Parents of children with special needs know that there is help, support, and resources out there, but it can feel overwhelming not knowing where to start. This list of websites for parents of children with special needs includes links for associations, councils, centers, and societies; conferences; financial aid and internships; helpful websites, articles, and research; teaching tips; children’s books; and blogs and Facebook pages that can be of help.
Associations, Councils, Centers, and Societies
Autism Society: Since 1965, the Autism Society has been providing information for individuals on the spectrum, family members, and professionals.
Council for Exceptional Children: The Council for Exceptional Children provides information and resources about Special Education.
Easter Seals: For almost 100 years, Easter Seals has been providing services to those with special needs and disabilities.
Family Voices: Children and youth with special health care needs can benefit from Family Voices.
Federation for Children with Special Needs: The focus of the Federation for Children with Special Needs is on the parents and providing support for them, which in turn benefits the child with special needs.
Family Hope Center: When children or adults have special needs, the Family Hope Center provides support to the entire family.
Family Resource Center on Disabilities: Training, assistance, and information are given to parents of children with disabilities by the Family Resource Center on Disabilities.
National Association of Parents with Children in Special Education (NAPCSE): Parents of Special Education students can learn how to be their child’s best advocate.
National Council on Independent Living: NCIL promotes social change and strives to do away with disability driven discrimination.
National Center for Learning Disabilities: Children and adults with learning disabilities will benefit from the information and resources available from the National Center for Learning Disabilities.
National Collaborative on Workforce and Disability: NCWD for Youth provides strategies and development systems for youth with disabilities to join the workforce.
National Down Syndrome Society: The ndss supports people with Down Syndrome by providing resources such as wellness, education, and research.
Pacer Center: The Parent Advocacy Coalition for Educational Rights utilizes the idea of parents helping parents and provides support and resources for children and youth with disabilities and their families.
Parent to Parent USA: Parent to Parent USA offers support to parents of children with special needs.
United Spinal Association: The United Spinal Association offers support, advice, and resources for those with spinal cord injuries.
Conferences
Closing the Gap Conference: The 37th annual Closing the Gap Conference will take place in Prior Lake, Minnesota October 2-4, 2019.
Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund: DREDF provides Special Education conferences in Northern California.
Financial Aid and Internships
National Center for Learning Disabilities: The Anne Ford and Allegra Ford Thomas Scholarships are given to two graduating high school seniors who have been diagnosed with a learning disability to use for post-secondary education.
Possibilities: This is a financial resource for parents of children with disabilities.
Project 10: This site provides information about scholarships, grants, and financial resources that are helpful to those with disabilities.
Scholarships and Grants for Students with Disabilities: Our list of grants and scholarships that are awarded to people with various disabilities and special needs.
Helpful Websites, Articles, and Research
Answers 4 Families: Families and professionals can find information and support from the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services’ Answers 4 Families.
Autism Learn: A site is dedicated to the process of teaching Autistic children how to learn.
Autismnow.org: One of the best online resources for information on Autism. It includes the latest news, information, an easy to use search engine, upcoming events, and even a local agencies map for finding help in your area.
Brainline.org: Brainline.org has an impressive guide for parents who have a child with a traumatic brain injury. It covers information on how to help your child adjust, cope, develop, and rehabilitate after an injury.
Center for Parent Information and Resources: A training module for screening, evaluation, and assessment procedures for early intervention can be found here to help parents of babies and toddlers.
ChildrenWithSpecialNeeds.com: This site has information regarding just about any type of condition out there and is run by parents, for parents.
Closing the Gap: Closing the Gap helps people learn how to utilize assistive technology to change lives.
Disabled Sports USA: Disables Sports USA provides recreation and sports opportunities to disabled youth, adults, and wounded warriors.
Families of Children with Disabilities: Offers information to parents with multiple disabilities in children. It offers newsletters and resources, as well as upcoming events and services for educating parents and loved ones of children with disabilities.
Hearing Like Me: A wonderful resource for parents who have deaf children or hearing loss. Their website is clean, easy to browse, and full of helpful information. It also has an amazing forum where you can share your story and talk with other parents.
Hearing Loss Association of America: A great resource for any parent with a hearing-impaired child, as it not only offers support resources, news, recommended reading, personal stories, and articles, it also has a section on laws and how your child with hearing loss has rights.
HomeAdvisor: How to create a disability-friendly backyard. People of all ages and abilities can get active outdoors. Exercise and outdoor activities are especially important for people with special needs.
The M.O.R.G.A.N. Project: Children with health care needs and their families benefit from the volunteers in the M.O.R.G.A.N. Project provides support and promotes awareness.
National Center for Learning Disabilities: The National Center for Learning Disabilities answers frequently asked questions (FAQ) on this page of resources.
Office of Disability Employment Policy: The United States Department of Labor offers many different disability employment policy resources that are categorized by topic.
Orthopedic Impairments: A friendly website project with a comprehensive mission to inform, educate, and help walk through parents, teachers, and students with orthopedic impairments.
Parent Training Information: Education topics and laws are presented on this site along with local information for those who live in Massachusetts.
Reading Rockets: Back-to-School Tips for Parents of Children with Special Needs is a great article to get the school year off to a good start.
Smart Kids with Learning Disabilities: An excellent and resourceful website for parents with children who have dyslexia, are ADHD, or have other learning disabilities. The site focuses on empowering parents with knowledge and a strong supportive community. It also has a section on success stories for those that may be feeling overwhelmed.
SpeechDelay.com: This site features tips to stimulate language development, a forum to interact directly with other families and speech-language pathologists, a wealth of links to other sites, a comprehensive reading list, and even a sign language section.
The Royal Institute for Deaf and Blind Children: Contains information and services for parents of children who are deaf-blind. In addition to their resources, they help parents and their children get involved in activities, as well as provide latest news and updates in the deaf-blind community.
U.S. Department of Education: The U.S. Department of Education provides many resources and research for parents of children with special needs.
Teaching Tips
Ability Path: Ability Path and Temple Grandin offer teaching tips for children and adults with autism spectrum disorder.
Help Guide: Help Guide offers advice for helping children with learning disabilities at home and at school.
LD Online: LD Online helps parents build a relationship with their child’s teacher.
Children’s Books
Children’s Disabilities Information: The website provides a list of children’s books that are about special needs and disabilities.
Explaining Special Needs to Your Child: 15 Great Children’s Books: Special Needs Resources lists 15 great children’s books that help explain special needs to children.
Institute for Humane Education: Characters with special needs take center stage in these children’s books.
Blogs
Autism and Oughtisms: The mom of 2 autistic boys is the author of this inspirational and informative blog about autism.
HCBS Provider: This is our blog where you will find articles covering many of the topics surrounding children and adults with special needs.
Love that Max: A magazine editor mom of a special needs child writes this inspirational blog about parenting a special needs child.
My Special Needs Network: Learning solutions for kids with special needs can be found on this blog.
The Life Unexpected: Marianne Russo gives advice and information through The Life Unexpected and also through The Coffee Klatch Special Needs Talk Radio Network.
Facebook Pages
Community of Practice for Supporting Families with Disabilities: The Community of Practice for Supporting Families with Disabilities is a place to share resources and knowledge and to discuss issues.
Federation for Children with Special Needs: To benefit those with special needs or disabilities, Federation for Children with Special Needs provides support and inspiration.
Parenting Special Needs Magazine: This Facebook page gives inspiration and support to those with special needs and their families.
Parents of Special Needs Children: Family members of special needs children can find support and information on the page.
Did we miss something? Reach out to us on Facebook so we can add your favorite sites and resources to our list!