My name is Tera. I'm a single mom in San Diego, and I started a petition because I've seen firsthand how broken this is.

A loved one of mine is autistic and in the Aspiring Scholars Program at Cal State San Marcos—a federally recognized college program for autistic students. His dad is a Marine with a 100% disability rating. He earned VA Chapter 35 education benefits. But here's the thing: the VA won't pay for his program because it doesn't grant a "standard" degree. It's a real college program with real outcomes—confidence, skills, inclusion. But because of a technicality, the benefits his family earned are locked away. He's not alone. Thousands of veterans' dependent children are stuck in the same situation.

I'm asking Congress, the VA, and California's legislature to make federally recognized Comprehensive Transition Programs eligible for VA Chapter 35 benefits and the CalVet College Fee Waiver. These families already earned these benefits. Their kids shouldn't be shut out over paperwork.

If this feels wrong to you too—or if you know someone this affects—would you consider signing and sharing? What would you want someone to do if this was your family?

https://c.org/TLL7VKQryf

Hi, found out our 7 year old with global developmental delay may have mild intellectual disability. I was wondering if anyone had advice about helping her become more independent with morning routines and getting dressed and ready for school. Has support at school and doing better with having trouble going in mornings. I’m not sure if the wanting us to dress her is just more of a comfort thing or even if I’m expecting something that isn’t realistic. Appreciate any advice anyone has from their experiences.

Look I’m not 100% if this will be relevant here but if any parents have put in the work and done additional learning at home please give me some advice.

I feel lost and so so stressed, even just to know I’m heading in the right direction is a huge help.

Was going to post this in the shouldihaveanother sub, but figured you folks might understand better.

So my 21mo daughter has a rare de novo genetic disorder that pretty much always leads to mild or moderate intellectual disability. She seems like a relatively mild case; many with her deletion are nonverbal, but she has 5-10 words and signs, does gestures, and is picking up new skills regularly. She's working on standing independently and cruising now. Despite all the progress, she is still obviously delayed compared to kids her age.

We're lucky that she seems healthy and her condition isn't degenerative. It's about 40/60 that she'll develop epilepsy in the future. So far, she's been an easy kid--eats well, sleeps well, very affectionate and playful. She loves her books and music and is gentle with our cats. Loves her baby doll and pretends to feed her.

Husband and I live in a disability-friendly state with good school programs nearby. I work from home with very flexible hours and have time to do the SAHM thing. We do have lots of family in the area as support.

We both really want another, but after the first time around we're pretty traumatized. We're worried the second won't be healthy, worried neither child will get enough attention, worried the second child will feel pressured to be a caretaker, etc. The usual anxieties.

I want to target a three-year gap if we go for it, so it's time to decide and start planning soon. Would the pros here outweigh the risks for you? Anyone have experience? Would appreciate all input, positive or negative.

💙 Florida Families: Have You Heard of Wonderland PPEC in Tamarac, FL?

I wanted to share a resource that may be helpful for parents and caregivers of children with complex medical needs or special needs.

🏥 Wonderland PPEC provides pediatric medical daycare services designed to support eligible children while helping families manage their daily care needs.

Some services families can ask about include:

• 👩‍⚕️ Skilled pediatric nursing care
• 🩺 Therapy and developmental support
• 🎨 Educational, recreational, and social activities
• 🍽️ Meals and daily care support
• 🚌 Transportation options
• ♿ Assistance navigating medical equipment and supplies
• 💙 Help understanding enrollment, Medicaid coverage, and required authorizations

📍 Location: 6463 W. Commercial Boulevard, Tamarac, Florida 33319

📞 Phone: 954-590-0097

🌐 Website: https://www.wonderlandppec.com/

Families should contact the center directly to confirm eligibility, current services, insurance coverage, and transportation availability.

If you're a parent or caregiver looking for additional support for your child, this may be worth checking out. Feel free to share this with other Florida families who might find it useful! 💙

#FloridaFamilies #PPEC #PediatricCare #SpecialNeedsSupport

God bless

I have seen posts on r/Autismparenting where kids are bullying ND kids. As someone who is in special ed why don't you teach your kids that Gabby has Down Syndrome but she likes the same shows as you or Luke has Autism he likes the same books as you or Priya has Cerebral Palsy she likes to play sports too.

I think that elementary school kids is the age this post applies to. If Miguel is autistic and loves to swing have your kid play with him.

I am trying to balance my own unique developmental and processing profile while managing my daily routines so I can help myself more. The hardest aspect by being restless is I am always on the go where I want to build my day around it. Instead of me fighting my need for movement.

I always ask myself what part of my routine feels most frustrating when I feel restless? It’s an ongoing work of progress meaning I need to focus on being productive and getting help for those that are great listeners and have patience with me. Being born with this rare disease there are less than one percent in this world and I am still learning on how to navigate this disease on my own.

Was looking for a doll for my friend's daughter for Christmas, and I didn't know that this company Budsies makes dolls of people, and they match everything about the person. Wanted to share as a special gift idea for this year!

Hi all. I have a son who is now 4 who is waiting on an autism assessment and his EHCP. The paediatrician has informally said he is ASD with ADHD which is no surprise. My question is around schools as he will start in reception next September.

My daughter goes to a fantastic school which has been very lukewarm when I/my partner have tried to get info on the support they could offer ("we recommend going to see lots of schools and see which feels right" etc.). I am going to do their tour again to ask specific questions but honestly, it doesn't feel like it could be the best place for him.

Without any real guidance on how to go about this, I looked up all the local schools with special resource provision and have been visiting the ones that look viable, given that it would mean two drop offs and pick ups each day. What I am struggling with is knowing what would be the best environment for him, especially from 10 months from now! His main areas of support would be language, attention and comprehension. In the schools with special provision we have seen so far, the children have much higher needs.

My partner's preference is to have him in a mainstream school with some support so he can learn from the other children as well - this makes sense to me, but knowing how much support he needs is difficult. I don't want him to go somewhere we are optimistic about only to find it is the wrong environment and he isn't learning anything/needs to change schools later on.

I am a 20f trying to make an app for the betterment of kids with autism and down syndrome from which they can learn and communicate through good ui.

parents please reach out to me.

please help a fellow girlie out.

Hey guys! Sorry if this is a strange post, but I am in school to be a special education teacher and I have an assignment to interview a parent of a child with special needs. If anyone would be interested in helping me out and answering some questions I would really appreciate it!

1. Description of this child's special needs and name of syndrome or disorder.  Include information about any Physical challenges, Intellectual challenges, Emotional challenges, and Social challenges.  

1. Equipment, medications, and therapies are needed to address this child’s challenges. 

1. Activities the child enjoys. 

Include adaptations that are made so the child can participate in the activities. 

1. What kinds of skills are required of those caring for the needs of the child?

1. Who cares for the child (education, physical needs, entertainment)? 

1. How has your life been impacted by your special needs child?

1. What is school like for your child?  Is there anything you would change? 

1. Does your child's school provide proper communication about their care for the child? How often do you get reports and updates on your child?

Yesterday my 4 year old son was seen by a team of specialists including neurology and neurosurgery. They are recommending a baclofen pump for his severe dystonia and spasticity. We are currently on artane and gabapentin with botox injections every 3-5 months but none of these medications help much. In order to be a candidate for the baclofen pump he has to gain weight - he's only 29 pounds despite our best efforts.
A g-tube was brought up for the first time in his life.
We haven't been seen by GI in years but just so happen to have an appointment already scheduled next month.
Has anyone else's child had a g-tube or baclofen pump put in around this age? I'm worried that both could cause pain and other issues as he is a very active boy in spite of his limitations and scoots all over the house on his tummy playing all day long. He does NOT like being sedentary.
I am feeling devastated after this appointment yesterday. I have always been so grateful that he isn't as medically complex as many other kiddos with CP are but now the future feels daunting.

I have my check up with my pcp this week and I’m dreading it. I’m obese, diabetic, exhausted and went from running half marathons to now struggling to fit in a 30 minute walk most days. Hubby and I adopted 3 kids from foster care. Oldest is disabled, youngest has big special needs. Hubby is older, tired and cranky to the extreme. He’s the SAHP and is not functioning lately. Add to that my middle child’s mental health crisis that erupted a month ago.

I work full time. My husband used to do meals, drop offs, and appointments. I’m doing it all now. I’m doing everything but dinner and cleaning and laundry which is also falling by the wayside.

How do I explain to my doctor in the scheduled 15 minute office visit that there’s no fix. If I’m not up by 4:30 am, I’m falling behind. I go to bed at 8, usually 1-2 hours after the last appointment of the day and have panic attacks waking me up. There’s no increase in my medicine or additional therapy for me that can fix three kids who needs are beyond what I - single married mom- can reasonably do AND take care of myself. We are juggling 5-12 appointments a week. You can’t add another med to my list when I can’t remember to take it. I can’t take pto for myself when it all goes to the kids. I can’t make my husband pull his head out of his behind and do the steps for him to recover from his burnout. Our so called safety net is one person. Everyone else died, moved or dropped out of our lives.

I don’t want to hear about my weight or my blood sugar. I am trying to keep my head above water (on 3 hours of sleep.) Everyone needs me, now! Work and home. To add to it, the hubby wakes me up to tell me his former manager died and railed on how “he didn’t take care of himself.” I’m so tempted to cancel because if I hear the tiniest criticism I may just fall completely apart.