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?
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
Bjort & Company
Photo courtesy of Bjort & Company, Inc.
Proprietor/Parent: Kelly Harmsen
Business Description: Bjort & Company's primary product right now is a DVD, The Eye Patch Kids, that helps children who need eye patches feel more comfortable about wearing them. "I like to think of my business as something that helps children out," Harmsen says. "So far, it's for kids wearing an eye patch, and in the future it will hopefully be for kids with food allergies and asthma." ... Read more
Business Description: Bjort & Company's primary product right now is a DVD, The Eye Patch Kids, that helps children who need eye patches feel more comfortable about wearing them. "I like to think of my business as something that helps children out," Harmsen says. "So far, it's for kids wearing an eye patch, and in the future it will hopefully be for kids with food allergies and asthma." ... Read more
Check My Tag
Photo courtesy of Check My Tag
Proprietor/Parent: Ria Sharon
Business Description: "Check My Tag offers food allergy management resources to parents of young children with food allergies," says Sharon. The company's main product is shirts and dresses with a tag on the inside back that can be filled out with the child's name, allergies, and other precautions. A "Check My Tag" label on one sleeve alerts helpers. ... Read more
Business Description: "Check My Tag offers food allergy management resources to parents of young children with food allergies," says Sharon. The company's main product is shirts and dresses with a tag on the inside back that can be filled out with the child's name, allergies, and other precautions. A "Check My Tag" label on one sleeve alerts helpers. ... 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
DreamCatcher Weighted Blankets
Photo courtesy of Dreamcatcher Weighted Blankets
Proprietor/Parent: Eileen Jackson
Business Description: DreamCatcher "specializes in custom weighted products for those individuals that benefit from them," according to Jackson. Among the items offered are lap pads, lap blankets, wrap blankets, crib blankets, and blankets for twin-, full-, queen-, and king-size beds. Most are custom-made with fabrics and weights specified by the customer. ... Read more
Business Description: DreamCatcher "specializes in custom weighted products for those individuals that benefit from them," according to Jackson. Among the items offered are lap pads, lap blankets, wrap blankets, crib blankets, and blankets for twin-, full-, queen-, and king-size beds. Most are custom-made with fabrics and weights specified by the customer. ... Read more
E K Access
Photo courtesy of Susan Koch
Proprietor/Parent: Susan Koch
Business Description: "We make quality insulin pump cases with cool and fun designs," Koch explains. "We consider the safety aspect of our cases to be just as important as the fashion. Our cases were originally designed to withstand the activity of a young child and live up to the fashion sense of a teenager. With this combination, adults also find our cases to be a great alternative to the basic pump case. We carry unique Medical Alert/ID bands and bracelets made to accent our customers' own individual look." ... Read more
Business Description: "We make quality insulin pump cases with cool and fun designs," Koch explains. "We consider the safety aspect of our cases to be just as important as the fashion. Our cases were originally designed to withstand the activity of a young child and live up to the fashion sense of a teenager. With this combination, adults also find our cases to be a great alternative to the basic pump case. We carry unique Medical Alert/ID bands and bracelets made to accent our customers' own individual look." ... Read more
Fun and Function
Photo courtesy of Fun and Function
Proprietor/Parent: Aviva Weiss
Business Description: "We create and sell affordable and cool therapeutic toys, educational resources and clothing to facilitate each child's development and fullest potential," says Weiss. Categories on the site include Sensory, Perception, Fine Motor, Gross Motor, Speech/Oral, Incentives, and Equipment. ... Read more
Business Description: "We create and sell affordable and cool therapeutic toys, educational resources and clothing to facilitate each child's development and fullest potential," says Weiss. Categories on the site include Sensory, Perception, Fine Motor, Gross Motor, Speech/Oral, Incentives, and Equipment. ... Read more
