General Disability Information
This page provides information and resources to help you more fully understand the characteristics of specific disabilities.
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Description: The Virginia Family Special Education Connection Website provides Local Disability Services information for all of the Counties/Cities in the Commonwealth of Virginia. These services include: Arc (The Arc) Autism Spectrum Disorder Resources Brain Injury Services Care Connection for Children (Health Department Program) Centers for Independent Living Child Development Services Program - Clinics Child Find Community Services Board (CSB) Department for Aging and...
Description: ATN/AIR-P Puberty and Adolescent Resource - Puberty can be a time of mixed feelings for parents and pre-teens. All parents eventually face the challenge of teaching their children about the natural changes of puberty. However, parents of pre-teens with autism may need the help of additional strategies to ease the transition. Our aim in developing this tool is to provide guidance on puberty that can be directly applied to pre-teens with autism. In doing so, we hope to increase families'...
Description: Traveling with kids can be tough no matter what. But sensory processing issues can add some unique challenges. These troubleshooting tips can help you anticipate your child’s needs and avoid vacation meltdowns. 1 of 10 Bring a "sensory travel kit."If your child has visual sensitivities or is sensitive to sounds, textures, or smells, you might have already found tools that help. Fill a small backpack with the items such as sunglasses, earplugs, and fidgets . Keep it within reach in the car...
Description: For many families, food plays a central role in holiday celebrations. That can be tough for kids who are sensitive to the tastes, smells, and textures of foods. Kids with food sensitivities may not be able to tolerate the dishes everyone else at home looks forward to. They may reject holiday foods other people prepare. These food struggles can create difficult and uncomfortable situations. But there are things you can do to help your child manage the challenges and avoid clashes over holiday...
Description: The Faces and Facts of Disability - Social Security is with you throughout life’s journey, touching the lives of nearly every American, often during times of personal hardship, transition, and uncertainty. Our programs serve as vital financial protection for working men and women, children, the disabled, and the elderly. For over 60 years, our disability program has remained true to its original purpose of delivering economic security against the risk of a severe disability that prevents...
Description: Special Needs Parent Tool Kit Birth to 18 - The Office of Community Support for Military Families with Special Needs is pleased to provide the Department of Defense Special Needs Parent Tool Kit — Birth to 18. This tool kit provides information and resources that will help you improve your quality of life and teaches you how to advocate for your child with special needs. Each of the six modules addresses issues you are likely to encounter throughout your child’s life. Whether your...
Description: Here are Mary’s Top 10 Tips on communicating with someone who has a disability. This video engages the viewer while educating them on the proper disability etiquette. This video is part of a series on disability awareness and inclusion in sports and physical education.
Description: Prader-Willi Syndrome is a complex genetic disorder of the 15th chromosome; the most common known genetic cause of life-threatening obesity in children. PWSA | USA supports individuals diagnosed with Prader-Willi syndrome, their families, and care providers with critical information and resources. We educate medical providers, educators, and professional care givers about PWS and how to best support individuals with the syndrome. PWSA | USA seeks to support research projects with the potential...
Description: At the Brain Injury Research Institute, our purpose is to study the short and long-term impact of brain injury in general, and specifically in concussions. We focus our attention on the development of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), and the physiological effects of this condition on the lives of CTE victims and their families. Research indicates that there is a clear link between brain injuries and a number of different serious and debilitating neurological disorders, including...
Description: 100 Day Kit for School Age Children The days after an autism diagnosis can be overwhelming. The Autism Speaks 100 Day Kit helps families of children between the ages of five and 13 make the best possible use of the 100 days following the diagnosis. This kit will help you learn more about autism and how to access the services that your child needs. It contains information and advice collected from trusted experts on autism and parents like you. What is autism? Core signs and...
Description: Medical visits can be stressful for anyone. Individuals with autism often face extra challenges during procedures like physical examinations and blood draws due to difficulty communicating about the symptoms they are experiencing and sensory issues that can occur in the clinical setting. The fear and anxiety felt during medical procedures by those with autism can also be stressful for caregivers and medical professionals administering treatment. These brief presentations aim to facilitatte...
Description: Activities Guide: Enhancing and Practicing Executive Function Skills with Children from Infancy to Adolescence - Executive function and self-regulation (EF/SR) skills provide critical supports for learning and development, and while we aren’t born with these skills, we are born with the potential to develop them through interactions and practice. This 16-page guide (available for download, below), describes a variety of activities and games that represent age-appropriate ways for adults to...
Description: Since 2014, Understood has served millions of families of kids who learn and think differently. In 2012, our Workplace program was created and has helped thousands of people with all types of disabilities find meaningful employment at inclusive companies. Our programs for Families, Educators, and Young Adults focus on empowering people who learn and think differently and those who support them, offering customized, accessible resources and a compassionate community. Our Workplace program helps...
Description: Living with Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) - The MSKTC works closely with researchers in the 16 Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Model Systems to develop resources for people living with traumatic brain injuries and their supporters. These evidence-based materials are available in a variety of platforms such as printable PDF documents, videos, and slideshows. Topics include: Acute Inpatient Rehabilitation Alcohol & TBI Balance Problems & TBI Being a Parent With a Traumatic Brain Injury Changes...
Description: The Virginia Autism Council is a group comprised of self-advocates, professionals and family members. This Council works to advance knowledge and understanding of Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) by defining skill competencies needed to effectively support a person with ASD and to advance higher education, training and educational opportunities for personnel and caregivers who provide support. The VAC website is Virginia’s clearinghouse on education and training opportunities taking place...
Description: On this website, you can learn about Virginia’s Medicaid, FAMIS programs for children, pregnant women, and adults. You can also get information about health insurance choices through the Federal Marketplace.
Description: Our mission is to educate, guide and inspire parents of children with learning disabilities or ADHD. Our aim is to help parents realize their children’s significant gifts and talents, and to show that with their love, guidance, and the right support, their children can live happy and productive lives.
Description: This graduate certificate is ideal for educators, interventionists, psychologists, pathologists, behavior analysts, or family members who want to enhance their preparation for working with children and adults affected with autism spectrum disorders.
Description: Charlie and the Cardboard Box - A young boy named Charlie is in a wheel-chair but asks the reader not to feel sad or bad for him because he is quite "Handi-Capable". The story progresses with Charlie getting a large refrigerator box and letting his imagination run wild! From a race car driver to kid astronaut and from a submarine to a deep dark cave, Charlie and his imagination have a blast with just a cardboard box. As Charlie says, "Remember...you are only limited by your own...
Description: Visits to the dentist and oral care at home can be difficult for people with autism. Autism Speaks partnered with Colgate and Philips-Sonicare to create a dental guide and video for families of children with autism and dental professionals. These tools are designed to: help families and caregivers find the right dentist teach families and caregivers how to effectively prepare for a visit to the dentist decrease anxiety about going to the dentist provide information for families to help begin a...
Description: Traumatic Brain Injury Factsheets Factsheet topics include: Alcohol Use After Traumatic Brain Injury Balance Problems after Traumatic Brain Injury Being a Parent With Traumatic Brain Injury Changes in Emotion After Traumatic Brain Injury Cognitive Problems after Traumatic Brain Injury Concussion Recovery Depression Traumatic Brain Injury Driving After Traumatic Brain Injury And many more topics
Description: We are pleased to provide English speakers with quick access to the wealth of information in Spanish on this website. For those of you who don’t speak Spanish, use this page to easily find and share important information with the Spanish speakers you serve in their own language. Use the alphabetical jumps below to search the list for topics in English. Each item starts with the topic/title in English and a link to information in English on that topic. This is followed by the...
Description: Información en español en este sitio, Nos complacemos en facilitar su acceso rápido a nuestra información en español a través de esta lista alfabética organizada por Tema de Discapacidad.
Description: Students on the autism spectrum (and a lot of other students, too) frequently have challenges or behavior difficulties because they don’t understand their world very well. Because they are easily frustrated and regularly misunderstood, their behavior is often not like other students. Sometimes they do not understand how to do what other students do. Sometimes they try to control the world using behaviors and strategies other students don’t usually need to use. When trying to sort...
Description: Products or treatments claiming to cure autism are deceptive and misleading, because there is no cure for autism. The same is true of many products claiming to “treat” autism or autism-related symptoms. Some may carry significant health risks. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) plays an important role in warning companies against making improper claims about their products’ intended use as a treatment or cure for autism or autism-related symptoms.
Description: If you have a family member, child or adult, with Autism Spectrum Disorder and you’ve been longing for a Family Vacation, then you’ve arrived at the right place.
Description: The mission of the National Autism Association is to respond to the most urgent needs of the autism community, providing real help and hope so that all affected can reach their full potential. They provide advocacy, research, education, direct tools, thoughtful awareness and hope.
Description: Family Voices is a national family-led organization promoting quality health care for all children and youth with special health care needs. Working with family leaders and professional partners at the local, state, regional, and national levels since 1992, Family Voices has brought a respected family perspective to improving health care programs and policies and ensuring that health care systems include, listen to, and honor the voices of families.
Description: Life-Changing Apps for People with Brain Injury - Almost every day, we hear of new apps developed for just about everything — from staying organized to finding pharmacies or restaurants while on the road. It’s hard to keep up. Some of these apps have proven to be especially helpful for people with brain injury. The phone can be used to remind you of an upcoming appointment or to take medication, or it can be used like a traditional paper notebook to keep all your addresses, telephone...
Description: People First Language is an objective and respectful way to speak about people with disabilities by emphasizing the person first, rather than the disability. It acknowledges what a person has, and recognizes that a person is not the disability. In putting the person before the disability, People First Language highlights a person's value, individuality and capabilities.
Description: Disability Scoop is the nation’s premier source for developmental disability news. With daily coverage of autism, intellectual disability, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome and more, it offers timely and comprehensive information about issues that matter to the developmental disability community.
Description: Are you looking for information on a health condition or perhaps trying to find health services? There are lots of medical sites out there that explain conditions in terms you don’t need to be a doctor to understand. And there are sites that can help you locate healthcare services in your community.
Description: Down syndrome is the most common and readily identifiable chromosomal condition associated with intellectual disabilities. It is caused by a chromosomal abnormality: for some unknown reason, an accident in cell development results in 47 instead of the usual 46 chromosomes. This extra chromosome changes the orderly development of the body and brain. In most cases, the diagnosis of Down syndrome is made according to results from a chromosome test administered shortly after birth. Just as in the...
Description: If you’re looking for information about disabilities in infants, toddlers, children, and youth with disabilities, you’ve come to the right place! The Center for Parent Information and Resources (CPIR) offers information and connections to the full spectrum of disabilities in children, including developmental delays and rare disorders. Use the links below to learn about typical developmental milestones in childhood, specific disabilities and disorders, and the...
Description: Welcome to the alphabet soup of special education! The disability community is full of acronyms that people constantly use in writing and in conversation, and it’s important to know what those acronyms stand for. Acronyms are used in order to abbreviate names or phrases. The CPIR is pleased to provide this list of special education and disability-related acronyms, and hope it helps our readers quickly connect with the meaning of pivotal acronyms in the field.
Description: Our goal in education must be to create a rich educational setting for all children. Special Education was originally designed as a "resource" to educational programs, not as a separate placement. Research indicates that removing children from their typical peers, undermines their capacity to learn the skills that will enable them to belong. Statistics from the CDC show a dramatic rise in Autism; therefore we must prepare our inclusive classrooms to create the educational setting to address the...
Description: It’s important to know what to expect as your baby grows, because hearing problems can delay the development of voice, speech, and language skills. The checklist below presents the average age by which most babies accomplish a variety of early speech and language skills. Typically, a child may not accomplish all the items in an age category until he or she reaches the upper age in the age range.
Description: If your child has been diagnosed with a learning disability, there are many things you can do to support him. Here are 10 ideas to get you started! What you can do 1. Learn as much as you can about your child's disability The more you know about your child's, the more you can help your child. Start with your school and your child's teacher, and continue your research on the web and with other professionals. 2. Learn about your rights The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act...
Description: Speech, language, or hearing problems can lead to trouble making friends and doing well in school. Give your child success—get help early. Find your child's age below and learn about her speech, language, and hearing development. Birth to One Year One to Two Years Two to Three Years Three to Four Years Four to Five Years Children develop at their own rate. These charts tell you when most children who speak only one language will reach each milestone. Your child should master the skills...
Description: Vision loss means that a person’s eyesight is not corrected to a “normal” level. Vision loss can vary greatly among children and can be caused by many things.
Description: Spina bifida is one of the most common birth defects in the United States, affecting some 1,500 babies each year. Spina bifida happens during the first month or so of pregnancy and means that the baby’s spine did not close completely. Damage to the nerves and the spinal cord may result. In general, there are three types of spina bifida. These are: Spina bifida occulta: In this mildest form of spina bifida, there’s a small defect or gap in one or more of the vertebrae (bones) of the...
Description: The first 3 years of life, when the brain is developing and maturing, is the most intensive period for acquiring speech and language skills. These skills develop best in a world that is rich with sounds, sights, and consistent exposure to the speech and language of others. There appear to be critical periods for speech and language development in infants and young children when the brain is best able to absorb language. If these critical periods are allowed to pass without exposure to language,...
Description: YouTube Presentation - Concussion 101, a Primer for Kids and Parents - This is a visual lecture called Concussions 101. The symptoms of a concussion can be tough to recognize, for kids in particular. Watch this video to learn the basics you need to know to make sure you take care of that awesome brain of yours, as much as you take care of the rest of your body.
Description: Hearing loss can affect a child’s ability to develop communication, language, and social skills. The earlier children with hearing loss start getting services, the more likely they are to reach their full potential. If you are a parent and you suspect your child has hearing loss, trust your instincts and speak with your child’s doctor. Don’t wait!
Description: Deciding if a child has ADHD is a several-step process. There is no single test to diagnose ADHD, and many other problems, like anxiety, depression, and certain types of learning disabilities, can have similar symptoms.
Description: The term multiple disabilities is general and broad. From the term, you can’t tell: how many disabilities a child has; which disabilities are involved; or how severe each disability is. Many combinations of disabilities are possible. For example, one child with multiple disabilities may have an intellectual disability and deafness. Another child may have cerebral palsy and autism.
Description: Has a child’s disability recently touched your life? Are you visiting our website today looking for information about that disability? Would you like to find organizations and people that can help address the disability-related questions and concerns you may have? We’re very pleased you’re here, because the CPIR has a great deal of information about disabilities to share. We hope this page will: give you a quick roadmap to the disability world of help that’s available in...
Description: Latinx Resources - El programa de Alcance Latinx de PEATC se enfoca en brindar educación y recursos a nuestra población Hispana/Latinx en el estado de Virginia, completamente en español. El objetivo de este programa es difundir información en el idioma con el que las familias se sientan más cómodas, pero al mismo tiempo teniendo en cuenta su cultura y creencias. Al brindar nuestros servicios en español, PEATC asegura la inclusión...
Description: Key Facts about Tourette Syndrome: Tourette Syndrome (TS) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that becomes evident in early childhood or adolescence. It is part of the spectrum of Tic Disorders and is characterized by motor and vocal tics. Tourette Syndrome and other Tic Disorders are not rare. The current estimates are that 1 out of every 160 children between the ages of 5-17 in the United States has TS and that 1 out of every 100 children has TS or another Tic Disorder. Some Tic Disorders may be...
Description: At Perkins, our professional development opportunities come in a range of formats, allowing you to select the option that best suits your needs. From credit-optional self-paced content to credit-earning online classes, we can help you further your education in a way that’s both convenient and engaging.