Top Special Needs Resources on the Web » PhDinSpecialEducation.com

The term special needs can apply to a wide array of circumstances that cause individuals to require assistance or non-standard accommodations. Cognitive delays and learning disabilities are commonly referred to as special needs, but visual and hearing impairment, physical disabilities that affect mobility, and even congenital conditions of the major organs and body systems can all be considered special needs. The websites below, listed in no particular order, are the best resources on the Internet for learning about a wide variety of special needs. Some of the sites simply chronicle an individual’s or family’s journey with Down Syndrome or another condition, and some of the sites offer advice or links to other resources for those doing research about special education or a specific type of special need.

Special Education

Education systems that are based on standardized testing and built to cater to high numbers of average students do not serve those with special needs well. Developmental delays, learning disabilities, and issues with sight, hearing, and cognition can all make it nearly impossible to make use of public education systems. The sites below cover special education both inside and outside public systems, and offer new perspectives and insights on what education should be like for those with special needs.

Liz Beck’s Art Therapy Blog
Special Education Law Blog
Smart Kids with Learning Disabilities
The Shut Down Learner by Dr. Richard Selznick
I Speak of Dreams
Assistive Technology
I Love Special Education
The Life that Chose Me
Apace of Change
Ms. Rachel’s Room
Teacher Sol
Teaching Learners with Multiple Special Needs
Barto’s World
ABC Therapeutics Blog
Cooke Center Special Education Blog
Learning Ally
Special Education Advisor
Reality 101

To Top ↑

Down Syndrome

Down (or Down’s) Syndrome, also known by the name trisomy 21, occurs when an extra copy of chromosome 21 is present in a person’s genome. Down syndrome is diagnosed at birth, and can be tested for very early in pregnancy. Those with the condition usually have low IQs and unusually broad, flat, and round faces, as well as large tongues, which may cause their speech to be impeded. Since trisomy 21 is the most common known chromosomal disorder, special education programs are often well equipped to serve people with Down Syndrome. Additionally, a strong support community of bloggers and others willing to share their stories about Down’s Syndrome has evolved. The sites below are some of the best sources for info on parenting, education, and other aspects of raising a child with Down’s.

The Bates Motel
Got Down Syndrome
Blessed By Beau
Braska Bear
Life is simple. It’s just not easy.
Results Not Typical
Our Cora Bean
Prayers for Mason
Snippets
Runnin’ Down a Dream
Our Version of Normal
Down Syndrome: Up, Up, and Away
A Brighter Sunshine
Big Blueberry Eyes
Zoromski Chronicles
Down Syndrome New Mama
Ella Grace with the Pretty Face
Daily Smiles
Just a Little Muchier Muchness
Noah’s Dad
Ben’s Blessings
Garden of Eagan
Down Wit Dat
Life With My Girls

To Top ↑

Autism Spectrum

The Autism Spectrum includes a range of disorders characterized by obsessive behavior, delayed social development, and difficulty with non-verbal communication. Asperger syndrome, Heller’s syndrome, and other “pervasive developmental disorders” are often said to be “on the autism spectrum,” though people with these conditions show a wide range of cognitive ability and learning aptitude. Someone with Asperger’s may experience all of the social difficulties associated with the syndrome while having an average or above average IQ, but autism spectrum disorders are often associated with learning delays as well. The following websites contain reliable information as well as personal stories of people with autism spectrum disorders.

The Thinking Person’s Guide to Autism
Aspie from Maine
Adventures in Aspergers
Amy’s Tiny Corner of Existence
Drive Mom Crazy
No Stereotypes Here
Big Daddy Autism
Austintistic
We Go With Him
Uncharted Territory: My Journey With Mommyhood and Autism
Adventures in Extreme Parenthood
Try Defying Gravity
Diary of a Mom
Joy’s Autism Blog

To Top ↑

Batten Disease

Batten Disease is an autosomal recessive degenerative disorder that drastically reduces life expectancy, though the number of years varies depending on the variant of the disease. Onset of symptoms comes around four years of age at earliest, and the disease eventually leads to degradation of vision, speech, and motor skills, and is usually accompanied by increasingly severe seizures. The sites included below range from charities that are raising awareness about the disease, to personal accounts of raising a child with this tragic, always fatal disease.

Bee for Battens
Kaitlin’s Journey
I Am Especially Fond of You
Tatyanna’s Hope
Raising Redheads
Betz Family Columbus

To Top ↑

Parenting

The parents of children with learning disabilities or other special needs have a different set of challenges than most parents, and many have taken to the web to share their stories and find other parents of special-needs children to learn from and communicate with.

Souls Never Wrinkle
Different Dream
Taking it Day by Day with Developmental Delays
Shut Up About Your Perfect Kid
Four Sea Stars
Fighting Monsters with Rubber Swords
Love That Max
Special Needs Mom
Raygen’s Hope
Faith’s Mom’s Blog
Feeding Raya
Special Needs Reads
Logan’s Story
Hopeful Parents
Terra Talking
Support for Special Needs
Special Moms

To Top ↑

Miscellaneous

Finding stories about uncommon special needs can be harder and more frustrating than learning about the most common disorders. The sites below have information about an assortment of special needs not covered above, from attention deficit disorder to Eosinophilic Esophagitis. Additionally, some of the sites offer services tailored for those with special needs, from financial planning to religious inclusion and assistance finding employment.