As a parent, you want to make sure that your child with special needs is never subjected to discrimination and that he or she gets every opportunity to thrive. To be an effective advocate for your child, however, you need to understand the laws that are in place to protect children with special needs. Federal laws regulate special education services and make sure schools provide accommodations for children with disabilities. Almost all states now have anti-bullying laws on the books as well. With a more thorough knowledge of these laws, you’ll better understand your child’s rights and how to defend him or her against unfair or discriminatory treatment.

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School breaks offer great opportunities for extra fun and relaxed downtime for you and your child with special needs. However, time off from school can also create challenges for all parents and children. Disruption in your daily routine and an increase in unstructured moments for your child may result in low levels of motivation and higher levels of anxiety and stress. For you as a parent of a child with a disability like autism, these may seem magnified. Below are some helpful tips to help you survive these days during winter break with your child with special needs.

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If you are the parent of a child who has autism, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, or another type of disability, you are your child’s best advocate to get him or her educational services. If you believe your child should receive special education but has been denied, you can still appeal this decision through a due process hearing. But what is a due process hearing and how do you win your case against the school?

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Planning for your child who will require lifelong support can be overwhelming. You have to consider legal and financial matters, your child’s individual needs, and the effect all your decisions will have on everyone else in the family. And the costs associated with raising your child with a disability like autism, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy or epilepsy are shocking. So how do you best financially plan for your child with special needs?

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Learning that your child has been diagnosed with Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) can be difficult, and it’s common that you as a parent have a lot of questions and emotions. These include dealing with the diagnosis, choosing the best treatment options, and building a strong and supportive family structure. Managing the stress that accompanies an autism diagnosis is fundamental to a family’s long-term health and wellbeing. The following are the next steps to take when your child has been diagnosed with autism. Read More