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Help Finding Resources for Your Child with Special Needs

Submitted by admin on Fri, 10/17/2008 - 11:42am
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Mom holding her babyHaving a child with special needs can be a challenge. You may feel confused or overwhelmed. But there are others who can help you. Depending on the type of resource you are looking for, here are some ideas of who to contact for guidance.

Once you find others who can help you, be sure to fill out a contact list for your child and keep track of all of the resources and contacts in your Care Notebook or Organizer.

  • The Program for Infants and Toddlers with Disabilities (Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act) is a federal program that assists states in providing comprehensive early intervention services. Many early learning or early intervention programs have coordinators or case managers who can help you find services if you are worried about how your child under three years of age is growing or developing.
  • Public Health Nurses (PHN) are registered nurses who work at local health departments who can help you with general health questions and services like immunizations or nutrition programs.
  • Children with Special Health Care Needs (CSHCN) Programs in each state help families of children with ongoing health problems. These programs can help you find resources and health information and sometimes have nurses who can help coordinate your child’s care needs.
  • Health Care Providers include doctors, nurses, therapists, or social workers who can tell you about available services and resources and help coordinate your child’s care.
  • People at Your Child’s School including teachers, school nurses, counselors, principals, or therapists can help your child at school with medications, equipment, therapies, and homework. If your child attends a private school, you can still get help from the public school system.
  • Other Parents who have gone through similar experiences can give you tips, tell you about helpful resources, and give you hope. You can meet other parents at support groups or even in your doctor’s office. You can look online for a parent organization in your state or look at national groups and see if there is a local organization where you live.

If you live in Washington State, the WithinReach ASK (Answers for Special Kids) Family Health Hotline may also be able to help. They can be reached at 1-800-322-2588.