June 17, 2024
April 23, 2024
Local attractions offer accommodations to kids with disabilities and their caregivers
Many San Diego parks, museums and attractions offer accommodations for families with disabilities. These local spots have amenities such as companion passes, early entry, discounted admission, sensory features and social stories. Visit each website for...
February 29, 2024
Helpful Apps for People with Epilepsy
Apps designed specifically for epilepsy can be powerful tools—and many are free. There are apps that log seizures, keep a journal, send medication reminders and more. All of these features can be beneficial to caregivers...
February 23, 2024
ShopAble: Support Business Owners with Disabilities
Purchasing products and services from business owners with disabilities or chronic medical conditions allows them to achieve independence and self-reliance. It also encourages inclusion and people having agency in our community. The more “able” we...
September 22, 2023
Keeping the Faith
Families with special needs often count on faith communities to be safe spaces of acceptance and connection, but sometimes the struggle for inclusion feels so challenging that they walk away from congregations where true acceptance...
September 6, 2022
San Diego Gives 2022
You already know the importance of eating and shopping local—now join the movement to GIVE locally. San Diego Gives is shining a light on the tremendous work of nonprofits throughout the county in a 24-hour...
May 20, 2022
All-Inclusive READ 3X3 Literacy Event
Join the Special Needs Resource Foundation of San Diego for our FREE, in-person event on Saturday, June 25 from 10 am-12 noon at the San Diego Central Library – 330 Park Blvd, San Diego, 92101. Three authors,...
August 6, 2021
All Inclusive Day of Play & Resource 2021
We are VERY excited to announce our, in-person 2021 All Inclusive Day of Play & Resource Fair. It will be held on Saturday, September 25 from 10am-1pm at the Park de la Cruz Recreation Center...
Imperial Valley parents create programs for kids with disabilities
Jackie Riddell’s son Killian safely played in the recreational baseball program for as long as he could. His needs were greater than those of his peers, so Jackie knew he needed something different. As part...
August 5, 2021
Thanks to The Country Friends!
The Special Needs Resource Foundation of San Diego would like to thank The Country Friends for their generous charitable grant of $8,000. Support from The Country Friends will help us move forward with our mission...
July 28, 2021
Fun at the 2021 All-Inclusive READ 3 x 3 Literacy Event
Thanks to all who joined us for the All-Inclusive READ 3 x 3 Literacy Event. We had a great time spending time with everyone! A big shout out to the authors, Doreen Cronin, Author, Alex...
July 25, 2021
We Have a Diagnosis: Now What?
The 4-1-1 on common therapies Receiving a primary diagnosis is not always the light at the end of the tunnel. Faced with an odyssey of interventions and therapies, parents can become overwhelmed, navigating which route...
June 30, 2021
How Kids Benefit from Self-Determination
What would it mean for people with disabilities if they could decide, with their family support system, what to do with funds provided through the San Diego Regional Center? For participants in the three-year-phase-in-period of...
June 1, 2021
Tax Planning for Families with Special Needs
It’s a good time to start planning ahead to minimize taxes for 2021 and beyond. A key consideration for those caring for loved ones with special needs are the tax advantages associated with accounts such...
March 22, 2021
10 Tax Tips for Families with Special Needs
As if tax season isn’t already an overwhelming task for families caring for loved ones with special needs, 2020 ushered in a unique set of changes and challenges. To help lend clarity to the chaos,...
March 14, 2021
New 2021 Issue of Flourishing Families Available
We are excited to present our 12th annual publication of Flourishing Families, the resource guide for parents who have children with special needs. There are 1,200 resources to help families find services in San Diego...
March 2, 2021
Adaptive Programs Offer Exciting Adventures for Kids with Disabilities
Adaptive sports have been a huge thrill for homeschool senior Ben Lou of Poway. Lou was diagnosed with Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) at age one. This rare genetic disease affects motor neurons in the spine,...
January 28, 2021
How to Prepare for a Child’s Hospital Stay
In the past 14 years, Alex has had more visits to the hospital than to his local park. Alex’s odyssey resulted in a diagnosis of a rare, progressive, neurodegenerative disorder NEDAMSS or IRF2BPL related disorder....
IEP Self-Advocacy
Attending an IEP (Individualized Education Program) meeting can seem daunting, especially if there is disagreement with an aspect of the program or services. Parents are a child’s best and most knowledgeable advocate, but self-advocacy requires...
January 4, 2021
Tooth Smarts: Early Preventative Care Improves Smiles for Kids with Disabilities
Parents might not think it’s imperative to be concerned about dental care before a child has teeth, but that simply isn’t true. Since the mouth is where most bacteria enter the body, tooth decay can...
October 9, 2020
All Inclusive Day of Play Craft Projects for Children of All Abilities
https://youtu.be/JiHorIKSoiU
September 18, 2020
All Inclusive Day of Play & Resource Fair Interactive Drive-Thru Event!
The Special Needs Resource Foundation of San Diego is hosting our 3rd annual All Inclusive Day of Play & Resource Fair. This Interactive Drive-Thru event is FREE for families this fall! On Sunday, October 11...
September 12, 2020
Vendor Resources: All Inclusive Day Of Play Drive-thru Event
The Special Needs Resource Foundation of San Diego is hosting our 3rd annual All Inclusive Day of Play & Resource Fair. Here's a resource list of vendors who will be attending this year's event. Anna...
September 11, 2020
All-Inclusive Virtual READ 3X3 Literacy Event Success
Thanks for joining us at the 2nd annual All-Inclusive READ 3 x 3 Literacy Event hosted by the Special Needs Resource Foundation of San Diego. We had a great time working with local authors, Henry...
July 29, 2020
San Diego Union-Tribune’s “Someone San Diego Should Know” – Emily Dolton
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...
June 1, 2020
Music Moves Us: The Buzz on Local Musician Steph Johnson
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...
May 28, 2020
Programs that Offer Faith-Based Support
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...
April 16, 2020
Home Learning Resources for Kids with Special Needs
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...
February 28, 2020
Inclusion Films Produces the Award-Winning Film, Carol of the Bells
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...
February 12, 2020
How to Safeguard Children with Special Needs from Bullying
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...
January 6, 2020
The How and Why of Self-Care for Caregivers
Many caregivers live with chronic stress—the kind that gnaws at mental and physical health. It can lead to burnout, fatigue and strained relationships. Parenting a child with special needs can be all-consuming, but caregivers who...
November 19, 2019
Improv on the Spectrum
by Anne Malinoski I recently had the privilege of meeting with local nonprofit Unscripted Learning to observe their popular youth improv class. Like many teens I know, the students were quirky, comical and utterly delighted...
November 1, 2019
Book Reviews for Families with Special Needs
Kids of all abilities have similar experiences, how they manage the process can be different and require more care. We've reviewed several books for kids with special needs and the parents and professionals working with...
October 25, 2019
Student Athletes Prove Life on Wheels Has No Boundaries
Meet Riley Phelps A single look at Riley Phelps’ activity schedule is exhausting. Whether she’s hitting the slopes in Mammoth with Disabled Sports Eastern Sierra (with brother Evan snowboarding by her side), surfing the waves...
June 4, 2019
Benefits, Risks and Limitations of Genetic Testing
People consider genetic testing for many reasons, such as having a child with special needs, having a family history of a disorder, planning for pregnancy or simple curiosity. Here is important information to consider if...
May 15, 2019
Top Colleges for Adaptive Sports Programs
California’s adaptive sports programs continue to grow at the high school and college levels. Changes are especially positive for youth who aspire to college-level adapted athletics or simply want to follow an exceptional adapted team....
February 8, 2019
A Big Thanks to Sundt Construction
We want to thank Sundt Construction for supporting the Special Needs Resource Foundation of San Diego and our Flourishing Families publication by awarding us a $2,000 grant. Sundt has a long tradition of helping the...
August 9, 2018
How Parents Can Help Kids with Different Physical Abilities Move into College Housing
Your teen is heading off to college—congratulations! It's a really exciting time for all of you, but it's also one that requires extra planning. That's particularly true if your student needs accessible housing. You know...
April 18, 2018
I Have Autism: A mother’s story
When I tell friends I was recently diagnosed with autism, some of them scoff and call it nonsense. They say I function fine, that I smile, laugh and socialize. I’m a mother who is active...
September 25, 2017
What My Child with Special Needs Has Taught Me
My daughter does a flip turn at the other end of the pool. Screaming erupts among teammates, competing teams, parents and coaches as she and the swimmer next to her break the water's surface in...
June 15, 2017
Bittersweet Birthdays: An Annual Reminder to Be My Son’s Best Friend
My heart both rejoices and breaks every year when we celebrate my firstborn’s birthday. I rejoice when I think back to my son’s birthdays when he was 4 or 5 years old. Each year he...
April 5, 2016
Defining Success in Parenting – No Matter How Special Your Kids Are
Defining success in parenting is crucial to knowing where you are going and when you have arrived, particularly for those of us with kids on the autism spectrum. Rather than thinking of success as some...
February 18, 2016
How One Woman Defied the Experts and Nurtured the Spark Inside Her Son Who Has Autism
“If a child who was never supposed to talk or read can rise to such improbable heights, imagine what children without such challenges might achieve, and how far they might soar if we encouraged them...
February 2, 2016
Celebrate Jasmine’s Bunting Company
Jasmine’s Bunting Co. (JBC) helps set the mood for festive birthday parties, baby showers and holidays with colorful, customized, flag-style banners. While JBC produces a distinctive end product, the core of this Encinitas-based business involves...
September 30, 2015
Special Circumstances: Does this Sound Familiar? You are Not Alone.
From the moment that wriggling, wailing, beautiful bundle was placed in your arms, you knew your child was special. But the word "special" assumes a new dimension when it is paired with the word "needs."...
July 27, 2015
Parenting a Child with ADHD: One Parent’s Journey
Parents of children with special needs often struggle with support of others, finding reliable information about options and moving through the grief of parenting a “less than perfect” child. Here is our experience with our...
February 19, 2015
5 Ways to Focus on Your Child’s Positive Traits
5 Ways to Focus on Your Child’s Positive Traits I spend a-lot of time and effort with my two boys who have special needs, working on what doesn't come naturally so they can have what...
November 19, 2014
Places to Find Free Equipment and Devices for Families with Special Needs
Looking for help? Here's a list of companies that can help families get needed items such as rehabilitation equipment, assistive devices and healthcare related supplies: Opportunity to Receive a New Wheelchair! The Darrell Gwynn Foundation would like to...
September 29, 2014
San Diego Organizations Offering Peer Friendship and Mentorship for Children
All kids need a buddy. Two San Diego County organizations provide awesome peer friendship and mentorship opportunities for children of nearly every age and stage. Learn how to get your kids involved. Little League Challenger...
March 26, 2014