Dear Parents and Guardians,

This is some print, web, and community resources that I have compiled for you and your
families. There is everything from what apps to use for your child to stimulate their needs, to
blogs of other parents who also have children with disabilities or special needs. Some of the
community resources are summer camps for children with disease and disabilities, to a
horseback riding therapy. I have provided all of the contact information and a brief
explanation as to why I thought this was a great resource for our families or a little about the
content or organization.
If you have any questions or have resources that I could add to this list for other parents
in our program, please feel free to contact me. If you use any of these resources and would
like to provide feedback on them, please do so as well. The more information that I have the
better suited I will be to help you and your family.
Thank you for taking out time of your busy lives to educate yourself even more on topics
that could help your child. You are an amazing parent and I am so proud to have the
opportunity to work with you and your family and I am so grateful that I have had the
opportunity to meet and work with your child.
Sincerely,

Ms. Lowe
Lead Preschool Teacher
Email: lowe@preschool.edu
Office Phone: 827-465-6673
Print Resources:

1.
a. Title: Special Needs: Trust
b. Author: Elias, Stephen; Urbatsch, Kevin
c. Publisher: Nolo
d. Date Published: 2013
e. This book talks about how parents with special needs children can create a special needs trust for their
children for when the parents are gone. It shows you how to save money back for them without
jeopardizing government benefits. I didnt realize that this was a thing but I think it is so beneficial for
families to have more information about

2.
a. Title: Special-needs kids eat right: strategies to help kids on the autism spectrum focus, learn, and thrive
b. Author: Converse, Judy;
c. Publisher: Perigee
d. Date Published: 2009
e. This book provides simple substitution that can be easily customized to suit any childs needs along with
strategies and tips for staying on track at restaurants, holiday gatherings, school parties and lunches,
and overcoming obstacles. I think that this is a wonderful resource for both parents and teachers to
know this information and work together on nutrition care and special diets of these children.

3.
a. Title: Breaking through: using educational technology for children with special needs
b. Author: Hill, Barbara
c. Publisher: Albers
d. Not only does this book provide the basics of using a tablet but it also goes over how the interactive
nature of it captures the attention of children and draws them into any given activity. This book covers
such a wide range of disabilities and how they can benefit from using a device. This book talks about
how to modify the device or what attachments you can add to help make the most of it for your child
and then it also provides software programs that both teachers and parents can use with their children.
4. "School Services For Children With Special Needs: Facts For Parents." Brown University Child & Adolescent
Behavior Letter 28. (2012): 1-2. Professional Development Collection
a. This is important information that parents with children with special need to know. This article talks
about the state and federal laws that schools are supposed to follow to allow them the most of their
education.
5.
a. Title: Special Brothers and Sisters: Stories and Tips for Siblings with Special Needs, Disability or Serious
Illness
b. Author: Hames, Annette and McCaffrey, Monica
c. Publisher: Jessica Kingsley Publishers
d. Date Published: 2005
e. This book provides siblings of special needs children stories to read from others who are in the same
situation that are also around their same age. It provides Keywords and it defines them in the back of
the book. This book is also nice for parents as well because there is a list of organizations that you can
contact if you need any more help.

6.
a. Title: Special Needs Parent Tool Kit: Birth to 18
b. Author: Department of Defense
c. Date Published: 2011
d. This is an e-book so you dont necessarily have to check it out to read it. I feel like this resource is a
wonderful guide for parents to use during the development of their children. The first part talks about
delays from birth to age 3 and the different emotions parents go through when they find out their child
has a special need. It gives parents ideas as to what they can do to learn about their childs condition
and how to connect with other parents and other resources such as state parent training and
information centers.

7.
a. Title: Helping Children with Nonverbal Learning Disabilities to Flourish: A Guide for Parents and
Professionals
b. Author: Martin, Marilyn and Berg, Michele
c. Publisher: Jessica Kingsley Publishers
d. Date Published: April 2007
e. Marilyn Martin shines in her ability to match interventions to a broad range of problems and examples
in every chapter. Clear, concise, and detailed explanations are given so that the interventions can be
applied skillfully. ... Each intervention is presented in a terrifically useful and usable format that includes
the problem, strengths available, proposed solution, how the solution can be generalized, the goal of
the intervention, and a very up-to-date and helpful listing of relevant resources. This Is a very good
resource for parents of NLD children.
8.
a. Title: Yoga Therapy for Every Special Child: Meeting Needs in the Natural Setting
b. Author: Williams, Nancy
c. Publisher: London- singing Dragon
d. Date Published: 2010
e. This book contains a specially-designed yoga program for use with children of all abilities, and provides
both parents and professionals with the knowledge they need to carry out the therapy themselves. The
program consists of a series of postures, each of which is explained and accompanied by an illustration.
The postures are designed to help children understand and use their bodies, and work towards positive
changes such as realigning the spine, encouraging eye-contact, and promoting calm and steady
breathing. Sections on yoga therapy for specific conditions such as autistic spectrum disorder, Down
syndrome, and cerebral palsy are included. This is a fun way to interact with you children in a different
way.

9.
a. Title: Chicken Soup for the Soul: Children with Special Needs: Stories of Love and Understanding for Those
Who Care for Children with Disabilities
b. Author: Jack Canfield, Mark Victor Hansen and Heather McNamara
c. Publisher: Backlist, LLC
d. Date Published: 2012
e. I love this book because it is stories with insight, comfort, and great advice from people who relate their
own experiences with special needs children. I think that it is a wonderful resource for parents to read
and experience the bonding, the learning, the hard-won achievements, the love, and the infinite
rewards that come from making a difference in a special Childs Life.
10. Title: The elephant in the playroom: ordinary parents write intimately and honestly about the extraordinary highs
and heartbreaking lows of raising kids with special needs
a. Author: Brodey, Denise
b. Publisher: Hudson Street Press
c. Date Published: 2007
d. The Elephant in the Playroom, moms and dads from across the country write intimately and honestly
about the joyful highs and disordered lows of raising children who are not quite normal. Laying bare
the emotional, medical, and social challenges they face, their stories address issues ranging from if and
when to medicate a child, to how to get a child who is overly sensitive to the texture of food to eat
lunch. Eloquent and honest, the voices in this collection will provide solace and support for the millions
of parents whose kids struggle with ADD, ADHD, sensory disorders, childhood depression, Aspergers
syndrome, and autism as well as the many kids who fall between diagnoses. Offering readers comfort,
community, and much-needed perspective, The Elephant in the Playroom is sure to become essential
reading for parents of special needs kids.
Web based resources:
1. Special Education- Missouri Department of Elementary & Secondary Education
a. https://dese.mo.gov/special-education/effective-practices/parents

b.
c. I choose this for the first web based resources because I feel like this gives parents a nice starting point
to look up resources for your childs specific needs within the special education system. This site
provides the different sections such as First Steps (birth to 3) and Effective Practices (3-21). It provides
stats for the state and I think that while it may not be as beneficial for you use as a resource to help your
child it is a way to educate yourself on your students rights and the responsibilities of the school and
state to help provide educational opportunities for your child.
2. FAST- PACERs National Family Advocacy and Support Training Project by PACER Center, Inc.
a. http://www.fastfamilysupport.org/fasttraining/index.asp

b.
c. I choose this website because it has so many resources for families with children with disabilities. From
skills for effective parent advocacy to the journey to adulthood: what every parent needs to know.
There resources on getting and keeping the first job to building a resume: Tips for youth with disabilities.
I also love this site because not only do they have these resources in English but they also have them for
our Spanish speaking parents as well. This project is funded by the Administration on Developmental
Disabilities (ADD)
3. Autism Plugged In- by Jack Kieffer
a. http://www.autismpluggedin.com/apps-for-special-needs

b.
c. This website has all kinds of apps from general android apps to music and arts apps and visual schedule
apps. I love this website because it also has Spanish version apps for our Spanish speaking children and
families. Another reason why I choose this website is because at the bottom there is a place for
people/parents to comment on which apps they are using and which ones their child loves the most. I
personally think that this is an important tool for parents to have access too.
4. Developmental Disabilities by Missouri Department of Mental Health
a. http://dmh.mo.gov/dd/

b.
c. This Particular website has a plethora of resources for families. From crisis assistance, to mental illness
and then the one I choose for our parents to look at which was developmental disabilities. On this page
there are so useful tools for parents such as the Office of Autism Services and Federal Programs to
Supporting Families. All of which I think could be beneficial to parents.
5. Life Inc., Center for Independent Living of Missouri from Disability.gov
a. https://www.disability.gov/resource/life-center-for-independent-living-missouri/

b.
c. This is a wonderful site for all disabilities not only for children but for adults as well. They cover
everything from benefits to education and emergency preparedness. The Life Inc. Center for
Independent Living of Missouri provides things such as personal assistance services, job training and
placement, and independent living training. They can also help families with home modifications,
medical equipment and prescription medications and IEPs. This website just has so many wonderful
resources that families all over the U.S. can use and benefit from.
6. Parent Toolkit Form Understood: for learning and attention issues
a. https://www.understood.org/en

b.
c. Under the Parent toolkit link there is a drop down box that says How can we help? With a drop down
box saying my child struggles with.. and the parent can chose what it is they are struggling with and
get some information on how to handle that. Below the drop down box is things such as through your
childs eyes, tech finder, just for you, and parenting coach all of which are useful resources to parents
looking for additional help.
7. Impact which is funded in part or whole by the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education
Programs Grant No H328M0900020-10
a. http://ptimpact.org/eSource/eSource.aspx

b.
c. This has so many resources for Missouri families in four different languages: English, Spanish, Hmong,
and Somali. Right at the top parents automatically have access to Fact sheets that they can use to bring
themselves up to date on a variety of subjects. They have sample letters that parents can use to request
a copy of their childs school records or a letter requesting to meet with school officials. They also
provide sample forms that parents can use to keep track of contacts, questions to keep in mind when
preparing for a meeting or keeping track of their childs progress. Below all of these are countless
resources such as 10 steps of special education process, to early signs of autism/ pervasive
developmental disorder to first steps family roles and responsibilities. I just feel like this site is a place
that parents could come to get so many resources on such a wide variety of topics.
8. Possibilities: A Financial Resource for Parents of Children with Disabilities from National Endowment for
Financial Education.
a. http://www.pacer.org/publications/possibilities/tax-section.html

b.
c. As primary caregiver of your child with special needs, you may be entitled to certain tax benefits, such as
tax credits and tax deductions. These tax benefits help offset a portion of expenses incurred while caring
for your child. At certain income levels, you may be eligible for other tax benefits as well. This site will
help you in figuring out all of these things while also providing the resources you may need along the
way.
 9. Hopeful Parents: Grassroots Support for Parents of Kids with Special Needs
a. http://www.hopefulparents.org/

b.
c. This is a blog for parents of kids with special needs to share their stories which will have you laughing
and crying and nodding along in recognition. This blog provides a great community and an open
invitation to join in the conversation with your own experiences. I think it is a nice place to connect with
other parents who are going through some of the same things and talk about it with each other.
10. Love That Max: Special Needs Blog: A blog About Kids with Special Needs Who Kick Butt by Ellen Seidman
a. http://www.lovethatmax.com/

b.
c. This is a blog by Ellen Seidman who is all about commitment. Ellen blogs every single day never missing a
beat. On her blog you can read and catch up on Maxs story and how Ellen and her husband are
overcoming his disability. It is such a powerful story of how these two parents thought their healthy
little baby boy with phenomenal Apgar scores would be happy and healthy the rest of his life. That is
until he stopped breathing and started turning blue. Later they found out that babies can have strokes
and this turned their life completely upside down. Ellen talks about the ups and downs of Maxs daily life
as he grows older.

Community Resources:
1. Magic Moments Riding Therepy
272 County Lane 125
Diamond Missouri 64840
Phone: 417-325-4490
Email: magic-moments@yahoo.com
a. Horseback riding as physical therapy has been on the rise for some time now. The benefits have proven
to help those individuals with all types of disabilities, including cerebral palsy, spina bifida, autism and
intellectual disability. It is also therapeutic for those with mental disabilities. The unique relationship
that forms between horse and ride can lead to an increase in confidence, patience, and self-esteem.
Having this in our own back yard and accessing it would be beneficial to families who have children who
struggle with any one of these disabilities.

2. The Arc of the Ozarks-Monett Division

1010 Old Airport Rd
Monett, Mo 65708
Phone: (417) 354-0071
a. The Monett Division provides services to a more medically fragile population in a rural setting. Their
services include:
 i. Residential Supports (Group Homes and ISL)
ii. Community Integration (offsite)
iii. Day Program (onsite)
iv. Supported Employment
b. The ARC is an organization who provides service for people with disabilities by providing an array of
supports and services to integrate them into their communities and to enhance the quality of their lives.

3. Camp Barnabas
Purdy- camp address Shell Knob-camp address Springfield-Mailing address
901 Teas Treail 1380 Eternity Lane PO Box 3200
Purdy, Mo 65734 Shell Knob, Mo 65747 Springfield, Mo 65808
a. Camp Barnabas is a Christian summer camp dedicated to providing summer camp experiences to people
with special needs, physical or intellectual challenges, and their siblings from throughout the United
States. This camp provides some normalcy in the lives of children living with a disease or disability.

4. Developmental Center of the Ozarks

Main Campus
1545 E Pythian
Springfield Mo 65802
a. The DOC provides resources such as therapy, education and habilitative programs to children and adults
who have developmental or physical disabilities or developmental delays as well as those who do not.
They offer programs for families, employers and the community related to developmental disabilities
through training classes and presentations. I think that this is a wonderful resource that might be just a
bit farther away but would benefit families immensely

5. The Independent Living Center- Inspiring Independence

2639 E 34th Street
Joplin, Mo 64804
Phone: (417) 658-8086
Toll Tree: 800-346-8951
a. The Independent Living Center provides TILC Youth Services. Some of these include Youth with
disabilities mentoring services which provides opportunities for youth with disabilities to participate in a
mentoring program for work and college. To a In-Home Care Program provides attendants for children
and youth with disabilities to assist in activities of daily living. Part of this program is attendant care,
approved nurse visits, advanced person care and respite care. The Independent Living Center also does a
Youth Social Events and Peer Support Group which provides social activities and peer support along with
outdoor activities, movie nights and other events. These services give children and youth with
disabilities the opportunity to talk to peers while also participating in fun activities while getting them
out of their normal day to day routines.