My New Outside Blog

One of the hardest things about moving to a new place with a child with special needs is trying to find the resources and support you need. Most of the resources are not found in one place. From my own experience, connecting with other parents who "have been there and done that" has been most helpful. Here is  a list of my top ten resources:

1. Austim Society of North Carolina  Having a young son with autism ASNC has been a great resource. They have a yearly huge conference where they bring top notch speakers. The have local chapters throughout the state for more community/local support. They have an excellent bookstore. They hire parent advocates who are very knowledgeable.
2. ECAC (Exceptional Children's Assistance Center) I used to work closely with them so I am a little biased but even before I worked with them, attending one of their workshops was one of the best educational resources in helping me become my son's best advocate. Every state is mandated to have a parent education center.
3. Wrightslaw Special Education Law and Advocacy  One of the best workshops on the IDEA & advocacy educational resources out there.
4. First in Families of NC They are the non profit that I tithe to and yes I used to work for them. They do community based grassroots support across the state of NC. They are consumer & family driven.
5. Family Support Network of NC  They have a huge central directory of resources and they can hook you up with similar parent who have children with similar diagnosis.
6. Disability Rights Center of NC Finally outside of state government where there were clearly conflicts of interests. They have the mission to ensure the rights of all NC citizens with disabilities through individual advocacy and system change.
7. North Carolina Council on Developmental Disabilities  Their mission is to ensure that people with developmental disabilities and their families participate in the design of and have access to culturally competent services and supports, as well as other assistance and opportunities, which promote inclusive communities.
8. The Arc of NC They provide advocacy and services to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The  Arc believes that all people with intellectual and developmental disabilities have strengths, abilities and inherent value; are equal before the law; and must be treated with dignity and respect.
9. Easter Seals UCP North Carolina Their mission is to advance the independence, productivity and full citizenship of people with disabilities through an affiliate network. They strive to ensure the inclusion of persons with disabilities in every facet of society — from the Web to the workplace, from the classroom to the community. 
10. TASH  They stand for Equity, Opportunity and Inclusion for People with Disabilities. I have attended their nation conferences and been blown away by what I have experience and learned there. I would recommend it to any parent of a child with significant disabilities.