Support for Families of Children with Special Needs



Find many helpful resources for children with special needs...

Parents Helping Parents (PHP)
Parents Helping Parents (PHP) helps Santa Clara County children with special needs receive the resources, love, hope, respect, health care, education, and other services they need to reach their full potential by providing them with strong families, dedicated professionals, and responsive systems to serve them.
www.php.com

    "The Epilepsy and Seizure Disorder Guide: A Resource Guide For Parents" is now available here!

    Copies of Epilepsy and Seizure Disorders: A Resource Guide for Parents are available for purchase in either English or Spanish, in color ($10) or black and white ($5), with either a check, money order, or credit card. The purchase price includes postage and shipping.

    Please email mouna@php.com for ordering information and to provide feedback after you download the guide!


Brave Kids
Resources for children with chronic or life-threatening illnesses and disabilities. Includes a comprehensive directory of services.
www.bravekids.org

California Early Start Program Dept. of Developmental Services
Referrals to local agencies for parents of special-needs babies.
www.dds.cahwnet.gov
(800) 515-BABY (2229)

NLD (Nonverbal Learning Disorders) Line
A non-profit organization providing education and support to parents of children with nonverbal learning disorders and other neuro-cognitive and neurobiological disorders, including anxiety disorders, Asperger's Syndrome, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder.
(831) 624-3542

Parents Centre
Filled with information, research reports, and support connections for just about every disability or condition that affects a child and his or her family. Includes contact information for support groups that help parents help their children.
www.parentscentre.gov.uk/educationandlearning/specialneeds/

Beginning Together
Caring for infants and toddlers with disabilities and special needs in inclusive settings.
www.cainclusivechildcare.org/bt/index.html

Santa Clara County Office of Education Inclusion Collaborative
Resources and information regarding inclusion of children with special needs or disabilities in Santa Clara County.
http://www.sccoe.org/programs/inclusion-collaborative/

New Horizons for Learning
An Ecological Systems Analysis
www.newhorizons.org/spneeds/front_spneeds.html

National Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center NECTAC provides information for early childhood programs funded under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.
www.nectac.org/inclusion/research/Benefits.asp

Preschool Inclusion Connection
Showcases early childhood programs that are incorporating the "Best Practices" as proposed by National Association Education for Young Children (AEYC) and National Division for Early Childhood (DEC).
www.truecoaching.com/pic/

California Map to Inclusive Child Care Project
Expands opportunities for children with disabilities and other special needs in child care and development programs.
www.cainclusivechildcare.org/camap/index.html

Circle of Inclusion
Offers demonstrations of and information about the effective practices of inclusive educational programs for children from birth through age eight.
www.circleofinclusion.org/

Child Care Law Center
Information on American with Disabilities Act, as it relates to child care.
www.childcarelaw.org/

Division for Early Childhood Special Education
Promotes polices and advances evidence-based practices that support families and enhances the optimal development of young children who have or are at risk for developmental delays and disabilities.
www.dec-sped.org/

Infant Development Association of California (IDA)
A multidisciplinary committed to optimal developmental, social and emotional outcomes for infants, birth to three with a broad range of special needs and their families.
http://www.idaofcal.org/

National Early Intervention Longitudinal Study (NEILS)
www.sri.com/neils/

Pre-elementary Education Longitudinal Study (PEELS)
www.peels.org/default.asp


FIRST WORDS Project
http://firstwords.fsu.edu/mission.html


Autism Speaks
www.autismspeaks.org


Services for Children with Disabilities or Special Needs

  • California Children’s Services can arrange for specialty care for children with costly medical conditions. Find out if you qualify. Call your Health Department or visit www.dhs.ca.gov/pcfh/cms.
  • For services for children with vision or hearing disabilities, call Santa Clara County Early Start Program 1-800-404-5900.
  • For services for infants with hearing loss, call Newborn Hearing Screening for local services call 1-800-404-5900.
  • See if your clinic or health plan has a social worker who can help you get services.
  • Your child may qualify for Social Security or Medi-Cal even if your family doesn’t qualify. Call Social Security 1-800-772-1213.
  • For legal help call Protection and Advocacy 1-800-776-5746 or visit www.pai-ca.org.
  • Family Voices is a national organization that advocates for the health care needs of children with disabilities. Call Family Voices 1-888-835-5669.
  • Area Boards advocate for children and adults with developmental disabilities. To find your Area Board, call California Early Start 1-800-515-2229.
  • Learn more about your child’s disability. For more information, visit www.familyvillage.wisc.edu and www.healthfinder.gov.


Resources for reading aloud to special needs children

If your child has trouble seeing, hearing, or comprehending books - this does not mean that reading aloud to them is unnecessary. In fact, these children will benefit tremendously from sharing books with you. Here are some resources for reading aloud to special needs children: