Looking for educational materials for a child with special needs? These parents took up the challenge to come up with their own solutions. They've taken what worked for them and marketed it to help other parents. Could you follow in their footsteps?
ABA Educational Resources
Photo courtesy of ABA Educational Resources Inc.
Proprietor/Parent: Sharon Gabison
Business Description: The purpose of ABA Educational Resources is "providing educational materials to children and their families living with autism and using a behavioral approach to optimize their child's potential." On the site, you can purchase flash cards, books, videos, audiotraining tools, and laminating supplies; download tools like token economy boards, picture symbols, and data collection forms; and connect with other parents through message boards and listings of organizations. ... Read more
Business Description: The purpose of ABA Educational Resources is "providing educational materials to children and their families living with autism and using a behavioral approach to optimize their child's potential." On the site, you can purchase flash cards, books, videos, audiotraining tools, and laminating supplies; download tools like token economy boards, picture symbols, and data collection forms; and connect with other parents through message boards and listings of organizations. ... Read more
Alacan Publishing
Photo courtesy of Jim Sarris
Proprietor/Parent: Jim Sarris
Business Description: Alacan is "a company that publishes books that help kids with memory issues," says Sarris. Those include Memory Skills Made Easy, a book-and-DVD duo that helps kids with ADHD, autism and learning disabilities improve their recall, and Comic Mnemonics, which uses fun pictures and phrases to teach Spanish verbs. ... Read more
Business Description: Alacan is "a company that publishes books that help kids with memory issues," says Sarris. Those include Memory Skills Made Easy, a book-and-DVD duo that helps kids with ADHD, autism and learning disabilities improve their recall, and Comic Mnemonics, which uses fun pictures and phrases to teach Spanish verbs. ... Read more
AutismEdu
Photo courtesy of AutismEdu
Proprietor/Parent: Sharon Sexton-Braun
Business Description: The mission of AutismEdu, according to its Web site at AutismEdu.com, is "to create revolutionary educational software for the benefit of people with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD)." The company's first production is "Operation Communication," a CD-ROM that uses an engaging visual presentation to show parents "how to shape and increase a child’s communication using commonplace, everyday situations." AutismEdu also offers consulting services, workshops and seminars. ... Read more
Business Description: The mission of AutismEdu, according to its Web site at AutismEdu.com, is "to create revolutionary educational software for the benefit of people with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD)." The company's first production is "Operation Communication," a CD-ROM that uses an engaging visual presentation to show parents "how to shape and increase a child’s communication using commonplace, everyday situations." AutismEdu also offers consulting services, workshops and seminars. ... Read more
Coulter Video
Photo courtesy of Coulter Video
Proprietor/Parent: Dan Coulter
Business Description: "We're a video publishing company specializing in programs about special needs," Coulter explains. "Most of our videos focus on Asperger syndrome and Autism Spectrum Disorders, but we also sell a manners video that's appropriate for all kids. We write and produce original videos, then market and distribute them. We have a growing international business, and routinely sell videos to customers in Canada, the United Kingdom and Australia." ... Read more
Business Description: "We're a video publishing company specializing in programs about special needs," Coulter explains. "Most of our videos focus on Asperger syndrome and Autism Spectrum Disorders, but we also sell a manners video that's appropriate for all kids. We write and produce original videos, then market and distribute them. We have a growing international business, and routinely sell videos to customers in Canada, the United Kingdom and Australia." ... Read more
Different Roads to Learning
Photo courtesy of Different Roads to Learning
Proprietor/Parent: Julie Azuma
Business Description: "Different Roads to Learning is an online and postal catalog specifically for children diagnosed with autism," according to Azuma. "We have educational materials that relate to the interventions of Applied Behavior Analysis and Verbal Behavior. The materials include manuals, flash cards, manipulatives, software and other tools needed to educate children with developmental disabilities." ... Read more
Business Description: "Different Roads to Learning is an online and postal catalog specifically for children diagnosed with autism," according to Azuma. "We have educational materials that relate to the interventions of Applied Behavior Analysis and Verbal Behavior. The materials include manuals, flash cards, manipulatives, software and other tools needed to educate children with developmental disabilities." ... Read more
Mind Flight
Image courtesy of Dina Clifford
Proprietor/Parent: Dina Clifford
Business Description: "Mind Flight LLC specializes in fun interactive educational products designed to create awareness and help provide a safe environment for children with food allergies," Clifford explains. "Beyond A Peanut allergy flashcards were designed to teach children and those who care for them that staying safe with a nut allergy goes beyond the nut products themselves. My primary goal is to create a safe environment through education. My hope is also that the education will create a better understanding of the challenges around food allergies, and in turn create a more compassionate environment." ... Read more
Business Description: "Mind Flight LLC specializes in fun interactive educational products designed to create awareness and help provide a safe environment for children with food allergies," Clifford explains. "Beyond A Peanut allergy flashcards were designed to teach children and those who care for them that staying safe with a nut allergy goes beyond the nut products themselves. My primary goal is to create a safe environment through education. My hope is also that the education will create a better understanding of the challenges around food allergies, and in turn create a more compassionate environment." ... Read more
Natural Learning Concepts
Photo courtesy of Jene Aviram
Proprietor/Parent: Jene Aviram
Business Description: "We manufacture special education materials which get printed abroad and imported into the United States," says Aviram. "Most of our business takes place in the United States, but we have a number of distributors in Australia, Singapore and Canada. What makes us unique is that we provide our customers with something else. We give them hope, inspiration and a new perspective on what it means to have autism. We have learned so much over the years from personal experience, parents and professionals, and we’re eager to share it." ... Read more
Business Description: "We manufacture special education materials which get printed abroad and imported into the United States," says Aviram. "Most of our business takes place in the United States, but we have a number of distributors in Australia, Singapore and Canada. What makes us unique is that we provide our customers with something else. We give them hope, inspiration and a new perspective on what it means to have autism. We have learned so much over the years from personal experience, parents and professionals, and we’re eager to share it." ... Read more
Organized4Kids.com
Photo courtesy of Organized4Kids.com
Proprietor/Parent: Carla K. Binswanger
Product Description: The first offering from Organized4Kids.com is My IEP ToolKit, a large notebook with specialized tabs that "helps you organize all your child’s most important IEP-related papers," says Binswanger. "It gives you a way to make sense of them, an easy way to carry them, and -- most important -- a fast way to find them when you need them most." ... Read more
Product Description: The first offering from Organized4Kids.com is My IEP ToolKit, a large notebook with specialized tabs that "helps you organize all your child’s most important IEP-related papers," says Binswanger. "It gives you a way to make sense of them, an easy way to carry them, and -- most important -- a fast way to find them when you need them most." ... Read more
QCHARM LLC
Photo courtesy of QCHARM LLC
Proprietor/Parent: Denise L. Meissner
Business Description: "QCHARM, LLC provides a Portable Visual Cueing System to people who have special needs and to those who care for people with special needs," says Meissner. "The system involves presentation of symbols/icons on a charm that attaches to a wristband. Initial examples of icons are used to improve skill development related to: task preparation/performance/transition; schedules; changes in schedule; receptive and expressive communication; sensory modulation; socially appropriate behavior; safety education/reminders; and emotion identification/empathy." ... Read more
Business Description: "QCHARM, LLC provides a Portable Visual Cueing System to people who have special needs and to those who care for people with special needs," says Meissner. "The system involves presentation of symbols/icons on a charm that attaches to a wristband. Initial examples of icons are used to improve skill development related to: task preparation/performance/transition; schedules; changes in schedule; receptive and expressive communication; sensory modulation; socially appropriate behavior; safety education/reminders; and emotion identification/empathy." ... Read more
Sensory Playthings
Photo courtesy of Sensory Playthings
Proprietor/Parent: Rebecca Brown
Business Description: Sensory Playthings offers "unique, handmade developmental toys and accessories for babies and special needs children," Brown explains, listing such items as "multi-sensory tactile playmats designed to be used on trays of wheelchairs, high chairs, play tables; Veltex vests that you can velcro toys or sensory items to for the child with limited use of arms or visual impairment; sensory quilts, handknit tactile balls, bibs, and baby blankets." ... Read more
Business Description: Sensory Playthings offers "unique, handmade developmental toys and accessories for babies and special needs children," Brown explains, listing such items as "multi-sensory tactile playmats designed to be used on trays of wheelchairs, high chairs, play tables; Veltex vests that you can velcro toys or sensory items to for the child with limited use of arms or visual impairment; sensory quilts, handknit tactile balls, bibs, and baby blankets." ... Read more
Steps4Kids
Photo courtesy of Lucile Hooton Lynch
Proprietor/Parent: Lucile Hooton Lynch
Business Description: The primary focus of Steps4Kids, according to Lynch, is "the design of DVDs using video modeling, priming, and self-modeling to teach and support children. We also provide products to supplement the skills being demonstrated in the DVDs. Our goal is to provide persons responsible for teaching children with positive, effective visual tools, so that children can be successful in handling their academic, social, behavioral, and physical tasks." ... Read more
Business Description: The primary focus of Steps4Kids, according to Lynch, is "the design of DVDs using video modeling, priming, and self-modeling to teach and support children. We also provide products to supplement the skills being demonstrated in the DVDs. Our goal is to provide persons responsible for teaching children with positive, effective visual tools, so that children can be successful in handling their academic, social, behavioral, and physical tasks." ... Read more
