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
![girl sleeping in her Safety Sleeper](https://www.wonderbaby.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/safety-sleeper.jpg)
Sleep, Special Needs
The Safety Sleeper: A Versatile and Safe Special Needs Bed Solution
The Safety Sleeper is a customizable, fully enclosed special needs bed that is appropriate for both home and travel use.
![two young children playing with a toy](https://www.wonderbaby.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/toys-playing.jpg)
Toys, Visual Impairment
The Best Toys for Blind Kids and Where to Find Them
How to choose the BEST developmental toys and activities for children who are blind, deafblind or multiply disabled.
![smiling mother with her child](https://www.wonderbaby.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/lhg-telesupport.jpg)
Support, Visual Impairment
Lighthouse Guild’s National Tele-Support Network
Whether you are a parent of a child with visual impairment, a high school student, young adult, or an adult navigating vision loss, there is a tele-support group for you!
![Center for the Visually Impaired](https://www.wonderbaby.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/cvi-ga.jpg)
Schools for the Blind, Visual Impairment
Center for the Visually Impaired (CVI)
The Center for the Visually Impaired (CVI) is a comprehensive, fully-accredited nonprofit facility in Atlanta, Ga. that provides services, support and training to people of all ages who are blind...
![toddler holding crayons](https://www.wonderbaby.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/child-holding-crayons.jpg)
Tactile Arts and Crafts, Visual Impairment
Tactile and Raised Line Coloring Books for Kids Who are Blind or Visually Impaired
Can coloring books really be accessible for kids who are blind? Yes! Find places to buy raised line coloring books or learn how to make your own!
![a paved road at sunset](https://www.wonderbaby.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/road-at-sunset.jpg)
Parenting, Special Needs
Is Your Caregiver Journey a Challenge or an Opportunity?
Rare is the person who won’t eventually be a caregiver. For me, my caregiving role arose when my mom lost her sight. That role lasted more than twenty years. It...
![young girl wearing a pink mask](https://www.wonderbaby.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/girl-mask.jpg)
Education, Special Needs
Returning to School 2021-2022: Concerns for Parents of Children with Special Needs and Medical Complexities
Virtual vs hybrid vs in-person learning? How to make the best back-to-school decisions for your special needs child.
![child on a water slide](https://www.wonderbaby.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/water-slide.jpg)
Play, Visual Impairment
36 Fun Summer Activities for Kids Who are Blind or Multiply Disabled
Here are 36 ideas to help you start planning your fun and accessible summer break for your visually impaired child!
![a baby girl wearing vest with recorder](https://www.wonderbaby.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/language-research-baby.jpg)
Research Studies, Visual Impairment
Language Research for Parents of Blind Infants
The Bergelson Lab at Duke University is looking for families with blind infants to participate in studies about language development.
![laughing woman](https://www.wonderbaby.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/lauging-woman.jpg)
Eye Conditions and Syndromes, Visual Impairment
Why I laughed when my daughter lost her eye
Gwen tells funny stories about raising her daughter Ivey who has bilateral anophthalmia. Gwen says it's important for us to learn to laugh at ourselves and our lives and teach...
![Developmental Journals](https://www.wonderbaby.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/dev-journals.jpg)
Special Needs
Developmental Journal for Young Children with Disabilities
The United Kingdom's Department for Children, Schools and Families provides templates for monitoring educational protocols and developmental goals.
![Alexis' room](https://www.wonderbaby.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/alexis-room.jpg)
Visual Impairment
8 Creative and Unique Ideas for Decorating a Blind Child’s Room
Use tactile elements, interesting fabrics and textures, sounds and lights to create the perfect unique space for your blind or visually impaired child.
![worried woman](https://www.wonderbaby.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/worried.jpg)
Parenting, Special Needs
My special needs child is getting older and it’s scaring the crap out of me
Does our society support families with adults with special needs? What happens when your special needs child isn't a child anymore?
![happy mom with her daughter](https://www.wonderbaby.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/happiness-2.jpg)
Parenting, Special Needs
8 simple ways to be a happier special needs mom
Being happy doesn't just happen, it's a skill that you need to work on and hone. How do you maintain your happiness as a special needs mom?
![](https://www.wonderbaby.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/baby-guitar.jpg)
Music Play, Visual Impairment
Why We Love Music Therapy for Our Blind Son
Jennie writes about how her son, Max, responds to music. Other therapies failed Max and often stressed him out, but Music Therapy has been very successful for him!
![potty training](https://www.wonderbaby.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/ready-to-potty-train_0.jpg)
Potty Training, Special Needs
Potty Training Your Special Needs Child
Potty training a child with special needs can be a bit of a challenge. We'll help you decide when your child is ready to potty train and get you started.
![mother disciplining child](https://www.wonderbaby.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/discipline.jpg)
Behavior, Visual Impairment
How Do I Discipline My Blind Toddler?
How do you discipline a child with special needs? Or, as some might ask, SHOULD you discipline a child with special needs?
![Collection of math toys](https://www.wonderbaby.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/math-toys-feature.jpg)
Math and Science, Toys, Visual Impairment
The Best Accessible Toys for Teaching Basic Math Concepts to Kids who are Visually Impaired
Our favorite accessible math and number toys for teaching numbers, counting and one-to-one correspondence to blind and visually impaired children!
![Anchor Center for Blind Children](https://www.wonderbaby.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/anchor-center.jpg)
Schools for the Blind, Visual Impairment
Anchor Center for Blind Children
Anchor Center for Blind Children provides early education and intervention services for children in Denver, Colorado
![dad and son having fun at the beach](https://www.wonderbaby.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/dad-and-son-beach.jpg)
Behavior, Special Needs
Nurturing the Emotional Development of Children with Disabilities
Lesley Potgieter writes about the emotional development of children with special needs. As we focus on our children's cognitive and physical development, are we ignoring their emotional development?
![baby splashing](https://www.wonderbaby.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/baby-splash.jpg)
Development, Visual Impairment
Helping Your Blind Baby Develop Through Play
As the parent of a visually impaired child, I'm sure you worry about your baby's development, both physically and cognitively. How can you be sure that you're doing all that...
![](https://www.wonderbaby.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/baby-play-gym.jpg)
Toys, Visual Impairment
Choosing the Best Toys for Your Blind Baby
How do you know which toys will work best for your blind baby? Here are some of our favorite toys that are accessible and inexpensive too!
![Ivan smiling](https://www.wonderbaby.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/baby-ivan-new.jpg)
Eye Conditions and Syndromes, Visual Impairment
Leber’s Congenital Amaurosis (LCA) FAQ
All your questions about Leber's Congenital Amaurosis (LCA) are answered here in one place. Don't see your question? Then just send us an email and we'll get right on it!
![Santa reading a list](https://www.wonderbaby.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/santa-list.jpg)
Holiday Crafts and Ideas, Visual Impairment
Ivan’s Christmas Wish List: Gift ideas for kids who are blind
Ivan loves presents and he's really good at picking out the toys he wants. Here is Ivan's wish list for toys and games this year... maybe you can find some...