A 10-second video posted to Reddit last week has drawn over 11,000 upvotes and hundreds of comments, not because something dramatic happened, but because of what didn't happen. A young man with Down syndrome is working his shift at a restaurant, wearing a leather apron, when his mom stops by. She tells him he looks fantastic. He gives her a cool head nod and says one word: "Always." That's it. That's the whole exchange. And it tells you everything about how this young man was raised, the business that hired him, and what the disability community and the general public respond to when they see someone with Down syndrome thriving at work. What Reddit Saw. The top comments aren't focused on his disability. They're focused on his demeanor. "Holy moly he was raised so well!! I love the confidence," wrote one commenter with 607 upvotes. Another added, "For real you can tell someone put a lot of love into raising him right." Others called him a "distinguished gentleman" and noted he was carrying the job "with honor." One commenter wrote, "Growing self respect through hard work." The video shows capability, not inspiration. He's not there because someone felt generous. He's there because he can do the job, and he knows it. The Uncomfortable Truth in the Comments. One commenter offered a sharp observation: "It's a little weird that we celebrate his functionality because he has Down syndrome. But it's very clear he is super capable and likely can...

A viral Reddit video shows a young man with Down syndrome responding to his mom's compliment at work with one word: 'Always.'

Young Man with Down Syndrome Starts His First Job and Looks Amazing Doing It

A 10-second video posted to Reddit last week has drawn over 11,000 upvotes and hundreds of comments, not because something dramatic happened, but because of what didn't happen. A young man with Down syndrome is working his shift at a restaurant, wearing a leather apron, when his mom stops by. She tells him he looks fantastic. He gives her a cool head nod and says one word: "Always."   That's it. That's the whole exchange. And it tells you everything about how this young man was raised, the business that hired him, and what the disability community and the general public respond to when they see someone with Down syndrome thriving at work. What Reddit Saw. The top comments aren't focused on his disability. They're focused on his demeanor. "Holy moly he was raised so well!! I love the confidence," wrote one commenter with 607 upvotes. Another added, "For real you can tell someone put a lot of love into raising him right." Others called him a "distinguished gentleman" and noted he was carrying the job "with honor." One commenter wrote, "Growing self respect through hard work." The video shows capability, not inspiration. He's not there because someone felt generous. He's there because he can do the job, and he knows it. The Uncomfortable Truth in the Comments. One commenter offered a sharp observation: "It's a little weird that we celebrate his functionality because he has Down syndrome. But it's very clear he is super capable and likely can...

Photo Credit: Freddie B. Photography™ SpecialNeeds.com was able to attend several of the locations where the games were being held, ranging from USC, Los Angeles Equestrian Center, and Alamitos Beach in Long Beach. I will take you on a brief tour of the competitions, where assigned photographer Freddie Bommer was able to capture the human spirit at its finest. Every photographer has different motivations for taking pictures. Freddie's happens be a sincere compassion for the very special individuals involved in the Special Olympics. I am dedicating this piece to the best of what he caught on camera. Thanks to his heartfelt work, they will convey a message to the world: "Love one another, and the joyous celebration of sport!" These are historical moments that you will only find, here on SpecialNeeds.com, a website dedicated to support the intellectually and physically challenged. Charlotte MacDonald of Great Britain (pictured right), was excited to have won the gold in the Equestrian event! Once she caught her breath she introduced me to her two heroes, her brothers, William and James MacDonald. They both told me how fantastic it was to see all of their little sister's hard work pay off. Her mother and stepfather were also in attendance and you could see the pride on both faces when Charlotte explained just why her brothers were her heroes. "My brothers protect me, they are my guardian angles!" Her mother's message to other parents of special needs children is:...

Rafer Johnson upholds Eunice Kennedy Shriver's vision at the Special Olympics, with powerful imagery captured by Freddie B. Photography.

Rafer Johnson Continues to Nurture Eunice Kennedy Shriver's Dream!

 Photo Credit: Freddie B. Photography™   SpecialNeeds.com was able to attend several of the locations where the games were being held, ranging from USC, Los Angeles Equestrian Center, and Alamitos Beach in Long Beach. I will take you on a brief tour of the competitions, where assigned photographer Freddie Bommer was able to capture the human spirit at its finest.  Every photographer has different motivations for taking pictures. Freddie's happens be a sincere compassion for the very special individuals involved in the Special Olympics. I am dedicating this piece to the best of what he caught on camera. Thanks to his heartfelt work, they will convey a message to the world: "Love one another, and the joyous celebration of sport!" These are historical moments that you will only find, here on SpecialNeeds.com, a website dedicated to support the intellectually and physically challenged.    Charlotte MacDonald of Great Britain (pictured right), was excited to have won the gold in the Equestrian event! Once she caught her breath she introduced me to her two heroes, her brothers, William and James MacDonald. They both told me how fantastic it was to see all of their little sister's hard work pay off. Her mother and stepfather were also in attendance and you could see the pride on both faces when Charlotte explained just why her brothers were her heroes. "My brothers protect me, they are my guardian angles!" Her mother's message to other parents of special needs children is:...

Calabasas and Thousand Oaks , Host Towns, Participate in celebrating the "Flame Of Hope". SpecialNeeds.com supports the Special Olympics World Games Los Angels 2015 by donating articles, video, and photos of athletes, volunteers, coaches, and those making this event possible, the largest event of its magnitude since the LA 1984 Olympics. We have been more then excited to promote and be a part of such an amazing celebration of the human spirit. In 1981, starting in Kansas City, the law enforcement made the universal commitment of supporting and raising money for the Special Olympics. Law enforcement has raised a half a billion in funds globally for the Special Olympics. There are over 200 million people in the world with intellectual disabilities and law enforcement has every intention of continuing their support, as it is important to continue the tradition of helping those who may otherwise be overlooked. SpecialNeeds.com sincerely thanks all the officers for doing a fantastic job and wants them all to know they are the "Real Heroes" of our country! Freddie Boomer, video/photographer, police officer, and I, Robin Flutterby Borakove, World Correspondent for SpecialNeeds.com, were invited to witness the Final Leg of the Law Enforcement Torch Run from Mayor Lucy Martin of Calabasas, and Pro Tem Mayor Joel Price of Thousand Oaks CA. They were not alone in their efforts putting together the event, as the both cities have a plethora of support from their staffs and citizens. SpecialNeeds.com was honored with interviews from both and we...

SpecialNeeds.com celebrates the Special Olympics Torch Run with law enforcement raising funds and awareness for intellectual disabilities.

Law Enforcement Final Leg Torch Run

Calabasas and Thousand Oaks , Host Towns, Participate in celebrating the "Flame Of Hope".  SpecialNeeds.com supports the Special Olympics World Games Los Angels 2015 by donating articles, video, and photos of athletes, volunteers, coaches, and those making this event possible, the largest event of its magnitude since the LA 1984 Olympics. We have been more then excited to promote and be a part of such an amazing celebration of the human spirit. In 1981, starting in Kansas City, the law enforcement made the universal commitment of supporting and raising money for the Special Olympics. Law enforcement has raised a half a billion in funds globally for the Special Olympics. There are over 200 million people in the world with intellectual disabilities and law enforcement has every intention of continuing their support, as it is important to continue the tradition of helping those who may otherwise be overlooked. SpecialNeeds.com sincerely thanks all the officers for doing a fantastic job and wants them all to know they are the "Real Heroes" of our country! Freddie Boomer, video/photographer, police officer, and I, Robin Flutterby Borakove, World Correspondent for SpecialNeeds.com, were invited to witness the Final Leg of the Law Enforcement Torch Run from Mayor Lucy Martin of Calabasas, and Pro Tem Mayor Joel Price of Thousand Oaks CA. They were not alone in their efforts putting together the event, as the both cities have a plethora of support from their staffs and citizens. SpecialNeeds.com was honored with interviews from both and we...

Making decisions for others is never easy. In fact, it's probably one of the hardest things one can do for someone, especially if that person is their child. When a family is coping with mental illness and intense special needs and a parent is charged with not only choosing interventions to support what a child's life will look like as they grow but also what their adulthood will look like long after they themselves are deceased, the challenge becomes overwhelming. The alternative to not making the decision to support the child and instead controlling them dis-empowers the child who might then lash out and become more oppositional and self destructive the more a parent insists on them conforming. The emotional weight of making choices for someone else can cause a tremendous amount of anxiety and stress not to mention an underlying feeling of dread. Perhaps the hardest part about making the decision about what your child's future will look like is accepting that it isn't going to even slightly resemble what you dreamed of when you fantasized about their life. If you are like me, that included typical milestones like dance recitals, graduation ceremonies, walking the wedding aisle and holding grandbabies. Often when our children are struggling to keep their heads above water, maintain appropriate behaviors and perform in socially acceptable ways, there are rarely those extraordinary ordinary moments like congratulating them on their first job or the joys of helping them to decorate their first apartment....

Parents face immense challenges planning a future for children with special needs, ensuring their best interests amidst uncertainty.

Designing a Future for a Child with Special Needs

Making decisions for others is never easy. In fact, it's probably one of the hardest things one can do for someone, especially if that person is their child. When a family is coping with mental illness and intense special needs and a parent is charged with not only choosing interventions to support what a child's life will look like as they grow but also what their adulthood will look like long after they themselves are deceased, the challenge becomes overwhelming. The alternative to not making the decision to support the child and instead controlling them dis-empowers the child who might then lash out and become more oppositional and self destructive the more a parent insists on them conforming.  The emotional weight of making choices for someone else can cause a tremendous amount of anxiety and stress not to mention an underlying feeling of dread.  Perhaps the hardest part about making the decision about what your child's future will look like is accepting that it isn't going to even slightly resemble what you dreamed of when you fantasized about their life. If you are like me, that included typical milestones like dance recitals, graduation ceremonies, walking the wedding aisle and holding grandbabies.  Often when our children are struggling to keep their heads above water, maintain appropriate behaviors and perform in socially acceptable ways, there are rarely those extraordinary ordinary moments like congratulating them on their first job or the joys of helping them to decorate their first apartment....

Dexteria is a fantastic app for children with apraxia or who are on the spectrum, or even people recovering from injuries. It strengthens fine motor skills and enables pointing, pinching, and writing. There are three sections to the app. The first works on coordination in the fingers by using a unique exercise that requires the user to place his or her thumb on a dot and then touch other colored dots that appear onscreen with other fingers, all while keeping the thumb in place. The dots move around and it becomes increasingly difficult with each level, but it is a good exercise for improving dexterity. The pinching game involves pinching little crabs on the screen. As the levels go up, the crabs begin to move around and multiply if the user is not quick enough to grab them. Dexteria's third section is all about tracing dots to make letters. It is very good about requiring the user to be precise and stay within the lines. After a session with the app, the user's results can be emailed directly to the their OT. Occupational therapists love this tool, and your child will find it entertaining while learning. Dexteria is also featured as a TWA Pick on www.TeachersWithApps.com Dexteria is available on iPad, iPhone and iPod touch for $9.99. For more information, go here.

Dexteria app aids kids with apraxia or on the spectrum and injury recovery, enhancing fine motor skills through interactive exercises.

Special Needs App of the Day: Dexteria

Dexteria is a fantastic app for children with apraxia or who are on the spectrum, or even people recovering from injuries. It strengthens fine motor skills and enables pointing, pinching, and writing. There are three sections to the app. The first works on coordination in the fingers by using a unique exercise that requires the user to place his or her thumb on a dot and then touch other colored dots that appear onscreen with other fingers, all while keeping the thumb in place. The dots move around and it becomes increasingly difficult with each level, but it is a good exercise for improving dexterity. The pinching game involves pinching little crabs on the screen. As the levels go up, the crabs begin to move around and multiply if the user is not quick enough to grab them. Dexteria's third section is all about tracing dots to make letters. It is very good about requiring the user to be precise and stay within the lines. After a session with the app, the user's results can be emailed directly to the their OT. Occupational therapists love this tool, and your child will find it entertaining while learning. Dexteria is also featured as a TWA Pick on www.TeachersWithApps.com  Dexteria is available on iPad, iPhone and iPod touch for $9.99. For more information, go here.


Fully immerse your child in a dynamic and interactive counting learning experience with Montessori Counting Boards by Grasshopper apps. Many people might think learning to count is a simple task. For some special needs children, however, counting might not come so easy, which is why it is important to find and utilize tools to aid the learning process. The Montessori Counting Boards app includes five counting games in one app: Learn to count Learn to count up Learn to count down Drag to count up Drag to count down Learn to count up and down by tapping on boxes, which will show the number as a voice announces it. Drag to count up and down by dragging the boxes to the bottom row of the screen, and the voice will announce each number. The combination of visual and auditory stimuli is great for a variety of learners. The Montessori Counting Board app allows up to 20 items, so you can decide how many numbers to include in each game. The app also includes a record feature, so you can include your own voice counting each number. You can also record and customize the success sounds. Pre-selected and recorded affirmations include: Awesome! Fantastic! Good Work! Great Job! Hurray! Perfect! Super! Sweet! That's It! Well Done! Yes! You Are Great! You Did It! Incorrect answers do not interfere with the game play, so each child is allowed to try again before moving to the next...

Discover Montessori Counting Boards app by Grasshopper, offering 5 interactive counting games tailored for special needs children.

Special Needs App of the Day: Montessori Counting Boards

Fully immerse your child in a dynamic and interactive counting learning experience with Montessori Counting Boards by Grasshopper apps. Many people might think learning to count is a simple task. For some special needs children, however, counting might not come so easy, which is why it is important to find and utilize tools to aid the learning process.    The Montessori Counting Boards app includes five counting games in one app:  Learn to count Learn to count up Learn to count down Drag to count up Drag to count down  Learn to count up and down by tapping on boxes, which will show the number as a voice announces it. Drag to count up and down by dragging the boxes to the bottom row of the screen, and the voice will announce each number. The combination of visual and auditory stimuli is great for a variety of learners. The Montessori Counting Board app allows up to 20 items, so you can decide how many numbers to include in each game. The app also includes a record feature, so you can include your own voice counting each number. You can also record and customize the success sounds. Pre-selected and recorded affirmations include:  Awesome! Fantastic! Good Work! Great Job! Hurray! Perfect! Super! Sweet! That's It! Well Done! Yes! You Are Great! You Did It!  Incorrect answers do not interfere with the game play, so each child is allowed to try again before moving to the next...

As the long, lazy days of summer approach, most of us look forward to the refuge from the mad rush of school mornings, homework evenings and extracurricular bedlam. But our kids still need some kind of framework for summer days. This is a deeper concern for parents whose special needs kids are vulnerable to regression when structure is removed. Here are some ideas for family fun that will maximize your child's success over the summer: Playgrounds built with special needs children in mind are fun for all kids. Try Shane's Inspiration in Griffith Park, Martin Luther King, Jr. park on Western Avenue and Aidan's Place in West Los Angeles. Find more at shanesinspiration.org. Water, Water, Everywhere! The Helen and Peter Bing Children's Garden at the Huntington is a paradise for children who love water, with magical "fog" glens and interactive fountains. Bring towels, a change of clothes and plenty of sunscreen. huntington.org. Nearby Kidspace offers a courtyard with water jets, as well as a wading stream and waterfall in their "backyard" play area, in addition to fantastic indoor and outdoor climbing structures and hands-on learning opportunities. Footwear is required, so bring crocs, sandals, or water shoes. Kidspacemuseum.org California Science Center's new "Ecosystems" exhibit provides eight different environments–including the River Zone, the Extreme Zone (with a real flash "flood" which rumbles through every ten minutes) and the Rot Room replete with such kid-pleasing critters as roaches, millipedes and maggots. There is also a lovely outside space, where kids can watch...

Explore summer activities for special needs kids, including playgrounds, water gardens, science exhibits, pools, and horseback riding.

Summer Fun for Families with Special Needs Kids

As the long, lazy days of summer approach, most of us look forward to the refuge from the mad rush of school mornings, homework evenings and extracurricular bedlam. But our kids still need some kind of framework for summer days. This is a deeper concern for parents whose special needs kids are vulnerable to regression when structure is removed. Here are some ideas for family fun that will maximize your child's success over the summer: Playgrounds built with special needs children in mind are fun for all kids. Try Shane's Inspiration in Griffith Park, Martin Luther King, Jr. park on Western Avenue and Aidan's Place in West Los Angeles. Find more at shanesinspiration.org. Water, Water, Everywhere! The Helen and Peter Bing Children's Garden at the Huntington is a paradise for children who love water, with magical "fog" glens and interactive fountains. Bring towels, a change of clothes and plenty of sunscreen. huntington.org. Nearby Kidspace offers a courtyard with water jets, as well as a wading stream and waterfall in their "backyard" play area, in addition to fantastic indoor and outdoor climbing structures and hands-on learning opportunities. Footwear is required, so bring crocs, sandals, or water shoes. Kidspacemuseum.org  California Science Center's new "Ecosystems" exhibit provides eight different environments–including the River Zone, the Extreme Zone (with a real flash "flood" which rumbles through every ten minutes) and the Rot Room replete with such kid-pleasing critters as roaches, millipedes and maggots. There is also a lovely outside space, where kids can watch...

I never thought I would be a homeschooling parent. My husband and I bought a house in a neighborhood that gave us access to the area's best public elementary school. When my twin boys were babies, I would cruise by the school, fantasizing about dropping and picking up my kids. It was before the word "autism" became part of our vocabulary. Homeschooling, for the parents of an autistic child, is often more of a last resort than a choice. My children were bused to schools far away from that perfect neighborhood school I coveted. We had to accept school district placements in order to get services. We were disconnected from our community in a way that made the autism feel like only a small part of our social problems. After years of chasing autism programs, I still found myself reteaching lessons and begging teachers to follow behavior plans. Homeschooling sounded like a way out of the madness that is special education. At least then I wouldn't have to attend multiple IEP meetings every year, hire lawyers, secretly threaten bullies, buy gift cards for teachers and still have my son sent home for having meltdowns. Our new homeschooling friends recommended curriculum and offered encouraging words. I felt light headed when I thought of teaching math to a child who screams when he sees a math book. I had drawers of broken pencils and recycling bins of torn worksheets. I also had a child who found even small groups difficult...

A parent embraces homeschooling for her autistic twins after struggling with public education and finding unique ways to help them succeed.

When Homeschooling Chooses You

I never thought I would be a homeschooling parent. My husband and I bought a house in a neighborhood that gave us access to the area's best public elementary school. When my twin boys were babies, I would cruise by the school, fantasizing about dropping and picking up my kids. It was before the word "autism" became part of our vocabulary.  Homeschooling, for the parents of an autistic child, is often more of a last resort than a choice. My children were bused to schools far away from that perfect neighborhood school I coveted. We had to accept school district placements in order to get services. We were disconnected from our community in a way that made the autism feel like only a small part of our social problems. After years of chasing autism programs, I still found myself reteaching lessons and begging teachers to follow behavior plans. Homeschooling sounded like a way out of the madness that is special education. At least then I wouldn't have to attend multiple IEP meetings every year, hire lawyers, secretly threaten bullies, buy gift cards for teachers and still have my son sent home for having meltdowns.  Our new homeschooling friends recommended curriculum and offered encouraging words. I felt light headed when I thought of teaching math to a child who screams when he sees a math book. I had drawers of broken pencils and recycling bins of torn worksheets. I also had a child who found even small groups difficult...

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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.

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