Overcoming Anxiety

By Adam Issacs As we finish the year, my wife and I reflect on the progress our son, Charlie, has made since starting kindergarten two years ago. In the beginning, every morning Charlie thought he was saying goodbye to us forever. His eighth day of kindergarten was...

Lessons From My Special Needs Child

Judy M. Miller My daughter does a flip turn at the far end of the pool. Screaming erupts among teammates, competing teams, parents and coaches as she and the swimmer next to her break the water’s surface in unison. My daughter rises higher, her arms out wide before...

Advocating Special Needs

By Judy M. Miller Parents are natural advocates for their children. We love our children and we want the best for them. As a mother of four children, three with special needs, I know how important it is to advocate for my children. There is no one who will be more...

Signs of Childhood Autism

By Tina K. Veale, Ph.D., CCC-SLP, of Midwestern University Few childhood conditions are as frightening for parents to contemplate as autism. Autism is a complex neurobehavioral disorder that causes social communication deficits and repetitive behaviors. The signs of...

Play Therapy

By Nora Heston Tarte Play is important. In a time when society is placing more emphasis on academics, and video games are taking over playtime, children can benefit from old-fashioned play. At the turn of the 20th century, play therapy has become a valuable way to...

Activities for Everyone

By Nora Heston Tarte Arizona kids get ready to party! From splash-worthy swim programs to adaptive sports, there’s an activity for everyone to enjoy in the Valley. Local businesses and organizations feature inclusive programs that allow children with special needs to...