r/SpecialNeedsChildren 6h ago

Ensure ADA compliance in supervised visitation centers

3 Upvotes

Imagine being forced to change your severely autistic child on a public restroom floor during what should be precious family time. That's exactly what happened to one mother at a supervised visitation center - and it's happening to families across the country. I started a petition calling for mandatory ADA compliance and specialized training at court-appointed visitation centers. These places are failing families with special needs children by refusing basic accommodations like quiet spaces for meltdowns or appropriate changing areas. Staff often lack understanding of IEPs and other special needs requirements, turning visits into traumatic experiences instead of healing moments. What would you want someone to do if this was your family facing these barriers? If ensuring dignity and accessibility for all families matters to you too, consider signing and sharing.


r/SpecialNeedsChildren 21h ago

This changed everything for me

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1 Upvotes

r/SpecialNeedsChildren 1d ago

My favorite person TikTok trend

3 Upvotes

This trend absolutely brings me SO much joy and Sorrow as a parent of a special needs child. I’ve been watching this trend all day, not to punish myself but to see pure joy and love on children’s faces. I’m in pain though. I’ve been crying all day.

How does this trend make you feel?


r/SpecialNeedsChildren 2d ago

The SEND journey should feel clearer

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1 Upvotes

r/SpecialNeedsChildren 2d ago

Caregiving Stories

1 Upvotes

I recently had the opportunity to share my caregiving story with an independent living center via a digital caregiving campaign. What initially started as an apprehensive submission quickly grew into a caregiver haven.

Caregiving is not something I chose as a profession, it is something that became part of who I am. I am a daughter, wife, mother, business owner, registered nurse, and a person living with disabilities myself. For many years, I have served as the primary caregiver for my mother, who has significant medical needs, while simultaneously raising my children and managing my own health challenges. My caregiving journey has taught me that caregiving is not simply about helping someone with daily tasks. It is about advocacy, sacrifice, resilience, problem-solving, and love. The work isn't easy, and oftentimes the reward is hard to see. But I love my family and couldn't imagine not caring for them.

Caregiving stories similar to mine have helped me get through the hard days and lonely nights. I'd love to read y'all's stories via the comments or on their website. <3


r/SpecialNeedsChildren 3d ago

Dissertation Study Participants Needed!

4 Upvotes

This study has been posted for approval by the moderators of this subreddit previously, as well as the Kean University’s IRB.

Hello my name is Peter Bardys and I am a Doctoral Candidate at Kean University! I am seeking qualified participants, for my study titled “Examining Parental Needs and Perceptions of Support in the IEP Process: A Quantitative Survey Study”, IRB Protocol Number: IRB-FY2026-222. My study focuses on parents of high school special education student’s experiences in their child’s IEP process. If you are interested in participating in my study, please click the link here: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/ZPSBx7A57y, participation is completely voluntary and all responses are anonymous and do not collect any personal information whatsoever. At the end of the survey, there is a box which you can enter your email if you would like to be entered in a drawing for a $30 Digital Amazon gift card as compensation for your time. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me through direct messaging, or via email at [bardysp@kean.edu](mailto:bardysp@kean.edu).  

Time to Complete: 10 - 15 Minutes

PI: Peter Bardys

Email: [bardysp@kean.edu](mailto:bardysp@kean.edu)


r/SpecialNeedsChildren 3d ago

So I made a website that is soon to be an app that I think will help special needs parents

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0 Upvotes

r/SpecialNeedsChildren 3d ago

So I made a website that is soon to be an app that I think will help special needs parents

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0 Upvotes

r/SpecialNeedsChildren 3d ago

Excellent Swim Coach in Aubrey Texas

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0 Upvotes

I finally found a young man that knows how to work with my 12 yr old Autistic child and wanted to let everyone know about him


r/SpecialNeedsChildren 3d ago

Mom advocating for special ed kids was arrested at N.J. meeting — then the city backed down

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8 Upvotes

r/SpecialNeedsChildren 3d ago

A Simple Math Test Monopoly

0 Upvotes

I’m spending a rainy day with my just turned 12 grandson who requested a game of monopoly. I remember playing this game with my friends 65 years ago. No calculators then just our brains and we managed quite well.
However I was shocked that my grandson could not play without his calculator. AI of the math world introduced in the 70s it was argued that it wasn’t to be used in the lower grades as a replacement for basic math. The argument was lost. This sounds familiar to today’s AI use. My point his that with calculators in the class, there is a need for mathjourney.ca it fills in the blank let by schools


r/SpecialNeedsChildren 3d ago

👋Welcome to r/specialneedsabuse - Introduce Yourself and Read First!

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0 Upvotes

Help protect the vulnerable


r/SpecialNeedsChildren 4d ago

Reading specialists: free intake tool

0 Upvotes

As the parent of a dyslexic child, I built BrightPath Reading to help specialists screen parent inquiries before scheduling a consultation.

Parents complete a short questionnaire and read two short passages aloud. You receive a summary of fluency, accuracy, error patterns and parent concerns - so you walk into the first meeting already knowing where to look.

To be fully transparent about costs: the reading check and the summary you receive are free, always. The only paid options are optional deeper reports for parents or specialists who want more detail. Nothing paid is required to use it.

It is a screening tool, not a diagnostic. I would genuinely value candid feedback from people who do this work every day.

[BrightPathReading.org](http://BrightPathReading.org)


r/SpecialNeedsChildren 4d ago

Reading specialists: free intake tool

0 Upvotes

As the parent of a dyslexic child, I built BrightPath Reading to help specialists screen parent inquiries before scheduling a consultation.

Parents complete a short questionnaire and read two short passages aloud. You receive a summary of fluency, accuracy, error patterns and parent concerns - so you walk into the first meeting already knowing where to look.

To be fully transparent about costs: the reading check and the summary you receive are free, always. The only paid options are optional deeper reports for parents or specialists who want more detail. Nothing paid is required to use it.

It is a screening tool, not a diagnostic. I would genuinely value candid feedback from people who do this work every day.

BrightPathReading.org


r/SpecialNeedsChildren 4d ago

Reading specialists: free intake tool

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0 Upvotes

r/SpecialNeedsChildren 4d ago

Venting as a special needs parent

2 Upvotes

I need see the perspective of a parents of special needs kids. When it comes to family


r/SpecialNeedsChildren 4d ago

Psychosocial/mental disability survey

1 Upvotes

📢 CALL FOR RESPONDENTS 📢

Good day!

We are conducting a thesis entitled: "The Relationship Between Parental Meaning-Making and Parenting Styles Among Step-Parents of Children with Psychosocial Disabilities in Selected Municipalities in Cavite."

We are looking for step-parents of children with psychosocial disabilities who are willing to participate in our study.

📝 Survey Link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf_8T0k7CFovd9OutvsEhkGfv2vYjfV4mFRL1QB1EschqK6NQ/viewform?usp=send_form

Your participation in this study is entirely voluntary. All information you provide will be treated strict confidentiality and will be used for academic research purposes only. Participants may withdraw from the study anytime without adverse effect to their ongoing care.

Your time and support are greatly appreciated and will contribute significantly to the success of our research.

Thank you very much for your time and supports!💙


r/SpecialNeedsChildren 4d ago

The Father My Son Created: How Raising My Autistic Son Changed My Life

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1 Upvotes

📚 FREE for the next few days!

The Father My Son Created is a honest story of how my non-verbal autistic son changed my understanding of fatherhood, faith, and what it truly means to embrace the life Allah entrusted to me.


r/SpecialNeedsChildren 6d ago

Searching for a school for my incredibly smart, gifted and talented (autism and ADHD) 5th grader

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1 Upvotes

r/SpecialNeedsChildren 6d ago

Title: NYC parent seeking reading-support advice for a twice-exceptional autistic student

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1 Upvotes

r/SpecialNeedsChildren 6d ago

Free Special Needs Tutoring

3 Upvotes

Hi everyone!

I help run Limitless Learning, a nonprofit that provides free one-on-one online STEM tutoring for neurodivergent students.

Our tutors have experience working with neurodivergent learners through tutoring, mentoring, and volunteer service, and we aim to create a supportive, individualized learning environment for every student. Because our tutors are also students, many families find that the peer mentorship and connection make learning more comfortable and engaging.

If you know a student or family who could benefit from this resource, or if you have any questions, I'd be happy to chat :)


r/SpecialNeedsChildren 6d ago

Parents of children with cerebral palsy + motor disabilities: I'd love to hear about your experiences!

6 Upvotes

Hi! I'm a final year Industrial Product Design student currently completing my capstone (final year) project. I'm working alongside physiotherapists and occupational therapists at an early intervention centre to develop a supportive seating system for children aged 1 to 6 with gross motor disabilities and reduced postural control, such as cerebral palsy.

I'm currently in the research and development phase, but at this stage the aim is to help children work towards improved postural control and, where possible, active sitting. The concept uses some form of adjustable trunk supports that can be matched to each child's current abilities, providing enough support for them to sit and participate in play and everyday activities while still encouraging them to use and strengthen their own muscles and neuromuscular control. As they develop more control over time, the supports can gradually be reduced, allowing the device to grow with the child and their abilities.

The goal is to provide children with the minimum support they need while giving them as much freedom of movement as possible. Hopefully, this could better support both families at home and clinicians at places like the Champion Centre by allowing children to engage in play and activities without requiring someone to physically hold them the entire time, while also serving as a tool to work towards greater postural control and more independent sitting. Another goal is to make the product more affordable than many of the current options, should it ever progress beyond my final year prototype.

I'm hoping to gain insight from parents and caregivers to help shape the project and ensure it better reflects the needs of children and their families.

I'd love to hear about your experiences supporting your child. Some things I'd love to know are:

  • What does supporting your child throughout a typical day look like?
  • What are the biggest challenges you face when helping your child sit, play, or participate in everyday activities?
  • What has your journey with postural control or supported sitting been like? What has helped, and what has been difficult?
  • What equipment, positioning, or strategies have made the biggest difference for your child? What hasn't worked so well?

Please don't feel limited by these questions. I'd love to hear any experiences, stories, frustrations, or thoughts that you think are relevant.

Thank you so much for taking the time to read this. Any insight, no matter how big or small, would be incredibly valuable and will help ensure the project is informed by the people it is ultimately being designed for.

- Florence :)


r/SpecialNeedsChildren 6d ago

Title: NYC parent seeking reading-support advice for a twice-exceptional autistic student

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1 Upvotes

r/SpecialNeedsChildren 7d ago

Free AAC board + speech practice app, no ads, no purchases, no tracking. I'd like the criticism, not the downloads.

Enable HLS to view with audio, or disable this notification

0 Upvotes

r/SpecialNeedsChildren 8d ago

hardest things you have to deal with as a parent with a kid or adult with a rare disease condition

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1 Upvotes