The following are 50 Great Websites for Parents of Children with Special Needs. This list of resources is great for parents of children with special needs. The list contains links for associations, councils, centers, and societies. It also has links for conferences, financial aid and internships, and helpful websites, articles, and research. Blogs and Facebook pages are also on the list.
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 32nd annual Closing the Gap Conference will take place in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
COPAA Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates: The 17th annual COPAA Conference will take place in March of 2015 in San Diego California.
Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund: DREDF provides Special Education conferences in Northern California.
EPICS: The Native American Conference on Special Education has a conference in Albuquerque, New Mexico in March of 2015.
Professional Education Resources & Conference Services: PERCS will have its 18th annual Great Beginnings Conference in Worcester, Massachusetts.
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.
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.
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.
Center for Parent Information and Resources: 10 Basic Steps in Special Education explains the process special education services for a child.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Autism Web: Autism Web gives parents and teachers tips for autism.
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.
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.
The Shut-Down Learner: Dr. Richard Selznick offers information and practical advice to parents of special needs children.
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.
