When you've identified a problem with your special needs child, strategized solutions, and found something that works, what do you do next? For some enterprising parents, the answer is: Go into business. To see how they did it, read these profiles of businesses started by parents to help other families and children like theirs. You'll be inspired by their ingenuity and resourcefulness. Could you follow in their footsteps?
Pump Wear
Photo courtesy of Pump Wear
Proprietor/Parent: Julie DeFruscio
Business Description: Pump Wear offers stylish and cool ways for kids to transport their insulin pumps, including waist-wrapping Pump Paks and bright patch pockets on shirts. DeFruscio describes the business as "a place where children and adults can go to have fun and be fashionable!" ... Read more
Business Description: Pump Wear offers stylish and cool ways for kids to transport their insulin pumps, including waist-wrapping Pump Paks and bright patch pockets on shirts. DeFruscio describes the business as "a place where children and adults can go to have fun and be fashionable!" ... 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
The Special Needs Store
Image courtesy of The Special Needs Store
Proprietor/Parent: Kelly Savage
Business Description: "We are an online retail store which offers a wide variety of resources and products for children with special needs and developmental delays," says Savage. "Our goal is to make the lives of parents, therapists, and educators of children with special needs and developmental delays easier by enabling them to find a wide variety of resources in one location." ... Read more
Business Description: "We are an online retail store which offers a wide variety of resources and products for children with special needs and developmental delays," says Savage. "Our goal is to make the lives of parents, therapists, and educators of children with special needs and developmental delays easier by enabling them to find a wide variety of resources in one location." ... Read more
SPECS4US
Photo courtesy of Maria Dellapina
Proprietor/Parent: Maria Dellapina
Business Description: "I have designed a frame line of glasses for children with Down Syndrome and other special needs," Dellapina says. "The mission is simple: To improve the sight and quality of life for children with DS and other special needs by providing custom frames that fit your children's unique needs." ... Read more
Business Description: "I have designed a frame line of glasses for children with Down Syndrome and other special needs," Dellapina says. "The mission is simple: To improve the sight and quality of life for children with DS and other special needs by providing custom frames that fit your children's unique needs." ... Read more
Star Allergy Alerts
Photo courtesy of Star Allergy Alerts
Proprietor/Parent: Donna Rendell
Business Description: Star Allergy Alerts is "an online home-based business selling allergy awareness T-shirts, badges and stickers," says Rendell. Since she works at home, "it's my morning and night-time job -- before Stella wakes, after she goes to Kindy and after she goes to bed!" ... Read more
Business Description: Star Allergy Alerts is "an online home-based business selling allergy awareness T-shirts, badges and stickers," says Rendell. Since she works at home, "it's my morning and night-time job -- before Stella wakes, after she goes to Kindy and after she goes to bed!" ... Read more
Steps4Kids LLC
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
