April 15, 2019
April 1, 2019
All Inclusive Day of Play and Resource Fair
Each year the Special Needs Resource Foundation of San Diego hosts an All Inclusive Day of Play & Resource Fair! Families from around the county are invited to celebrate the last day of summer and...
March 6, 2019
Special Needs Camps Give Kids a Chance to Shine
Kim Kelly attended a special needs overnight camp for the first time at age 6. Before then her mom wanted to keep her close because Kim has hearing loss and orthopedic limitations. "My daughter needed...
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...
January 31, 2019
Special Needs Resource Foundation Wins San Diego Press Club Excellence in Journalism Awards
We’re very excited to announce! The Special Needs Resource Foundation of San Diego won 2 big awards at the 45th Annual San Diego Press Club Excellence in Journalism Awards. Our annual publication, Flourishing Families, received...
January 28, 2019
Understanding Canine Therapy and How it Helps Children with Special Needs
Dogs are often known as a man’s best friend, but these loving animals can also change the life of a child who needs extra support. Therapy dogs are more than your average pet—they are trained...
January 16, 2019
Inclusion Camps: Questions to Ask
One of the benefits of a special needs camp is that kids can share experiences with others who have similar challenges. While camps designed for specific needs offer very specialized care, some families would prefer...
November 9, 2018
A Fantastic Grant from the Foundation for Developmental Disabilities
The Special Needs Resource Foundation of San Diego would like to thank the Foundation for Developmental Disabilities for their generous charitable sponsorship of $5,000. Support from the Foundation for Developmental Disabilities will help us move...
October 22, 2018
Is Your Family Prepared for a Disaster?
Last year various regions of California were affected by a multitude of fires, floods, earthquakes and storms. Is your family prepared if disaster strikes San Diego? While impossible to predict all eventualities, disaster preparedness experts...
September 11, 2018
Hailey’s Hand: 8-year-old brings awareness of Poland Syndrome through baseball
[caption id="attachment_3173" align="alignright" width="273"] Both photos courtesy of Twitter @haileys_hand[/caption] Eight-year-old Hailey Dawson set a goal to throw the first pitch at every Major League Baseball stadium—and she’s doing just that without a fully developed...
August 22, 2018
Who’s Got Back-to-School Jitters? Mom and Dad, that’s who.
Nerves and butterflies don’t just happen to school-bound students once autumn approaches and the streets fill up again with big yellow buses. Nope. We parents get the jitters, too—especially parents of kids with special needs....
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...
June 7, 2018
You Will Probably Be Fine: Tips for parents of kids with anxiety
When I was 8 or 9 years old, I saw a production of The Nutcracker on TV and fell in love with the idea of ballet. I pirouetted around the house night and day, with...
May 29, 2018
Zero to 6: Critical Age Windows that Impact Healthy Child Development
There are two very important early childhood windows that parents should be aware of from the moment a child is born: the 0-6 month window and the 0-6 year window (sometimes referred to as Birth...
May 15, 2018
5 Local Spots for Outdoor Learning
Studies show that kids with special needs spend less time outdoors than typical children. Barriers like inaccessibility and the need for additional supervision might keep them from enjoying the incredible benefits of the natural world....
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...
March 12, 2018
What to Know About Getting Emergency Prescriptions During Disasters
There are many variables involved in obtaining prescription medications during times of disaster, including the overall state of the emergency, type of medication, federal regulations, insurance authorization, corporate pharmacy policies, transportation issues, electronic access, phone...
February 28, 2018
Adaptive Canoeing Builds Confidence in Kids with Visual Impairment
Imagine the courage it takes for children to try outrigger canoeing. That’s the situation for some visually impaired kids who have participated in an adaptive program run by the Nā Koa Kai Canoe Club, a...
February 2, 2018
5 Yoga Benefits for Kids with Special Needs
As a certified yoga instructor, I have long been aware of yoga's ability to benefit a person's mind and body. However, it was not until my daughter, who has special needs, trained to receive her...
January 23, 2018
Accessible Vacations
Do you travel with a loved one who has special needs? Planning a wonderful family vacation should be fun, not stressful. Here are some destinations that go above and beyond to accommodate every member of...
January 5, 2018
Health Risks for Children with Down Syndrome
Approximately one in every 700 babies born in the U.S. has Down syndrome, or trisomy 21, a chromosomal disorder in which children are born with three copies of chromosome 21. Parents today have an abundance...
December 19, 2017
Star Wars The Last Jedi Movie Fundraiser for Special Needs
Thank you for joining the Special Needs Resource Foundation of San Diego for OPENING NIGHT of Star Wars The Last Jedi! We had a great time taking photos with Star Wars characters, making Star Wars themed crafts, winning prizes, eating movie snacks...
November 6, 2017
An Excellence in Journalism Award for Flourishing Families
The San Diego Family Magazine staff is thrilled to announce that our annual publication, Flourishing Families, won an Excellence in Journalism Award from San Diego Press Club! It received 2nd place in the "Special Interest or...Strategies to Help Children on the Autism Spectrum with Homework
Are you having any homework challenges now that the kids have been in school for a while? It’s important to help your child find a “homework rhythm,” as well as identify tools that are most...
November 1, 2017
A Big Thank You to the Foundation for Developmental Disabilities
The Special Needs Resource Foundation of San Diego would like to thank the Foundation for Developmental Disabilities for their generous charitable sponsorship of $3,000. Support from the Foundation for Developmental Disabilities will help us move...
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...
September 12, 2017
Teens on Board: Gaming Group Builds Social Savvy for Kids on the Spectrum
On the second and fourth Thursdays of each month, a conference room in Washington is transformed into a board gamers’ haven. At promptly 5 p.m., a group of teens ranging in age from 14 to...
August 21, 2017
Prepare Your Child with Special Needs for Success in School
The beginning of the school year brings new transitions and the fears that can accompany them. A child’s cognitive or speech delay can add to the difficulty if he cannot adequately express his needs. Luckily,...
August 1, 2017
Back-to-School Tips for Students with Dyslexia
Back-to-school commercials look so joyous on TV: Parents happily buying supplies and kids giddily choosing new backpacks. But for children who have dyslexia, the commercials might look a little different. They might depict parents reviewing...
July 11, 2017
Treating ADHD: More than just medication
Inattention. Hyperactivity. Impulsivity. While these are common behaviors among children, for kids with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), these behaviors interfere with daily life. They contribute to poor school performance, trouble making and keeping friends,...
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...
May 22, 2017
Sweet Sleep for Special Babies
For babies with special needs, sound sleep requires more than a lullaby and a kiss. According to pediatrician William Sears, MD, author of The Baby Sleep Book and The Fussy Baby Book, infants with special...
April 24, 2017
Understanding the IEP Process
Emily Dolton’s son Aidan is having the best school year of his academic life. He’s thriving at Innovation Middle School but school wasn’t always this good for Aidan, who has special needs. The 12-year-old was...
April 17, 2017
We’ve Earned a Silver Star from GuideStar
The Special Needs Resource Foundation of San Diego is proud to announce that we recently achieved a Silver star from GuideStar. GuideStar's mission is to revolutionize philanthropy by providing information that advances transparency, enables users to make better decisions, and...
April 10, 2017
Music Therapy: A Pathway to Language, Communication and Motor Coordination
Performing and listening to music is often lauded as a great way to enhance math skills. Therapists now realize the full significance of tapping into the music memory centers of the brain to enhance language,...
March 1, 2017
Animal Therapy Benefits Kids with Autism
Nick and Stitch Nick is 15 years old and has high functioning autism, which causes difficulty connecting with peers. As a young child, Nick had delayed social skills and often spoke using repetitive language. For...
February 6, 2017
Homeschooling Children with Special Needs
Homeschooling is something I swore I’d never do with my kids. Many of my siblings were homeschooled and I had strong (negative) opinions about it—until I had children of my own. Both my sons—one who...
January 24, 2017
The Brain and the Digestive Tract
The Brain and the Digestive Tract: Recognizing the difference between a fussy eater and a problem feeder Kids with ADHD, OCD, Tourette’s, Asperger’s, Autism, learning disabilities, and other neurological issues are all problem eaters, to...
December 19, 2016
A Rare Diagnosis, Sonya’s Story with CDKL5
On February 11, 2015 we welcomed our fourth child into the world about two weeks early. She appeared completely healthy, weighing 6 lbs. 6 oz. We were surprised she was a girl, as my husband...
October 31, 2016
Get Ready for College: Preparing Teens and Young Adults with Disabilities
With an increasing number of college programs and supports available, more and more students with disabilities are exploring college as an option post-high school or transition. The thought of attending college is exciting, but preparing...
October 17, 2016
Taking Anger to Task: Advocating through Emotion
“Even the NORMAL kids experience stress on the first day.” The words hit me like a punch in the stomach. I had just asked why my child with a genetic deletion was pulled from the...
October 4, 2016
Tips for Choosing Halloween Costumes for Children with Special Needs
Our family is excited about Halloween (my youngest son has been decorating since February!), but as much as I love this time of year, picking out a costume for my kids with special needs can...
September 19, 2016
Tips and Tricks for a Fun Fall
Fall is a time of transitions. Days get shorter and routines have to be adjusted accordingly; and pumpkins and Halloween costumes appear in stores. It’s my favorite season, but it can easily overwhelm my children...
September 6, 2016
Preparing Teens and Young Adults with Disabilities for the Workforce
A child’s response to “What do you want to be when you grow up?” can elicit a variety of responses, anything from a fire truck (my all-time favorite response from a 3-year-old) to professional athlete,...
August 18, 2016
Easing Transition: Tips For Parents of Students with Special Needs
A new school year means a new grade, new teachers, new goals and maybe a new school for some students. In order to help ease the transition for students with special needs, here are some...
July 25, 2016
Neurodiversity: A Quick Primer
For a very long time, autistic children were seen as broken versions of “normal” kids. It hurts my heart to type that sentence, but I’m so grateful to live during a time when that paradigm...
July 12, 2016
7 Tips for Visiting Theme Parks with Children with Special Needs
Theme parks are places of wonder, delight and magical memories. But they’re also places of bright lights, new smells, loud noises, long lines and many other elements that can trigger anxiety, stress and meltdowns in...
June 28, 2016
5 Tips to Teach Kids with Special Needs Daily Living Skills
Kids of all abilities can learn important life skills and learn to help around the house. We just have to give them the opportunity to succeed. Here are tips to teach kids with special needs...
June 10, 2016
My Child Has Oppositional Defiant Disorder: 6 Behavioral Signs to Look For
I knew my son was different when his tantrums lasted hours at a time. We knew we needed more help than our pediatrician could offer. Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) is like having a child who...
May 24, 2016