Links

Autism:

Autism Society of America the leading source of information and referral on autism.
Asperger's Resources: online Asperger's Syndrome information and support (O.A.S.I.S).

Behavior Disorders:

Behavior Home Page from the University of Kentucky and the Kentucky Department of Education.
Virtual Resource Center in Behavioral Disorders multimedia case studies and conference papers

Blindness and Visual Impairments:

American Foundation for the Blind: the organization to which Helen Keller devoted her life.
American Printing House for the Blind: provides special media, tools, and materials.
National Federation of the Blind: voice of the nation's blind.
Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic: serves people who cannot read standard print because of a visual, perceptual or other physical disability.

Brain Trauma:

Brain Injury Association America: brain injury prevention, research, education, and advocacy.
Brain Injury Center: a chartered state affiliate of Brain Injury Association of America, Inc.

Cognitive & Developmental Disabilities:

The ARC: a national association on mental retardation.
American Association on Mental Retardation promotes progressive policies, sound research, effective practices, and universal human rights for people with intellectual disabilities.
National Down Syndrome Society: education, research, and advocacy.

Deafness, Hearing Impairments, and Communication Disorders:

American Speech-Language-Hearing Association: the professional association of audiologists, speech-language pathologists, and speech, language, and hearing scientists.
Net Connections for Communications Disorders and Sciences: an Internet guide.

Disability Information:

Cornucopia of Disability Information: resource for consumers and professionals.
Marc Sheehan's Special Education Page: extensive list of links on special ed and related abilities and conditions.

Gifted & Talented:

The National Research Center on the Gifted and Talented: links to resources on gifted and enrichment programs.
Center for Gifted Education: from the University of Connecticut.

Health Care and Financing issues – health insurance and other ways to finance the costs of needed services (including grievances, denials and appeals – i.e. Strategies for Appealing Health Plan Decisions)

Advocacy 101 – items that help strengthen advocacy skills (Communication skills, parenting skills, letter writing, speaking with professionals, asking questions)
Patient-centered care: how do you know if you are getting it?
Children's Rights and Child Health (Starter Kit for Community Preceptors):
Health Insurance in New York - Glossary of Terms:
504 Accommodation Plans related to Health Conditions (i.e. what are the legal obligations of schools to provide health-related services and therapies? Accommodations needed for equal access).
Who helps with what? Which state agencies are involved in health care and health coverage? What do medical and managed care terms mean? What should families look for in selecting a provider? What questions should families ask? Children only receive quality health care 47% of the time says this report:
Parent-to-parent support skill-building (How can parents provide support and assistance to families without substituting their judgment? Understanding and respecting cultural diversity. How can parents be culturally competent in working with diverse families? How can parents emotionally support, inform, and educate parents so that they are strong, knowledgeable, and confident in caring for their child with special health needs?)
Spanish speaking? Follow the link below and click on the "ERIC full text" option to view or download an article: Puntos Basicos para Padres: Apoyo Padre a Padre (Basics for Parents: Parent to Parent Support):
Keeping Records is a learned skill. Parents will learn what kinds of records are important and how to record necessary information. Your child’s health care providers rely on your records to help them make sound medical recommendations. Try keeping your entire life (including medical records and contacts) organized with this useful approach:
Parent-professional collaboration strategies. How can families work with their health care provider to secure quality care and coverage for their child? How can health care providers and families communicate more effectively? What are effective health advocacy strategies? What is a "medical home" and how can parents access it for their child with special health needs? Effective communication with medical professionals (for women, but has broad application):
Understanding Medicaid funded Waiver Services (Including the philosophy of individual and family-centered supports). A waiver services primer:
Legal information - what are the rights of children to medical coverage under Medicaid, SCHIP, fee-for-service coverage. How can families use complaint, arbitration, and grievance procedures to resolve disputes? What are the legal obligations of schools to provide health-related services and therapies? Why is Medicaid so important for children with disabilities?:
Children’s Health Insurance: State and Federal Conflict. A side-by-side comparison of the Senate and House bills is available at:
For more information go to: click on "Issues and Action", "This Week in Washington" September 4, 2007
Transition from Pediatric to Adult Health Care and Self Determination in Health Care (the important leadership role that individuals with disabilities and their families must play in moving from pediatric to adult health care). You’re not a kid anymore: transition, by stages, to adult health care:
Sexual Health awareness and information handouts from the Academy of American Pediatrics:
Other Links and Information: Healthy Children, an online quarterly magazine on children’s health issues reviewed by the American Academy of Pediatrics:

Learning Disabilities:

LD Online: guide to learning disabilities for parents, teachers and students.
LD Resources: resources for the learning disabilities community.

Legal Issues:

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Document Center: statutes, regulations, and other assistance documents.
Assistive Technology Act of 1998: document of the Act.
Consortium for Appropriate Dispute Resolution in Special Education (CADRE): collaborative strategies to resolve disagreements about special education and early intervention programs.
EdLaw: NPO advocating systematic change.
IDEA Practices: assistance in implementing the IDEA law.
Legal & Advocacy Resources: numerous links on law and advocacy.

Organizations:

Center for Adolescent Studies: committed to linking Practice and Research.
Circle of Inclusion: for early childhood service providers and families of young children.
Council for Exceptional Children: dedicated to improving educational outcomes for individuals with exceptionalities, students with disabilities, and/or the gifted.
National Center for Research on Evaluation, Standards, and Student Testing: on the forefront of efforts to improve the quality of education and learning in America.
Technology and Inclusion: support organization for people with disabilities.

Resources for Parents:

PACER Center: Parent Advocacy Coalition for Educational Rights.
Parents Helping Parents: family resource center.
ParentsPlace.com: news, tools, and expert advice for parents.
Publications for Parents: from the US Department of Education.

Stories: Special Needs and Accommodations:

Adventures in Cybercamp: a summer technology camp in a special needs district brings life to the curriculum.
At-Risk High Schoolers Learn Health Science in an Integrated Curriculum: one teacher explains the benefits of careful technology choices.
Bringing Cultures Closer Together with Technology: a gifted student inspires a teacher's involvement in a cross-state classroom.
Celebrity Interview Project: a reading teacher finds success with every student using a popular, tech-integrated project.
Technology: A Key to Help Unlock At-Risk Children: technology helps an at-risk student begin to interact with his peers.
Technology Breaks Barriers for a Special Needs Child: finding solutions for a child with multiple disabilities.
Sally, A Special Needs Student, Succeeds with the Web: a technology teacher discovers the strengths and weaknesses of the Internet.