Dr. Shank’s This and ThatSingle Parent of a Child with a DisabilityReturn to Text and Images:Home | Single Parent of A Child with a DisabilityGo to Text Only:Home | About Dr. Shank | FeedbackUniversal Design for Learning | Positive Behavior SupportAttention Deficit Hyperactivity DisorderLearning Disabilities | Therapeutic Role of PetsSingle Parent of a Child with a DisabilityWriting for Children and Teens | West VirginiaSong: “For Baby” by John Denver and sung by plays on Text and Image page. Click here for lyrics.True GritSome wonderful single parents of children with disabilities participated in my dissertation research. They inspired me with their fortitude, humor, and resourcefulness.
I believe those of you who fall into this category are seriously neglected in terms of support services. Often, by necessity, you live in survival mode and have difficulty thinking beyond today. Perhaps it will help to know that there are people who care. I decided to gather a few resources for you in one place on this website to make your search for support a little easier. I hope it’s useful. Marilyn OrganizationsDo you need a break? Many organizations provide respite care to help parents of a child with a disability find an occasional opportunity to catch their breath. This website helps you locate respite services in your area. National Organization of Single Mothers, This website provides helpful articles and support information for single moms. Also included is a Mom to Mom Message Board. MOMS provides support for single mothers, dads, widows, widowers, and grandparents. Single moms find useful articles on a wide range of topics as well as chats and message boards. Membership is free. If you adopted or conceived by choice or are considering doing so, this website has valuable resources. Articles and information are provided for single dads. The site also includes a forum for dads to discuss relevant issues. This website provides articles and news of interest to single dads. They even tell you where to get a diaper bag designed for you. You’ll find inspiration and humor as well as articles on legal and practical issue. Did you know there’s a comic strip about single dads? Salvatore’s Single Father’s Kitchen Need help in the kitchen or love to cook? This website’s for you. This international organization might have a local chapter, providing you and your children with social opportunities. In addition, their website provides a variety of resources. ComeUnity: Special Needs Adoptions Resources for prospective and adoptive parents of children with special needs. Links to information from Adoption.com on a variety of topics, including disability issues. Adopting a Child with Special Needs The National Adoption Information Clearinghouse answers questions. An organization that provides support to families with a child, parent, or grandparent with a disability. Located at the University of Kansas, the Beach Center provides cutting-edge research on families with a member who has a disability. Created by parents to help parents, the Parent Advocacy Coalition for Educational Rights connects parents of a child with a disability with resources and other parents. This outstanding magazine provides extensive lists of resources, including assistive technology, as well as relevant articles for and by parents of a child with a disability. Many states have a chapter of this organization that pairs a parent of a child who has a disability with a trained, experienced parent of a child with the same or a similar disability. The experienced parent shares resource information and provides support. All states have at least one parent resource center that provides support to parents of a child with a disability. They can help you with a variety of education and related services for your child. They can also help you resolve school-related issues. National Accessible Apartment Clearinghouse Do you need a place for your family to live that is accessible for your child with disabilities? This resource might be helpful. Housing for families with disabilities is also available through the US Department of Housing and Urban Development. This website provides vital information from the US government on a variety of topics, including education, benefits, transportation, etc.. Find funding resources to provide your child with assistive technology. The “Funding Assistive Technology” link is a page from DisabilityResources.org; however, they also offer resources on a broad range of topics. National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities (NICHCY) Learn about specific disabilities, best practices, No Child Left Behind (NCLB), and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEA). Enjoy this site with your children. Links are provided that specifically address the needs and concerns of children and teens with disabilities and their siblings. Council for Exceptional Children The world’s largest organization serving individuals with exceptionalities, CEC is an international leader in advocacy and support services. This online magazine features articles, from success stories to horror stories, for parents of children with disabilities. Dentistry for Kids with Special Needs The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry answers your questions. The US Department of Education provides numerous links to assist parents on Ed.gov. This site includes numerous links related specifically to health concerns for children with disabilities. Worship and the Child with Special Needs About.com’s Parenting a Special Child website discusses ways you can include your child in worship services. Religion and Disability Articles Find articles about the inclusion of individuals with disabilities in various faiths, as well as some inspiring stories about families who made a difference.
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