Is your church effectively reaching kids with special needs and their families?

Buddy Break is a FREE Parent’s Day Out program designed to give caregivers of kids with special needs (VIP kids) a break from their ongoing care-giving responsibilities.  For 3 hours once a month, caregivers can leave their VIP kids, generally ages 2-16, and their siblings with trained and screened volunteer “Buddies” to play games, see…

Myths Associated with Inclusive Education

For years parents and educators have heard many excuses why students with disabilities should not be full included in their home zoned school..  Many times these excuses fall into specific categories. Myth #1: Students with significant disabilities educated in general education classrooms won’t get the support they need. Myth #2: Students with the most significant…

Think College! Inclusive Programs for Students with Intellectual Disabilities

Think College is a national organization dedicated to developing, expanding, and improving inclusive higher education options for people with intellectual disability. With a commitment to equity and excellence, Think College supports evidence-based and student centered research and practice by generating and sharing knowledge, guiding institutional change, informing public policy, and engaging with students, professionals and…

Next Steps at Vanderbilt University

Educational experiences beyond high school “Next Steps at Vanderbilt University is a 2-year nonresidential certification program for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities, providing individualized Programs of Study in the areas of education, social skills, and vocational training. Next Steps at Vanderbilt is now a Comprehensive Transition Program designated by the U.S. Dept. of Education.…

Jill’s House

This is one of those opportunities that I dream of seeing in Chattanooga some day… “Jill’s House provides respite for children with intellectual disabilities and their families in the Greater Washington, DC area. We serve boys and girls, ages six through seventeen, with intellectual disabilities without regard to race, religion, or ethnicity. Our mission is…

Tennessee Council on Developmental Disabilities Education Travel Fund

The purpose of this fund is to: – assist Tennesseans with disabilities and their families to attend meetings, conferences and workshops held around the country and in Tennessee. – assist Tennessee conferences by providing stipends for people with disabilities and their families, and conference presenters For more information or to download an application form, click…

Tri-State Therapeutic Riding Center

Tri-State Therapeutic Riding Center offers hippotherapy (horseback riding therapy) services to children with special needs.   Multiple options available – single events, ongoing therapy sessions, etc.  For more details and to learn about specific services, contact Denise Lineberry at Tri State Therapeutic Riding Center.

Milestones Therapy

Milestones Therapy is dedicated to providing comprehensive intervention services through collaboration with families, caregivers and other service providers.  Services may include assessment to assist with diagnosis, direct hands-on therapy, and training and consultation for specialized equipment and home/school modifications. We specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of infants, children and adolescents with disorders or delays…

Step by Step Self Advocacy Booklet

This is a phenomenal resource created in England for kids on the spectrum, but it could be used as a template by anyone, regardless of diagnosis.  It is a great resource for parents to walk through with kids, or for a student to work through on his own.  It covers topics ranging from communication, support…