Special Needs

Welcome to the special needs section of LAParent.com, where you’ll find events and resources for families in Los Angeles with children who have special needs. We want to connect these families with sources of support – and also family fun! To subscribe to our monthly special needs newsletter, click the link at the top of this page.

Dismantling the stigmas

Addressing Your Child’s Learning and Thinking Differences

A mother, father and baby are looking at a laptop screen. On side of the image is a promotion from First 5 LA asking families how COVID-19 has affected them.

First 5 LA is conducting the survey

Survey: How has COVID-19 Affected You?

'Blippi Meets Hans the Robot'

Blippi and Easterseals Partner for new inclusive episode

Registration Opens for Adaptive 2021 Angel City Games

Creating opportunities

Building Inclusive Career Paths for Young Adults

Everyday champion

Frostig Principal Wins National Education Award

Holistic Early Education

New Developmental Kindergarten for Neurodivergent Children

Transition Tips

Q&A: CIP Long Beach on transition to adulthood for teens with autism, ADHD and other learning differences

Excerpt from Autism Memoir

Excerpt: ‘I Have Been Buried Under Years of Dust’

Back-to-School Issue: Education & Enrichment

Fitness Activities for Individuals with Disabilities

Special Olympics Bowling Season Begins July 11

L.A. Parent Spotlight

Spotlight: Josh Sundquist Has His Best Foot Forward

New Kid Shows

New On Screen: What to Watch in June

Camps for All

Check Out These Inclusive Camps Serving Campers of all Abilities

Chat Room

Jazz Hands For Autism

New Middle Grade Novel

Portraying Neurodiverse Characters in Middle Grade Novels

Kid-designed & Kid-approved

New Accessible Playground at Lionel E. Hudson Park

Young inventors

Local Twins Win in Hearing Loss Invention Contest

What We’re Reading this Month

Book Corner: Crafts, Self-Confidence and Being Yourself

Virtual Performances, Workshops, and Art Exhibit

Planting “Seeds of Kindness” with The Music Center’s “Very Special Arts Festival”

Mom and daughter in funny disguise

Using Humor in Parenting

Finding Humor in Pandemic Parenting

new access mat at Venice Beach

SoCal Beaches Increase Accessibility

New Access Mat at Venice Beach

Keep Your Kids Moving

Fitness for Kids of Different Abilities

Child embracing mother anxiously.

Understanding Our Own Anxiety

Building Social Skills

Building Social Skills

Evaluating Learning Disabilities in Children

Dealing with Physical Disability During the Pandemic

Accessing Early Intervention Services

Free Digital Tool Helps Families Identify Early Signs of Learning Differences and ADHD

I Have a Child with Special Needs and Built My Own Good Life

Fighting for Educational Justice for Black Children

If Your Child’s Early-Intervention Language Services were Interrupted Due to COVID-19

Autism’s Lessons on Adjusting to Change During COVID-19

Miracle Project Tips for Easing Coronavirus Anxiety

Largest Study to Date links 102 Genes With Autism

This Nonprofit Takes Travelers with Disabilities in a New Direction

For This Teacher, Tennis and Autism are a Winning Combination

The Builder Bees Hive Offers Fun and Friendship for Girls

Helping Puppies Become Guide Dogs of America

Youth Cycling Association: Paving a Road to Cycling for All

Carnival Cruise Line Earns Certifications to Assist Guests With Autism, ADHD, PTSD, Down Syndrome and Sensory Issues

Academy of Pediatrics Updates Autism and Developmental Delay Guidelines

Make Sure They Took It

Real-world Training at Finn’s Bistro Empowers Students with Disabilities

Could Cannabis Oil Help Children With Autism?

Good Lessons on a Bad Day

An Adventure Story About the Power of Family

Educators, mentors and advocates celebrate their diversity

Sparking Hope: How One Project is Propelling Autism Research

Meeting Special Needs Family Style

10 Facts for Families New to Speech and Language Services

The Sasha Project LA: Art That Helps Heal

This Boutique Airline is Autism Certified

Connecting the Dots to Get Your Child’s Best IEP

Does My Child Really Need Psychotherapy?

When Families With Disabilities Should Seek Legal Help

How Research Can Help Parents of Children with Autism Prepare for the Future

Inclusive Products We Love

Finding the Right Parent Support Group

Addressing Your Child’s Language-Based Learning Difference

Supporting Siblings With and Without Disabilities

Meet Jennifer Bliss of Vista del Mar Child and Family Services

autism and sleep

When Autism and Sleep Issues Collide

Sensory-Friendly Story Times at L.A. Libraries

SoCal Programs Let Kids with Disabilities Play with Purpose

Local Programs Support Teens and Young Adults with Disabilities

Summer Camps for All Abilities

Kids Gym Provides Inclusion for Children – And its Owners

Shemesh Enterprises

Despite Fire Devastation, Shemesh Enterprises Unique Culinary Program Continues

7 Reasons to Join a Parent Support Group

Social and Job Skills are the Focus of Center4SpecialNeeds Programs

Course Offers Special-Needs Moms a Mindful Return to Work

iFLY all abilities

Defying Gravity and Disabilities with iFLY

adaptive living

Adapted Living: Style & Accessibility

special needs travel

Travel: Yes, You Can!

jeffrey foundation

The Jeffrey Foundation Celebrates 46th Anniversary

L.A. Found Program Helps Locate Missing Persons with Disabilities or Dementia

Simple Questionnaire Helps Spot GI Problems in Kids with Autism

Social Cipher: A Video Game Galaxy of Social Skills

The Second Birth: Navigating the Transition to Adulthood when Your Child has a Disability

iep transition plan

Understanding Your Child’s IEP Transition Plan

Teaching Interactions: Social Skills Tips that Parents can Use at Home

USC Seeks Help with Studies of Assistive Robots

Parental Love Wins in ‘Far From the Tree’

adaptive clothing

Adaptive Clothing Hits the Mainstream

accessible water play

Splash! Accessible Water Play Around Los Angeles and Beyond

helping moms

Jessica Patay: Helping Moms Be ‘Brave Together’

rare diagnoses

Your Child Has What? Navigating the Challenges of a Rare Medical Diagnosis

helicopter parenting

Avoiding Helicopter Parenting: To Hover or Not to Hover

autism awareness month

An Autism Awareness Month Update

positive parenting

The Power of Optimism

Local Kids Help Write and Illustrate Anti-Bullying Book

Inclusive Toys We Love

A Unique Academy Helps Kids on the Spectrum Transition to Adulthood

Support Your Child’s Development With Sensory Play

Parents Caring for Special Kids Should Take Special Care of Themselves

For Parents of Teens With Autism, Optimism Buffers Stress

L.A. Vaulting Program Helps Kids of All Abilities Thrive on Horseback

Connect and Communicate With these Three Strategies

inclusive friendship programs

Friendship Programs Link Kids of All Abilities

parenting

Why We All Need a Parenting Village

Down syndrome

Kid Podcast ‘Brains On!’ Explores Down Syndrome

Tackling Four Common Misconceptions About Dyslexia

inclusive schools in la

Inclusive Schools in LA: Where All Learners Are Welcome

Robotics Startup Creates Companion Helpers for Kids

Building a Social Network For the Non-sporty Kid

Dance/Movement Therapy Helps Kids With Autism Connect

New Research and a Tourette Syndrome Update

Dina Kimmel Chats About Inclusive Play