Site of the Day

July 2008

A charity created by parents, Special Kids in the UK provides "support, information and contact between families of children with any Special needs." On the site, you can find information on respite and financial aide as well as forums for meeting other parents.

Talk-radio blowhard Savage called autism a scam, and autistic kids brats with weak parents. Personally, I think the best way to deal with something like this is to ignore it; I'd never heard of this guy before, and now he's in the news every day because angry people are keeping him there. But if you disagree, and want his apology and his job, A-CHAMP.org has the information you'll need to complain to the sponsors, syndicators, and broadcasters involved, as well as the savage himself.

A philanthropic effort with Hollywood muscle behind it, Stand Up to Cancer seeks to raise funds and bring together researchers needed for "unlocking the answers that will finally conquer the devastation that is cancer."

A nonprofit organization founded by The Child With Special Needs authors Stanley Greenspan, MD, and Serena Wieder, PhD., ICDL seeks to advance "the identification, prevention and treatment of developmental and learning disorders" by spreading the DIR/Floortime model. The site includes interventions parents can do at home, and a database to find professional assistance.

This is the place to buy The IEP Toolkit, "a customized binder that's packed with easy-to-use information, resources and charts, as well as clearly written sections showing which paperwork to keep where, and why." Probably better than that plastic shopping bag you're using now.

Your Saturday super-sized listing of amusements, including a family activity, a site for the kids, a shopping site, a site offering humor or inspiration about parenting children with special needs, and a site that's just silly or fun.

From the U.K., "The No. 1 online community for people with learning disabilities, their parents, carers, and volunteers."

If your children have appreciated the straightforward message of Mr. Rogers, or you've appreciated having one kiddie show that is not loud and flashy and hyperactive, you may want to get in on this protest movement. PBS is cutting the show out of its weekday line-up, giving stations just a weekend episode. Stations can order it on their own, but it's unlikely that many will unless parents start yelling ... no, wait, this is Mr. Rogers, requesting in a calm and reasonable tone that it be restored to the schedule.

With a motto of "Capturing Miracles, Picturing Cures," the Littlest Heroes Project is a network of photographers who offer free photo sessions to children with serious illnesses and their families. From the site, you can find out whether your child is eligible for a session, locate a photographer in your area, complete an application, and view the photos and stories of other little heroes.

A "work of heart" by a parent of children with special needs, this informal FAQ points you in all sorts of good directions for planning your vacation to Disneyland or Disney World, including information on the Guest Assistance Card (GAC) or Special Assistance Pass (SAP), places to rent a wheelchair, and practical tips for kids with autism, sensory processing problems, and other disabilities.