3 Key Questions When You First Meet the Doctor
Learn how to build clear communication with your child’s doctors, from the very first appointment.
3 Tips for Partnering with Your Child’s School
School is probably where your child will spend most of his time other than home. These tips can help school personnel feel like they are part of your team.
4 Key Parts of Your Child’s Individualized Education Program (IEP)
The IEP can seem complicated. Focusing on these four areas can help you understand it.
4 Tips to Prepare for Your First ARD Meeting
Learn strategies to prepare for your child’s Admission, Review, and Dismissal (ARD) meeting.
Accommodations and Modifications: How They Are Different
Understand accommodations and modifications in the public school system.
Advocating for a Child with an “Invisible Disability”
Advocating for a child with an “invisible” disability can present unique challenges. Here are some ways to overcome them.
Be a Team Player for Your Child
Learn how to work with the professionals who can help your child, from a parent who has been there.
Building an Intentional Community for You and Your Child
Learn how to build a circle of support for yourself, your family and your child.
Building Independence: Let Your Child Grow
As parents, we need to let our children with disabilities become more independent. A parent who’s been there offers advice.
Choices After Your Child Leaves ECI
If your child is receiving ECI services, you have options for her care and services once she turns 3.
Communication Choices for Children Who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing
Explore the options for how your child who is deaf or hard of hearing can learn to communicate with others.
Connecting with Families of Children Who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing
Families who have children who are deaf or hard of hearing can be a major resource for guidance and support. Learn how to connect with them.
Connecting with Families Who Have Children with Visual Impairment, Blindness and Deafblindness
Other families who have children with visual impairment, blindness or deafblindness can be a major resource for guidance and support. Learn how to connect with them.
Connecting with Other Parents: Why It Matters
Connecting with other parents can help you on your journey of raising a child with a disability.
Create a Portfolio to Help Others Understand Your Child
Assembling books with information about your child can help the people in your life get to know him
Creating a Positive Outlook
Life is hard enough without a negative attitude slowing you down. A parent who has been there offers some advice to stay positive.
Dealing with Behavior Issues
Read about possible troublesome behaviors of children with disabilities and strategies for dealing with them.
Dealing with Insensitive Comments about Your Child
People can say insensitive things about your child with a disability. Here are some ways you can deal with it.
Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) and Child Care
Learn about the state agency that licenses child care facilities and works to protect children from abuse and neglect.
DSHS Children with Special Health Care Needs Program (CSHCN)
Learn about this Texas program which provides services to children with extraordinary medical needs, disabilities, and chronic health conditions.
ECSE: Public School Services for Children Ages 3 through 5
Learn about services children 3 through 5 can get through Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE).
Education Services for Children Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing
Resources and information about programs and services for families with young children who are deaf or hard of hearing.
Emergency Planning at School or Child Care
A former principal offers advice to help support your child’s school or child care in making emergency plans.
Find Information on Pinterest
Use this social sharing site to find and share quality information.
Finding Services and Resources in Texas
Use these tips and resources within the service system of Texas.
Getting Help from Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC)
Learn about Texas HHSC’s health coverage, financial assistance, and food stamp services.
Getting Help from the Department of State Health Services (DSHS)
Learn about Texas DSHS programs that provide services for children in the areas of wellness, nutrition, mental health, and immunizations.
Getting Social Security Benefits for Your Child with a Disability
Learn what benefits this federal program offers for children with disabilities and their families, and how to apply for them.
Getting Started with Private Therapy
Here’s what you need to know about getting in-home private therapy services for your child.
Going from ECI to ECSE
Learn how ECI will help you with the transition into ECSE.
Head Start Services for Children 3 to 5
Learn about the services Head Start provides for 3- to 5-year-old children with disabilities, and their families.
Helping Siblings of Kids with Disabilities
Having a sibling with a disability can be difficult for a child. Here are ways you can help.
HHS Services for Children with Visual Impairments and Hearing Loss
Learn about and find help from HHS programs for children with visual impairment and hearing loss.
Home Health Services
When your child needs help due to a medical issue, home health services may be the answer.
How to Enroll Your Child in a Texas Public School
Learn how to find the right public school and what steps to take to enroll your child.
How to Find Quality Child Care
Learn how to find the right people to care for your child.
How to Have Fun as a Family
Learn strategies on how your family can have fun together.
How to Let Your Kid Be a Kid
An experienced parent points out that sometimes we are so busy helping our kids develop, we forget to let them develop on their own.
How to Organize Your Child’s Medical Information
Learn how to organize your child’s medical information and why it’s so important.
How to Talk to Your Child’s Doctor
Learn strategies for talking with your child’s doctor.
Individualized Education Program (IEP) Annual Goals
The IEP sets goals for your child to achieve during the school year. Learn how those goals are defined and measured.
Information Resources on Hearing Loss
Find resources for information about hearing loss
Internet Search Tips and Tools
Learn how to find quality information online and save it so you can access it later.
Is Charter School Right for Your Child?
There are some charter schools for preschool-aged children. They may be an option for you.
Learn about Durable Medical Equipment (DME)
Learn tips for arranging to get Durable Medical Equipment for your child.
Learn About Medical Home
Learn about the “medical home” concept.
Learn from “The Zen of Will”
How a mom gained perspective and acceptance from her son, Will, and how you can, too.
Least Restrictive Environments (LRE’S) for ECSE
Choosing the right learning environment is important to help your child get the most from ECSE.
Legal Planning for Parents
No one wants to think about it, but it is imperative to make legal preparations in the event of a parent or caregiver’s death or disability.
Links to Disability Information
A list of links to trustworthy Internet sources that can help you learn about your child’s disability.
Make a Child Info Toolkit
A notebook to organize important information about your child can help you feel more confident and in control.
Medicaid Waiver Program
Learn about and how to obtain services offered by HHS. This article was previously titled DADS Medicaid Waiver Program. HHS now oversees the Medicaid Waiver Program. Changes were made to the text on this site. While the videos still reference DADS, the content is still relevant to the Medicaid Waiver Programs process.
New to Disability?
If you are new to the world of disability, you may feel overwhelmed. This advice can help you start taking the first steps.
Overview of the The Texas Health and Human Services (HHS)
This Texas state agency provides critical services for children with disabilities. This article gives an overview of those services and links to more information.
Parent and Caregiver Bill of Rights
Parents and caregivers who have been there list what every caregiver is entitled to.
Person-Centered Planning for Your Child
Learn about person-centered planning and how the model can help your family.
Plan for a Bright Future For Your Child
An experienced parent gives advice on how to plan for a more positive life for you and your family, now and in the future.
Plan for Emergency Evacuation or Shelter-in-Place
Find resources to create emergency evacuation and shelter-in-place plans.
Planning for a Caregiver’s Medical Emergency
You and your family need to be ready to care for a child with a disability in case a primary caregiver has a medical emergency.
Planning Playdates for Your Child
Get tips for creating successful playdates that help your child connect with peers.
Play and Friendship
One of the writers of this site shares how she has helped her child with a disability build friendships.
Pre-kindergarten: Application & Eligibility
Find out if your child can attend prekindergarten (pre-k) and who to contact for this service.
Preparing for a Special Education Evaluation
After you refer your child for special education, an evaluation is the likely first step. Here’s what you need to know.
Present Levels of Academic Achievement and Functional Performance (PLAAFP)
Understand the PLAAFP statement and its importance in special education.
Related Services in Special Education
Understand what it means when related services are recommended for your child in special education.
Relieve Stress with Respite Services
Learn how to get help from ECI Respite and other services that give caregivers a break from the stress of caring for a family member with a disability.
Resources and Information About Visual Impairment, Blindness and Deafblindness
A list of programs, agencies and publications that provide useful information for families of children with visually impairment, blindness or deafblindness
Resources for Moving with the Military
Military families move a lot. These links and resources can help make it easier.
Resources to Help a Child with a Language Delay
Get a host of links to resources
Self-Care Checklist for Caregivers
Learn tips for managing the challenges of being a caregiver, from a parent who has been there.
Services for Children with Visual Impairment, Blindness and Deafblindness
Read about services and programs for families in Texas who have children with visual impairment, blindness and deafblindness
Services from the Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS)
See what the Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) offers in addition to Medicaid Waiver Programs.
Speak Up for Your Child
Learn the importance of speaking up for what your child needs, and get tips to help you do it.
Special Education Acronyms and Terms
You’ll hear lots of unique words and strings of letters used in the special education world. Here are some of the most common.
Special Education Services in Kindergarten
Learn how to request a special education evaluation for a child who is beginning or already in kindergarten, and how the process of getting services works.
Special Education: The Referral and Evaluation Process
An overview of what happens when you refer your child to be evaluated for special education services.
Staying at Home with Your 3- to 5-Year-Old
Learn some new ways to interact and have fun with your 3- to 5-year-old at home.
Step #1: Learn about Your Child’s Disability
Learn how to find reliable information about your child’s specific needs.
Texas Education Service Centers
Specialists at Education Service Centers (ESCs) across Texas can help parents understand and navigate the world of special education.
Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) and Employment and Childcare Help
Learn how the Texas Workforce Commission can help parents of children with disabilities find work and child care.
The 4 Stages of Adaptation, Stage 1: Surviving
This article, the first in a series, introduces the Four Stages of Adaptation model, and discusses Stage 1, Survival.
The 4 Stages of Adaptation, Stage 2: Searching
This article, the second in a series, continues exploring the Four Stages of Adaptation model with a discussion of Stage 2, Searching.
The 4 Stages of Adaptation, Stage 3: Settling In
This article, the third in a series, continues exploring the Four Stages of Adaptation model with a discussion of Stage 3, Settling In.
The 4 Stages of Adaptation, Stage 4: Separating
This article, the fourth in a series, continues exploring the Four Stages of Adaptation model with a discussion of Stage 4, Separating.
The ARD Committee and Your Child’s IEP
Understand what is discussed during the ARD meeting.
The Difference Between Diagnosis and Disability
Read about the difference between a doctor’s diagnosis and how a school determines disability categories.
The Extended Family of a Child with Disabilities
A child’s diagnosis or disability affects the extended family, too. Here’s how you can help them adjust.
Tips for Moving with a Young Child
Moving your family can be difficult, but a little planning can make it easier.
Tips for Planning Smooth Transitions
Smooth transitions between learning environments lead to better outcomes for children. These ideas can help.
Tips for Taking Care of Yourself
If you take care of someone else, it’s very important to take care of yourself, too. This advice can help.
Tips to Help Parents Work Together
A diagnosis of disability affects the whole family. Parents who work together see better outcomes for their children, and their marriages.
Tips to Start a Parent Support Group
If you can’t find a parent support group that meets your needs, here are advice and tips to start your own.
Toilet Training Resources
Even the pros can find it challenging. These resources can make toilet training easier.
Transferring Your Child to a New Texas School
Here’s what you need to know to get your child with a disability enrolled in a new Texas school.
Transition to Kindergarten
Understand your child’s transition from a preschool program to kindergarten.
Transitioning from Home to ECSE
Learn how to plan a smooth transition from home to ECSE.
Transitioning Out of Early Head Start
Make a smooth transition after you and your child leave Early Head Start.
Understanding a Diagnosis and Medical Terms
Ideas and resources to help understand what you hear from doctors and medical providers.
Understanding the Stages of Grief
Parents whose child receives a diagnosis go through a different kind of grieving process. Understanding it can help you cope.
Use Facts to Advocate for Your Child
Learn how and why to record information about all aspects of your child’s development.
