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
![Sensory experiences for autistic boy.](https://www.wonderbaby.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Sensory-experiences-for-autistic-boy.jpg)
Autism, Toys
The 10 Best Sensory Toys for Autism of 2023
There are many sensory toys for children with special needs that will help develop their sensory systems as well as being fun. Here are a few of the best!
![Little boy with down syndrome cuddles up to his mother and looks a bit sad.](https://www.wonderbaby.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Little-boy-with-down-syndrome-cuddles-up-to-his-mother-and-looks-a-bit-sad.jpg)
Autism, Special Needs
How to Help Special Needs Kids Cope with Social Anxiety
Searching for coping tools for social anxiety in children? You can use several effective strategies to help your special needs child cope with anxiety. Let us help!
![A mother holding her son.](https://www.wonderbaby.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/mom-holding-son.jpg)
Special Needs
6 Hard Truths I’ve Learned Being a Special Needs Mom
Parenting a special needs child can be exhausting, both physically and emotionally, but it will also be the most rewarding thing you'll ever do.
![Upset toddler having a meltdown.](https://www.wonderbaby.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Upset-toddler-having-a-meltdown.jpg)
Autism, Behavior
Sensory Meltdown Survival Guide for Parents
There are many remedies to handle your child’s sensory meltdown. They vary based on the environment and the type of sensitivities your child experiences.
![Little boy using a bowl as a drum.](https://www.wonderbaby.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/bowl-drum.jpg)
Play, Visual Impairment
The 8 Best Indoor Activities for Blind Kids
Finding fun activities for your visually impaired child can be a challenge, especially when you are stuck inside all day!
![A stepping stone path in a sensory garden.](https://www.wonderbaby.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/sensory-garden.jpg)
Sensory Activities, Special Needs
Creating a Sensory Garden for Your Special Needs Child
Anyone can benefit from the sensory experiences in a garden, but sensory gardens are particularly ideal for children with special needs.
![sad mom](https://www.wonderbaby.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/sad-mom.jpg)
Special Needs, Support
COVID Taught the World About Grief and Isolation; Special Needs Families Already Learned These Lessons
Maybe the world now recovering from the COVID pandemic can learn something from parents of disabled children who have already developed coping skills.
![little girl on a platform swing](https://www.wonderbaby.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/girl-on-platform-swing.jpg)
Sensory Activities, Special Needs
The 8 Best Sensory Swings for Kids with Special Needs
Sensory swings can create a relaxing space for any child, but they are particularly useful for children with special needs.
![Mom and child smiling](https://www.wonderbaby.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/mom-and-child-smiling.jpg)
Research Studies, Visual Impairment
Family Interactions and Blind Children Research Study
University of Bristol is looking for families who can share videos of their children who are blind interacting with their friends and family.
![](https://www.wonderbaby.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/aware-bears-collage.jpg)
Support
Aware Bears Support Kids with Disabilities
Find out about Aware Bears and Never-Ending Stories. They aim to change the perception of what people with disabilities are capable of.
![Tactile eggs.](https://www.wonderbaby.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/tactile-easter-eggs.jpg)
Holiday Crafts and Ideas, Visual Impairment
11 DIY Tactile Easter Eggs for Kids with Visual Impairments
We'll show you how to make tactile Easter eggs for kids who are blind by adding textures or other tactile elements to your dyed eggs.
![A completed leprechaun trap.](https://www.wonderbaby.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/leprechaun-trap.jpg)
Holiday Crafts and Ideas, Special Needs
Leprechaun Trap: 3 Accessibility Tips for Special Needs
Leprechaun traps are a traditional March school project and they can be effective special needs curriculum additions as well!
![little girl looking through a red block](https://www.wonderbaby.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/girl-with-blocks.jpg)
IEPs, Visual Impairment
CVI Now Creates IEP Guide for Parents of Kids with CVI
Navigating the IEP can be stressful. Learn about the IEP process, what to expect, and how to develop CVI-specific goals and evaluations.
![mom reading medication labels](https://www.wonderbaby.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/mom-checking-meds.jpg)
Health & Nutrition, Special Needs
Managing Medications: 7 Tips for Parents of Medically Complex Kids
When you have a child with complex medical issues chances are they are taking multiple medications. Learn how to make managing meds easier.
![blind boy walking down stairs](https://www.wonderbaby.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/walking-down-stairs.jpg)
Visual Impairment
Childproofing Your Home for Your Blind Child
Blind kids are very good at mapping their environment and can learn to get around their home safely, but there are things you can do to make that easier.
![little girl sleeping in bed](https://www.wonderbaby.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/sleeping-little-girl.jpg)
Sleep, Special Needs
Top 10 Special Needs Beds (and How to Pay for Them)
We list the top special needs beds and their features so you can find the bed that best meets your requirements.
![baby in a play space](https://www.wonderbaby.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/baby-play-space.jpg)
Visual Impairment
Defined Spaces: How to Create Big and Small Playspaces for Children Who are Visually Impaired
A defined space is any area in which meaningful objects are kept in predictable, accessible, and easily detectable locations.
![a yellow lab puppy](https://www.wonderbaby.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/se-guide-dogs.jpg)
Orientation and Mobility, Visual Impairment
Southeastern Guide Dogs
Southeastern Guide Dogs places skilled companion dogs with children with vision loss and guide dogs with teens as young as fifteen.
![covid vaccine](https://www.wonderbaby.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/covid-vaccine-1.jpg)
Autism, Health & Nutrition
Getting My Special Needs Son the COVID Vaccine: One Mom’s Mission
While others debate the pros and cons of the COVID-19 vaccine, some desperate special needs families hopelessly search for resources to get their kids vaccinated.
![a little girl opening a christmas present](https://www.wonderbaby.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/little-girl-christmas-present.jpg)
Holiday Crafts and Ideas, Visual Impairment
The Best Christmas Toys for Blind Children!
Find the best toys for blind or visually impaired babies and children for Christmas. For all ages and all abilities!
![baby girl sitting on the floor with a stacking toy](https://www.wonderbaby.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/baby-girl-with-toy.jpg)
Toys, Visual Impairment
Toys for Blind Children: 7 Tips to Help You Choose the Best Toys
How do you know which toys will work best for your blind child? We'll give you tips on how to choose the best toys!
![toddler playing with a train set](https://www.wonderbaby.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/toddler-toys.jpg)
Toys, Visual Impairment
8 Really Fun Toys for Blind Toddlers
How do you know which toys will work best for your visually impaired toddler? Here are some of our favorite toys for blind two and three year olds.
![braille blocks, puzzles and buttons](https://www.wonderbaby.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/braille-toys.jpg)
Braille and Literacy, Toys, Visual Impairment
The Best Braille Toys for Kids Who are Blind
Everything from alphabet blocks to raised line coloring pages and activity books to puzzles to card and board games... and so much more! And it's all in braille ready for...
![accessible sensory play kits for kids who are blind](https://www.wonderbaby.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/sensory-activity-kits-feature.jpg)
Sensory Activities, Toys, Visual Impairment
7 Best Accessible Sensory Play Kits for Kids who are Blind or Visually Impaired
Accessible sensory activity kits for blind children are easier to find than you might think and we've been through a lot of them!