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Information about disabilities, and help for parents and friends of the disabled... Helpful resources and links to good information for anyone who has learned that their child, grandchild or friend has been diagnosed with a disability or a disorder.
Why did I make this page? In 1993 our son was diagnosed with Severe ADD/ADHD, which put a label on some of the troubles he'd been having... but the treatments and counseling for that always left us feeling like there was something missing - like we only had half of the answer.
We had some very difficult times with schools, family members, the court system and assorted doctors, but eventually we got them to agree to more testing and evaluations.
So, after many different doctors, a multitude of tests and literally hundreds of observation hours they determined that he also has a relatively mild form of Tourettes Syndrome and OCD (Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder).
That may sound like it was bad news - but you need to understand that we actually felt a sense of relief - because we finally had an Answer to the questions... with a better diagnosis, we were finally able to make progress with his counseling and get more help from others. (Not to mention a bit more understanding and patience from family members.)
The last few years have been a real challenge, especially in dealing with school officials and his peer group - they just don't understand that the strange and, well, bizzare things that he does are just out of his control. I've also learned there's truly only one expert on my son: ME.
I've had to learn how to become his only real advocate within the "education system". Knowledge is power, and when dealing with educators, it's best to be 'All Powerful'...
But that's enough about our difficulties...
I know the websites listed here can be helpful to anyone raising or trying to understand a disabled child, and, while our focus has been on Tourettes, OCD and ADD/ADHD, there are many other disabilities that children are forced to live with...
So we ask other parents to add your favorite "good information" site to this list.
Please send an e-mail to with the details.
Miscellaneous Good Resources
"ElderCare" Free Referral Service - This free referral service helps you find qualified, local eldercare including assisted living, nursing homes, homecare & adult daycare via a nationwide network of carefully screened providers including assisted living facilities, home care services, adult daycare, nursing homes, and medical assistance services.
Free Book for Alzheimer's Caregivers - Tackle the challenges of caregiving with this free football style "playbook" by Frank Broyles. The book is an engaging, full color, 92-page wire-bound how-to guide written for those who care for someone with Alzheimer's. [US Only]
Music Therapy: The Power of Music - Examines the power of using popular music, something people already listen to, in therapy. Includes examples of therapeutic
messages in popular music as well as original music by Freudian Slip,
therapeutic rock band.
Vision Vista - Vision Vista provides a central 'hub' of resources and information about blindness and visual impairment and all that it may entail - from education, technology, recreation, and the latest developments to employment and beyond. English and Spanish versions.
Ideal Lives - Free articles and Practical Support for Special Needs Advocates. Special reports, eBooks, Resource guides on CD and more.
Child SSI Disability Answer Guide -- Free Insider’s Report : How SSI Claims Adjustors Decide Child SSI cases - What You Need to Know
Free publications from MissingKids.com ~ Many useful and helpful lists, tips and such on these subjects: Abduction, General Information, Internet Safety, Just in Case...Series, Know the Rules...Series, Safety Information and Sexual Exploitation.
Scroll down to the 'Featured Publications' section and go take note of the you might be interested in. You can either download in .pdf format or order copies for handing out. (Get as many as ten of each free) (US only for mail, download from anywhere.)
The Individualized Education Plan
Understanding the IEP process. **
Free Birth Defect Information for Parents
Individual with Disabilities Education Act '97
NATHHAN.com - Support group for families with special needs children.
Help for the Deaf & Hearing Impaired
All for the deaf, ASL, hard of hearing people - Free on line resource for the deaf,ASL, hard of hearing people. You can find what you want here!
Michigan State University's ASL Browser web site - an online American Sign Language (ASL) browser where you can look up video of thousands of ASL signs and learn interesting things about them.
ASL Fingerspelling site - a number of tools for novices and experts alike to help you become proficient at fingerspelling. For novices, we have a standard dictionary to learn the basic fingershapes.
The World Deaf Directory - Just like spoken languages, sign languages evolve and develop within a unique culture. Each country uses their own unique sign language. ASL, American Sign Language, is used in The United States.
They also have an international directory of hearing-disabled friendly Businesses, Clubs, Entertainment, Schools, Services, Sports, Interpreter Services, Organizations, Publications, Religions, etc.
Printable ASL lesson plans, flashcards, etc - not free, but very reasonable priced.
ASL Printable alphabet charts - Courtesy of ABC Teach.
DeafKids.com. - This site has been designed for young Deaf and hard-of-hearing people, age 17 and under.
the Oral Deaf Education web site. - Deaf children can learn to talk! The new technology available today through modern hearing aids and cochlear implants provides enough access to sound that, with appropriate instruction at Oral Deaf Education Schools, most children who are deaf and hard of hearing can learn to talk.
Some great free resources for parents who have recently learned that their child is deaf.
Help with Tourettes, ADHD, OCD, other mental health challenges.
Free Autism DVD & Brochure - Compliments of the Son-Rise Program® ~ for families with special children. Information, photos, stories, endorsements, Q&A's, and practical tools to help you... and the free DVD includes the BBC documentary: "I Want My Little Boy Back." [US & Canada Only]
Understanding and Recognizing ADHD
ADHD Support Company.com. - Shire US Inc. has teamed up with parents, teachers, physicians, and experts around the nation to bring a host of resources right to your fingertips.
Childrens Mental Health Awareness
Resources on all types of mental illness,including Alzhemer's, ALS, ADHD, OCD, ODD SBS, ETC.
The home page is a bit crowded and somewhat intimidating - but take your time and check it out - there is a LOT of good info here.
About ADD-Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
Learning Disorders In Depth: ADD/ADHD
Tourette-Syndrome.net - Has a good downloadable PDF file available.
Tourettes.com - FAQ page, Kind of old, but a good place to start.
Attention Deficit Disorder: Beyond the Myths
Tourettes Syndrome Association - A very good site with some free info, requires a membership ($40.00/ yr) to get the full benefit of their help. But it's worth it if you have a child with Tourettes.
LD In Depth: The leading Web site on learning disabilities.
Sensory Integrative Dysfunction in Young Children
About ADD - Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. To medicate or not to medicate? Free Info for Parents
NICHCY (National Information Center for Children and Youth with Disabilities)
Useful information for parents, educators, and child development experts. (in Spanish too)
Studies Show that Diet May Trigger Adverse Behavior in Children - A 32-page report titled “Diet, ADHD, and Behavior,” charges that federal
agencies, professional organizations, and the food industry ignore the link between dietand behavior in children.
ADHD and Diet Reviewed - Those concerned about diet and adhd hypothesize a toxic or allergic effect by some foods. The most commonly targeted foods are milk, wheat, dyes, preservatives, sugars, and caffeine. These diet elements are believed to cause or at least contribute to ADHD and ADD symptoms.
Bipolar disorder, previously known as manic-depressive illness, affects millions of people each year. This Web site includes up-to-date information about recognizing the symptoms of bipolar disorder and getting a proper diagnosis.
CHADD: Children and Adults with AD/HD
ADHD, ADD, ODD, CD, Depression, OCD, RAD, Bi-Polar, Oppositional Defiant Disorder
Mental Health Net-Oppositional Defiant Disorder
Future Horizons - World Leader in Autism / Asperger's / PDD
ADD Diet - Sugar and dye reduction diet for Attention Deficit
Disorder.
borntoexplore.org - Born to Explore ~ The positive side of ADD/ADHD
** Q. What is an IEP? A. Individualized Education Program.
The IEP is a very important document for children with learning disabilities and for those who teach them. Each IEP describes the educational program that has been designed to meet that child's unique needs.
An accurate IEP improves teaching, learning, and results.
In my experience a school will not inform you that you need an IEP for a child with a disability like ADD/HD. You have to ask for it or even demand it. By law the school has to respond and act on your request.
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