Parent & Family
This section offers resources, guidance, and tools specifically for parents and family members supporting children, youth, and young adults with disabilities. Family engagement is vital to child’s development and a student’s success. Topics include understanding special education, navigating IEP and 504 plans, accessing community services, building advocacy skills, and supporting children at home and in the community.
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Telling Your Story with a Purpose: How to Inspire Action in Two Minutes
You can make a real impact by sharing your personal stories with lawmakers and community leaders. By clearly describing a challenge and offering a solution, you help others understand…
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Parent to Parent (P2P) Connects Caregivers Statewide for Support
A Brief Overview Parent to Parent (P2P) connects families to trained parent volunteers whose children also have disability conditions and special healthcare needs. The Arc of…
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Respite Offers a Break for Caregivers and Those They Support
Caregivers and care recipients develop unique rhythms and relationships. Sometimes, both need to press pause and reset. Pathways to Respite, an online booklet published by…
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Self-Care is Critical for Caregivers with Unique Challenges
Caring for individuals with disabilities or complex medical needs can be emotionally and physically draining, making intentional self-care essential for long-term well-being. Simple practices like…
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Childcare-What to Know When Your Child has a Disability
When a parent or family caregiver needs care for their child with a disability, finding safe, appropriate, and affordable care will be a priority. There…
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School Support Plans for Deployment-Tips for Parents
When a military parent deploys, children—especially those with disabilities—may show changes in behavior, emotions, or learning. With the right support at home and school, these…
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Parents, Navigate Adapted Physical Education, IEPs, and 504 Plans
Overview Full article Physical Education (PE) is part of school for all students and may be particularly important for your student with a disability. What…
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Five Tips for a Smooth PCS
Planning ahead and staying organized can make a military move much smoother, especially for families with children who have special needs. These key strategies and…
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Keeping Kids Busy Through Summer: Summer Camp Alternatives
Summer camp is an excellent way for children to spend the long summer days. However, camps are often filled quickly, and many are out of…
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Understanding Epilepsy: Facts, History, and Support
Epilepsy is a brain condition that causes people to have seizures. There are many different types of seizures, and each person’s experience with epilepsy can…
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Dating on the Spectrum
This article is written for older youth and young adults who are neurodivergent, with an emphasis on autistic neurodivergence. It is based on research and…
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Summer is coming! Camps for Individuals with Disabilities
What offers kids, youth, and young adults the chance to try new things, build life skills, meet new people, and succeed? Summer camp! And it…