers with time for a much-needed break, while empowering children and adults with disabilities.

Wrightslaw

Wrightslaw special education law and advocacy programs are designed to meet the needs of parents, advocates, educators, attorneys, and health care providers who represent children with disabilities.

PennState Outreach

https://www.dpi.nc.gov/districts-schools/classroom-resources/exceptional-children

Office of Exceptional Children

The mission of the Office of Exceptional Children is to ensure that students with disabilities develop intellectually, physically, emotionally, and vocationally through the provision of an appropriate individualized education program in the least restrictive environment.

OCALICON

OCALICON, the premier autism and disabilities conference, began in 2007, and continues to bring together a cross-section of professionals and parents who utilize a variety of products and services at home, work, and in the community. The conference offers sessions which target a range of disabilities including autism spectrum disorder, deaf/hard of hearing, blind/visual impairments and other low-incidence disabilities.

Michigan Autism Conference

The mission of the Michigan Autism Conference is to disseminate information and training on scientifically validated, behaviorally based treatments to parents, caregivers, and professionals who work with and care for autistic individuals/individuals with autism spectrum disorder, and to promote awareness and training of closely related conceptual, scientific, and ethical issues. This mission aims to increase functional skill development and decrease behavioral excesses to ensure autistic individuals/individuals with autism can live enriched high-quality lives.

Closing The Gap Conference

The Closing The Gap Conference is an annual assistive technology conference that presents an opportunity to deepen your assistive technology (AT) knowledge and strengthen your implementation strategies. The conference week is designed to dig deeper into critical areas that have the power, when implemented strategically, to transform your classroom, your school, your district, your practice. When you start thinking differently about how to reach ALL students, how to infuse technology into learning, how to leverage AT strategies in all areas – then we begin to transform these areas and ultimately increase achievement and independence.

CARD

CARD provides support and assistance with the goal of optimizing the potential of people with autism, dual sensory impairment, and related disabilities.

Autism Parenting Summit

From the comfort of your home, navigate the challenges of the autism spectrum and learn how you can give a child the best start in life from our panel of experts.

The Arc

The Arc’s National Convention is an unmatched opportunity to connect and learn with advocates, professionals, people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and their families. If you are interested in employment, education, advocacy, housing, criminal justice, and more – our sessions are sure to challenge, inspire, and motivate!

TACA

TACA understands that there are underlying medical issues that cause the symptoms we know as autism. We follow the most recent scientific discoveries and share those discoveries with parents so they can help their children. Using both targeted therapies and proven medical interventions, kids diagnosed with autism have the potential to live a healthy, independent, and joy-filled life.

Welcome to My Life: A Personal Parenting Journey Through Autism

From page one, Welcome to My Life delivers on its promise to place you squarely in Skyler’s life, surrounded by mom and dad, Laurie and Josh, and superstar sister, Kendall. Detailed sensory descriptions take you to doctors’ appointments and trick-or-treating, to Qdoba and the kitchen table, to the bathroom for another “pull-ups” change, to family gatherings, to the Autism Center, and to conversations and internal dialogue so honest that you’ll feel like you’re part of the family too.

Uniquely Human: Updated and Expanded: A Different Way of Seeing Autism

Autism therapy typically focuses on ridding individuals of “autistic” symptoms such as difficulties interacting socially, problems in communicating, sensory challenges, and repetitive behavior patterns. Now Dr. Barry M. Prizant offers a new and compelling paradigm: The most successful approaches to autism don’t aim at fixing a person by eliminating symptoms, but rather seeking to understand the individual’s experience and what underlies the behavior.

Underestimated: An Autism Miracle

In Underestimated: An Autism Miracle, Generation Rescue’s cofounder J.B. Handley and his teenage son Jamison tell the remarkable story of Jamison’s journey to find a method of communication that allowed him to show the world that he was a brilliant, wise, generous, and complex individual who had been misunderstood and underestimated by everyone in his life.

Toilet Training for Individuals with Autism or other Developmental Disorders

Toilet training can be a battleground for parents and children. In this book―the only one on the market dealing with the specific issues involved in toilet training children with autism―Maria Wheeler offers a detailed roadmap for success, based on over twenty years of experience. Easy-to-read bulleted lists offer over 200 do’s and don’ts presented, along with more than fifty real-life examples. Learn, among other things, how to gauge “readiness,” overcome fear of the bathroom, teach how to use toilet paper, flush and wash up, and deal with toileting in unfamiliar environments. A life preserver for parents and reluctant children!

Sunlight Burning at Midnight

Starting out in life as a young wife and mother, you never imagine the ways your hopes and dreams might be completely shattered. For Jessica and her husband Jason, a series of unrelenting heartbreaks struck, beginning with their baby’s diagnosis with a life-changing disability. Just a few short years later, thirty-three-year old Jason lay in a hospital bed, battling a Glioblastoma brain tumor. And within the span of six years of marriage, Jessica became a widow left alone to care for their four young children, including one with special needs. But the story doesn’t end there. In the midst of storm after storm, Jessica stubbornly clung to God, and she found him to be faithful. Enter Ryan Ronne, a young widower and father of three. Ryan had also lost his spouse to brain cancer-in fact, around the same time Jessica’s husband, Jason, had succumbed to the disease. Just as the idea of sunlight burning at midnight sounds impossible, so it seemed unlikely anything beautiful could arise from their devastation. But a new love story emerged, along with a combined family that now numbers eight children.

The Tapping Solution: A Revolutionary System for Stress-Free Living

In this book, he gives readers everything they need to successfully start using the powerful practice of tapping—or Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT).Tapping is one of the fastest and easiest ways to address both the emotional and physical problems that tend to hamper our lives.

The Reason I Jump: The Inner Voice of a Thirteen-Year-Old Boy with Autism

You’ve never read a book like The Reason I Jump. Written by Naoki Higashida, a very smart, very self-aware, and very charming thirteen-year-old boy with autism, it is a one-of-a-kind memoir that demonstrates how an autistic mind thinks, feels, perceives, and responds in ways few of us can imagine. Parents and family members who never thought they could get inside the head of their autistic loved one at last have a way to break through to the curious, subtle, and complex life within.

Navigating Autism: 9 Mindsets for Helping Kids on the Spectrum

Empowering strategies for anyone who works with children and teens on the spectrum.

Internationally best-selling writer and autist Temple Grandin joins psychologist Debra Moore in presenting nine strengths-based mindsets necessary to successfully work with young people on the autism spectrum. Examples and stories bring the approaches to life, and detailed suggestions help listeners put them to practical use.

Lovin’ with Grit & Grace: Straight-Talk about Romance, Sex, Fun, and the Tough Stuff Too

Jess and Ryan blended their families after losing their spouses to cancer in 2010.

In Lovin’ with Grit and Grace, they offer a his-and-hers perspective on this unexpected marital journey with their eight children, seven of whom have lost a parent, including their eighteen-year-old son Lucas who is profoundly disabled. They address many tough topics, like grief, addictions, and intimacy, with a vulnerable honesty that is a breath of fresh air in an age when most would rather avoid these difficult issues.

Hard Landings: Looking Into the Future for a Child With Autism

After sleepless nights, intensive research, and twenty-one years of raising a child, Ethan, with autism and intellectual disability, Cammie McGovern is approaching a distinct catch-22. Once Ethan turns twenty-two, he will fall off the “Disability Cliff.” By aging out of the school system, he’ll lose access to most social, educational, and vocational resources. The catch is this: These resources, limited as they may be, have trained Ethan in skills for jobs that don’t exist and a life he can’t have.

Breath: The New Science of a Lost Art

There is nothing more essential to our health and well-being than breathing: take air in, let it out, repeat twenty-five thousand times a day. Yet, as a species, humans have lost the ability to breathe correctly, with grave consequences.

Journalist James Nestor travels the world to figure out what went wrong and how to fix it. The answers aren’t found in pulmonology labs, as we might expect, but in the muddy digs of ancient burial sites, secret Soviet facilities, New Jersey choir schools, and the smoggy streets of São Paulo. Nestor tracks down men and women exploring the hidden science behind ancient breathing practices like Pranayama, Sudarshan Kriya, and Tummo and teams up with pulmonary tinkerers to scientifically test long-held beliefs about how we breathe.

The Boy Who Couldn’t Speak, Yet (Jordan’s World)

Jordan was a boy in elementary school who couldn’t speak yet, so he was trapped inside his brain in Jordan’s World. Jordan has Verbal Apraxia, also known as Childhood Apraxia of Speech, a neurological speech disorder. He knows what he wants to say, but his words don’t always come out.

Jordan goes through elementary school not knowing why kids ask him all sorts of questions. He goes to his mom, and his mom is his comforter. The way Jordan is being treated can’t be ignored. So, his mom takes action with the school. Jordan’s mom teaches him and others that being different is okay.

The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma

Trauma is a fact of life. Veterans and their families deal with the painful aftermath of combat; one in five Americans has been molested; one in four grew up with alcoholics; one in three couples have engaged in physical violence. Dr. Bessel van der Kolk, one of the world’s foremost experts on trauma, has spent over three decades working with survivors. In The Body Keeps the Score, he uses recent scientific advances to show how trauma literally reshapes both body and brain, compromising sufferers’ capacities for pleasure, engagement, self-control, and trust. He explores innovative treatments—from neurofeedback and meditation to sports, drama, and yoga—that offer new paths to recovery by activating the brain’s natural neuroplasticity.

Autism Breakthrough

As a boy, Raun Kaufman was diagnosed by multiple experts as severely autistic, with an IQ below 30, and destined to spend his life in an institution. Years later, Raun graduated with a degree in biomedical ethics from Brown University and has become a passionate and articulate autism expert and educator with no trace of his former condition. Thanks to the Son-Rise Program, a revolutionary method created by his parents, Raun experienced a full recovery from autism. In Autism Breakthrough, Raun presents the ground-breaking principles behind the program that helped him and thousands of other families with special children. Parents and educators learn how to enable their children to create meaningful, caring relationships, vastly expand their communications, and to participate successfully in the world.

The Autistic Brain: Thinking Across the Spectrum

Temple Grandin may be the most famous person with autism, a condition that affects 1 in 88 children. Since her birth in 1947, our understanding of it has undergone a great transformation, leading to more hope than ever before that we may finally learn the causes of and treatments for autism.

Weaving her own experience with remarkable new discoveries, Grandin introduces the advances in neuroimaging and genetic research that link brain science to behavior, even sharing her own brain scan to show which anomalies might explain common symptoms. Most excitingly, she argues that raising and educating kids on the autism spectrum must focus on their long-overlooked strengths to foster their unique contributions.

Afraid of the Doctor: Every Parent’s Guide to Preventing and Managing Medical Trauma

Addresses the needs of parents of children who experience medical trauma – negative experiences in the healthcare system that may cause resistance among children to even going for routine care

Afraid of the Doctor is the first book written for parents with the primary goal of equipping them with the knowledge and skills to support their children through medical challenges on a day-to-day basis, and specifically with medical trauma—experiences in healthcare that can profoundly affect a child’s response and willingness to even go to the doctor. The challenge of medical trauma is often under-recognized and overlooked in the healthcare system, leaving parents to learn about it and manage it on their own. When parents understand medical trauma and learn strategies to reduce and even prevent it, they become empowered to better care for their child’s emotional and physical health.

Ten Things Every Child With Autism Wishes You Knew

A child’s voice leads into each chapter, offering a one-of-a-kind exploration into how ten core characteristics of autism affect our children’s perceptions and reactions to the surrounding physical, sensory and social environments. This revised and updated third edition sharpens the focus on these basic aspects while expanding on how our own perspectives shape the life of our child and ourselves, today, tomorrow, and for years to come. An all-new section illuminates the surprising breadth of our power of choice and outlines potent strategies for strong decision-making in every situation.

Blended With Grit & Grace

With wit and wisdom, Jess offers fresh perspectives on managing different parenting styles, developing family traditions, and meeting the special needs of your family. Jess, with frequent asides from Ryan, also probes deeper marital and family concerns that are often experienced but not talked about like grief, breakdowns in communication, finances, and insecurities. Filled with gentle advice, Blended with Grit & Grace transports readers into the Ronne’s kitchen so you can ponder the detours that have come up in your own life.

UNSEEN

Unseen follows Jess and Ryan Ronne, a blended family with 8 children, including Lucas, who has profound disabilities requiring total care. Their situation has gotten more and more challenging as Lucas gets older and stronger. With limited resources and support, caregiving takes a toll on their physical and mental health. It’s a common story among parent caregivers: the isolation, uncertainty about the future, lack of options, and a never-ending daily to-do list means the role of caregiver overpowers nearly every other facet of life. Video diaries from diverse caregivers featured in the film illustrate this universality, while interviews with mental health and policy/legal experts provide a broader view on the societal impacts.

Turn Autism Around Podcast

Dr. Mary Barbera, autism mom, BCBA-D, RN, best-selling author of The Verbal Behavior Approach, and online course creator discusses autism from several different angles for both parents as well as medical, educational, and behavioral professionals.

Spellers

Inspired by the book Underestimated, the new full-length documentary SPELLERS challenges conventional wisdom regarding a group relegated to society’s margins: nonspeakers with autism, who most “experts” believe are cognitively disabled.

Parenting Autism Podcast

Your hosts are Chris and Sandy Colter, the parents of Bryce, who share their autism journey with stories about their nine year old son who was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder at age two. The podcast is designed to connect with families who have been touched by autism and people who want to learn more about their world.

Moms Talk Autism Podcast

The Moms Talk Autism Podcast is for parents raising children with special needs.

We are four moms who are connected because we are all raising children with autism and other neurodivergent brains.

Intentional Autism Mama Podcast

Welcome to the Intentional Autism Mama podcast! I’m Jamie Lin Brown, founder of Intentional Autism Mama, a community for fellow autism mamas to receive coaching, encouragement, virtual retreats and other special programs…all within an environment of support and love.

Full Spectrum Parent Podcast

The Full Spectrum Parent Podcast is the only faith-based autism parenting podcast on the web. As pastors and special needs parents, each episode we offer parents a dose of help, a dose of humor, and a dose of hope.

Exceptional Parent Magazine

To Develop, Translate, and Share Information as Tools for Positive Change for the Special Needs Community.

Coffee with Caregivers Podcast

Join Jess Ronne, author, speaker, and caregiver advocate as she chats with caregivers about the joys and trials of raising a child with complex needs. Jess is also the founder & executive director of The Lucas Project, a non-profit which provides recognition, resources, & respite for special needs families & associate director of the Unseen film.

Embracing Autism Podcast

Your child is autistic, now what? Parenting a child is often rewarding, but for parents of autistic children, it can be a struggle when communication, finances, or behavior is a barrier. Join hosts Lia & Matt McCabe, an Autistic & ADHD couple raising two autistic daughters and the founders of the charity project AutismWish, in weekly discussions to provide parents with guidance, tips, resources, and a newfound perspective on Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

Autism Parenting Magazine

Autism Parenting Magazine is an award winning publication aimed at improving the quality of life for families affected by autism. We believe in the potential of every child with autism and the magazine has become an essential resource for parents around the world.

The Autism Helper Podcast

Welcome to The Autism Helper Podcast, where we explore different strategies to improve the lives of individuals with autism.

AM to PM Podcast

Sharing the challenges, problems, and victories of marriage, parenting, teenagers, and special needs.

Adventures in Autism Podcast

Welcome to Adventures in Autism! This podcast was created as a safe place to come together and share our journeys with autism.

Living the Sky Life Podcast

This podcast comes to you from a very tired, slightly slap happy and eternally hopeful warrior mom of a young adult son with severe, non-verbal autism.  My hope is to bring together parents of special needs children and professionals so we may share stories and experience to build a worldwide village of support for one another.  Living the Sky Life offers a personal connection and understanding from those who have likely walked in your shoes.

Lazarus Naturals

We were founded on the belief that quality CBD should be effective and accessible to everyone. We keep our prices affordable by owning our process from beginning to end—from our hemp farms in Central Oregon, to extraction, formulation, and packaging. We also have discount options available for those who are disabled.

Therapy Shoppe

We specialize in sensory products, fidget tools, oral motor chewies, skill-building toys, and occupational therapy supplies.

Tadpole Adaptive

We are a family run, disabled-owned, small business based in San Diego. When not telling our kiddo he’s had enough screen time, bemoaning restaurant high-top tables, or chasing that alleged ‘Work/Life Balance’ We run this store. And we love it.

Special Needs Resources

Special Needs Resources is a family-owned and run company based in Sydney. Our objective is to provide products that have a purpose and we are dedicated to providing a range of high quality items designed to assist people of all ages to reach their potential. We aim to help improve the quality of life of families of kids with special and additional needs by offering affordable resources to help with their development.

Road ID

Road ID creates ID bracelets with medical and emergency information for your children to wear in case of an emergency.

MobyMax

Every student has learning gaps.

The single most effective way to improve student outcomes is to find and fix missing skills.

Hello Fresh

Hello Fresh is a meal delivery program where groceries and recipes are sent directly to your home so you can have healthy meals quickly and easily.

Harkla

Specializing in products for special needs children, we love to help parents create the ideal environment for their children to thrive in. We are here to help those with special needs live happy and healthy lives. Dedicated to helping families and children through our products, digital courses & community, we are passionate about finding every avenue to create as much impact as possible.

Fun & Function

Like many great things in life, our company was born of the desire for change. We started Fun and Function because we couldn’t find kid-friendly sensory tools that would fit our family’s needs. So we channeled our frustration and turned it into a passion for creating the best sensory toys and tools on the planet.

Footed Pajamas Co.

Established 2006, Footed Pajamas Co. has been growing and bringing more fun to family life!  We take great pride and care in creating high quality clothing, customer appreciation and in giving back! Offering well-made matching sets in a wide variety of styles, fabrics and sizes (from newborn to plus size to pets) at an exceptional value is our standard!

Firefly

The Firefly range of portable postural support products are all about participation. They are clinically sound, practical, fun products that help children with additional needs take part in everyday life. They have been extensively tried to ensure that they give children the postural support that they need. Some of our products are also used to aid early intervention therapy.

Fat Brain Toys

Browsing our website or store shelves, you’ll quickly discover that we don’t sell the licensed, violent, disposable toys being sold at most major retailers. What you will find instead is a curated collection of quality, open-ended toys, sensory toys, games, and gifts that both entertain AND educate.

Enabling Devices

Working with individuals, parents, teachers and therapists, we find – or invent – the devices, toys and tools that help build more joyful, fulfilling lives. From learning and play, to communications and independence, our products help make the impossible, possible.

Dabi Plan

Life has its plans. Do you? Are you ready for the unexpected? What would happen to your loved one with special needs? Now you can be prepared for anything with the Dani Plan. It’s a convenient, user-friendly tool and online file system that secures your loved one’s information in one, secure place. Data encryption technology and two-factor authentication ensures that information stays private. We designed the Dani Plan with your loved one’s needs in mind.

We made it easy to share and edit daily living information with family, caregivers, doctors, and other professionals as needed. It’s a living and breathing document. Making your own personalized Dani Plan provides peace of mind and makes daily living easier too.

Caregiven

Born out of frustration and a lack of readily available resources, the Caregiven app was developed by former caregivers to provide quick and easy access to the knowledge, tools and guidance needed to navigate the important journey of caring for an aging or ailing adult.

CapeAble

CapeAble creates weighted and sensory items to support caregivers and their loved ones.

Calm

We’re the #1 app for Sleep, Meditation and Relaxation, with over 100 million downloads and over 1.5M+ 5-star reviews. We’re honored to be an Apple BEST OF 2018 award winner, Apple’s App of the Year 2017, Google Play Editor’s Choice 2018, and to be named by the Center for Humane Technology as “the world’s happiest app”.

AngelSense

AngelSense includes a GPS tracking device, assistive speakerphone, live monitoring and proactive alerting for your loved one who might wander or elope.

Adaptive Mall

That’s me, Katie Bergeron Peglow, with some of the children from Early Intervention that I have worked with and their siblings.

I am a licensed Pediatric Physical Therapist with hands-on experience with many wonderful children and their families. I understand how important getting the appropriate adaptive equipment can be for children, their parents, and caregivers.

Goally

Our mission is to ease the lives of families with neurodiverse individuals. At the end of the day, we want to improve the relationship between you and your child while they learn to navigate life.

A Mother’s Rest

A Mother’s Rest is a nonprofit organization that provides different types of respite retreats for special needs parents for affordable prices. There are different options for families, couples, and mothers individually. They have locations all over the United States.