Special Needs Advocacy Resource Guide

Michelle Davis and Rich Weinfeld are co-founders of the ACB Weinfeld-Davis Advocacy Training Institute, which offers training and guidance to parents and professionals who work with special needs children. The institute has published a "Special Needs Advocacy Resource Guide" aimed at giving parents and professionals the educational information they need to ensure positive outcomes for their children.

"This book has a broad scope and addresses all sorts of special needs. It is an important educational tool not only for the parents and advocates of gifted children, but for those who seek to help any special needs child. The author's intention is to educate the people who act as advocates, whether they are paid consultants or concerned friends or parents."

The guide includes charts and lists, and will acquaint readers with potentially unfamiliar topics such as the Individuals with Disabilities Act. Source: BellaOnline.com.

Ready for summer? Find traditional and specialty camps, like special needs summer camps, at SummerCampsInfo.com.

Handling the News That Your Child Has Special Needs

Parents whose children are diagnosed as "special needs" often experience initial feelings of shock and confusion. These feelings are normal and understandable, but parents should be careful not to "live" there.

"After the initial shock of discovering your child is unique and special, change your focus from one of despair to gently starting to see it as an opportunity to learn how to help you and your child to explore and discover more about themselves... Some parents will always focus on the difficulties and grieve their child's lost potential compared to others, but I challenge you to see beyond the diagnosis...".

If your child has recently been diagnosed with ADD or ADHD, give yourself some time to adjust to this new reality. Take time to develop an understanding of the diagnosis and avoid making any quick or rash decisions. Read more at Ecademy.com.

Talisman offers summer camps for children with special needs across the country. Find a program for your special needs child at www.TalismanCamps.com.

Special-Needs Education Gets Special Action

Special-education teachers in the Frankfort Independent Schools are ready for big changes. At an organizational meeting Tuesday, those teachers led a discussion with district officials and parents about improving education for students with special needs at Frankfort High School and Second Street School. Read more online.

Learn about Camp Huntington special needs summer camps.