Many elements play a role in the overall wellness and development of a child.
As parents, you’ll always want to stay on top of things like education—but this can pose an extra challenge if your child has special needs.
Luckily, there are a wide range of helpful and informative resources out there that can help you navigate some common areas of concern and determine what makes sense for your situation.
Here are some that we recommend checking out.
Articles, Research & Blogs
Special education toolkits: An excellent and wide-ranging set of resources is available in the Special Education Toolkit on the National PTA website. These resources are specifically intended for parents whose children have recently been diagnosed with special needs, with the goal of providing clear-cut and informative guides to help them navigate their new situation. Some of the guides include a general introduction, an overview of important government policies to be aware of, a long-term planning kit and glossaries of important terms and acronyms.
Specialized assistance programs: The PACER Center, based out of Minnesota, is a non-profit organization with 45 years of experience running a number of programs to help parents and children with disabilities. It offers assistance to families, workshops, materials for parents and professionals and guidance in securing a free and appropriate public education for all children.
The many topics covered on this site can go a long way in helping you make sense of what you need to consider when planning for your child’s long-term well-being. One particularly unique yet very practical resource you can find on this website is this guide to the financial side of raising a child with special needs.
A focus on education: The National Association of Parents with Children in Special Education (NAPCSE) is another organization whose website is worth visiting to better understand any and all matters related to special education. Their resources offer support for families navigating the special education experience, and their website provides access to a broader reading list of reference materials and publications on the subject.
A place for support: The Federation for Children with Special Needs (FCSN) is a hub of information and support for children with disabilities and their families. Services offered by FCSN include family engagement programs, a training and information center for parents and a community outreach team—among many others. The website also has a calendar of workshops and events that the organization holds on a regular basis.
Books:
For further reading on the topic of special education, we recommend checking out the following books:
- The Complete IEP Guide: How to Advocate for Your Special Ed Child, 10th Edition, Lawrence M. Siegel
- The Everything Parent’s Guide to Special Education: A Complete Step-by-Step Guide to Advocating for Your Child with Special Needs, Amanda Morin
- Parents Have the Power to Make Special Education Work: An Insider Guide, Judith Canty Graves and Carson Graves
Ensuring the best possible education for one’s child is something every parent cares deeply about.
If your child has special needs, and you’d like some help in navigating the world of special education, please feel free to get in touch with our experts on the Empirian Therapy team. We are always happy to help.
