Special Needs

Three children playing with toys on the floor.

Inclusive Holiday Activities

Holiday Tip: Make Inclusive Celebrations Seamless Set aside calming activities and toys your child loves. Preparing others in advance helps everyone feel included. Simple steps make the holidays joyful for all!

A young boy with Down syndrome and blue glasses smiles at the camera outdoors.

Come Bearing Gifts and Wearing Them Too! Technology Ideas for Your Family and Friends

Fitbit Zip: A Wireless Activity Tracker Looking for the perfect gift that’s both cool and practical? The Fitbit Zip offers children with special needs an engaging way to get active. This wireless tracker tracks steps, distance, calories burned, and active minutes—all while being water-resistant. Its colorful design makes it fun to wear!

Two people in blue shirts are exercising outdoors with a medicine ball.

Gift Guide from the Fitness Guy

Top 5 Fitness Gifts That Will Ignite Your Family’s Wellness Journey Looking for the perfect gifts that inspire active living? These hand-picked treasures are tailor-made for family fitness—boosting strength, building confidence, and making wellness fun.

DNA double helix with red, blue, green, and yellow strands.

Pharmacogenetics: Genetic Testing for Personalized Medical Treatment

Unlock personalized medical treatment through pharmacogenetics: a genetic journey that tailors drugs based on your DNA. Imagine knowing exactly how your body will react before starting medication—no guesswork, just precision. This breakthrough offers child-friendly testing and potentially life-changing results for those with unique metabolisms.

Woman with hands on temples, looking stressed in front of a decorated Christmas tree.

Holiday Stress: 5 Ways to Reduce It

Create Lasting Memories on a Budget: The holidays don’t have to break the bank – discover practical tips for creating cherished family moments without financial strain. Your emotional well-being and joy are worth prioritizing. #HolidayJoyOnABudget

Assortment of children's toys including a robot, game box, and educational building blocks.

Top 12 Gifts from the Toy Analyzer

Crank up sensory fun and watch skills soar! This year’s top picks blend playful gizmos with hidden developmental perks, from tactile bugs that boost motor prowess to colorful critters sparking social play.

Q&A Ask Special Parents: Teaching Children with Down Syndrome How to Blow Their Nose

Discover joyous ways to help your child blow their nose—step-by-step tips from dedicated moms who cracked the code when theirs couldn’t. Embrace fun games that make learning easy & rewarding!

A smiling graduate wearing a cap and gown is embraced by a woman.

Did You Know That Colleges Are Opening for People with Intellectual and Other Developmental Disabilities?

Imagine a world where doors to higher education open wide for those with developmental disabilities—thanks to pioneering programs across the nation. Discover how initiatives like Think College are transforming lives by providing pathways to inclusive college experiences that were once out of reach, offering hope, growth, and community to learners of all abilities.

Young person in a wheelchair laughs heartily outdoors.

Sharing “I CAN!” attitudes: Jake & Tesla

This excerpt showcases Jake’s remarkable ability to stand up and advocate for himself using his Dynavox communication device. Despite facing mockery for mispronouncing a word, Jake calmly expressed how hurtful the behavior was, demonstrating not only intelligence but also empathy and resilience.

Reach the Moon! Common Core State Standards (CCSS) Help Students with Disabilities (SWD)

Imagine soaring past today’s limits in education with standards that propel students toward new heights—just like the moonshot vision of 1961 reshaped space exploration. Common Core State Standards offer this same game-changing promise, allowing every child across our nation to chase their dreams, no matter where they live.