Kara Sheridan

Helping Children With Disabilities Love Their Bodies- Inside and Out

Research shows that the influence of parents on the development of body image and self-esteem in their special-needs child is even more powerful than the role of media and friends.

Leading a Balanced Life for Families of Children with Disabilities

Raising children with disabilities successfully means utilizing creativity, consistency, and commitment in your approach. Learn about different parenting strategies for managing your home while providing support to your special-needs children.

The Gift of Solidarity: How to Teach Children About Their Disability Culture

Disability culture is often ignored, but it can be the strongest influence on your child's life. Find out how to connect your special-needs child to their own unique heritage.

The Family-Centered Approach: Easing Anxiety Before a Medical Procedure

Many children with disabilities give subtle signs of anxiety before a painful procedure that even their parents might miss. Follow these tips for surprisingly easy ways to help your child cope with operations and pain.

ACCESSorize a Bedroom for Your Child with a Disability

We've gathered some great tips for letting your child's personality shine through in their fully accessible bedroom. Collaborate to make a haven that they'll love calling their own.

A Place to Play: Designing an Accessible Space for Your Child with Special Needs

Learn how to design a comfortable and nurturing environment for special needs children, including tips from designing experts for creating a wheelchair accessible bedroom or playroom for children with disabilities.

What's an IEP? The ABCs of Individualized Education Programs

An Individualized Education Program (IEP) establishes a set of academic and behavior goals for children with disabilities in public schools. IEPs are developed with input from parents, teachers, and often a special-education advocate.

Special-Needs Toys: Find or Create the Best for Your Child

Information about special needs toys for children with disabilities, including augmentative communication, educational toys, and other adaptive devices.

Children with Disabilities Pose Economic Challenge

Difficult as today's uncertain economic climate is, it's especially challenging for parents of kids with special needs. Specialized child care, adaptive equipment and therapeutic services may all need to be figured into the budget.

The "Other Child" With Special Needs: Understanding Siblings of Disabled Children

You thought you had it covered with all you've been doing for your special-needs child. But is their sibling getting what he or she needs?