Education & IEP

Research and education organization focused on augmentative and alternative communication (AAC). Provides resources, research, and support for individuals who use AAC devices and their families.

National

AARP resource helping caregivers understand disability-related terminology, navigate conversations with healthcare providers, and use inclusive language when advocating for their loved ones.

National

Children's book series celebrating disability and inclusion through engaging stories. Teaches kids about different abilities and the value of diversity in an age-appropriate way.

National

Assistive technology switches, mounting systems, and adapted educational tools. Makes technology accessible for people with disabilities through simple, reliable devices.

1-800-322-0956

National

Nonprofit providing assistive technology training, assessment, and demonstration for individuals with disabilities, including computer access, communication devices, and adaptive equipment.

503-361-1201

Oregon · Portland

Comprehensive guidelines from the ADA National Network on respectful, person-first and identity-first language when writing or speaking about people with disabilities.

National

Multisensory, mastery-based Orton-Gillingham reading and spelling curriculum. Works for students with and without learning disabilities. Includes hands-on manipulatives, structured teacher guides, and systematic phonics instruction. 1-year unconditional return policy.

National

Author of 'How You Can Handle More Than You Can Handle' and caregiver advocate. Shares disability parenting experiences, practical advice, and inspiration on Instagram.

National

The largest cross-disability membership organization in the US, promoting equal opportunity and empowerment. Provides advocacy resources, policy information, and guidance on respectful disability language.

2013 H Street NW, Washington, DC 20006

(202) 457-0046

National

Over 40 years of services, advocacy, and support for individuals with autism. Offers social groups, caregiver support groups, Autism Friendly Communities training, Lego Club, educational workshops, and sibling programs.

8730 Stony Point Parkway, Suite 150, Richmond, VA 23235

(804) 257-0192

Virginia · Richmond

Run by and for autistic people, ASAN provides resources on identity-first language preferences in the autistic community, self-advocacy tools, and policy guidance for caregivers and allies.

National

Orton-Gillingham based tutoring program designed so parents can tutor their own children with dyslexia. 10 sequential levels covering reading, spelling, and writing with scripted lessons requiring no special training. Widely considered one of the most effective programs for dyslexia remediation.

National

By Kate Strohm. Explores the often-secret feelings of siblings based on the author's own experience and extensive interviews. Offers valuable coping strategies for teens and adults.

National

Special education law firm with attorneys, advocates, and educational consultants helping families with IEP development, school selection, test score analysis, and professional referrals in Northern Virginia.

11710 Plaza America Drive, Suite 2000, Reston, VA 20190

(703) 758-5562

Virginia · Northern Virginia

CDC guidelines on inclusive communication practices when interacting with people who have disabilities. Covers preferred terminology, communication tips, and resources for caregivers and health professionals.

National

Guide to respectful disability language from the Center for Disability Rights, covering person-first vs. identity-first preferences, outdated terms to avoid, and inclusive alternatives.

National

Educational advocacy firm helping families navigate special education including IEP goals, accommodations, document review, and 504 plans. Offers free initial consultations and 1-on-1 advocacy at IEP meetings.

(510) 540-8646

California · Berkeley

Nonprofit providing evidence-based homeschooling guidance. Disability section covers recognizing disabilities, getting diagnoses, creating IEPs for homeschooled children, and finding credible therapy resources. Advocates for comparable access to testing and services.

National

National association of 3,400+ parent advocates and attorneys protecting the legal rights of students with disabilities. Offers SEAT advocate training and helps families find local advocates and attorneys.

National

By Deborah Reber. A guide for parents raising children with ADHD, autism, giftedness, learning disabilities, and other neurological differences. Offers 18 paradigm shifts for parenting differently wired kids.

National

National nonprofit fighting stigmas and advancing opportunities for people with disabilities. Provides resources on inclusive language, media representation, and disability etiquette.

National

National nonprofit providing disability civil rights litigation, parent training on special education rights, and advocacy resources. Operates a Parent Training & Information Center with sample letters and forms.

3075 Adeline Street, Suite 210, Berkeley, CA 94703

(510) 644-2555

National

Oregon's Protection & Advocacy organization providing legal advocacy for people with disabilities. Children's Rights project focuses on special education, foster care, and systemic change.

(503) 243-2081

Oregon · Portland

Edited by Alice Wong. Anthology of essays by disabled writers covering Being, Becoming, Doing, and Connecting. An essential collection for understanding disability from diverse perspectives.

National

Provides educational advocacy services helping families navigate special education, IEP development, 504 plans, and school disputes. Works with families to ensure children with disabilities receive appropriate educational services.

National

By Cece Bell. Graphic memoir chronicling the author's childhood experience navigating the world with hearing loss using a Phonic Ear hearing aid. Told with humor and warmth. Newbery Honor book. Ages 8-12.

National

A comprehensive guide covering medical issues, insurance, financial planning, disability rights, and education plans. An actionable roadmap for newly diagnosed families.

National

Family advocacy, training, and support organization helping families of children and adults with disabilities navigate systems, understand their rights, and connect with resources.

503-786-6082

Oregon · Statewide

Oregon's Statewide Parent Training and Information Center for families experiencing disability. Personalized special education support, IEP help, and disability advocacy from childhood through adulthood. On-demand trainings in multiple languages (Arabic, Chinese, Russian, Somali, Spanish, Ukrainian, Vietnamese).

503-786-6082

Oregon

Federally funded Parent Training and Information Center offering free individual assistance with special education law, IEP development, evaluations, dispute resolution, and IEP clinics with trained advocates.

(617) 236-7210

Massachusetts · Boston

By Laurie Wallin. Highlights forgiveness as the first step to improving daily life and shares practical strategies for addressing the 'wishing things were different' feelings that special needs parents experience.

National

Virginia's primary homeschool organization with a dedicated Special Needs section. Offers a special-needs homeschooling bundle, evaluator/tester/tutor directories, and articles on homeschooling children with learning disabilities in Virginia.

Virginia · Statewide

Founded by Marianne Sunderland, a veteran homeschool mom of 8 children (7 with dyslexia). Weekly articles, online courses, and coaching for parents homeschooling children with dyslexia, ADHD, and related learning differences. Covers curriculum selection and teaching strategies.

National

California special education law firm providing free legal representation for students with disabilities in IEP disputes, 504 plan issues, and school placement disagreements.

4859 West Slauson Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90056

California · Los Angeles

By Kristin Faith Evans and Todd Evans. Practical, evidence-based ways to protect and strengthen your marital relationship while navigating the demands of caring for children with disabilities. Published 2024.

National

By Amanda Griffith Atkins. A caregiver's guide offering practical strategies, encouragement, and real-life wisdom for parents navigating the challenges of raising a child with disabilities.

National

Home School Legal Defense Association provides legal defense for homeschool families with a dedicated Special Needs program. Consultants review test reports, make curriculum recommendations, maintain a directory of homeschool-friendly providers, and help navigate special education law. Curriculum grants available for families in financial need.

National

By Laurie Lears. A picture book told from a sister's perspective about her brother Ian who has autism. Shows how he experiences the world differently through his senses.

National

Nonprofit offering free support, education, training, advocacy services, and resources to Indiana parents of children with IEPs and 504 plans at no cost to families.

Indiana

By Sonia Sotomayor (Supreme Court Justice). Features children of various abilities planting a garden together, encouraging kids to ask questions about differences rather than make assumptions. Ages 3-8.

National

Fairfax County Public Schools day school serving students ages 5-22 with intellectual disabilities (severe) and/or autism. Provides specialized educational programming and life skills training.

Springfield, VA

Virginia · springfield

Free, self-paced, mastery-based learning platform with thousands of video lessons and exercises across math, science, computing, arts, and more. Accessibility features include screen reader compatibility, reduced motion settings, WCAG-compliant contrast, and keyboard navigation. Khan Academy Kids available for ages 2-8.

National

Fairfax County Public Schools special education center providing comprehensive programs for students with significant disabilities. Serves ages 5-22 with individualized educational plans.

Fairfax, VA

Virginia · fairfax

By Shane Burcaw. Memoir describing growing up with spinal muscular atrophy with humor and unflinching honesty. From the creator of Squirmy and Grubs.

National

Human-narrated audiobooks for students with print disabilities including dyslexia, blindness, visual impairment, or physical disabilities that prevent reading standard print. Extensive library of textbooks and literature downloadable on most devices.

National

National nonprofit providing parent education on learning disabilities, IEP guidance, evaluation support, and advocacy through state affiliates. Resources on dyslexia, dyscalculia, and other learning differences.

(412) 341-1515

National

Children's book promoting inclusive play and helping young readers understand that all children — regardless of ability — deserve to play together.

National

Accessible reading platform and resources for individuals with print disabilities, dyslexia, and visual impairments.

National

Invention kit that turns everyday objects into touchpads and switches. Widely used in special education and assistive technology to create custom switches from any conductive material — bananas, play-doh, foil, and more.

National

By Holly Robinson Peete and Ryan Elizabeth Peete. Told from a twin sister's perspective about her brother Charlie who has autism. Shares what it's like to love, worry about, and understand a sibling with autism. Ages 4-8.

National

Christian nonprofit providing encouragement and information to families homeschooling children with special needs. Publishes a quarterly newsletter and connects families for mutual support.

National

Empowers parents to advocate for children with learning and attention issues. Provides special education resources, recruits parent advocates for policy influence, and supports 1 in 5 students with learning differences.

National

The largest provider of legally based advocacy services for people with disabilities in the US. Offers resources on disability rights language, legal advocacy, and connecting with state protection and advocacy agencies.

820 First Street NE, Suite 740, Washington, DC 20002

(202) 408-9514

National

The National Center on Disability and Journalism style guide provides recommended language and terminology for reporting on disability topics. Essential reference for caregivers and advocates.

National

By Jed Baker, Ph.D. Practical positive strategies for managing and preventing out-of-control behavior in children with autism, ADHD, and sensory processing challenges.

National

Family-led center providing information, education, and support to families of children and youth with special health care needs and disabilities.

Oregon · Statewide

Maintains a community list for parents homeschooling special needs children in Oregon. Connects to Portland-area groups including the PDX Aspergers Network and Aut-2B-Home (for families homeschooling autistic spectrum children).

Oregon

Federally funded parent training center providing information and support for families of children with disabilities on special education rights, IEPs, and school advocacy.

Oregon · Statewide

Oregon Department of Education resources for transition planning from school to adult life for students with disabilities ages 16 to 21.

Oregon · Statewide

State residential and day school providing bilingual education (ASL and English) for deaf and hard-of-hearing students from birth through age 21.

999 Locust St NE, Salem, OR 97301

503-378-3825

Oregon · Salem

Award-winning special education and speech therapy app with 100+ games developed with psychologists and special education teachers. Personalized curriculum for each child. Strict no-ads policy. Available on iOS and Android.

National

Central resource for finding your state's federally funded Parent Training and Information Center. Nearly 100 centers nationwide help families navigate special education, IEPs, and disability rights at no cost.

National

Federally funded hub connecting families to their state's Parent Training and Information Centers. Provides curated resources on disability rights, special education services, IEP navigation, and system navigation.

National

Virginia's federally funded Parent Training and Information Center helping families navigate special education, understand disability rights, and advocate effectively for their children with disabilities.

8003 Forbes Place, Suite 310, Springfield, VA 22151

(800) 869-6782

Virginia · Statewide

Washington State's Parent Training and Information Center providing one-on-one support, workshops, and resources to empower families of children with disabilities in the public school system.

(800) 572-7368

Washington

By Cynthia Lord. Newbery Honor book featuring 12-year-old Catherine and her younger brother David who has autism. A touching story about acceptance and identity from the sibling perspective. Ages 9-12.

National

Resource from Seattle Childrens Hospital on helping children understand disability, build empathy, and use respectful language when interacting with peers who have disabilities.

National

New Jersey's federally funded Parent Training & Information Center empowering families of children with disabilities through education, training, and advocacy support for special education.

New Jersey

By Robert Naseef, Ph.D. Explores the struggles and rewards of raising a child with a disability. Offers professional guidance combined with personal experience as a father of a son with autism.

National

Nonprofit connecting special education homeschooling families with information, materials, services, and support. Offers articles, videos, podcasts, IEP templates, literacy guides, quick-start guides, and free regional online 'SPED Strong Tribes' parent support communities.

National

Comprehensive autism services including ABA therapy, special education programs, residential services, and outpatient behavioral health for children and young adults with autism.

8000 Brook Road, Richmond, VA 23227

(804) 553-3200

Virginia · Richmond

Guide for parents and caregivers on how to talk to children about disability in age-appropriate, respectful ways. Covers common questions kids ask and how to foster understanding and inclusion.

National

Dr. Nicole Julia, occupational therapist and inclusive children's book author. Shares disability inclusion content and promotes the Able Fables book series. 20% of profits donated to build inclusive playgrounds — over $60K donated.

National

By Deborah Pierce (architect). Comprehensive guide to creating accessible living environments using universal design principles — goes beyond basic ramps and grab bars to make homes accessible without sacrificing beauty or style.

National

Resources from The Arc on using respectful language when talking about intellectual and developmental disabilities, including tips for caregivers, educators, and community members.

(800) 433-5255

National

By Carol Stock Kranowitz. Explains Sensory Processing Differences (SPD) and presents a drug-free approach for parents. Helps parents recognize sensory issues and find appropriate therapies. A foundational text in the special needs parenting community.

National

Compiled by Don Meyer. Real siblings answer questions about their experiences in a slam-book format. Honest, funny, and validating for teens who have a brother or sister with a disability.

National

By Don Meyer and Emily Holl. Written for siblings of people with disabilities, this guide addresses the unique joys and challenges of growing up with a brother or sister who has special needs.

National

Free resource from CAST providing evidence-based framework for designing flexible learning experiences that accommodate individual learning differences. Essential for IEP advocacy.

National

By Samantha Cotterill. A children's picture book showing how going to the beach can be overwhelming to the senses, combining storytelling with practical calming strategies. Great for kids with sensory processing differences.

National

Online multimedia curriculum for PreK-12 with features beneficial for neurodivergent learners: lessons broken into small chunks (ADHD), consistent predictable structure (autism), text-to-speech, adjustable grade levels, and automated grading. Covers language arts, math, science, social studies, and electives.

National

Comprehensive nonprofit for people with learning and thinking differences. Offers articles on IEP accommodations, assistive tech recommendations, simulations showing what ADHD/dyslexia feel like, teaching strategies, and a supportive community. Covers school-age through adult.

National

Multidisciplinary university clinic providing personalized autism assessments for toddlers through adolescents, diagnostic evaluations, treatment planning, parent training, and intervention services.

417 Emmet Street South, Charlottesville, VA 22903

(434) 924-7034

Virginia · Charlottesville

Organization of Virginia Homeschoolers providing a guide on homeschooling children with special needs in Virginia. Includes local support group listings and email discussion lists for parents homeschooling children with physical, developmental, medical, communication, or learning challenges.

Virginia · Statewide

By Donald Meyer. Forty-five siblings share their experiences growing up with a brother or sister with a disability. Written by kids for kids ages 4-10.

National

Statewide resource providing autism training, technical assistance to schools, and evidence-based practice resources for educators and families of individuals with autism spectrum disorder.

(804) 828-1851

Virginia · Statewide

State department overseeing special education services, IEP compliance, dispute resolution, and resources for families navigating the special education system in Virginia public schools.

101 N 14th Street, Richmond, VA 23219

(804) 225-2075

Virginia · Statewide

Parent-led organization helping families navigate special education services, IEP processes, and disability resources across Virginia.

Virginia · Richmond

By R.J. Palacio. Companion to the bestselling Wonder. Tells the story of Auggie, an ordinary boy with an extraordinary face, encouraging readers to look past appearances and choose kindness. Ages 3-7.

National

The leading resource for special education law and advocacy. Free articles, legal cases, and strategies for IEPs, Section 504, and IDEA. Essential for understanding what services homeschooled children may still access from public schools.

National

A collection of inspiring personal stories by real parents who have experienced the hardships and joys of raising a child with a disability. Offers hope and connection.

National