Resources for families with special needs

Communication Window Mask $15.99-$19.99;https://adcohearing.com/collections/adco-brand-masksAddresses the growing need for accessibility due to the requirements for face masks. For those with hearing loss who rely on the ability to lip read, face masks present a real barrier to effective communication. These masks work to address this issue…

Continue reading →

Our resource specialist Emily Dolton was recently featured in San Diego Union-Tribune‘s “Someone San Diego Should Know” column.  Emily has been instrumental in the development of the Special Needs Resource Foundation and our annual Flourishing Families resource guide, available for free to San Diego and Imperial County residents.  Emily has…

Continue reading →

Create a Superhero-Themed Obstacle Course  Who doesn’t love an old-fashioned obstacle course? San Diego artist Emily Dolton created an amazing superhero-themed course with sidewalk chalk and toys to inspire families to make their own. Use outdoor toys you have around the house. Be sure to…

Continue reading →

Two years ago, Steph Johnson and Brady Grinnell were on the cover of Flourishing Families, our annual publication featuring resources and articles for parents of children with special needs. Brady has Autism and was featured as part of an article on music therapy, while local…

Continue reading →

Kid-tested, parent-approved toys for kids of all abilities! Sensory Fidget Toy Kit $29.99; Hand2Mind.com The 8 toys in this kit provide cues to help children deal with big emotions, calm their minds and bodies, reduce anxiety and stress, and practice quiet focus. Each hands-on fidget toy…

Continue reading →

When Amanda Coleman responded to a friend’s invitation to visit a faith-based program for families with special needs, she didn’t know what to expect. Coleman, who doesn’t consider herself religious, recognized the importance of finding support as she and her family waded through medical information,…

Continue reading →

Families are facing unprecedented challenges in the wake of shelter-in-place guidelines. As teachers rally to support caregivers for in-home learning, parents also face the task of setting up homes and schedules to manage students’ educational needs. This can be much more complicated when a child…

Continue reading →

Inclusion Films—dedicated to training filmmakers who have developmental disabilities—celebrated a huge win at the San Diego International Film Festival in October 2019. The organization’s first feature-length project Carol of the Bells earned the festival’s coveted Audience Choice Feature Film Award after a screening moved viewers…

Continue reading →

When young Cody joined the peer inclusion preschool at his neighborhood public school, he fit in from the start. His class was a mix of neurotypical “peer mentors” and children with disabilities, including students like Cody with apraxia of speech, a motor speech disorder that…

Continue reading →

We had so much fun hosting this year’s movie fundraiser! Thank you to all the guests, who came out in support of the event. All event proceeds will go to helping families with special needs. Here’s some of the event photos of guest taking photos…

Continue reading →