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This website links pages that can help parents find support groups for parents of children that have disabilities.

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When your child is diagnosed with a serious injury, illness, or disability, it can feel like the world is crashing down around you. Feelings of isolation are common, but it is important to know that you are not alone. In fact, more than 10 million children in the United States have or are at increased risk of having a chronic physical, developmental, behavioral, or emotional condition that also requires health and related services beyond that is required by children generally.*

Know that there are plenty of resources to help you, your family, and your child with special needs-resources that will answer questions, support you through difficult times, and help you live life to the fullest.

Support groups for parents of children with special needs

Below is a list of family and parent support groups for children with special needs. We have even more resources for special needs children in an accompanying blog post.

1. Mommies of Miracles
The mission of Mommies of Miracles is to eliminate the isolation mothers of children with complex medical needs experience daily by providing an extended network of resources, grief support, and hope.

Their organization is a growing, international, peer-driven support group of mothers who have children of all ages, with complex care needs, many with rare or undiagnosed conditions and developmental disabilities.

2. Different Dream
Different Dream defines themselves as "a gathering place for parents of special needs children." Their website provides resources and literature, with a blog that addresses what parents of special needs children often encounter.

3. Parent to Parent
Parent to Parent is an organization that matches you with an experienced support parent who can provide emotional support and assist you in finding resources and information. A mentor who has lived through similar experiences can, for some, be more helpful than a therapist.

4. The Global Tracheostomy Collaborative
A non-profit collaborative, The Global Tracheostomy Collaborative, has a mission to increase awareness of tracheostomy care and quality of life for those in need. They're making this possible by bringing together "A multidisciplinary team of physicians, nurses, respiratory therapists, speech therapists and patients working to disseminate best practices and improve outcomes around tracheostomy care."

For families, joining this collaborative is free. You get access to the patient and family forum, and you have the ability to post to their blog and share your story.

5. Nancy's House
Nancy's Houseis a different kind of support group. It is a respite house in Pennsylvania where caregivers can come for relaxation, counseling, meditation, and therapy. There are one and three-day retreats. Payment is on a sliding scale.

If you're looking for more regular respite care for children with special needs, consider looking for a home health care provider.

6. The Arc
The Arc is an advocacy organization, and their mission is to "promote and protect the human rights of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and actively support their full inclusion and participation in the community throughout their lifetime."

This organization is not just for the parents and family members of special needs children and adults. This organization is meant for everyone. You can donate, volunteer, or join via their website. Going to a local chapter website or location will give you even more resources, events, and programs to take advantage of.

7. The Caregiver Action Network
Joining the Caregiver Action Network (CAN) is free and gives you access to forums, information, and a large community of caregivers. CAN is a non-profit organization devoted to providing support to families and caregivers at no cost.

There is a forum for caregivers, a blog of caregiving stories, and a list of organizations and foundations to strengthen the support to caregivers of all kinds. You will also have access to local volunteers who can provide education about diagnosis and advocacy training. These volunteers are or were caregivers themselves, so they can relate to the stresses you are working to overcome.

How to find a local support group

While the support groups above provide valuable information and assistance, sometimes you want to locate a resource that's close to home. Typically, some groups are led by a facilitator while others may have a guest speaker followed by a discussion period. Here are some tips for finding local groups:

The quickest way to find support group information is most likely online. You can search relevant terms such as "pediatric support group" or "special needs parents support group" and then add in your area or town so the results can be filtered by what's local to you.

In addition to searching for groups that support parents of children with special needs, you may want to look for groups that are specific to your child's diagnosis. There are many resources for children with autism, SMA, cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, and more.

Contact your child's school, non-profit organizations, or local children's hospitals for information.

The Center for Parent Information and Resources (CPIR) serves as a central resource of information and products within the community. Use theirinteractive mapto find a center that serves your state.

Ask ahome careprovider even if your child isn't receiving care. Some agencies will run their own or are connected with area groups. BAYADA has greatresource information for parents.

Books on children with special needs and other parent resources

If you'd rather find support more independently, there are plenty of options for you, too!

1. Complex Child E-Magazine
The online-only Complex Child E-Magazine is free and written solely by parents of special needs children. The fellowship provided by this e-magazine is vast. You can submit your own posts for others to reference, search for articles by topic, or browse their database of information. You can also find articles that direct to local resources and organizations.

2. Strengthening Family Resilience by Froma Walsh
While this book doesn't deal with special needs children, per se,Strengthening Family Resiliencedoes offer strategies to build resilience and resourcefulness in families when crisis situations and multi-stress challenges arise.

3. Exceptional Family Member Program
If you happen to be a member of a military family, the EFMP can help ensure assignment coordination with your family's specific needs, while providing extra support: finding local support groups, accessible housing, and available advocacy groups.

4. Out of the Bubble by Shelby McGrath Meyers
From theOut of the Bubblebook jacket:

Out of the Bubble is a candid memoir of a family faced with an unimaginable tragedy. Shelby McGrath Myers lets you into her world as she recounts the life changing hospitalization of her son, Clayton; the effects on her family dynamics; their transition home with a new "normalcy" and, ultimately, the heartache of losing a child. Gripping and enlightening - the reader will witness the power of a family's love and why the story of a little boy, nicknamed "Clayton the Great", will impact your life. Shelby McGrath Myers is donating a portion of her royalties from each book sale, to Clayton's Hope Organization. A non-profit which raises funding for Epilepsy research and awareness.

Shelby also hosts Clayton's Voice, which is a part of BAYADA's Healing on the Home Front podcast series and another great resource for parents and families of children with special needs.

*Kogan MD, Strickland BB, Newacheck PW. Building systems of care: findings from the National Survey of Children With Special Health Care Needs. Pediatrics. 2009;124(suppl 4):S333-S336pmid:19948596

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Support for Parents of Children with Special Needs

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When your child is diagnosed with a serious injury, illness, or disability, it can feel like the world is crashing down around you. Feelings of isolation are common, but it is important to know that you are not alone.

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This article explains step by step instructions on how to get your disabled child help.

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What Is Special Education?

Many kids with special needs qualify for extra help in school. A child who has a problem that makes it harder to learn might be able to get:

When a child has these services, it's called "special education." To qualify for special education, kids need to be tested.

If you're concerned about your child's ability to learn, don't delay testing. The sooner kids get the help needed, the more likely they'll succeed in school.

What's the Law?

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) makes sure that children with disabilities get the same free, quality public education as other kids. (A disability is any physical or mental condition that limits a child's ability to learn.) The law covers kids from birth to age 21.

Children who quality for extra help receive a written plan that sets learning goals for them, and explains how to reach those goals. Parents, teachers, therapists, school psychologists, and others work as a team to create the plan. Plans are offered based on ability and age:

Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP): This is given to infants and toddlers up to age 3 who have developmental delays or medical problems that can lead to delays (such as hearing loss, being born early, or genetic problems likeDown syndrome).

IEP: This is given to kids ages 3 to 21 who have physical or mental disabilities.

What Do I Do First?

Talk to your doctor. If your child has special needs that make it harder to learn or seems behind in development, tell the doctor. The doctor can see if your child is on track or needs testing. Your child may be seen by a specialist (such as a speech therapist or psychologist).

If needed, get testing. A child who may need extra help to reach milestones will be referred for testing. Testing for special education services can be through your state's early intervention program or through your local school district.

You can request a free test, even without a referral from your doctor. Here's how:

If your child is under 3, call your state's early intervention program.

If your child is age 3 or older, call your local school district.

If your child is older and struggling in school, you can ask for an evaluation at any time. Talk with teachers, the principal, a school guidance counselor, or psychologist to set up testing.

How Will My Child Be Tested?

The kind of tests given depend on your concerns and the needs of your child. Tests can check for language skills, motor skills, development, behavior problems, IQ, and achievement.

What Services Are Offered?

Babies & Toddlers

Babies and toddlers are enrolled in their state's early intervention programs. Most services are given in the home and include help learning to walk, talk, play, and develop other skills. Families and caregivers learn to help children reach their goals. Families also may get help managing problem behaviors and social work support.

Before kids turn 3, they are tested again to see if they need to continue with special education. If a child qualifies, a plan is put in place for preschool.

Preschoolers

After age 3, kids usually get services outside the home. Preschoolers learn best when they're around their peers, and teachers help prepare them for kindergarten. This happens in special education preschools or other learning centers. If needed, a child may get extra services - such as speech therapy - to help meet learning goals.

After preschool ends, kids are tested again to see if they need to continue with special education services in elementary school.

School-Age Kids

Depending on their need, students from kindergarten age through age 21 may qualify for either an IEP or a 504 education plan:

An IEP is a custom learning plan. It tells a child's current grade level creates reachable goals for learning, and has a plan for how the school will help the child reach those goals. The IEP includes yearly planning and progress reports.

504 plans make sure that kids with special needs get the extra support they need in the regular classroom. Support might be having an aide in the classroom, having more time to work on tests or homework, or having a keyboard for taking notes. These things are called "accommodations."

These two plans might seem the same, but they are different. The IEP provides individualized special education and related services, depending on a student's need. To qualify for an IEP, a child must have a disability recognized by the IDEA. The 504 plan helps a child with a disability succeed in a regular classroom setting.

Students with needs that go beyond what the school district can offer may be placed in a special school or program.

Teens

The IEP will start to prepare a child at age 14 for adult life. This is called "transition planning." Transition planning focuses on what a teen wants to do after graduation - such as college or vocational school, working, or volunteering - and the skills needed to reach those goals.

The transition plan also includes where a young adult might live and whether he or she can live independently. It addresses life-skills education (like money management, transportation, grooming, and household chores), and sets a plan for switching to adult health care services.

How Often Are Plans Reviewed?

IEPs and 504 plans are reviewed every year. A major review (which usually includes re-testing) should happen every 3 years.

Can I Change My Child's Plan?

You (or anyone one else on your child's planning team) can ask for a review at any time. If you disagree with your child's IEP, request a meeting with the IEP team to discuss your concerns. Parents have the right to be in all IEP planning meetings, to look over school records, and to disagree with and/or ask to change the plan.

If this effort does not get the results wanted, you can work with a mediator or make a "due process" complaint to help resolve the issues between you and the school district. You also can file a complaint through your state education agency or file a lawsuit.

Your child will continue with services while you go through the resolution process.

What Else Should I Know?

Your child's pathway to learning may be different from what you expected. It may sometimes feel like an overwhelming process. But remember that you do not need to go through it alone.

Find support at school and in the community. Talk to other parents who have been through it before you. Join a support group, either online or in person.

With careful planning and patience, working together with the school, you can help your child learn and reach his or her full potential.

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Special Education: Getting Help for Your Child

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Many kids with special needs qualify for extra help in school. A child who has a problem that makes it harder to learn might be able to get: When a child has these services, it's called "special education." To qualify for special education, kids need to be tested.

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This article explains what the Americans with Disabilities Act is (ADA). Additionally, it talks about how it protects and how broad it is.

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What Is the Americans With Disabilities Act? | How ADA Helps Students

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The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) protects people with disabilities from discrimination at school and at work. Learn how this law can help your child.

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This article lists legal terms parents/guardians should know for their child with disabilities. Some terms they list are due process, FERPA, and LRE.

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By The Understood Team

Kids with learning or thinking differences may have a right to services and supports at school through an IEP or a 504 plan. Since navigating this process can be tricky, you might decide to consult with a lawyer at some point. And the lawyer may use terms you've never heard. This mini-glossary can help you understand the legal language you're hearing.

Due process is a formal way to resolve special education disputes. This process is spelled out in the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.

Free and appropriate public education (FAPE) refers to the legal requirement that public schools provide eligible kids with disabilities the support and services they need (and in general education settings as much as possible).

Local education agency (LEA) is the board of education or other authority that controls the public school.

Office for Civil Rights (OCR) is a branch of the U.S. Department of Education that investigates allegations of civil rights violations in schools. Parents can file a complaint with OCR about these violations.

State education agency (SEA) is the agency that supervises public schools in each state.

It's valuable to understand terms like these when speaking to a lawyer. You may also want to check out which laws do what. Studying up on terms educators use could also be a big help when it comes to advocating for your child, along with IEP terms.

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Kids with learning or thinking differences may have a right to services and supports at school through an IEP or a 504 plan. Since navigating this process can be tricky, you might decide to consult with a lawyer at some point. And the lawyer may use terms you've never heard.

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Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE)

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Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE)

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This website goes into details what FAPE is.

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What Is Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE)?

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FAPE stands for free appropriate public education. Students with disabilities have a legal right to FAPE. Learn more about what FAPE means.

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This website lists a bunch of different organizations that can support you as a parent of a child with disabilities.

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Center for Parent Information and Resources (CPIR)

The Center for Parent Information and Resources (CPIR), produced under the US Department of Education Office of Special Education, serves as a central resource of information and products to the community of Parent Training Information (PTI) Centers and the Community Parent Resource Centers (CPRCs), so that they can focus their efforts on serving families of children with disabilities. The site provides resources by topic area, some in English and Spanish and when available, by state.

Additional Resources from CPIR

Trauma Informed Resource Collection Dec 2018

Tools That Empower Spanish Speaking Families

Index to Resources in Spanish for English speakers and link to the index that is entirely in Spanish

A Resource Collection on Positive Behavior Supports, Functional Behavioral Assessment, and School Discipline Nov 2017 Welcome to this collection of resources on positive behavior supports and discipline of children with disabilities. The collection has been developed by a team of Parent Centers, specifically for the Parent Center network to use in their work supporting and empowering parents and families of children with disabilities.

Rare Disorders: Disability Fact Sheet Published: June 2017 Roughly 7,000 rare diseases/disorders have been identified as affecting the human race. Because they are rare, it can be a real challenge for a person to be accurately diagnosed. Finding effective treatments, especially medicine, can also be a challenge-and for the same reason. Rareness. If you have a rare disease, know someone who does, or work with people who might, here's a core of resources we hope are helpful.

Parent Technical Assistance Centers Parent centers work to improve educational outcomes for children and youth with all disabilities (emotional, learning, mental, and physical). There are ten parent centers in California.

Fact Sheet on the Rights of Immigrant Children

NICHCY's New Home Sept 2014 September 30, 2014 was NICHCY's last day after more than 20 years of service. Happily, most of NICHCY's resources will stay in their new home at the Center for Parent Information and Resources.

Developing culturally Responsive Approaches to Serving Diverse Populations: A Resource Guide for Community-Based Organizations Mar 2017 This 30-page resource guide, produced by the National Research Center on Hispanic Children and Families, identifies easily accessible resources on cultural competency that CBOs can use to become more responsive to the needs of their targeted populations, and to help attract funds to support their important work.

Added: Oct 2014 | Updated: Jul 2019

Center on Technology and Disability (CTD)

The Center on Technology and Disability (CTD) is funded by the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP). The Center is designed to increase the capacity of families and providers to advocate for, acquire, and implement effective assistive and instructional technology (AT/IT) practices, devices, and services. Research-based technologies, used appropriately, have great potential to help infants, toddlers, children, and youth with disabilities participate fully in daily routines; have increased access to the general educational curriculum; improve their functional outcomes and educational results; and meet college- and career-ready standards.

CTD Library

Isabel Needs Assistive Technology (Video)
In this story, you'll meet Marta, the mother of Isabel, a young girl with fine motor and learning disabilities. The video introduces viewers to assistive technology (AT) and takes them through an Individualized Education Program (IEP) meeting during which AT is considered. This video is captioned in English and is "described" as well. FCTD and Dicapta invite you to view and share this video with your colleagues and the families you serve. This video was originally produced as a Spanish-language resource. Voice-over and captioning were added to provide access to larger audience.

Added: Mar 2015 | Updated: Feb 2019

Child Care Aware

Child Care Aware is a nonprofit initiative committed to helping parents find the best information on locating quality child care and child care resources in their community. It does this by raising visibility for local child care resource and referral agencies nationwide, and by connecting parents with the local agencies best equipped to serve their needs. The site has links to Child Care Resource and Referral organizations (CCR&Rs), local experts on child care that provide parents with many services, including referrals to local child care providers.

"In the States" Interactive Map 2012 "In the States" Interactive Map includes information about child care licensing in each state, a link to the state page from Child Care Aware of America's reports reviewing child care center and family child care home policies in every state, and a link to Child Care Aware of America's one-page fact sheet with child care information related to the demographics in the state, the price of child care, and other data related to child care.

Early Childhood Technical Assistance (ECTA)

ECTA is comprised of several recent OSEP-funded TA centers (NECTAC, CELL and TACSEI and ECO within the next two years). The purpose of ECTA is to improve state early intervention and early childhood special education service systems, increase the implementation of effective practices, and enhance the outcomes of these programs for young children and their families.

Additional Resources from Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center

State Early Childhood Inclusion Self-Assessment (PDF) July 2017

Pennsylvania Preschool Inclusion Self-Evaluation Tool

ECTA Center for Families to help families understand their right under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), connect with other families and find high quality resources related to caring for infants, toddlers and young children with disabilities.

Recursos en Español (Resources in Spanish)

Inclusion in Least Restrictive Environments Designed for the administrators of state agencies responsible for services to young children and their families, including child care, Head Start, education, and early intervention. It has compiled information for administrators who are challenged with developing policies and programs that lead to inclusive comprehensive and coordinated services for all young children, ages birth to 8 years, and their families.
Preschool Inclusion Finance Toolkit 2017 (PDF)
An update of ECTA Center's resource that addresses updated guidance in the Dear Colleague Letter on Preschool Least Restrictive Environments published earlier this year. Worksheets included in this toolkit:

Early Intervention Program for Infants and Toddlers with Disabilities (Part C of IDEA) Provides a listing by state of the websites of the organizations responsible for early intervention for babies with developmental disabilities

Developing High Quality Functional IFSP and IEP Goals -Training Package This training package has been developed collaboratively with staff from the ECTA Center and WRRC in response to the need expressed from state and local providers to have specific information and resources about developing Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) outcomes and Individualized Education Plan (IEP) goals. First introduced in September 2012, this revised training package includes: an introductory video; a set of six fully scripted PowerPoint presentations; handouts, activities and supplemental materials; and how states have used and adapted the materials.

Inclusion in Least Restrictive Environments

Position Statements on Inclusion from National Organizations

Research and Studies on Inclusion

Personnel Development for Inclusion

Recommended Practices
The OSEP funded Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center (ECTA) has launched a campaign to bring widespread awareness about the DEC Recommended Practices (RPs). The latest ECTA resources to support implementation of the RPs include Performance Checklists for practitioners as well as Practice Guides for Practitioners and Practice Guides for Families. These resources were highlighted on a recent national webinar which was recorded and can be accessed in aRPy's Corner of the ECTA web site.

ECTA Webinar Series: Upcoming and Archived:

Added: Oct 2014 | Updated: Jan 2021

eParent.Com

eParent.com is an online multi-media company dedicated to be the ultimate resource for everything related to the special needs community. Providing practical advice, emotional support, current trending news and educational information to empower caregivers and families of children and adults with disabilities and special healthcare needs. As well as to the physicians, allied health care professionals, and educational professionals who are involved in their care and development.

Friendship Circle

Friendship Circle of Michigan is a non-profit organization that provides programs and support to the families of individuals with special needs. With over 75,000 visitors a month, the Friendship Circle Special Needs Resource blog is one of the biggest special needs blogs in the world. Currently the blog has over 500 articles on special needs topics including: parenting, special education, products, therapy tips, videos and more.

Added: Mar 2015 | Updated: Feb 2019

Greater Good Parenting: Raising Caring, Courageous Kids

Parents want to raise kind, caring, courageous children but few feel like they know precisely how to do that. In order to help bridge the gap between research and the daily lives of parents, the Greater Good Science Center, supported by the John Templeton Foundation, launched an initiative with three components to help parents raise kids of high character who treat others with compassion and respect.

The GGSC has developed a range of new resources sharing with parents the top research and best practices on raising children who are supportive of others and committed to something bigger than themselves. This includes publishing dozens of new articles for parents on Greater Good, creating several practical exercises for parents to try with their kids on Greater Good in Action, and producing a series of short videos designed for mobile devices and social media to reach busy parents on-the-go.

Kids in the House

The Ultimate Parenting Resource offers over 8000 videos on a comprehensive range of topics for a variety of age ranges for every type of family. Well respected experts present positive, useful information in short videos. For example take a look at the videos from:

Dr. Dan Siegel , award winning author and lecturer. Dr. Siegel's unique ability to make complicated scientific concepts easy to understand and exciting has led him to be invited to address diverse local, national and international groups of mental health professionals, neuroscientists, corporate leaders, educators, parents, public administrators, healthcare providers, policy-makers, and clergy. Or explore the various topics under:

Special Needs

Top Tips for How to Raise a Happy Child

Kids Included Together (KIT)

KIT stands for Kids Included Together, a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that was founded in San Diego, California in 1997. The mission of Kids Included Together is to support recreational, child development, and youth development programs that include children with and without disabilities. KIT's goals are to enrich the lives of all who participate and to increase understanding and acceptance of disabilities as a natural part of life. We invite you to explore our site and learn more about our work in San Diego County and across the nation.

Summer Camp Means Fun for All: How to Create a More Inclusive Camp May 20, 2022 Kids Included Together (KIT) says, "Pinpointing exactly what it means and looks like to be inclusive can be tough because creating a sense of belonging for each child will differ from person to person and camp to camp. But, that's really what it is - creating a sense of belonging for each camper." "So, where do you start and how do you know if you've gotten there? Well, providing a meaningful experience for every camper may look varied, but it will be rooted in a few universal principles." This article provides helpful considerations to add toKIT's inclusion checklist.

Additional Resources from KIT

KIT: Top 5 Trends in Disability Inclusion 2018 Sept 2018 Kids Included Together (KIT) is leading the field in disability inclusion and behavior support through work with over 450 organizations in the United States, Europe, Asia, and Australia. Using research, media, and recent KIT data from 625 training sessions, 100 online courses, 325 onsite visits, and 1,752 support center calls, we have identified the top 5 trends in childhood disability inclusion. In 2018, we can exploit these trends to help increase meaningful inclusion of children with disabilities in schools and communities.

Inclusion Resources: Videos, Tip Sheets, Checklists, Guidebooks and Websites Sept 2018

Who We Are-Our Work: Publications Sept 2018

What is Inclusion? (PDF) Sept 2018

Added: Mar 2015 | Updated: Jul 2022

National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) For Families

This section of the National Association for the Education of Young Children website provides practical information, advice, including how to find quality child care, and resources directed toward parents.

National Center for Families Learning (NCFL)

NCFL provides support and strategies to a network of entities involved in advancing education and families learning together, including educators, schools, community based organizations, and libraries. Our efforts support learners of all ages in these environments in concert with our advocates and partners.

Added: Apr 2015 | Updated: Dec 2018

Native American Parent Technical Assistance Center (NAPTAC)

NAPTAC is a project within EPICS to provide training and technical assistance to Parent Training Information Centers (PTI's) and Community Parent Resource Centers (CPRC's) nationwide on providing effective, culturally responsive services to Native American families of children with disabilities, as well as youth with disabilities.

PACER Center

The Technical Assistance ALLIANCE for Parent Centers is an innovative project that provides technical assistance to the over 100 Parent Centers funded under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). The ALLIANCE National Center at PACER Center conducts national conferences, produces materials on special education topics, and offers high quality expertise to Parent Centers nationwide.

Publications

Translated Content PACER offers bilingual workshops, individual assistance and translated publications focusing on issues facing families from diverse backgrounds. When you call PACER you may ask to speak with a multicultural staff person. You will be able to discuss your concerns and explore choices with an understanding parent advocate who also has a child with special needs.

Added: Oct 2014 | Updated: Dec 2018

Parent Center Hub: Babies & Toddlers

A legacy resource from NICHCY

Parent Companion: First Five Years

The Four Stages of Adaptation: Stage 1 Surviving
The Four Stages of Adaptation model was developed by Dr. Nancy Miller, a psychotherapist and social worker. She worked with four moms over a period of five years and distilled their experiences into the book Nobody's Perfect: Living and Growing with Children Who Have Special Needs. The model came from conversations with the moms, experiences working with families, and the writings of many parents and professionals.

PBS Parents: Inclusive Communities

Learn about improving the overall quality of life for children with or without disabilities by promoting inclusion and respect for differences. Resource on this site help parents and caregivers create more inclusive communities.

Raising Children Network, the Austrailian Parenting Website

On the Raising Children website, parents will find reliable and scientifically validated information and resources to support them in the day-to-day work of raising children and looking after their own needs. The website is growing all the time and covers a broad range of up-to-date parenting topics.

All content on the website has passed through a rigorous quality assessment process developed by the Raising Children Network (RCN) team and the RCN Scientific Advisory Board. The Board is made up of some of Australia's pre-eminent experts in child health and development and oversees the website's content development.

The quality assessment process ensures that each piece of website content is approved by at least two independent experts for accuracy and validity. A professional web editing team also assesses each piece on its accessibility and communication values to ensure the information is easy to understand, remember and act on.

Added: Apr 2015 | Updated: Dec 2019

Sesame Street in Communities

This website provides information, videos and activities on a variety of topics to support families and care providers in teaching young children. Information may be geared to either care providers or families and activities can be selected by age group. Topics range from routines and exploring emotions to autism, divorce, incarceration and homelessness. Available in both English and Spanish.

Added: Jul 2019 | Updated: Aug 2019

Sibling Support Project

Founded in 1990, the Sibling Support Project is the first national program dedicated to the life-long and ever-changing concerns of millions of brothers and sisters of people with special health, developmental, and mental health concerns. We've published books for and about brothers and sisters, host online groups for teen and adult siblings, and presented workshops on sibling issues internationally and in every state. However, we're best known for helping local communities start Sibshops -lively peer support groups for school-age brothers and sisters of kids with special needs.

Added: Mar 2015 | Updated: Feb 2019

Through the Looking Glass (TLG)

Through the Looking Glass (TLG) is a nationally recognized center that has pioneered research, training, and services for families in which a child, parent or grandparent has a disability or medical issue. TLG is a disability community based nonprofit organization, which emerged from the independent living movement, and was founded in 1982 in Berkeley, California. TLG provides home-based services in Alameda and Contra Costa Counties.

Understood

Parents want the best for their children. We do, too. For the first time ever, 15 nonprofit organizations have joined forces to support parents of the one in five children with learning and attention issues throughout their journey. With the right support, parents can help children unlock their strengths and reach their full potential. With state-of-the-art technology, personalized resources, free daily access to experts, a secure online community, practical tips and more, Understood aims to be that support.

Added: Jul 2018 | Updated: Jul 2019

Wrightslaw

Parents, advocates, educators, and attorneys come to Wrightslaw for accurate, up-to-date information about special education law and advocacy for children with disabilities. The website contains articles, cases, newsletters, and resources about dozens of topics in the Advocacy Libraries and Law Libraries.

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Organizations Designed for Families of Children with Disabilities

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Center for Parent Information and Resources (CPIR) The Center for Parent Information and Resources (CPIR), produced under the US Department of Education Office of Special Education, serves as a central resource of information and products to the community of Parent Training Information (PTI) Centers and the Community Parent Resource Centers (CPRCs), so that they can focus their efforts on serving families of children with disabilities.

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This website goes into detail about what your parental rights are under IDEA.

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Accurate and updated information as of October 2021
En español | In Spanish

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The federal regulations for IDEA 2004 include a section (Subpart E) called Procedural Safeguards . These safeguards are designed to protect the rights of parents and their child with a disability and, at the same time, give families and school systems several mechanisms by which to resolve their disputes.

The most notable procedural safeguards include those listed below. To learn more about any of these, click on the text in red, and you'll go to a separate page describing that procedural safeguard.

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These are not the only procedural safeguards under IDEA, but they are the most relevant to the majority of parents. Therefore, in this series of pages on IDEA's procedural safeguards, we will explore only eight ...the ones mentioned above. Use the links above (the text in red) to read more about each one of these safeguards.

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Accurate and updated information as of October 2021 En español | In Spanish _____________ The federal regulations for IDEA 2004 include a section (Subpart E) called Procedural Safeguards . These safeguards are designed to protect the rights of parents and their child with a disability and, at the same time, give families and school systems several mechanisms by which to resolve their disputes.

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This website explains what IDEA is and how it affects your child with disabilities.

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Individuals with Disabilities Education Act

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The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is a law that makes available a free appropriate public education to eligible children with disabilities throughout the nation and ensures special education and related services to those children.

The IDEA governs how states and public agencies provide early intervention, special education, and related services to more than 8 million (as of school year 2022-23) eligible infants, toddlers, children, and youth with disabilities.

Infants and toddlers, birth through age 2, with disabilities and their families receive early intervention services under IDEA Part C. Children and youth ages 3 through 21 receive special education and related services under IDEA Part B.

Additionally, the IDEA authorizes:

Formula grants to states to support special education and related services and early intervention services.

Discretionary grants to state educational agencies, institutions of higher education, and other nonprofit organizations to support research, demonstrations, technical assistance and dissemination, technology development, personnel preparation and development, and parent-training and -information centers.

Congress reauthorized the IDEA in 2004 and most recently amended the IDEA through Public Law 114-95, the Every Student Succeeds Act, in December 2015.

In the law, Congress states:

Disability is a natural part of the human experience and in no way diminishes the right of individuals to participate in or contribute to society. Improving educational results for children with disabilities is an essential element of our national policy of ensuring equality of opportunity, full participation, independent living, and economic self-sufficiency for individuals with disabilities.

Other Laws for Children with Disabilities

The U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights (OCR) provides additional resources of interest for individuals with disabilities and their families.

OCR does not enforce the IDEA; however, OCR does enforce the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Section 504 and Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, Title II rights of IDEA-eligible students with disabilities.

To learn more, visit the OCR's Frequently Asked Questions About Section 504 and the Education of Children with Disabilities.

Visit OCR's website for additional resources.

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About IDEA - Individuals with Disabilities Education Act

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The IDEA is a law that makes available a free appropriate public education to eligible children with disabilities throughout the nation and ensures special education and related services to those children.

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This website gives your information of finding correct childcare for your child. It talks about things to consider and finding the correct child care. It goes into detail on what you can consider when looking into child care.

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Page Under Construction

This webpage has been copied from http://www.cde.ca.gov/sp/cd/re/caqspecialneeds.asp at CDE.
As we are implementing the child care transition to CDSS, there may be additional modifications made to these webpages.

It is the right of every child to have high-quality, safe, and nurturing child care. It is your responsibility to choose the best care for your child and help providers know that they CAN meet the special needs of your child-and that you'll help them do it.

All children have special needs. However, some children, because of physical, emotional, or learning needs, may require extra support in the child care setting. It is very important to choose child care that meets your basic requirements first-then address your child's unique needs with the provider.

Things to consider

If a child care provider has never cared for a child with special needs, he may be fearful or uncomfortable until he gets to know your child. You are the most knowledgeable person about your child's needs, so it is important for you to share with the provider information and ideas that you have found work best.

Children often act differently in the child care setting than at home, so don't be surprised if your suggestions don't always work out.

Caring for a child with special needs is a partnership among the family, child care providers, and any specialists involved.

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires child care programs to make "reasonable" efforts to accommodate a child with a disability.

There are other resources that can help you. Family resource centers provide parent-to-parent support and training. Regional centers link families of children ages birth to three years who have or are at risk of developmental disabilities to early intervention programs in each county. You can call 1-800-515-BABY to get the number of your local family resource center or regional center.

Children ages birth to three who qualify for early intervention services receive an individualized family service plan (IFSP). The IFSP identifies the special services and who will provide them. Once your child turns three, if he is eligible for special services, such as speech therapy, they are provided by the school district through an individualized education program (IEP). These plans describe the goals for your child and the services to help meet them.

Finding child care

Some child care resource and referral agencies match families with caregivers who specialize in working with children with special needs. Call the child care provider and ask about policies, fees, schedules, and activities to determine if this setting is a good fit for your child before discussing the disability. AFTER you feel comfortable with a provider, let her know about your child's special needs in a way that is nonthreatening and supportive. This lets the child care provider know that you are concerned with her skill and ability to help your child and you will provide her with the necessary resources, training, and support to care to care for your child's special needs.

If you feel that a child care program is discriminating against your child because of her disability, you can get legal advice from the Child Care Law Center at 415-394-7144.

Choosing special needs care

When choosing child care for a child with special needs:

1. Interview caregivers as you would for any child.

2. Ask for references and check them out.

3. Visit without your child first. Make sure you are comfortable with the type of care provided.

4. Then bring your child to the child care setting and observe how she reacts or adjusts to the staff, the materials, and the other children.

5. When you are ready, start your child's care for an hour or so, gradually increasing the time until he gets used to the provider and the provider is secure in meeting his needs.

Children with special needs require different levels of support and care. The willingness and openness of the provider to work with specialists in coordination and partnership with the family is crucial in providing high-quality child care for your child.

In your search for quality child care, the following checklists may be helpful:

Caregiver considerations

Has special training, skills, or experience with children with special needs.

Works as a team member with family and specialists.

Communicates regularly about the child's development and any concerns as they arise.

Maintains confidentiality and with your permission answers questions regarding the child's special needs.

Has a system to record medication, special feedings, or other procedures.

Environmental considerations

Facility is accessible and safe for the child, accommodates adaptive equipment (e.g., wheelchairs, walkers).

Toys and play materials are within the child's reach.

There are enough adults present to meet children's individual needs.

The overall group size is not too large to be overwhelming for the child.

The environment does not create too much or too little stimulation for the child.

Parent responsibilities

Provide caregiver adequate training for special procedures (e.g., nebulizer, g-tube feeding, finger-prick testing).

Photocopy written information about the child's special needs for the provider.

Invite the child care provider to the IEP or IFSP meetings.

Request consultation with the child care program be written into the IEP or IFSP.

Plan a method of communication among the family, the child care provider, and any specialists the child sees.

Choosing Occasional Child Care

Care About Quality Table of Contents

Questions: Early Learning and Care Division | 916-322-6233

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Child Care for Your Child with Special Needs

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This webpage has been copied from http://www.cde.ca.gov/sp/cd/re/caqspecialneeds.asp at CDE. As we are implementing the child care transition to CDSS, there may be additional modifications made to these webpages. It is the right of every child to have high-quality, safe, and nurturing child care.

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This website gives you information about different government programs to help you with your child. It talks about medical and cash supports.

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Are you aware of the federal government programs available to minors? Some cover all minors and some cover only minors with disabilities. They vary from cash payments to healthcare coverage to a range of other supports.

Cash Payments

Children with qualifying disabilities whose families meet SSI's low income and asset requirements are eligible to receive monthly cash payments intended to help families meet their child's needs. The resources and income of the minor's parents are "deemed" to the child. The 2016 resource limit is $3,000 for a two- adult household and $2,000 for a one-adult household, although the value of the family home, furnishings and automobile is not considered. Income limits are based on a complex formula dependent on certain factors, such as household income and how many individuals are living in the home. If the family meets the income and asset limits and the minor child meets the SSI disability standard, the minor child may receive a monthly SSI payment of up to $733. A few states provide a supplement to this amount.

Monthly cash benefits are available for unmarried children under 18 upon the death, retirement or disability of a parent who is eligible for Social Security. Amounts are calculated based on the parent's lifetime earnings. Upon turning 18, a person with a qualifying disability who has been receiving these Social Security benefits could receive Social Security Disabled Adult Child (DAC) benefits, with payments continuing throughout life so long as the person continues to meet eligibility standards.

This program provides temporary financial assistance and other services to assist low-income parents in caring for their children in their home, while promoting job preparation, work and marriage. Eligibility requirements and monthly cash assistance vary by state and are not limited to families raising a child with a disability.

This program (formerly called Food Stamps) provides low-income individuals assistance with purchasing food through an electronic debit card. It is available for families who meet the household eligibility requirements, as determined by their state. SNAP is not limited to children or adults with disabilities, but there are special eligibility provisions for individuals with disabilities.

The various VA benefits take into consideration whether the veteran has a dependent child. Veteran's Aid and Attendance is a cash payment available to low-income veterans with disabilities, which is increased if the veteran has a dependent child. An individual's residence and vehicle are not considered when calculating eligibility, and medical expenses are deducted from countable income.

Healthcare

Funded by both the federal and state governments, this program varies greatly, depending on location. In most states, if a child with disabilities receives SSI, he/she is automatically qualified for Medicaid. In other states, the child may qualify based on meeting the income and resource requirements. In addition, for some Medicaid waiver programs, if the child is cared for at home but requires the level of care provided in an institution, s/he can be found eligible. In addition to covering health care, the program pays for durable medical equipment and, depending upon the state's waiver programs, in-home support and other community-based services. Given long waiting lists for many waiver programs, it may be important to sign up early.

This program varies by state and is referred to by different names in each. It provides comprehensive health coverage, including dental care, to individuals under 19 whose families can't afford private insurance but whose incomes are too high for Medicaid. There is usually no asset limit. In some states, a modest premium is charged to those at the higher end of the income spectrum.

Depending on where you live, there may be other state programs available to children with disabilities. For instance, in California, where I practice law, there are services for children and adults with developmental disabilities offered through Regional Centers. Families should contact the Department of Health and Human Services information centers or local disability groups for information on programs available in their state.

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Government Programs for Children with Disabilities

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By Mary Waltari, Esq. Are you aware of the federal government programs available to minors? Some cover all minors and some cover only minors with disabilities. They vary from cash payments to healthcare coverage to a range of other supports.

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This website gives you 10 resources to help support your child with disabilities. The resources entail parent supports, sports for disabled children, and advocacy support.

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When you're a parent searching for resources for children with special needs, there are a number of things to consider, including but not limited to, what you're hoping to get out of the organization. Are you looking to help your child make friends and become more social or are you hoping to connect with parents in situations similar to yours? Regardless of what boxes you're hoping to tick, one thing all special needs organizations should have is strong parent involvement.

"Parent involvement in any organization is critical and that certainly goes for special needs groups," notes Dr. Brandon Smith, assistant professor of Pediatrics at Johns Hopkins in Baltimore. "Whether it's a national group, state group or local agency, it's important parents and caregivers are a part of the team since these are the people who know their kids and the needs of their family best." Smith also recommends researching and seeking out organizations that serve a diverse group, bringing together families from all backgrounds and regions.

"Another thing to consider is whether or not you're looking for a group dedicated only to your child's specific condition or disease, or if you want something more broad and available to all families and children with special healthcare needs," says Smith.

If you're looking to get involved with the latter, there are many national organizations that can assist families of children with special needs, as well as ones that offer support to parents who have children with special needs. Here are some of the most notable.

1. Parent to Parent USA

Parent to Parent USA is a group that matches each parent with a fellow parent who has a child with the same special healthcare need, disability or mental health concern, allowing each parent or family to have a contact for sharing information, receiving support and creating new friendships. "Parent to Parent USA has local groups in almost all states, and is great for connecting families with each other for emotional support," notes Smith.

2. National Youth Leadership Network

Led by young citizens, the National Youth Leadership Network works to build strength and "break isolation" among people with disabilities who are between the ages of 16 and 28. They try to create a culture of full inclusion, sparking new ideas about how to measure success and ability and supporting youth with disabilities in leadership roles. The group hosts workshops around the country for young people to learn how to develop leadership skills.

3. PACER

With the mission that each child, youth, and young adult with all disabilities - along with their families - can reach their highest potential, PACER is a comprehensive "parent training and information center." Based in Minneapolis, but serving the nation, PACER works to make sure parents can find easily find resources that will help "make decisions about education, vocational training, employment and other services for their children with disabilities." Other programs of theirs include resources for grandparents, information about bullying and housing, as well as software and adaptive devices and training to help kids with disabilities better communicate.

4. The M.O.R.G.A.N. Project

The M.O.R.G.A.N. Project stands for Making Opportunities Reality Granting Assistance Nationwide. This group, established by parents Robert and Kristen Malfara, supports families in their journey of raising a child with special needs, be that child biological, adopted or within the foster care system. In addition to having a large library of resources and information on their website, the group also assists families with travel expenses for medical treatments and gifts of medical equipment that aren't covered by insurance, such as wheelchairs. It works to create a group of parents who are supportive of each other in difficult times.

5. Federation for Children With Special Needs

Headquartered in Boston, the Federation for Children with Special Needs is a national organization that provides information, support and assistance to parents of children with disabilities, their professional partners and their communities. By allowing these families to more fully participate in community life, children with special needs are able to grow to their full potential. The Federation promotes the active and informed participation of parents of children with special needs in shaping and influencing public policies that affect their families. The peer support network the group provides allows for families to meet with those who can relate and understand.

6. Family Voices

Another resource Smith recommends is Family Voices, which, according to the Parenting Advocacy Network, "aims to achieve family-centered care" for all children with special needs. Family Voices provides families with the "tools to make informed decisions" about healthcare and education, build partnerships between families and their service providers and serve as a trusted resource on healthcare. They also help families learn to advocate for improved policies to best serve children with special needs. One of their main goals is to empower young people with disabilities so that they may become self-advocates for various causes that affect those with special needs.

7. Council for Exceptional Children

The Council for Exceptional Children is the largest international professional organization dedicated to improving the educational success of children with disabilities. By advocating for successful governmental policies, setting standards for professionals in the education industry, and providing professional development seminars, the organization helps teachers, administrators, parents, related students and other educational support staff to best support and educate the children with special needs with whom they work.

8. Move United

Everyone deserves to have a fun time playing sports, according to Move United. With over 200 member organizations in almost every state, Move United's single goal is to ensure "everyone, regardless of ability, experiences the life-changing power of sport and is included in their community." Established in 1956, Move United, which is an Affiliate of the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee, organizes year-round sport and recreation opportunities for people with a wide range of disabilities. Their offerings include more than 70 different adaptive sports.

9. Best Buddies

" Best Buddies is a great organization for helping kids with special needs develop friendships and stay social," says Dr. Jen Trachtenberg, a board-certified pediatrician in New York City. Best Buddies works to end the "social, physical and economic isolation of the 200 million people with intellectual and developmental disabilities" by helping them form meaningful one-to-one friendships with peers. Through these relationships, Best Buddies works to help those with special needs improve their communication skills, secure jobs and develop the necessary skills to live independently.

10. Friendship Circle

Another resource Trachtenberg recommends is Friendship Circle, which also emphasizes the importance of friendship in the special needs community. Friendship Circle, which has locations throughout the country, pairs teen volunteers with a child with special needs in order to form "lasting friendships" and help teens reap the rewards of "selfless giving." Most programs take place either after school or on Sundays but include a number of sports, activities, social circles and trips for older kids.

Whether you have a child with special needs, you're looking to support a family who does or you're a caregiver for children with special needs, these organizations can aid you in your journey to understanding and advocacy.

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10 helpful organizations and resources for children with special needs

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From connecting with other parents to getting kids involved with sports, here are 10 of the best special needs organizations.

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In this article you will learn a bunch of different ways to strengthen your relationship with your child who has autism. For instance, it talks about looking at your family values, talking issues out, using humor, and etc.

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Parents, in general, are under a significant amount of pressure during the coronavirus pandemic. Those who have been able to switch to long-term remote work arrangements are simultaneously helping their children stay engaged with online learning while schools remain closed, and some are also caring for aging parents or children with special needs.

For parents of children with autism, a new study finds that they're facing a high degree of stress because of the isolation, disruption of children's therapy services and respite care, and worry about finances and the risk of illness for their children and themselves.

What can parents do to alleviate stress during a time when public health guidance requires physical distancing? Research suggests that co-parenting-when two or more adults (parents, grandparents, family members, friends) work together to share caregiving responsibilities-can be an important source of support for parents of children with autism. This is true in "normal" times, but particularly now when many families are hunkered down at home with only each other to lean on.

In a 2015 study, over 150 mothers and fathers of children with autism in Australia completed questionnaires about several aspects of their parenting experience. They rated their co-parenting-how well they communicated and worked as a team, and how much they respected their partner's caregiving commitment and judgment. Parents also answered questions about their stress and their confidence in their parenting role.

The findings? Parents who had better co-parenting relationships also tended to have less parenting stress. "The most important source of parenting support for many parents is the support they receive from their parenting partnership," explain researcher Chris May and his colleagues. Parents of children with autism may feel more isolated from friends and family, which makes co-parenting support from partners even more significant.

In a 2017 study, May and his colleagues explored why a sense of confidence and competence in your co-parenting might be helpful. To capture a range of perspectives, they interviewed 11 cohabiting couples-mothers and fathers-who reported experiencing either relatively low or high stress.

The researchers explored how parents adapted as they started to understand that their child had autism, how they experienced a sense of partnership in their parenting, and how they expected their partnership would influence their child's development. For example, they asked parents questions like "How important is your parenting relationship with [your partner] likely to be in determining [your child's] progress?," "How do you keep your parenting relationship working?," and "Has anybody ever talked to you about parenting teamwork in relation
to parenting a child with [autism]?"

The study found that parents who felt greater confidence in their co-parenting tended to be better able to cope with learning of their child's diagnosis, have stronger motivation to do what they could for their child, and have greater hope for their child's development.

"A sense of solidarity was experienced by parents when they felt they were on a 'shared journey' that involved appreciation, camaraderie, and compromise," explain May and his colleagues. "This sense of 'both trying to head in the same direction' was an important factor in . . . linking a sense of purpose and shared direction to their ability to keep their relationship working."

How to strengthen your co-parenting

How can parents of children with autism strengthen their co-parenting relationship? Psychologist Linda Raffaele Mendez and her colleagues designed a co-parenting training program that aimed to promote resilience in families of children with autism. In a recent study, they evaluated their four-week Together We Are Stronger group program with seven couples in the United States. According to their preliminary findings, parents who participated in the program had more cohesion in their relationship, better co-parenting, and more hope at the end of the program compared to the start.

Here are some recommendations from the program to help parents be stronger together.

1. Reflect on your family history and values. Co-parents can work together to think about what exactly your family values are and how they are tied to your personal and family history. Once you've identified your shared values, you can become better aware of what you want to instill in your children and how you will work together to do that. This reflection can consider your children's special needs so you can adapt your approach for your children to best embrace these values.

For example, for families who value experiencing shared joy and laughter, you may reflect on what delights each family member and how you savor, mark, and remember these moments together. For families who value love, you can reflect on how receiving love at different times, in different ways, and from different people has sustained you. You can also think together about how each of your different expressions of love grow in widening circles-for self, family, pets, friends, teachers, therapists, neighbors, community, humanity, and nature.

You can also create a family time capsule with mementos and symbols of your most cherished values that will maintain the connection between you and your future family members. With a clear understanding of these values, co-parents can write a family mission statement as a way of summarizing this reflection and discussion.

2. Talk it out. Co-parents can practice actively listening for better communication and teamwork. You can look for opportunities to use confirmation communication, which can help your co-parent feel more valued. This includes saying something accepting or positive to your co-parent, like "That was really brave of you," or asking for more information so that you can understand their thoughts, feelings, or behavior better.

You can also try to avoid disconfirmation communication, which can make your co-parent feel devalued. For example, replying to them by dismissing, interrupting, ignoring, or saying something irrelevant or tangential can communicate rejection.

Co-parents can practice using "I" statements to communicate your personal needs. "I" statements are a tool to help make clear that you are expressing your perspective rather than blaming your partner. "You" statements like "You don't help me take care of stuff around the house" can lead to defensiveness. In comparison, "I" statements like "I feel frustrated when I can't get my work done, because I'm taking care of all these household chores" can help show that you're owning your feelings and set the stage for collaborative problem solving.

Practice planning for and having uninterrupted "check in" times, which last 10-20 minutes every day. Prepare an activity for your children during that time to minimize distractions.

3. Be there for each other. Recognize that working together as a team can reduce your overall stress. Share with each other what increases your stress levels, talk about what you need from one another, and make a plan to help reduce each other's stress. For example, write down something that your co-parent could help you with and put it on the refrigerator. Simply doing one thing your partner needs can go a long way in helping them manage stress.

4. Use optimism and humor. Notice the tone of your thoughts on a weekly basis. Do they tend to be more optimistic or pessimistic? During your check-in times, talk to each other about how you might shift your perspectives if they tend to be more pessimistic. Invite your co-parent to help you find ways to do that. Also, recognize how humor can help relieve stress. When was the last time you laughed together or made light of a difficult situation?

Of course, parenting children with autism comes with many gifts in addition to these challenges. Parents can have many positive experiences related to caregiving, like a growth in their appreciation for family and family closeness, appreciation for new opportunities and knowledge-building, and understanding about differences, abilities, diversity, and community. It's not surprising that parents of children with autism who feel less stress tend to have more positive parenting experiences.

When parents practice strengthening their co-parenting relationship, the positive effects can cascade over to all members of the family, including their children.

Greater Good wants to know: Do you think this article will influence your opinions or behavior?

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How Parents of Children With Autism Can Strengthen Their Relationship

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Parents, in general, are under a significant amount of pressure during the coronavirus pandemic. Those who have been able to switch to long-term remote work arrangements are simultaneously helping their children stay engaged with online learning while schools remain closed, and some are also caring for aging parents or children with special needs.