Resources for Students with Extensive Support Needs (ESN) by Ashley Anderson

TASH

ashleyanderson25 — 2024-09-17 14:43:47 UTC

This is a resource/organization that promotes the inclusion of every individual, including those with the most significant disabilities. TASH works with local groups and agencies as well as with self-advocates with disabilities on making their voice heard.

Do2Learn

2024-10-15 15:27:21 UTC

Do 2 Learn is the resource Kobe, Holly, and Eva found to be exceptionally well done. The resources on Do2Learn are made available by teachers, doctors, and other specialists around the world. This resource provides free games, scheduling guidance, learning strategies, behavior management resources, and many others to develop social skills, behavioral regulation and academic materials.

2024-10-15 15:27:56 UTC

This resource helps grantees with employment training and helps them live more independently.

2024-10-15 15:29:42 UTC

Lego’s has a resource that includes kits to help students with hands on learning and being engaged in the classroom. This resource also helps students work on critical thinking and problem solving skills that can help them with future projects. These skills can be used and applied to real world settings.

ClassVR

jab129_1 — 2024-10-15 15:32:41 UTC

ClassVR is a resource for teachers and students to utilize in their educational endeavors that implements technology. Grants and funding are encouraged accepted. ClassVR includes a virtual reality headset with unique student-friendly controls, educational resources, and simple teacher controls.

Mart, Karnasia, Ladaisha, Justus, Donnie

2024-10-15 15:34:57 UTC

This is a resource that can combine VR with adaptive and assistive technology in the classroom to assist in the classroom. VR can also reduce learning loss in the classroom by incorporating different experiences in the classroom environment.

The Arc of San Diego

2024-10-15 15:35:01 UTC

Provides early intervention services, independent living opportunities, respite services for families who caregivers to receive a break. They also provide volunteer opportunities, training, and education opportunities for the community.

News-2-You

2025-03-03 13:19:14 UTC

News-2-You is a weekly online newspaper designed for students with disabilities, providing current events in a simplified, symbol-supported format. It includes multiple reading levels, interactive activities, and engaging visuals to support comprehension.

2025-03-06 16:18:44 UTC

This resource not only has blogs for day to day life of caring for a special child but also has products that can be purchased to make like just a little smoother. This site allows caregivers to not feel so alone in the process as well as allows them to brose a wide variety of cloths, accessories, and more for children and adults with special needs.

CEC (Council for Exceptional Children)

2025-03-06 20:36:26 UTC

CEC is a professional organization dedicated to improving the educational success of children and youth with disabilities and/or gifts and talents. They provide support and resources for educators, administrators, and other professionals working in special education. The CEC also advocates for policies that support the needs of exceptional children and provides professional development opportunities to help educators stay informed about the latest research and best practices in the field.

Therapy Shoppe

2025-03-07 00:22:19 UTC

The Therapy Shoppe specializes in innovative sensory products, educational toys, occupational therapy tools and more to help teachers find the right materials to have in their classroom to support students with special needs.

2025-03-07 03:06:04 UTC

There are many resources available to parents of children with special needs, including financial assistance, information, and support.

Financial assistance

Government grants: Government programs, such as Medicaid and Social Security benefits, can help with expenses
Special Needs Alliance: Provides information about financial assistance and benefits
Office of Special Education Programs: Offers information and financial resources for children with disabilities up to age 21

2025-03-07 03:06:55 UTC

This comprehensive resource is designed to provide essential information and support for educators, families, students, and administrators involved in special education.

Fat Brain Toys

2025-03-07 22:21:50 UTC

Fat Brain Toys offers a wide range of toys specifically designed to support children with special needs. Their Special Needs Resource Center provides curated collections based on customer feedback, including detailed reviews from parents, teachers, and therapists. This ensures that the toys are effective in helping children develop their skills and enjoy playtime.

Some of the special needs categories they cater to include ADD/ADHD, Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Down Syndrome, and many more. The toys are designed to address various developmental goals such as cognition, language, physical skills, sensory activities, and socialization. Examples of popular toys include Suction Kupz for bilateral coordination, Magnetic Alphatab for letter recognition, and the Ultra Stomp Rocket for physical coordination and exercise

Sensory Toolkit

hannahmoore2102 — 2025-03-09 01:07:48 UTC

A sensory toolkit is a great resource to have when teaching students with EDN. The kit will have various objects and materials that engage their senses, help them to focus, relax, and regulate their emotions and behavior.

Sensory Toolkit Items:

Fidget toys
Weighted blankets or vests
Noise-canceling headphones
Tactile items

2025-03-09 17:07:28 UTC

Fun & Function

ner007 — 2025-03-09 18:28:28 UTC

https://funandfunction.com/about

This site offers a myriad of help for a variety of disabilities. Ideas and tools are plentiful on this site because it is geared toward the ones who know their children the best, the mothers and fathers. From videos to blogs, to compression vests and more, this site is there to help the parent and the teacher in its support of the journey with a special needs child.

2025-03-10 00:49:27 UTC

This resource provides assistive technology, adapted learning tools, and professional development for educators working with students with disabilities.

Creative Therapy store

2025-03-10 01:27:22 UTC

This is an organization that teachers, therapists, parents and more can use to keep their children engaged in sessions and in classrooms. This also helps children interact in activites and gets them used to some sensory products.

Sensory Activities

2025-03-10 01:28:16 UTC

Let's All Play its Supersimple.com

Kids songs, shows, crafts, activities, and resources for teachers & parents and more!

Educational tool kits

2025-10-09 15:22:35 UTC

This website offers educational kits that teachers can use in their classrooms to support students. I liked that some of these were categorized by disability to help a beginning teacher find tools they may need. There are many communication, fidget, and sensory kits to aid many different students.

NC - ECAC

2025-10-09 18:36:18 UTC

Exceptional Children's Assistance Center is North Carolina's Parent Training & Information Center. ECAC helps families of children with disabilities navigate early intervention, special education, and the transition to adulthood. All services are free to families and include information and one-on-one assistance. These resources could also be beneficial for educators who are looking for more information and resources for parents of their students.

2025-10-10 03:06:59 UTC

This is a tool that people can use to help with pain stimming. It can help students who are seeking pain in a dangerous way get the same experience in a better, safer way. These are also great tools for people who are struggling with staying in the moment. They can squeeze it whenever they feel like they are "drifting."

TIES

2025-10-13 13:24:21 UTC

TIES center helps teachers, parents, and administrators have supportive communities to help and provide different resources/information that could help a child with Extensive Support Needs.

Adapting Grade Level Texts

2025-10-15 15:26:46 UTC

This article encourages teachers to keep all students, including those with extensive support needs, reading grade-level texts by making adaptations instead of lowering the reading level. The authors describe two types of adaptations: physical (like adding pictures, tabs, or tactile cues) and content (simplifying vocabulary, shortening passages, or rephrasing sentences while keeping the main ideas). They caution against over-simplifying so the material still feels age-appropriate and meaningful. Overall, the goal is to make reading accessible, inclusive, and respectful for every learner.

Assistive Listening Devices

2025-10-15 16:14:53 UTC

When I went to visit Pembroke Elementary last year with the volleyball team, the classroom my teammate and I were assigned had a student with a hearing deficit. The teacher wore a microphone necklace that wirelessly connected to the student's hearing aids, and this made sure that the student was fully able to learn in a general education classroom. She gave us the necklace to wear while we were talking to the class! This website includes many different modes of technology to help students with extensive support needs in relation to hearing.

Read & Write

2025-10-15 21:07:03 UTC

Read&Write is particularly useful for supporting students with additional accessibility needs. With three specific tools (Screen Mask, Simplify and Talk&Type) alongside the reading and writing tools, helping to create a level playing field for all. Easily meet the needs of a diverse range of learners. Ensure every student has the tools needed to succeed. Make class content accessible and engaging. Improve reading and writing achievement for all students.

Adaptatech: adapted games

aaf022 — 2025-10-16 02:54:27 UTC

Adaptatech is a free online resource offering a wide range of adapted games and activities specifically designed for individuals with significant or multiple disabilities. The website is built with accessibility at its core, supporting alternative input methods such as switch access, touchscreen, and eye-gaze technology. This makes it highly beneficial for students with Extensive Support Needs (ESN), many of whom rely on assistive devices to communicate and interact with their environment. One of the standout features of Adaptatech is its inclusivity; the games are not limited to early childhood themes but are thoughtfully designed to be age-respectful for older learners as well.

Because all content on the site is open-source and completely free, offered under an “unlicense” with no royalty or licensing fees, it removes financial barriers for families, educators, and therapists. The interactive nature of the games helps reinforce critical skills such as cause and effect, attention, communication, and motor planning. Additionally, these engaging activities can be used in a variety of settings, from classrooms to therapy sessions, to support individualized education goals. Overall, Adaptatech is a valuable, accessible, and inclusive tool that enhances learning and engagement for students with extensive support needs.

2025-10-16 12:52:18 UTC

The Accessible Websites for Kids with Disabilities page on DisabilityResources.org is a helpful guide that shares links to websites made for children with different disabilities. It includes resources for learning, technology, and support, all designed to make online activities easier and more inclusive. The site also gives tips for parents, teachers, and caregivers on how to find and choose accessible websites that help kids learn, play, and connect with others.

2025-10-16 13:57:28 UTC

This website includes information and resources for families of children with disabilities. Some adaptations are as simple as moving a distractible student to the front of the class or away from the pencil sharpener or the window. Other modifications may involve changing the way that material is presented or the way that students respond to show their learning.

Adaptations, accommodations, and modifications need to be individualized for students, based upon their needs and their personal learning styles and interests. It is not always obvious what adaptations, accommodations, or modifications would be beneficial for a particular student, or how changes to the curriculum, its presentation, the classroom setting, or student evaluation might be made. This page is intended to help teachers and others find information that can guide them in making appropriate changes in the classroom based on what their students need.

2025-10-16 14:33:25 UTC

This is talking about not only the resources needed but the abilities and support systems that are needed to properly educate children with multiple disabilities

Teachers using sign language!

2025-10-16 14:47:44 UTC

Using sign language is super important for teaching students who are deaf, hard of hearing or may be nonverbal! This link displays that along with other stratagems for the classroom. (Katelyn K, I forgot to change the name)

https://www.integratedtreatmentservices.co.uk/blog/supporting-students-with-speech-language-and-communication-needs-slcn-classroom-strategies-for-teachers-and-lsas/

Service Animals

2025-10-16 14:50:02 UTC

Service dogs are an uncommonly used tool which can assist many children in the school setting. However, a point to make is that a dog should be registered under a 504 plan not an IEP. Utilizing an animal sometimes effects students positively to grow more than previously expected of them.

2025-10-16 14:53:13 UTC

Family Voices is a national, family-led organization that works to improve health care for children and youth with special health care needs or disabilities. The website provides information, resources, and advocacy tools to help families become active partners in their child’s care. Family Voices supports a network of Family-to-Family Health Information Centers across the United States, which guide families in understanding and accessing health services. The organization also collaborates with health professionals and policymakers to promote family-centered care, equity, and inclusion in health systems. Overall, the Family Voices website serves as a hub for support, education, and advocacy for families of children with special health needs.

2025-10-16 14:53:16 UTC

Able Gamers is a website where you can buy equipment for your video game console, no matter what it is. This makes video games accessible for those who might not be able to hold or use a controller. For example, people who might be paralyzed can buy some type of equipment that ables them to maneuver and play the game with their mouth or some other body part that is accessible.

https://www.pinkcatgames.com/

floydval06 — 2025-10-16 15:16:14 UTC

2025-10-16 15:22:48 UTC

This website has different strategies that can be used to make accommodations for students.

Center on PBIS

2026-03-17 15:35:48 UTC

The Center on PBIS directly supports students with extensive needs through its Tier 3 level of intervention.

Students who need extensive support are usually those who struggle the most with behavior, emotions, or social skills. PBIS addresses this by giving them individualized, intensive help rather than treating them the same as everyone else. This might include personalized behavior plans, one-on-one support, or working closely with teachers, counselors, and families.

PBIS relates to these students because it focuses on understanding why a behavior is happening and then teaching better ways to respond. Instead of just punishing the student, it helps them learn skills like self-control, communication, and problem-solving.

Overall, PBIS ensures that students with the greatest needs are not left behind. They receive more focused support, which helps them succeed both behaviorally and academically.

Let's ALL Read!

olrog439 — 2026-03-17 15:45:04 UTC

This is a website/resource for teachers that gives tips on how to adapt grade level text for students with extensive support needs (ESN). When adapting a grade level book for students with ESN there are two main types of adaptations to original text that teachers can create, physical and content adaptations.  The website/resource is beneficial to teachers as it helps their classroom to be an inclusive space for all students.

2026-03-17 16:58:00 UTC

This website provides access to many resources to help promote an inclusive education. It provides evidence-based knowledge and resources to help create a high functioning inclusive classroom and school. It is a great website with many resources and tools for students with disabilities.

Unique Learning System - Kaitlynn Burr

2026-03-17 17:27:59 UTC

The Unique Learning System is an adapted curriculum designed for students with extensive support needs. It provides differentiated lessons, symbol-supported text, and activities that focus on both academic and functional life skills. This resource helps teachers deliver standards-based instruction in an accessible way while supporting communication and independence. I chose this resource because it offers a structured, practical approach to teaching students with significant disabilities.

am0232 — 2026-03-18 02:09:57 UTC

This resource seems to be quite helpful with prepping people with extensive support needs for independent living. Within this website, there are many definitions, step-by-steps, videos, linked housing resources, etc that have the potential to help people with ESN organize and understand everything that is to be expected when living on their own. Some of the smaller sub-links within this site do not work but they do link resources from other sites/companies that flesh out what they're discussing.

Edutopia

2026-03-19 04:09:03 UTC

Supporting All Students With Special Needs

Readtopia

2026-03-19 04:40:25 UTC

Readtopia is a special education program made for educators who specifically work with students with disabilities, whether moderate disabilities or severe ones. Readtopia targets middle school and high school students. It is an extensive reading curriculum that spans over the many content areas such as ELA, Mathematics, Science and more. It is a fairly new resource but it supports the important of literacy skills that are needed across all subjects for students with disabilities to achieve academic success.

aydenriv777 — 2026-03-19 14:35:33 UTC

Monarch is a fantastic online library of open-source, accessible books specifically designed for students with extensive support needs. What makes this resource stand out is that all the books are switch-accessible, compatible with screen readers, and can be easily downloaded or printed. It allows older students who might be reading at foundational levels to access age-appropriate topics without being limited to early childhood materials, which is crucial for maintaining dignity and engagement in a middle school classroom setting. Teachers and students can also create their own customized books to tie into specific lesson plans, STEM activities, or a student's individual interests.

starfall

2026-03-19 15:37:54 UTC

Diffit

2026-03-19 15:39:24 UTC

Enable students receiving special education services to access grade-level content, takes sources and automatically makes it accessible according to the student's abilities!

2026-03-19 15:45:26 UTC

Special needs toys help to stimulate the senses of the students with disabilities. The sensory stimulation ensures that the students have improved focus and calmness. The tools help to promote the development of motor skills and communication. The tools help to ensure that the students can have improved problem-solving skills through engaging and interactive activities. The tools ensure that the students have improved and different needs that can help them to succeed in class.

APEX- aba therapy

2026-03-19 21:47:40 UTC

I chose this resource because it is right here in good old Robeson County. It is Autism therapy that comes your house, it is school and daycare based depending on your child's age, they do early interventions and parent training. They claim to have a 2-4 week start time which is good for parents who are in need along with insurance support for those who don't have it or if someone who works for there insurance.

Autism Speaks

2026-03-19 23:39:27 UTC

Autism Speaks is a website created to help families and educators handle autism. They have resources split into categories for families, educators, and some for people who have autism. They work with Congress and other parts of the government in order to help these people.

2026-03-20 23:34:54 UTC

I chose the website Starfall because it supports students with different learning needs through interactive and multisensory activities. It allows kids to learn by seeing, hearing, and doing, which is especially helpful for those with learning difficulties. I also like that it makes learning feel like play while still focusing on important skills like reading and phonics. Overall, it is an engaging and inclusive resource for diverse learners.

2026-03-22 21:00:21 UTC

ABCya is a game-based learning site that teaches basic skills through interactive activities. It supports students with extensive support needs by using simple instructions, visuals, and repetition. This helps reduce frustration and build confidence. Students can learn at their own pace in a fun, low-stress environment.