Fun In Atlanta – A New Great Place for Special Needs Families to Play

by Jacky G. State Resources
Special needs play center

Image source: TaylorBugKisses.com

If you live in Atlanta or its bustling metro area and have a special needs child, you’ll be happy to know there is a great new place for you to get out and play with your child in an environment that’s safe, fun and stimulating. Often traditional amusements can be overwhelming, noisy and crowded with people who may not understand how your child wants and needs to interact with their environment. This can be frustrating for you and upsetting for your special needs child. But the great news is, this fun new place in Atlanta’s outskirts is specially made for families just like yours – Sensations TheraFun. This is a place special needs kids can play and thrive and special needs parents can relax and enjoy.

Continue reading →

Special Event – Chicago Special Needs Resource Fair Next Month

by Jacky G. News State Resources
NPN Developmental Differences Resource Fair

Image source: NPNParents.org

Calling all Chicago parents of special needs children! Whether you are looking for information on speech therapy techniques, schools, summer camps or any other resource, this annual fair is not to miss. Its’ coming up soon on February 10th. You can find more information including location and directions below. The event is organized by Neighborhood Parent Network (NPN) and is officially called “The Developmental Differences Resource Fair.”

And not only is NPN committed to helping parents of special needs children find resources, but their associate executive director Melanie Schlachter knows first hand how important it is to have tools at hand. Schlachter says, “As the parent of a child who was recently diagnosed with a developmental difference, I’ve just been absolutely amazed by all of the extraordinary resources that exist to help kids with different challenges.” Continue reading →

Raising a Young Vermonter? Check Out These Special Needs Resources

by Jacky G. State Resources
Special Needs Resources in Vermont

Image source: Wadetreadway.com

The Green Mountain state is a beautiful place to raise a family. In particular, I’ve always enjoyed the view from Mount Equinox, especially when the fall foliage is at its peak. But depending on where you live, it may be a little more difficult to find speech therapy resources and other special needs resources than it would be if you lived in a huge metropolitan area like New York City. When in doubt, contact your local school district for assistance. Ask them about government-funded programs, private school programs, and other special needs resources like advocacy groups and support groups. And check out our list below to help you get started.

Continue reading →

Special Needs Kids in Tallahassee: Finding Resources in the Sunshine State

by Jacky G. State Resources
Special Needs Kids in Tallahassee Florida

Image source: Designsponge.com

Sunny, humid Tallahassee is a center of trade in Florida. It’s come quite a long way since General Andrew Jackson fought skirmishes there during the First Seminole War. Today, it’s home to several colleges (Go Seminoles!) and the Tallahassee area offers numerous resources for families with special needs kids. You can also take advantage of statewide resources, like the Exceptional Education & Student Services agency of the Florida Department of Education.

Continue reading →

Supporting Military Families: Resources to Take Advantage Of

by Jacky G. Other Resources
Military Families with Special Needs

Image source: Costsofwar.org

Military families face unique challenges. Every so often, you can expect to pack up and move – possibly to the other side of the world. As an Army brat who was shuttled from Heidelberg, Germany to a tiny island in the South Pacific (Kwajalein) and everywhere in between, I can vouch for the benefits of the unique experiences that living abroad provides. But because I was a kid, I also didn’t have all those adult concerns – like finding a good school or finding new speech therapy resources. And military families with special needs kids have even more on their plates to deal with. In fact, according to one estimate, about 12% of U.S. military families have a family member with special needs. Behind that uniform – the ultimate symbol of respect and authority – could be somebody who is preoccupied with trying to coax one little word out of his autistic son. Fortunately, there is a network of support for military families, and the resources listed below are intended specifically for military families with special needs kids.

Continue reading →

Attention Dallas-Area Parents! Resources for Your Special Needs Kids

by Jacky G. State Resources
Special Needs Kids in Dallas Texas

Image source: Prweb.com

Dallas, Texas is the eighth-most populated city in the U.S., and it also boasts the fourth-largest metropolitan area. Famous for its state fair, the Dallas cowboys, and being the hometown of Meat Loaf (yup, the singer, not the dish), Dallas is an easy town to love. Large cities like Dallas typically offer greater resources for parents of special needs kids on the hunt for the latest speech therapy techniques, but sometimes those resources can be tricky to find. So for all of you Texans out there, here’s a guide to raising special needs kids in Dallas.

Continue reading →

Raising Special Needs Kids in NYC: Must-Try Resources for Parents

by Jacky G. State Resources
Special Needs Kids and Flashcards

Image source: Specialneedsnewyork.com

Families with special needs kids are often on the hunt for new resources, new speech therapy techniques, and more advocacy groups that can help their youngsters. If you live in New York City, there is a wealth of local resources that can help you. New York City is famous for many things: its stereotypically unfriendly denizens, its dangerous subway platforms, and its air pollution that blocks the starry night sky and inspires neon substitutes. It’s not often thought of as a great place to raise kids, particularly special needs kids. But if you know where to look, there really are lots of resources in NYC to help your family. This guide to raising special needs kids in NYC takes the work out of the search; check out our recommended resources below.

Continue reading →

Special Needs Kids & Parents in Nevada – Get Help Here!

by Jacky G. State Resources
Special Needs Kids in Nevada

Image source: Tripadvisor.com

Parents of special needs kids have a lot on their plates. They’re driving the kids to and from doctor’s appointments, learning about the latest speech therapy techniques, and preparing for yet another Individualized Education Program (IEP) meeting. So we thought we’d lend a helping hand by providing this guide to local resources for parents of special needs kids in Nevada. If you live in Nevada, there is a wealth of resources at your fingertips. One of those resources is Project ASSIST. Read on to find out more…

Continue reading →

Resources in California for Speech Disorders in Children

by Jacky G. State Resources
Speech Disorders in Children - California Resources

Image source: Geotripper.blogspot.com

One of the most critical components of successfully treating speech disorders in children is family involvement. Families are crucial; they model correct patterns of speech, use at-home speech therapy techniques, and encourage the child to practice his speech therapy lessons at home with the use of activities like the exercises in Speech Buddies University. But sometimes, being a parent is utterly exhausting. In fact, the working parent demographic was labeled as having one of the top five most stressful jobs in America. And that’s before you consider the demands of treating speech disorders in children.

That’s why you can – and should – take advantage of every federal, state, and nongovernmental resource available to your family. If you live in California, you have at your disposal programs such as: Early Start, California Community Parent Resource Centers (CPRCs), Parent Training and Information Centers (PTIs), and much, much more. And if you ever have trouble tracking down a local resource or organization, don’t hesitate to call your local school district or parent support group for assistance.

Continue reading →

New Jersey Leads the Nation in Autism Services

by Jacky G. State Resources
Autism Services and Awareness

Image source: Katscafe.org

A speech therapist can help children with a wide range of issues, from kids with articulation disorders treatable with Speech Buddies to children with severe autism who have extremely limited speech. Autism spectrum disorder affects children in so many different ways. And with the ever-growing public awareness of autism comes a growth in autism services, particularly in New Jersey. New Jersey offers much more in terms of autism services than other states, and this may be because autism rates are much higher in New Jersey than elsewhere in the U.S. According to a study by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), autism affects one in 88 children nationwide. In New Jersey, the incidence rate of autism is about one in 50. So what’s so special about New Jersey that would increase the rate so much?

Continue reading →