# data[].attributes.body
Life With A Side of the Unexpected supports special needs parents make the most of their unique journeys (especially when it gets challenging). She has a unique set of guides covering a range of topics (from "How to Help Children with Transitions" to "Ultimate Gift Guide – Toys for Sensory Processing Disorder")

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
What an Author and Illustrator Learned Firsthand about the True Meaning of Inclusion when Creating the Children's Book "Chicago Treasure" Children's Books About Disabilities This post contains affiliate...

# data[].attributes.body
Based in Dallas, TX, Rick is the father of a child with Down Syndrome named Noah. Wanting to dispel myths around Down Syndrome, Rick uses his blog to share accurate information on DS while also promoting the benefits of therapy for parents and children alike.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
These posts highlight new parent information, medical resources, support for parents raising a child born with Down syndrome, or other “special needs.”, and other helpful information. You’ll also find products that worked well for us, parenting tips, strategies, and other helps for new parents or se…

# data[].attributes.body
Our Learning Disabilities Blog is a blog that describes itself as a blog that "brings together tips and suggestions from our own experience, product reviews, and a range of ideas for activities and gifts for adults with learning disabilities." It even has a page dedicated to recipes!

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.provider_name
Our Learning Disabilities Blog - Suggestions and ideas for parents and carers of adults with learning disabilities.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Welcome to Our Learning Disabilities Blog Our Learning Disabilities Blog brings together tips and suggestions from our own experience, product reviews, and a range of ideas for activities and gifts for adults with learning disabilities. Please contact us if you want to know more! On our site... We h…

# data[].attributes.body
Vickie Rubin writes on choosing hope in her book "Raising Jess: A Story of Hope". Through her blog, she also advocates for choosing hope in situations where parents of children with disabilities might be struggling.

# data[].attributes.body
Different by Design Learning was a blog created by a homeschooling mom named Shawna Wingert. Teaching children with learning differences, she provides homeschooling resources to the parents of students with learning disabilities.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
About Shawna

Shawna Wingert is a special education teacher turned writer, speaker and consultant. She is also a homeschooling mom of two brilliant boys with differences and special needs.
Shawna has written four books for parents of special needs - Everyday Autism, Special Education at Home, Parenting Chaos and her latest, Homeschooling Your Child With Special Needs. She has also been featured in special needs discussions on Today.com, The Mighty, Simple Homeschool, The Huffington Post and with Autism Speaks.

You can find her online here at DifferentByDesignLearning.com and in person, as a featured speaker at Great Homeschool Conventions.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
About Shawna Shawna Wingert is a special education teacher turned writer, speaker and consultant. She is also a homeschooling mom of two brilliant boys with differences and special needs.Shawna has written four books for parents of special needs - Everyday Autism, Special Education at Home, Parenting Chaos and her latest, Homeschooling Your Child With Special Needs.

# data[].attributes.body
Shannon Colclough runs the Sped Guru Blog which focuses on parenting kids and teens. Overall, she shares fun resources that parents can utilize to teach their kids curriculum or complete activities with their kids.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Visit SpedGuru.com for relevant information for helping children with and without learning disabilities.

# data[].attributes.body
POAC Autism Services provide events for the autism community such as training for parents and educators and recreational and support services to individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder and their families. Their blog ("The Difference Blog") focuses on healthcare, internet safety, and a wealth of other resources.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Please note that NJAW (New Jersey Autism Warriors) events require membership in the NJAW Facebook group. If you are the parent or caregiver of a child or adult with autism, you can request to join this group. If you are already a member, just click register to join an event.

# data[].attributes.body
Moms Spectrum Oasis is an online support group for mothers who recently had their child(ren) diagnosed with Autism. In this group, mothers can receive emotional and mental support from other mothers in similar situations as well as receive resources that might be helpful to them.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Tired of Going the Autism Journey Alone?

A diagnosis of Autism is a life-changing moment. When my son Ethan was diagnosed, it felt like I had too much to deal with in every direction in my life. More than a decade later, I have tools to share with you so you won't have to do this journey alone.

On online community is a place for respite, for community, for fun and fellowship. A place for conversations, for education and for straight talk about your own care and nurture.

Join the group on Facebook https://facebook.com/groups/takeabreathandbreathe

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
A diagnosis of Autism is a life-changing moment. When my son Ethan was diagnosed, it felt like I had too much to deal with in every direction in my life. More than a decade later, I have tools to share with you so you won't have to do this journey alone.

# data[].attributes.body
Jane Ross founded Smart Kids with Learning Disabilities after finding out her 10 year son could not read. Through the website, parents can discover first steps, receive expert advice, and community.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Jane B. Ross, M.S., the founder and executive director of Smart Kids with Learning Disabilities, is a former publishing executive and consultant who was determined to help other parents who were as clueless as she was when she discovered that her bright and resourceful 10-year-old son could not read…

# data[].attributes.body
Jolene Philo is an author and writer about of Key Ministry working to empower children with special needs. Her ministry is faith-based and also advocates for support from leaders within her faith community.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
If my experience of raising a child with special needs is anything like yours, empowering my kid with disabilities rarely reached the top of my parenting priority list. In part one of this five-part series, Jolene explores how to empower kids with disabilities by using William Glasser's Choice Theory.

Even though our celebration of Valentine's Day has passed, there are things we can do every day to show we love each other and care for one another. It is a choice, but it takes work. Being a caregiver for our loved ones with special needs can put a lot of pressure on our marriage. Joe and Cindi Ferrini share 10 tips to strengthen your marriage.

My daughter's heart has never been normal. Throughout her life, Jaycee's cardiologists have done their best to treat her heart defect. We tasked ourselves to cover Jaycee in prayer.

Tagged: medically fragile, CHD Awareness Day, NICU, Caregiving

We were supposed to introduce ourselves to the other moms at our round table by saying our names and three quick facts about ourselves. When it was my turn, I said, " My name is Jenn, and I have two boys, and I am a special needs mom and...um..."I froze. My life revolved around the needs and endless appointments of my kids. I could not think of a single "other thing" to say about me.

Tagged: encouragement, identity, special needs parents, caregiving, self-care, soul-care

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
If my experience of raising a child with special needs is anything like yours, empowering my kid with disabilities rarely reached the top of my parenting priority list. In part one of this five-part series, Jolene explores how to empower kids with disabilities by using William Glasser's Choice Theory.

# data[].attributes.body
Love That Max is a website created by Ellen Seidman to celebrate kick butt children with special needs such as her son Max. There's also links on here for free resources that parents can utilize.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
22 free things, services and grants for kids with special needs

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
A blog about parenting kids with special needs

# data[].attributes.body
Mom2Mom is a resource for mothers of young or adults special need kids who are at risk for depression and related disorders. They provide a support helpline program to those who need it.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Mothers of young or adult special needs children are at risk for depression and related disorders. Studies show parents of special needs children have significantly higher divorce rates than those with typically developing children. Medical illness, financial stressors, faith based issues, and employment struggles often accompany the challenges of being a primary caregiver of a special needs child or adult.

When you become a mother, it is often the most miraculous experience of your life. When your young or adult child is identified as having special needs, it is potentially the most devastating experience of your life. As the primary caregiver, mothers often try to "fix" everything for their child. But sometimes challenges cannot be fixed, and must instead be adapted to.

Our purpose

The Mom2Mom Peer Support Helpline Program answers the need for help with adaptation.

An abundance of resources for children and adults with special needs are out there, offering everything from advocacy and education, to financial support. But what was missing from the equation was services that focused specifically on addressing the primary caregiver's mental health and wellness. The well-being of moms was being largely overlooked. Not anymore.

What we do

The Mom2Mom helpline connects moms of special needs children and adults with moms of a similar circumstance who are specially trained in peer counseling and crisis support, making them uniquely qualified to offer relevant and realistic guidance, support.

When you call, email or connect through chat, one of our moms with talk with you, explore and assess your needs with you, and offer guidance and access to our professional provider network of resources that can help you, if additional help is needed.

Clinical Assessments - Our team of clinical professionals are available to do telephonic assessments as needed to help you gage the severity of any depression, anxiety, and family & marital issues you may be experiencing that are impacting your life.

Provider Network Access - Our database of highly rated and trained service providers with relevant specialized experience, is available to you for referrals as needed via our peer counselors.

Support Groups - Within your communities Mom Peer Support Groups are available every month to help you, support you, and remind you that you are not alone.

Why Mom's call

While we invite moms to call and connect with us for any reason at all, the top 10 things that moms call us about most often are:

Family and Parenting Issues

School Issues

Anxieties and Phobias

Depression and Mood Disorders

Relationship Issues

Legal Questions

Developmental Disabilities

Aggression and Violent Behaviors

Financial Issues

Medical Issues

Our Approach

Our Reciprocal Peer Support Wellness Model addresses behavioral and physical health needs along 8 dimensions of wellness. Our goal is to restore health and reestablish balance within all 8 for every caller. They are as follows:

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Mothers of young or adult special needs children are at risk for depression and related disorders. Studies show parents of special needs children have significantly higher divorce rates than those with typically developing children. Medical illness, financial stressors, faith based issues, and employment struggles often accompany the challenges of being a primary caregiver of a special needs child or adult.