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Resources updated November 12, 2008

Please check here periodically for updates.

These are links I've found helpful:

Advocating Advice - 10 things that parents who advocate for their special-education child should know how to do. Courtesy of wrightslaw.com
ADVOCATING FOR YOUR CHILD - Great tips, strategies, articles, checklists and skills to help you advocate for your child. This wrightslaw website will empower you and give you confidence. Knowledge is POWER.
Advocate by Contacting Your Elected Officials - To contact your elected officials and share your thoughts on current situations that effect your family, as well as government policy. This website provides links to e-mail and postal addresses, and phone numbers for your key elected officials. Action is a necessary step in making positive change.
ANCHOR PROGRAM - Recreational Programs for the Town of Hempstead, NY Special Needs residents only.
Abilitations
Abilitations Integrations Sensory Solutions
Pocket Full Of Therapy
- These three catalog links are great sources for products for Special People with learning and sensory differences!
ADHD Classroom Accommodations to Help Students - Additude Magazine's Quick List chart of behavior/solution for the teacher to help his/her students with ADHD make the most of their school experience.
ADHD CHADD Summer Camp Scholarship - Four scholarships for children with AD/HD who wish to attend an eligible summer camp. This program is intended to help parents or guardians afford the expenses associated with attendance at specialty summer camps. The scholarships, which are up to $8,000 each, are payable directly to the camp for tuition and fees and to the parent for related expenses. Thanks CHADD/UCB.
ADHD Information to Share With Your Child's Teacher - Don't assume that the teachers will know what would help your child. These helpful articles were written to help parents communicate the needs of their child to school personnel. I found these articles helpful for a child who has difficulty with staying on task, completing assignments, organization, restlessness, and social situations, not just AD/HD children. {some articles may require your free website sign up}
ADHD and ODD Parent Training - Don't know what to do? Need to change your child's behavior and help him/her reach his/her full potential? Elaine Lerner, MSW, CSW provides training in Garden City and Commack, N.Y.
America's Disability Bookstore - serves families, professionals, agencies and schools worldwide with the largest, most authoritative collection of disability-related materials.
Asperger's, High Functioning Autism, and PDD - AHA/AS/PDD is a Long Island based organization providing support and education for families, individuals and professionals affected by Aspergers Syndrome, High Functioning Autism, and Other Pervasive Developmental Disorders. This website is very informative and provides information about ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder), support groups and educational presentations.
Assessing Children for the Presence of a Disability - Do you suspect your child has a disability? Don't know what to do about your concerns? By law, the assessment process conducted by the school district and at no cost to the parents, must involve much more than just giving the student a standardized test in the area of his or her suspected disability. Read this NICHCY (National Information Center For Children and Youth with Disabilities) Digest News to feel more comfortable about the process and have the knowledge to advocate for your child.
Assistive Technology (AT) - Assistive technology is any kind of technology that can be used to enhance the functional independence of a person with a disability. Assistive technology can be anything from a simple (low-tech) device such as a magnifying glass, to a complex (high-tech) device, such as a computerized communication system. It can be big — an automated van lift for a wheelchair — or small — a grip attached to a pen or fork by Velcro. Assistive technology can also be a substitute — such as an augmentative communication device that provides vocal output for a child who cannot communicate with her voice.
Did you know that school districts are responsible for providing assistive technology devices and services if the IEP team determines the child needs them to benefit from his/her program and services? Find out why you need to get an AT evaluation and that your child's IEP must get any and all AT devices and services that they need written into their IEP. Information provided by the Family Center on Technology and Disability
Autism Calendar of Events - PUBLISHED BY THE SCHAFER AUTISM REPORT. Find out about the upcoming events in your area.
Autism - What do you do after the diagnosis? - There are a huge number of websites, books and resources available about autism. Find a local support group and get involved. Learn how other parents have managed situations similar to yours. You are not alone even though you may feel that way. This link also connects you to the Top Ten Autism Websites (a short description provided about each site). This may be the goldmine you have been looking for.
Autism - First 100 days Kit A tool kit to assist families in getting the critical information they need in the first 100 days after an autism diagnosis. Created by Autism Speaks Inc. A wonderful guide even if you are past the 100 days of hearing your child has Autism. Thank you Autism Speaks for a wonderful tool to help us through our crisis time(s).
AutismLink Have you ever wondered what must go through the minds of autistic children (and adults too)? How do they take perspective on issues? How do they see things? How do they think? Here are essays and articles written by autistic people. Autismlink is a great site for resources and support too.
Autism Spectrum Disorders - Want to know more about Autism? This MedlinePlus Health Information website provides information on topics such as genetics, latest news, diagnosis/symptoms, treatment, alternative therapy, organizations, coping, research and much more. Health professionals and consumers alike can depend on MedlinePlus for information that is authoritative and up to date. MedlinePlus has extensive information from the National Institutes of Health and other trusted sources on over 700 diseases and conditions. There are also lists of hospitals and physicians, a medical encyclopedia and a medical dictionary, health information in Spanish, extensive information on prescription and nonprescription drugs, health information from the media, and links to thousands of clinical trials. MedlinePlus is updated daily. There is no advertising on this site, nor does MedlinePlus endorse any company or product.
Autism Spectrum Disorder- Cody Center at Stonybrook University, NY Looking to learn more about Autism or need help? This site is a must see. The Cody Center provides multi-disciplinary clinical services, community services, graduate level coursework, consultation services for Long Island school districts, and clinical, basic, and transitional research into the causes and treatment of Autsim.
Behavior Issues - Looking for a POSITIVE way to help your child with his/her difficult behavior(s)? Here is a list of books and websites on Positive Behavior Support in Schools {courtesy of New Jersey Schools efforts - www.njpbs.org}.
Positive Behavior Support in Schools (PBSIS) - is a partnership between the New Jersey State Department of Education, Office of Special Education Program, State Improvement Grant and the Elizabeth M. Boggs Center on Developmental Disabilities, Pediatrics Department at UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School. The goals of the PBSIS project is to increase the capacity of local school districts to develop programs and intervention strategies that reduce occurrences of discipline and behavior problems and subsequently increase student achievement and the inclusion of students with disabilities engaging in challenging behaviors within general education programs. PBSIS is becoming more popular and other states' schools, such as NY an PA, are embracing this approach.
Civil Rights: Is your child's civil rights being violated? - OCR's authority to resolve complaints extends to allegations of discrimination based on race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability in public and private programs that receive Federal funds from the U.S. Department of Education. These include most schools and colleges and some other entities such as vocational rehabilitation agencies and libraries. OCR also has authority to resolve complaints of disability discrimination by public education entities, and complaints filed under the Boy Scouts of America Equal Access Act. If you believe you have been discriminated against on any of these bases by a covered entity, you may file a complaint using the electronic form found at this website by the Office for Civil Rights.
Community Resource Database - for Nassau and Suffolk counties, NY
Disorder Zone Archives - A quick overview and personal story of many disorders.
Dyslexia Articles - A free collection of articles about dyslexia published in The New York Times since 1996.
Educational Psychologist Reports - This is designed to help teachers (and parents are their child's first teacher) understand what cognitive skills the Educational Psychology tests are assessing and the implications these may have on a child's ability to access curriculum subjects.
Families Together in NYS, Inc. A non-profit, family-run organizaiton that strives to establish a unified voice for children and youth with emotional, behavioral, and social challenges. Their mission is to ensure that every family has access to needed information, support and services. Check out the links, events, news and toll-free information and referral help line.
Farmingdale, NY Public School District's Special Education Two Year Plan 2004- September 2006 - Did you ever want to know everything about your school district's Special Education plan? Want to know another school district's programs? This is definitely a must read and re-read for Farmingdale School District parents, teachers, and concerned community members. Does your school district have such a plan? Find out and get a copy. A hard copy of the Farmingdale School District's most recent 2-year report can be found at the Farmingdale Public Library.
Fun Bus Fitness on Wheels - Kelly and Tracy bring the fun to your child. Great for Birthday's and other party times. Mention Special Needs Awareness when you book the Fun Bus and receive a FREE Fun Bus T-Shirt.
Functional Behavioral Assessment: What Parents Need To Know - If your child is having problems in school this article will help to create the "right" plan to improve your child's situation. This article provides "an easy to understand" explanation of what steps are involved in creating a positive behavior intervention plan for your child. It identifies the role of the parent and school personnel and provides examples of behavior interventions. (courtesy of wrightslaw.com)
Get in Touch With Your Long Island Representatives - Find out who your local representatives are. Your local politicians can help you with many of the obstacles you may face as a parent of a child with special needs.
Great Schools - this website was launched by a former teacher, Bill Jackson in 1998 to catalyze a force that he believed was vital to the process of achieving excellence in education - parent involvement. Great Schools is committed to helping parents choose schools, support chilren's education and improve schools in your community. Great Schools was selected by Schwablearning.org to continue Mr. Schwab's website initiative. This is a very valuable resource and an empowering parent's guide for helping kids with learning difficulties. The information shared by experts and parents is reliable and parent-friendly.
A Guide to Special Education - Whether you are at the beginning of your journey of learning about Special Education services or just need a refresher about IEP's, timelines for receiving services, testing accommodation information, extended school year (summer school) eligibility etc., this guide will help you. This guide is possible because of the collaboration of the New York State Parent Teacher Association and the New York State United Teachers.
IEP Development video, with Gary Mayerson, Esq. Gary Mayerson is the founder of Mayerson & Associates, the first and only law practice in the nation dedicated to representing children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorders. This 12 minute video provides an overview of what an IEP is, what to expect at the IEP meeting, how parents and school districts should participate in developing an appropriate IEP, and advice for parents attending their first IEP meeting.
Individualized Education Program Guide - The IEP is the cornerstone of a quality education for each child with a disability. This guide is designed to help teachers, parents and anyone involved in the education of a child with a disability-develop and carry out an IEP. The information in this guide is based on what is required by our nation’s special education law--the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, or IDEA.
IEP Implications Of The New IDEA - Since it is the IEP that lays out the school’s commitment of special education and related services to be provided to eligible students, it is essential that parents of students with learning disabilities (LD) understand the changes. This article includes the following sections: Factors for Consideration in Developing the IEP; IEP Contents; The IEP Team; Notice of Procedural Safeguards; Moving to a New School District. Written by Candace Cortiella, Director of The Advocacy Institute.
IEP Notebook - Advocates agree that the best way to prepare for an IEP meeting for your child is to bring along an IEP Notebook. This lists the items to include in your notebook and how to organize it. This is a wonderful tool to use to help you get what your child needs and deserves.
IEP Planning - Don't Make These Mistakes - Do you have an IEP meeting coming up soon? Here are the Ten Common Mistakes Parents Make During the IEP Meeting - written by Matt Foley; M.ED., L.P.C. & DeAnn Hyatt-Foley, M.Ed.
IEP Sample Document for school aged children - updated December 2005. Great way to be prepared for your child's next IEP/Annual Meeting.
Inspirational Video: Raising Small Souls A beautiful video with a fresh look at how schools "try" to teach children with different abilities, but miss the mark. Identifying characteristics and strengths of various animals, this video helps explain why we should all appreciate our children for who they are and to always believe in them. It also highlights what I feel many of us already know, that we are instrumental in our child's success. I know some bees, but hope to meet many more. How about you? View the video to see how many bees you know. I know I am going to do everything I can to help my child be the best bee he can be. The music and scenery in this video are a delight too.
IQ Test: Where Does It Come From and What Does It Measure? - If the most important criterion in diagnosing a child as learning disabled is the IQ test you need to know where the test comes from and does it really measure potential. Written by Jan Strydom, M.A., H.E.D., D.Ed & Susan Du Plessis, B.D., B.A. Hons (psychology)
Laws Governing Special Education - updated December 2005. Regulations of the Commissioner of Education which includes all amendments through December 2005.
Learning Disabilities: What are the "Early Warning Signs" The five general areas affected by learning disabilities and the academic, cognitive, physical, and behavioral/social symptoms by Richard D. Lavoie, M.A., M.Ed.
LD Online: The leading Web site on learning disabilities for parents, teachers, and other professionals. In celebration of LD Online's 10 year Anniversary take a look at the changes they are making. As always your access is free.
Long Island Parent Center: The LIPC is available to provide information and support to parents and professionals, through person to person contact, training, workshops, website contact and resource library regarding services to children with special needs. Located at 887 Kellum Street Lindenhurst, NY 11757 with satellite offices at 178 South Ocean Avenue Freeport, NY 11520 and 44 South Elmwood Avenue Montauk, NY 11954
Massapequa, New York Special Education PTA website - A great place to get ideas for your local SEPTA organization, announcements of guest speakers and other valuable links.
Mediation Information - Do you need help with a disagreement you are having with your school district? Mediation may be a step in the right direction. It is free and could help you get the services or Free Appropriate Public Education your child deserves without having to go to Impartial Hearing.
National Association of Parents with Children in Special Education (NAPCSE) - A national membership organization dedicated to rendering all possible support and assistance to parents whose children receive special education services, both in and outside of school. NAPCSE was founded for parents with children with special needs to promote a sense of community and provide a national forum for their ideas. This is a place where parents of children in special education can find what they need to know to be their child's best advocate. They have helpful categories such as publications, parent forums, reference library, and news and events. Check out the website to see if becoming a member is beneficial. Membership is $19.95 a year or $35 for two years.
National Down Syndrome Society - The mission of the National Down Syndrome Society is to benefit people with Down syndrome and their families through national leadership in education, research and advocacy. Locate support groups, clinics, NDSS affiliates and other organizations near you. With NDSS's Resource Locator, you can also find articles, books, and videos about Down syndrome.
New York State School Boards Association Sites of Interest - A wealth of information via numerous links. If you need information about the Board of Regents, educational resources, your local school board association, National and State Organizations, or interested in Federal and State Government weblinks, this is for you.
Outstanding Contributions by People with Disabilities - Want to help your child see that they can be successful too? Want to help others realize that ignorance is more disabling than your child's disability? The world's most famous people with disabilities list is a great way to kick off a special needs awareness program in your school. Perhaps you can give this list to the English Department of your child's school and they could have their students do a book report on one of the people on this list. Knowledge + Awareness = Acceptance and Compassion.
Parent Center - The resources offered here are for parents of a child with a learning disability (LD), or for parents who suspect their child may have a learning disability. The goal of the Parent Center is to empower parents with the information and tools they need to become informed and effective advocates for their children, both at home and at school. NCLD's Parent Center is made possible by a grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, NCLD's Board of Directors and other committed parents and supporters.
Preschool For Special Needs Children - What is the Right School for Your Special Needs Child? Whether the disabilities are mild or severe, you’ll want a preschool that meets your child’s unique needs. Here’s some help from Scholastic Inc. on such topics as: Where should you start; Contacting your school district; What are my options?
Residential Educational Settings and Group Home Care - Parents for Residential Reform, a project of the Federation for Children with Special Needs provides support, information, referral, and other information to parents and professionals.
Response to Intervention (RTI) Parent's Guide - Provided by the National Center for Learning Disabilities (NCLD). RTI is a multi-step approach to providing services and interventions to students who struggle with learning. The progress students make at each stage of intervention is closely monitored. Results of this monitoring are used to make decisions about the need for further research-based instruction and/or intervention in general education, in special education or both. Learn about the benefits and limitations of RTI as well as how it should be implemented in your school district.
Responses to School District's Words and Attitudes That Keep Your Child's IEP Meeting From Being Successful - Ever express your child's needs only to have the school district personnel disregard the issue? or say "We don't feel your child needs that." Didn't know what to do or say next? Check out this wonderful site that gives you the appropriate reply to such comments/attitudes and review the IDEA laws that support such responses. The examples refer to blindness however the comments made by the school district could be made about any disability.
School Community Tool Kit - An amazing resource to share with your child's teachers, therapists, principal, Special Education Department, aides, general education teachers, Board of Education, PTA, SEPTA etc. This tool kit was developed by AutismSpeaks and was created to assist members of the school community in understanding and supporting students with autism. Please share this with everyone you can think of. Knowledge is Power. Proper intervention for persons with Autism is the ONLY ROAD TO FULL POTENTIAL.
School Library Journal - The world's largest reviewer of books, multimedia, and technology for children and teens. Check out the reviews, articles and more.
Sensory Diet for the Classroom - Heavy work activities for children with sensory difficulties. These activities can be easily incorporated into a child's daily routine within the school environment. This list was compiled by licensed Occupational Therapists, however children with sensory difficulites should be carefully monitored by a skilled occupational therapist.
Sensory Diet Activities for Home - Parents, are you looking for activities to help your child with sensory difficulties? These activities have been compiled by licensed Occupational Therapists. Who knows, while helping your child with his/her sensory issues you may also see your child become more responsible and your house become cleaner. Take a look at the activities and you will see what I mean. Please remember to have your child's sensory issues monitored by a skilled occupational therapist.
Smartkidswithld.org Meet some smart kids with learning disabilities - Smart kids with Learning Disabilities is a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering the parents of children with disabilities and Attention Deficit Disorder. Here is their 2007 Youth Achievement Award Winners. They are smart with learning disabilities and will inspire everyone.
Social Skills: The Teacher's Role - The effective educator must be ever mindful of the simple fact that children go to school for a living. School is their job, their livelihood, their identity. Therefore, the critical role that school plays in the child's social development and self-concept must be recognized. Even if a child is enjoying academic success in the classroom, his attitude about school will be determined by the degree of social success that he experiences. There is much that the teacher can do to foster and promote social development in the student. See what else Richard D. Lavoie, M.A., M.Ed. has to say about the important role teacher's have on developing social skills.
Social Understanding Network helping individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders - The Gray Center - The Gray Center is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting social understanding between individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and those who interact with them in the home, school, workplace, and community. They have an online bookstore, many programs in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and information about their director, Carol Gray, and Social Stories(TM). You don't have to live in Michigan to benefit from this website's ideas and resources.
State Approved Special Schools For Children With Disabilities - This is a list of New York State schools your child could go to, at no expense to you, if your child's needs are not being met in your school district's schools.
State Disability Resources - This handy resource sheet will help you locate organizations and agencies within your state that address disability-related issues, including: State agencies serving children and youth with disabilities, State chapters of disability organizations and parent groups, Parent training and information projects, the official State Web site, Governors and U.S. Senators, and other useful associations and organizations. Courtesy of NICHCY.org
Steps to Resolve Concerns About Your Child's Special Education Services - Meetings with school personnel, Mediation, Impartial Hearings.
Summer Activities and Day Trips - Looking for ideas for family summer fun. Peruse this list of ideas for a relaxing, fun, and memoriable summer with your children. Have a great time!
Support the Special Olympics - Recycle your cell phone.
The Wrightslaw Website - This is a very good site for IDEA and IEP/504 legal information!
Teaching Assistants: Qualified support for Classroom Teachers - An important article from the New York State Boards Association that describes the attempts of school districts to comply with the NCLB requirements of paraprofessionals. Do you know the difference between a Title 1 Paraprofessional and Teachers Aides/assistants? Which one should you request for your child's one on one? Be in the know. Read this article, and print it out.
Transition Planning Guide - Need help to participate effectively in the transition process for your child? This guide contains great information about what you should expect and when. It also includes valuable resources and tools to help you be an equal participant in this important milestone in your child's life. Written by families for families. Provided by the Parents and Professionals of the Nassau County Transition Task Force.
Twice Exceptional Children Advocacy - A Long Island, N.Y. based advocacy group focusing on high potential students with learning differences, disabilities, and school problems.
Test Access and Accommodations for Students with Disabilities
A guide for school personnel and PARENTS created by VESID's Statewide Coordinator for Special Education
Many students with disabilities will require testing accommodations in order to participate in testing programs on an equal basis with their nondisabled peers. Such accommodations provide students with the ability to demonstrate mastery of skills and attainment of knowledge without being limited or unfairly restricted due to the effects of a disability.
This manual provides information and tools to assist Committees on Special Education (CSEs) and Section 504 Multidisciplinary Teams (MDT) in making appropriate decisions for determining needed testing accommodations for individual students with disabilities. The manual also provides policy and guidelines for documenting and implementing testing accommodations for classroom, districtwide and State assessments.
Vendors for Software and Assistive Technology products -If you are looking to help compensate your child's reading or writing difficulties check out this list of vendors, a description of the product, and links to their websites for more information.
Vision Therapy - Vision Therapist Dr. Theresa Rua practicing in Massapequa Park, NY explains signs and symptoms of visual difficiencies and the impact they may have on your child's academic success.
Visual Spatial Thinkers - This is a great website that helps you understand the Visual Spatial Thinker. You may want to print this information out and give it to your child's teachers and therapists. It can certainly come in handy when you are developing your child's IEP with the CSE team.

Useful videos, DVDs and books:

check for these at your local library

Beyond F.A.T. City, A Look Back, a Look Ahead (video/DVD) - Richard D. Lavoie is at it again. This video provides practical stategies and inspirational messages, while also addressing the challenges ahead for parents and educators who teach children with learning disabilities. This video/DVD comes with a viewer's guide.
From Emotions to Advocacy, Pam Wright, Pete Wright - The Special Education Survival Guide that teaches you how to plan, prepare, organize and get quality special education services. This book is easy to ready and comprehensive. If you can't find it at your library it's well worth the $29.95 at the store.
How Difficult Can This Be? Understanding learning disabilities: Frustration, Anxiety, Tension, the F.A.T. City Workshop (video/DVD) - Richard D. Lavoie presents a workshop that gives the participants the opportunity to experience the emotions and anxieties that students with learning disabilities face daily, and offers suggestions to teach and help learning disabled children.
KIDS IN THE SYNDROME MIX of ADHD, LD, Asperger's,Tourette's, Bipolar, and More! - Martin L. Kutscher, MD with contributions from Tony Attwood, PhD and Robert R. Wolff, MD. What a great book for understanding these conditions and getting concrete strategies to help special needs children in their everyday life. This book is for parents, teachers, and all members of a CSE (Committee of Special Education) or CPSE (Committee of Pre-school Special Education) team who truly want to ensure effective interventions.
Last one picked . . . first one picked on: a parent's guide (video/DVD) - Learning Disabilities and Social Skills with Richard D. Lavoie. Kids with learning disabilities are often isolated and rejected. This video addresses the social problems children with LD face and offers some practical solutions for parents.
Preparing for Life - Dr.Jed Baker, recommended by a friend and parent of a child with special needs. This is what she says about the book: "It really is very helpful for Autism and Asperger's syndrome and truly for teenagers. My doctor told me about it and truly its worth looking into. I have read so many, but this one really stands out." Thank you Lynn for your recommendation.
Straight Talk about Psychological Testing for Kids - Ellen Braaten, PhD, and Gretchen Felopulos, PhD explain the role testing plays in diagnosing and devising treatment plans for dyslexia, ADHD, math and reading disorders, and other childhood problems, including Asperger syndrome, Non Verbal Learning Disorder, depression, and anxiety. It will help you ensure your child gets a thorough, accurate evaluation, and receives appropriate services based on the results.
The Out-of-Sync Child, Carol Stock Kranowitz - Takes a close look at why a child may be sensitive to touch, smell, sound, taste, or sight. Why a child may have problems with motor coordination or activity level. Does the child have Sensory Integration Dysfunction?
The Out-of-Sync Child Has Fun, Carol Stock Kranowitz - More than 100 hundred playful activities that are Sensory-motor, Appropriate, Fun and Easy (SAFE) to help develop and organize a child's brain and body.

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