Special Needs
Find support for parents of children with special needs. Learn how to advocate for your child, raise funds for needed equipment and find helpful organizations.
Filter by: Advocacy, Assistive Technology, Autism, Schools for the Blind, Support, Visual Impairment
![a mother who is sad](https://www.wonderbaby.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/sad-mother.jpg)
Support
They told me feeling sad made me a bad mother
By admitting that my child's disabilities make me sad, I am saying that my child's existence brings me grief. By writing this in a public space, I am telling the...
![proud special needs girl](https://www.wonderbaby.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/proud-girl.jpg)
Advocacy, Parenting
I’m Raising My Special Needs Child with Dignity – Are You?
Special needs children deserve honor and respect. As parents, we need to maintain their dignity and help them present themselves at their best in public.
![child eating with a spoon](https://www.wonderbaby.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/eating-with-spoon.jpg)
Feeding and Eating, Visual Impairment
Teaching a Blind Child How to Use a Spoon Independently
Tips, ideas and resources for teaching your blind child how to scoop and use a spoon on their own without using hand over hand techniques.
![Blind girl reading in braille](https://www.wonderbaby.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/braille-reading-1.jpg)
Braille and Literacy, Visual Impairment
3 Tips for Teaching Young Children with a Visual Impairment How to Become Strong Readers
Here are 3 tips to get your child off to a great start with their braille reading skills. Learn how you can help them become strong readers!
![crawling baby](https://www.wonderbaby.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/crawling-baby-feet_0.jpg)
Crawling, Visual Impairment
Crawling & Climbing for Blind Babies
Crawling and climbing are two very important developmental milestones for babies and children who are blind. Some babies may skip these steps or reach them later than their typically developing...
![a girl in class looking frustrated](https://www.wonderbaby.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/self-advocacy.jpg)
Advocacy, Visual Impairment
Learning Advocacy When You Have Low Vision
L. Penny Rosenblum is a TVI, a parent and student advocate, and has a vision impairment. She writes about what it was like learning to advocate for herself as a...
![sensory bottles](https://www.wonderbaby.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/sensory-bottles.jpg)
Visual Impairment
Positive Eye: Training and resources for practitioners working with children with vision impairment
Positive Eye was established five years ago to offer a consultancy and training service to professionals and parents on meeting the educational needs of children and young people with visual...
![tactile easter eggs](https://www.wonderbaby.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/tactile-easter-eggs_0.jpg)
Holiday Crafts and Ideas, Visual Impairment
Decorating Tactile Easter Eggs with Your Blind Child
Tips and ideas for making accessible tactile Easter eggs with kids who are blind or who have multiple disabilities.
![boy kissing his hand](https://www.wonderbaby.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/hand-kiss-large.jpg)
Communication, Visual Impairment
Teaching Your Visually Impaired Child Sign Language
Jennie writes about how she taught her son, Max, to sign. Max is totally blind and does have a few verbal words, but using signs to augment his early communication...
![stacking blocks](https://www.wonderbaby.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/stacking-blocks.jpg)
Education, Special Needs, Visual Impairment
Thoughts from a Preschool Teacher About Teaching a Blind Student
Heidi interviews her son's mainstream preschool teacher and asks her how she prepared to introduce a blind student to her classroom.
![blind child listening](https://www.wonderbaby.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/child-listening.jpg)
Communication, Visual Impairment
Helping your blind child develop effective listening skills
Learning to listen carefully and distinguish between different sounds is an important skill for any child, but espeically for children with visual impairments. Lesley Potgieter explains how to assess your...
![woman on her smart phone](https://www.wonderbaby.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/on-phone.jpg)
Support
To my best friends and support network that I have never met
As the mother of a special needs child I need friends and support. Where is the best place for me to find a support network? Surprise! That's what social media...
![Ivan playing on his iPad](https://www.wonderbaby.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/ivan-ipad-new.jpg)
iPad Apps and Accessibility, Special Needs
5 Ways to Get a Free iPad for Your Special Needs Child!
Just because iPads are cheaper than other pieces of assistive equipment doesn't necessarily make them affordable! Here are five tips on how to get grants and funding for a free...
![How to Host a Sensory Play Party for Visually Impaired Kids](https://www.wonderbaby.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/sensory-play-party-2.jpg)
Sensory Activities, Visual Impairment
How to Host a Sensory Play Party for Visually Impaired Kids
If your child has a sensory impairment like blindness should you still search out sensory play activities? Absolutely! Learn how to make sensory play accessible and host a sensory play...
![Ivan and his switch](https://www.wonderbaby.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/ivan-and-his-switch.jpg)
Assistive Technology, Communication
Switch Play: Using a switch for communication and play!
For children who are non-verbal or have low motor coordination, switches can be a great way to augment their play. If you're just getting started with a switch you may...
![Transitioning your blind child to preschool](https://www.wonderbaby.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/transition-preschool-fb.jpg)
Education, Visual Impairment
Transitioning Your Blind Child to Preschool
Megan writes about her daughter, Ava, transitioning from Early Intervention to preschool. Ava attended the Western Pennsylvania School for Blind Children and has isolated bilateral anophthalmia.
![girl rubbing her eyes](https://www.wonderbaby.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/eye-rubbing.jpg)
Eye Conditions and Syndromes, Visual Impairment
My child has LCA and presses her eyes. Is this normal? What can we do about it?
If your blind child is pressing or poking their eyes you may be looking for information on why they are doing this and what you can do to help them...
![Ivan smiling as a baby](https://www.wonderbaby.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/smiley-ivan-baby.jpg)
Special Needs, Support
What I Wish Someone Had Told Me When My Child was First Diagnosed with a Disability
If you could go back in time to when your child was first diagnosed with a disability, what would you tell yourself? What advice would you give?
![Ivan crying](https://www.wonderbaby.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/ivan-crying-1.jpg)
Autism, Behavior
6 Strategies for Addressing Self-Injurious Behaviors
Self injurious behaviors are, unfortunately, not unusual for kids with special needs. These behaviors could be anything from biting, hitting or even banging their head on the walls or furniture....
![three women in a meeting](https://www.wonderbaby.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/meeting.jpg)
Advocacy
5 Tips to Becoming a Legislative Advocate for Your Special Needs Child
Penny discusses how to become more active in advocating for your child through the legislative system. When you have a child with a disability you need to be heard -...
![Lucas being independent](https://www.wonderbaby.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/lucas-7.jpg)
Advocacy, Visual Impairment
This Blind Boy Can! How to Teach Your Child Independence and Start a Movement
Sarah writes about the journey her family has traveled as they've taught their blind son Lucas to be as independent as possible. And now she wants to start a movement!...
![bake sale](https://www.wonderbaby.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/bake-sale.jpg)
Special Needs
Beyond Bake Sales: How to Raise Money So You Can Attend a Family Conference
Conferences for families of children with disabilities are the perfect places to meet people and learn about your child's condition, but they can be so expensive! Here are ideas that...
![talking easter eggs](https://www.wonderbaby.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/talking-eggs.jpg)
Holiday Crafts and Ideas, Visual Impairment
Talking Easter Eggs: Making Easter Accessible for Kids who are Blind
Talking or beeping easter eggs make Easter much more fun and inclusive for children who are blind or visually impaired. We'll show you a couple of places where you can...
![Aly with Lightaide](https://www.wonderbaby.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/aly-lightaide.jpg)
Assistive Technology, Eye Conditions and Syndromes, iPad Apps and Accessibility
The “Big 3 Tool Kit” for Children with CVI: PLUS the 20 Best CVI-Friendly iPad Apps!
Children with CVI often prefer clear, crisp images with little background clutter. They respond well to high contrast, bright colors (especially yellow or red), movement and LIGHTS!