About Special Kids (formerly Indiana Parent Information Network)
About Special Kids is a “Parent to Parent” organization that works throughout the state of Indiana to answer questions and provide support, information and resources. We are parents and family members of children with special needs and we help other families and professionals understand the various systems that are encountered related to special needs.
Arc of Indiana
Established in 1956 by parents of children with developmental disabilities, The Arc of Indiana’s main focus is to provide a resource for families to come together and help advocate for a better life for their children. The Arc is committed to progressive legislation to protect rights and improve services for people with developmental disabilities. From its humble beginnings, the organization has blossomed into the state’s most well-respected and leading advocacy association for people with developmental disabilities and their families.
The Arc Network
The Arc of Indiana is excited to announce the establishment of a statewide resource for people with developmental disabilities and their families - The Arc Network. The Arc Network is a group of ten family advocates and eleven self-advocates, working in each Bureau of Developmental Disabilities Services (BDDS) District. The Arc Network includes parents of persons with disabilities of all ages, self-advocates with a variety of experiences and ages, and siblings of persons with disabilities. The Arc Network is a local resource to: provide information on Supported Living and Medicaid Waivers; provide information to residents of nursing homes on programs and supports available to help them move to a community placement; follow up with individuals who have moved from a state developmental center to ensure they are connected to local self-advocacy groups, and; assist in the development and promotion of consumer participation in self directed care initiatives and FSSA quality assurance outcome measures.
Better than Ordinary at Plainfield United Methodist Church
The community is invited to this ministry designed to provide support to families of children with special needs. All disabilities are included – developmental, physical & emotional. Sessions focus on parental stress, main causes of stress, and coping mechanisms for this unique community, and many additional topics. Discussions will be facilitated by Dr. David Holling, LMHC, LMFT, ACH, of Clarian Health’s Buchanan Counseling Center.
Connections, Inc.
Since 1998, Connections, Inc. has strived to be an exceptionally skilled provider of behavioral health care and youth mentoring services throughout the State of Indiana. Each day, our experienced team of psychologists, therapists, and mentors help persons with developmental disabilities and emotional health needs to identify and pursue their dreams. At Connections, we focus on the strengths and needs of the children, adults, and families we serve. Our goal is to help others achieve personally meaningful and healthy lives.
Indiana Department of Education - Division of Exceptional Learners
Exceptional learners come with a wide range of strengths and abilities. The division provides leadership and state-level support for public school gifted and talented (grades K-12) programs and for students with disabilities from ages 3-21. The following disabilities are included: autism spectrum disorder, communication disorder, deaf-blindness, developmental delay, emotional disability, hearing impairment, learning disability, mental disability, multiple disabilities, orthopedic impairment, other health impairment, traumatic brain injury, and visual impairment.
Indiana Division of Disability & Rehabilitative Services
Our mission is to facilitate effective partnerships which enhance the quality of life for the people we serve in the communities and pursuits of their choice.
Indiana Governor's Council for People with Disabilities
The Indiana Governor's Council is an independent state agency that facilitates change. Our mission is to promote public policy which leads to the independence, productivity and inclusion of people with disabilities in all aspects of society. This mission is accomplished through planning, evaluation, collaboration, education, research and advocacy. The Council is consumer-driven and is charged with determining how the service delivery system in both the public and private sectors can be most responsive to people with disabilities. The Council receives and disseminates federal funds to support innovative programs that are visionary, influence public policy, empower individuals and families and advocate systems change.
Indiana Institute on Disability and Community
The mission of the Indiana Institute on Disability and Community is to work with communities to welcome, value, and support the meaningful participation of people of all ages and abilities through research, education, and service.
Indiana Protection and Advocacy Services
* On-line courses on a variety of topics involving people with disabilities and their families
IPAS was created in 1977 by state law (IC. 12-28-1-6 as amended) to protect and advocate the rights of people with disabilities and is Indiana's federally designated Protection and Advocacy (P&A) system and client assistance program. It is an independent state agency, which receives no state funding and is independent from all service providers, as required by federal and state law. If your child has a developmental, physical, learning or emotional disability, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act entitles them to a free and appropriate public education. Indiana Protection and Advocacy Services can help parents like you learn how to work with your local school to get access to the services and programs your child needs. By sharing resources, making referrals and assisting with advocacy, we can work together to make sure your child starts the next chapter of their education with all the opportunities they deserve.
Indianapolis Institute for Families
The Indianapolis Institute for Families is a community-based program for children, adults and families providing insight, education, understanding, nurture, support and growth. We offer programs for children and adults, relationships and families, abuse and trauma, special needs, juvenile justice, and professional training.
* Special Needs Kids
IN*SOURCE
Since 1975, the Indiana Resource Center for Families with Special Needs or IN*SOURCE has provided service to Indiana's families of infants, toddlers, children, youth and young adults with disabilities. IN*SOURCE is a parent organization. Through the work and dedication of the Board of Directors, the staff and many volunteers, virtually all of whom are parents of persons with disabilities, IN*SOURCE, utilizing a proven parent to parent model, has provided quality assistance and support services and educational resources to the community of individuals and organizations that serve and support persons with disabilities. We have worked to help countless families confront the complexities and what are often the challenges of having a loved one with special needs.
International Dyslexia Association
The International Dyslexia Association (IDA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping individuals with dyslexia, their families and the communities that support them.
LD Online
LD OnLine seeks to help children and adults reach their full potential by providing accurate and up-to-date information and advice about learning disabilities and ADHD. The site features hundreds of helpful articles, monthly columns by noted experts, first person essays, children’s writing and artwork, a comprehensive resource guide, very active forums, and a Yellow Pages referral directory of professionals, schools, and products.
Learning Disabilities Association of Indiana
LDA is the largest non-profit volunteer organization advocating for individuals with learning disabilities, and is the only national organization devoted to defining and finding solutions for the broad spectrum of learning problems.
National Center for Learning Disabilities
NCLD provides essential information to parents, professionals and individuals with learning disabilities, promotes research and programs to foster effective learning and advocates for policies to protect and strengthen educational rights and opportunities.
National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities
* In Spanish
We serve the nation as a central source of information on disabilities in infants, toddlers, children, and youth; IDEA, which is the law authorizing special education; No Child Left Behind (as it relates to children with disabilities), and research-based information on effective educational practices.
Our Kids
Our-Kids is a "Family" of parents, caregivers and others who are working with children with physical and/or mental disabilities and delays. We call the list "Our-Kids". While it isn't exactingly descriptive, it avoids the pitfalls of labeling our kids anything but what they most certainly are: The wonderful little people in our lives.
Parents Helping Parents
* In Spanish
PHP provides education and skills training, information, guidance, and peer support for families with the unexpected diagnosis of and ongoing impact of childhood disabilities, including but not limited to intellectual, learning or physical disabilities and special health care needs.
SchwabLearning.org
Schwab Learning is a nonprofit program of the Charles and Helen Schwab Foundation, a private foundation. Our mission is to provide information and inspiration for families whose children struggle with learning and attention problems. Schwab Learning’s goal is to help transform, for good, the lives of a significant share of American children who struggle with learning and attention.
Sharonsweb Autism Foundation
Sharonsweb Autism Foundation offers support to families with children on the autism spectrum by providing information at events throughout Indiana.
Sycamore Services, Inc.
Sycamore Services, Inc. makes a difference by providing individualized training and services for persons with disabilities that enhance independence in all areas of life. Children's Services provides the System Point of Entry (SPOE) in Hendricks County. Families who are eligible to participate in the First Steps systems include those children ages birth to three years old who are experiencing developmental delays, have a diagnosed condition that has a probability of resulting in a developmental delay, and are at risk if early intervention services are not provided. The Child Care Development Fund (CCDF) is available to those individuals who require monetary assistance for childcare services while working or attending school. Assistance is based on the income level of the family and is available for children, infant to age 13.
Wrightslaw
Parents, educators, advocates, and attorneys come to Wrightslaw for accurate, reliable information about special education law, education law, and advocacy for children with disabilities. 