You've heard it from one professional: Braille is outdated. Screen readers do everything Braille used to do, and they're faster. Why spend years teaching your child a tactile code when software can read anything aloud? Then you hear the opposite from another: Braille is essential for literacy. Audio alone won't develop the reading and writing skills your child needs for school and work. Both perspectives come from people who care about your child's education. Both sound convincing. And you're left trying to choose between two tools that seem to serve the same purpose. Here's what the research shows: it's not a choice. Braille literacy and assistive technology serve different cognitive functions, and children who learn both have measurably better outcomes in employment, independence, and literacy than those who rely on audio alone. What Screen Readers Do Well. Screen readers convert digital text to speech. They're fast, they work with nearly every platform, and they give children with visual impairments access to the same content as their sighted peers. For consuming information quickly, they're unmatched. Listening to a textbook chapter at 200 words per minute is faster than reading it in Braille at 100 words per minute. For web browsing, email, and navigating software, screen readers are essential tools. But speed in consumption isn't the same as literacy. What Braille Does That Audio Can't. Braille teaches children to read actively, not passively. When a child reads Braille, they control the pace. They can pause on a word, go back, check spelling,...

Braille literacy and assistive technology serve different functions. Research shows children who learn both have better employment outcomes.

Braille and Technology: Why Your Child with Visual Impairment Needs Both

Your child's teacher of the visually impaired mentioned orientation and mobility training at the last IEP meeting. You nodded, assuming it meant learning to use a cane when your child is older. It means that, but it starts much earlier than you think. O&M training should begin in infancy. Most families don't learn about it until their child enters school, sometimes not until elementary age. The spatial concepts a toddler builds at 18 months become the foundation for independent street crossing at 16. Starting late means catching up on years of missed development. What Orientation and Mobility Training Covers. Orientation is knowing where you are in space. Mobility is moving through that space safely and independently. Together, they form the skillset that allows a person with visual impairment to navigate the world without constant assistance. O&M training isn't one thing. It's a progression that begins with an infant learning their body exists in a room and continues through adulthood with independent public transportation use.  Infants and toddlers work on body image (where are your hands, where are your feet), spatial concepts (in, on, under, next to), and environmental awareness (the door makes a sound when it opens, the floor changes texture near the stairs). A qualified O&M specialist uses play-based activities that look nothing like formal instruction. They're building the mental map your child will use for every navigation task that follows.  Preschool and early elementary children learn protective techniques (how to use your hands to avoid obstacles),...

O&M training should start in infancy. What it covers, why it matters, and how to get a qualified specialist through your IEP.

Orientation and Mobility Training: The Foundation of Independence for Visually Impaired Children

A Light In The Darkness. Parents of blind children often feel like they are in the dark, but there is light at the end of the tunnel. These parents are some of the strongest and most resilient people you will ever meet. They have to be, because they are constantly fighting for their child's rights and making sure they have everything they need to succeed. They may not be able to see their child's smile, but they can feel it. They may not be able to see their child's milestones, but they celebrate them just the same. They know that their child is special and unique, and they will do everything in their power to make sure their child has the best life possible. Finding Hope. The darkness can be a scary place for parents of blind children. But there is hope. There are organizations and resources available to help parents navigate the challenges of raising a blind child. With the right support, parents can find the strength and courage to give their child the best possible life. Overcoming Obstacles. Parents of blind children face many unique challenges, but they also have unique strengths. They are often incredibly patient and resourceful, and they have to be. They have to advocate for their child in a world that is not always designed with them in mind. But they do it, because they love their child and they want what is best for them. And that is a light in the darkness....

Parents of blind children, facing unique challenges, find strength in support systems and advocacy for their child's rights and success.

A Light In The Darkness

 CaféMom introduces the YouTube series Our Special Lives. Each episode features a different family with a special needs child and we're able to take a look into their lives, their challenges and their joys.  In the second episode we get to know Emma and her parents Lori and Scott Planson.  When Emma was born, she couldn't open her eyes. Lori and Scott were first time parents, so they thought eventually she would be able to open them, until the pediatrician told them that Emma's eyes were underdeveloped and that she was blind. Initially, the doctors said she would have no sight at all, but Emma now has some light and color perception. Lori and Scott noticed it on a very special day. "The Christmas lights were up and she (Emma) would go up and feel all the ornaments on the tree", Lori tells us. "She would go to a light and look at it and she would go to another light and looked at that. And she'd ask us 'what is this' and we would say, "That's a red light." "She would say 'what is this' and we'd say "that's a green light'. Before long, she said red light, green light, blue light. She started telling us what they were." "That was an awesome Christmas for sure".  Lori and Scott want Emma to have a normal childhood. She started learning Braille in preschool, but she also takes part in typical childhood activities such as Girl's Scouts,...

CafeMom's 'Our Special Lives' features unique families; the 2nd episode highlights Emma, a blind child with some light perception.

Our Special Lives – A Child With Blindness

"My son has been diagnosed ADHD and OCD, might be bipolar, and he is having the hardest time socially and academically. His school said to have his eyes examined, even though our pediatrician reported 20/20 and healthy eyes. The pediatric ophthalmologist confirmed 20/20, healthy eyes and strong eye muscles. The psychiatrist referred us to a psychologist for a comprehensive battery of testing, which resulted in referral to a developmental optometrist." The above scenario is seen repeatedly in developmental optometry. Many children have difficulty processing visually presented material, yet their eyes test textbook normal. This is frustrating to family, teachers, involved professionals, and most of all, the child. Prior examinations of this boy's eyes are only the beginning of diagnosing, especially considering he is a special needs child. Complete vision is made up of eyesight, eye health, and the following basic skills: eye teaming, eye movement and focus flexibility.   Visual perceptual skills, which allow one to make sense of what they see, are also a vital part of vision. These skills, alone or in tandem, contribute to our ability to see 3-D, scan a page of print accurately, sustain effectively when reading or writing, understand the printed page, or maintain a dynamic balance between processing of central and peripheral vision. This impacts the child's ability to attend, perform academically or athletically, and even relate to others. Special needs children experience double vision more than the general population, and those that do usually never mention this to parents, as they...

Children with special needs may have visual processing issues despite normal eyesight, requiring assessment beyond 20/20 vision tests.

Visual Processing and the Special Needs Child

"My son has been diagnosed ADHD and OCD, might be bipolar, and he is having the hardest time socially and academically. His school said to have his eyes examined, even though our pediatrician reported 20/20 and healthy eyes. The pediatric ophthalmologist confirmed 20/20, healthy eyes and strong eye muscles. The psychiatrist referred us to a psychologist for a comprehensive battery of testing, which resulted in referral to a developmental optometrist." The above scenario is seen repeatedly in developmental optometry. Many children have difficulty processing visually presented material, yet their eyes test textbook normal. This is frustrating to family, teachers, involved professionals, and most of all, the child. Prior examinations of this boy's eyes are only the beginning of diagnosing, especially considering he is a special needs child.Vision is comprised of eyesight, eye health, and the following basic skills: eye teaming, eye movement and focus flexibility. Visual perceptual skills, which allow one to make sense of what they see, are also a vital part of vision. These skills, alone or in tandem, contribute to our ability to see 3-D, scan a page of print accurately, sustain effectively when reading or writing, understand the printed page, or maintain a dynamic balance between processing of central and peripheral vision. This impacts the child's ability to attend, perform academically or athletically, and even relate to others. Special needs children experience double vision more than the general population, and those that do usually never mention this to parents, as they may have always been accustomed...

Special needs kids often struggle with visual processing despite normal eyesight, requiring an evaluation from a developmental optometrist.

Visual Processing and the Special Need Child

These days, there are more children and teenagers, including those with special needs, using digital devices to learn, play and be entertained than any generation before. From smartphones to e-readers, and computers to digital tablets, young people have greater access to a wide variety of digital devices. A recent Nielsen study shows the iPad is the number one requested item during the holiday season from children ages 6 through 12, followed by other portable electronic devices such as smart phones and gaming players. With this growth in usage, it's important to be mindful of the effects of using digital devices, along with ways to keep your child or teenager's eyes safe while using them.  The closer an object is to the eyes, the harder they have to work to focus, meaning our eyes need an occasional break to "refresh." Generally, the eyes function best when looking at something in the distance, such as an object on the horizon. When the eyes are looking at an object up-close, they have to change focus and position, which takes some effort. This effort adds up over time, leading to blurry vision, eye strain or headaches. Additionally, people tend to blink less when looking at screens, which can lead to dry eyes, burning, discomfort and blurriness.  The overuse of digital devices can cause digital eye strain, or computer vision syndrome (CVS), which is a term for any number of eye or vision-related problems that can result from overusing a computer or digital...

Excessive use of digital devices can lead to eye strain and CVS in children; combat with breaks, exams, outdoor play, and proper setups.

How Digital Devices Affect Your Child&#8217;s Eyes

You're already logged in! If you've forgotten your password and would like to reset it, <a href="/logout/?redirect=/forgot-password/" alt="Logout page link" title="Logout page link">log out</a> first.

Forgot Password

Login

Zippedy Zap, You're Out!

Poof! You're Logged Out!

Logged Out and Ready to Go!

See You Later, Friend!

Bye for Now!

Farewell, Buddy!

Adios, Amigo!

Until Next Time!

So Long, Friend!

Ciao, Buddy!

Bon Voyage, Friend!

Goodbye for Now!

Hasta Luego, Amigo!

Catch You Later!

See You Soon!

Farewell for Now!

Bye-Bye, Friend!

Until We Meet Again!

Logout

Let's give you a brand new password. Please fill in the boxes below with your details. 📋✏️

The reset ID you provided is invalid. Please check the link you used to get here and try again. To request a new reset link, please visit the <a href="/forgot-password/">forgot password page</a>. 🔄

Let's get your password reset. Please fill in the boxes below with your details. 📋✏️

Reset Password 🔑

Your password has been reset! You can now <a href="/login/" alt="Login page link" title="Login page link">log in</a> with your new password. 🔒

Aw, shucks! We're not quite ready for more friends to join in just yet. 😿But here's the good news! We have a special, sparkly waitlist made just for you! 🥳🎉All you have to do is hop over to <a href='/waitlist/' alt='Waitlist Page' title='Waitlist Page'>the waitlist</a> and sign up. We'll get everything ready and before you know it, you'll be part of our SpecialNeeds.com family!🌟🤗💕 We can't wait to see you soon, 😃

Let's get you signed up so you can join our family. Please fill in the boxes below with your details. 📋✏️

Sign Up

The link you clicked appears to have embarked on its own adventure. Double-check it and let's try again, explorer! 🧭

Just a few more details and your fantastic journey begins! 😊 Rest assured, your data is as safe as a treasure in a dragon's den! 🐉🔒

Checkout

Title

Contact Listing Owner 🗣️

Looks like you need to join our fantastic community to contact the owner. Sign up now and dive into the adventure! 🎉

Whoa, There! 🖐️

This magical form lets you send an initial message to the listing owner. Just jot down a snappy topic (50 characters or less) and your message. Let's get the conversation rolling! 💌

Step right up! 🎪

Find local special needs events near you.

Events

Frequently Asked Questions

Discover the inspiring stories and experiences of our users who have found invaluable resources, support, and connections through SpecialNeeds.com.

Feedback

John Luthor

SpecialNeeds.com has been instrumental in helping me find the right resources for my child. The wealth of information and supportive community is invaluable.

Sarah Taylor

As a teacher, SpecialNeeds.com is my go-to website for understanding my students' diverse needs. The strategies and tips shared have been very helpful.

Alex Hales

The user interface of SpecialNeeds.com is very friendly and easy to navigate. It's a great platform with a lot of useful features for individuals with special needs.

David Warner

SpecialNeeds.com is a beacon of hope for parents like us. The online resources are fantastic and the supportive community is heartwarming.

Jessica Brown

The speech therapy resources on SpecialNeeds.com are top-notch. They've been incredibly helpful in my practice.

Michael Johnson

I've found so much support and understanding in the SpecialNeeds.com community. It has made all the difference for my family.

Emily Davis

SpecialNeeds.com is an invaluable tool in my classroom. The educational resources and community support are amazing.

Oliver Smith

SpecialNeeds.com offers practical and actionable occupational therapy strategies. It's a resource I use daily in my practice.

Sophia Miller

Navigating the world of special needs parenting can be challenging, but SpecialNeeds.com provides resources and a community that truly help.

User’s Feedback About SpecialNeeds.com

Guide your special needs-related business to reach its full potential. Here's the straightforward path to success

Begin by signing up for an account to join our community and initiate your journey.

Join Our Community

With your account set up, it's time to create your business listing. A well-crafted and engaging listing can attract more visitors.

Create Your Listing

Choose from our range of packages for your listing, including various features to suit your needs. We offer multiple options, including a free package.

Select Your Package

Once you submit your listing, our team will review it. Upon approval, your listing will be published on the site for public viewing.

Await Approval

Congratulations! Your listing is now live. You can view it on our site and begin attracting new visitors.

Your Listing is Live

How It Works

Discover our extensive directory featuring a wide range of special needs-related listings. Add your listing to join our growing community.

Explore Our Directory

Engage directly with users through our messaging feature. Manage all your conversations efficiently from your dashboard.

Connect and Communicate

Draw more visitors and grow your business. You have full control over your listing and can update or modify it as needed from your dashboard.

Enhance Your Listing

Supporting Your Business Growth

New Chat Received! 🎉

Enter your name

Pricing

Privacy Policy

Hi there! At SpecialNeeds.com, we care a lot about keeping your information private. We promise to do our best to keep your information safe and sound. This means we collect only the necessary information to provide you with the best possible experience on our site, and we take all the necessary steps to protect your information from unauthorized access, use, or disclosure.

1. Our Promise

When you join our site, we collect your email, display name, and password. We don't ever collect your location unless you tell us it's okay. Additionally, we use various analytics tools, which may collect other information like which pages you visit on our site, your IP address, and other data related to your use of our site. These tools help us understand how our site is used and enable us to improve your experience.

2. What We Collect

We collect information from you when you fill out forms on our site, like when you sign up. We also use cookies and Google Analytics to learn more about how you use our site. If you choose to enable the distance search feature, we'll collect your location information after getting your consent by clicking a button.

3. How We Collect It

We use your information to help you use our site and to make our site better for you. We also use it to see how people use our site, so we can make it better for everyone. Your location information, if you choose to share it, is used to help you find resources and services near you.

4. How We Use It

The majority of your information is kept confidential and is not shared with any third parties outside of SpecialNeeds.com. However, for users interacting with our directory listings (such as camps, schools, etc.), we may share aggregated and anonymized analytics data with the owners of these listings. This data may include metrics like the number of page views, time spent on the site, and other related usage statistics. It's important to note that this shared data will not include any personally identifiable information and is solely used to provide insights to our paid listing owners.

5. Who We Share It With

We use some fancy tech stuff to keep your information safe, like HTTPS for secure browsing, bcrypt to keep your password safe, and encryption to keep your location safe if you choose to share it with us. We also store your encrypted location information (if provided) in your browser's local storage and not on our servers, to add an extra layer of security.

6. How We Keep It Safe

You can change your email and password whenever you want. You can't change your display name once it's set, though. If you want to delete your account, you can do that, too. And remember, you can always tell us to stop using your location info by revoking your consent.

7. Changing or Deleting Your Info

Our site isn't made for kids under 13. We don't collect information from anyone under 13, and if we become aware of any such information, we will take steps to delete it.

8. Kids Under 13

Our site is made for people in the U.S. Even though we collect some information from people outside the U.S. through Google Analytics, our website is not targeted at them, and we do not use their information for anything other than Google Analytics.

9. People Outside the U.S.

Sometimes we might need to change this policy. If we do, we'll send you an email, and we'll put a notice on our site and on our social media accounts, if we have any. Please keep checking so you always know our latest policy.

10. Changes to This Policy

Remember, we're here to help. If you have any questions about this privacy policy, just ask!

Privacy Policy for SpecialNeeds.com

Terms and Conditions

Terms and Conditions for SpecialNeeds.com

Hi there! Welcome to SpecialNeeds.com. We're a website that helps people learn about special needs resources, like camps, schools, and therapists. We also share articles and news about special needs topics. But before you start exploring, we need you to understand and agree to our rules.

1. Welcome to Our Site!

Our site is primarily made for people who are 13 years or older. However, individuals under the age of 13 may access the content on our site under the supervision of a parent or legal guardian. While they cannot register for an account, they are welcome to read and learn from the information available with appropriate guidance.

2. Who Can Use Our Site

We want everyone to have a good time here, so we have some rules. You can't use our site to do anything illegal, to bother other people, to share spam, or to post mean or offensive things. And please, don't share anything that belongs to someone else without their permission.

3. Our Rules

Users can add items to our directory, but we'll need to say okay first. We use a smart computer program to check if anything mean or offensive gets posted. And we'll take down anything that's not okay right away.

4. Adding to Our Directory

If you break any of our rules, we might have to stop your account. This means you won't be able to use our site anymore. We don't want to do this, but sometimes we have to.

5. Accounts and What Can Happen

We do our best to share good, helpful information. But we can't promise that everything is perfect or right for you. We're not doctors, and we don't give medical advice. Always check with your own doctor or do your own research.

6. What We Can Promise

If we have a disagreement, we'd like to work it out with you. But if we can't, then we'll have to ask a neutral person or group (this is called an arbitrator) to help us solve it.

7. What Happens If We Disagree

Sometimes we might need to change these rules. If we do, we'll send you an email, and post on our social media accounts, if we have any. Please keep checking so you always know our latest rules.

8. Changes to These Rules

Remember, we're here to help. If you have any questions about these terms and conditions, just ask!

At SpecialNeeds.com, we strive to foster a community of trust and reliability. One significant way we ensure this trust is through our Verified Badge. You may have spotted this little checkmark symbol on our platform. But do you know what it signifies? Allow us to pull back the curtain on this important aspect of our platform. The Verified Badge isn't merely decorative - it's a symbol of authenticity, accuracy, and connection. When you see this badge associated with a company, you can rest assured that the company has been thoroughly vetted and is confirmed to be genuine. But how do we ascertain this genuineness? The process is both rigorous and meticulous. To earn the Verified Badge, a company representative or a SpecialNeeds.com staff member must first register with us and provide evidence of their affiliation with the company. This is typically in the form of a business email address. However, the badge doesn't just signify affiliation. It's also a testament to accuracy. The representative or our staff member is responsible for verifying all information associated with the company - from contact details to rates and features. Only when every piece of information has been scrutinized and confirmed do we award the coveted Verified Badge. Maintaining the Verified Badge isn't a one-time effort - it requires an annual renewal. Each year, company representatives are required to reaffirm their details and reverify their information. This ensures that the data associated with Verified Badge holders remains up-to-date and accurate. If the information isn't refreshed yearly, the Verified Badge status lapses. This renewal requirement serves as an ongoing commitment to accuracy, reinforcing our dedication to providing reliable, current information for our community. But why is this badge important? Why should you, as a user of our platform, trust it? The answer is simple. The Verified Badge is your compass on SpecialNeeds.com, guiding you with the assurance of truth and reliability. This badge is our commitment to you. It's our guarantee that the information you're viewing has been checked for accuracy and confirmed for authenticity. Whenever you see this badge, you know you're looking at a company that has been meticulously verified. That's our promise to you. So, as you explore the vibrant world of special needs-related businesses on SpecialNeeds.com, remember to look out for our Verified Badge. It's more than a symbol - it's the mark of trust you can rely on.

Verified Badge

Verified Listing: Last verified <lastVerified>. Click to learn more.

Special Needs
Articles

Braille and Technology: Why Your Child with Visual Impairment Needs Both

Orientation and Mobility Training: The Foundation of Independence for Visually Impaired Children

A Light In The Darkness

Our Special Lives – A Child With Blindness

Visual Processing and the Special Needs Child

Visual Processing and the Special Need Child

How Digital Devices Affect Your Child’s Eyes

Find Providers Near You

Special Needs Articles

Braille and Technology: Why Your Child with Visual Impairment Needs Both

Orientation and Mobility Training: The Foundation of Independence for Visually Impaired Children

A Light In The Darkness

Our Special Lives – A Child With Blindness

Visual Processing and the Special Needs Child

Visual Processing and the Special Need Child

How Digital Devices Affect Your Child&#8217;s Eyes

Find Providers Near You

Special Needs
Articles

How Digital Devices Affect Your Child’s Eyes