Wednesday, June 04, 2014

Apraxia and All Things Special Needs

My son was diagnosed with Apraxia and SID/SPD at the age of 2 1/2. We had known for some time that there was something different about A. As the youngest of 5 (at that time), it was easy for us to note the differences in his development when compared to the four who came before. He has since been diagnosed with ADHD, Dysgraphia, and Dyslexia (now known as "specific learning disorder in the area of reading"). Having moved to two different states and countries since his first diagnosis, we have become extraordinary familiar with the special needs education system in the U.S. (which varies widely by state) and within the State Department (which offers amazing support - one of the best perks of being an FSO, IMO). I hope this page can offer some assistance to other parents both in understanding what it means to have a special needs child and also in how to best advocate for your special child. You can read about our journey with A (so far) here.

Acronyms
IEP - Individual Education Plan
ST - Speech Therapy/Therapist
OT - Occupational Therapy/Therapist
SID - Sensory Integration Disorder
SPD - Sensory Processing Disorder
PT - Physical Therapy/Therapist
ADHD - Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder
LD - Learning Disorder
IDEA - Individuals with Disabilities Education Act

Apraxia Links
What is Apraxia?
The Childhood Apraxia of Speech Association of North America (CASANA)
The Cherub Foundation
Apraxia Resources

ADHD Links
What is ADHD?
Parenting a Child With ADHD
ADDitude Magazine
Children and Adults with ADHD
ADD Association
DC ADHD Support Group
Daily Report Card
ADHD Resource List
A Mom's View of ADHD

Dyslexia Links
What is Dyslexia?
The Wilson Program
The Barton Program
Bright Solutions for Dyslexia
Davis Dyslexia
Learning Ally - parent community and dyslexia-specific audiobook resource
Reading From Scratch
The Yale Center for Dyslexia and Creativity
Kurzweil - Literacy software
Don Johnston - Literacy and dyslexia-specific software and products
ReadEasy
Reading.org
Homeschooling With Dyslexia
The World of Dyslexia - Informative site for those researching dyslexia. Includes apps for dyslexia, research articles, and IEP information
High Noon Books - High interest/low level books and instructional resources

Dysgraphia Links
What is Dysgraphia?
Handwriting Without Tears
Dysgraphia Resources
Strategies for Dealing with Dysgraphia

US Resources for Special Needs Kids
Virginia IEPs
IEP Process
IEP Step by Step
Wright's Law
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
Understood
Atlantic Seaboard Dyslexia Education Center
DC Capitol Area Branch of IDA
Exceptional Schools Fair
Learning Disabilities Association of America
Northern Virginia ADHD Resources

Overseas Resources for Special Needs Kids
Educators Overseas
Hong Kong Dyslexia Association
International Dyslexia Association

US Department of State Resources for Special Needs Kids
Special Needs Education Allowance - what is covered and what is not
Employee Consultation Services - This is the office to contact if your child needs/qualifies for SNEA
Office of Overseas Schools - The starting point for finding Post schools who can accommodate your child's specific needs
DoS Resources for Parents of Special Needs Kids
FYSF Special Needs Page
FS Special Needs Yahoo Group
DoS Med Clearance FB Group
AAFSW Special Needs FB Group

Other Special Needs Links
What is an IEP?
Smart kids with LD
LD Online
Psychoeducational Testing
The Mom I Would Have Been
Welcome to Holland

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