Wonder Moms is a project by three moms to share real talk, helpful information, and practical advice with parents of kids who have intellectual disabilities, Down syndrome, autism, language and speech delays, deafness, chronic illness, and traumatic brain injury.
They offer an incredible resource page, blog, and other great information.
The ARCH program serves children who have an intellectual disability, autism spectrum disorder, or an emotional or behavioral challenge. They help provide and access supports for the child and their families. Support can include family support, respite, and care coordination. They also specialize in youth transitioning into adulthood.
It is the mission of the Challenged Athletes Foundation (CAF) to provide opportunities and support to people with physical challenges, so they can pursue active lifestyles through physical fitness and competitive athletics. The Challenged Athletes Foundation believes that involvement in sports at any level increases self-esteem, encourages independence and enhances quality of life.
The Howard Center offers a Flexible Family Funding which provides financial support for children with special needs. The money is meant to be used for many things such as respite, summer camps, clinical services, or adaptive equipment. Families need to contact intake worker, Shannon Lowcock, to see if they qualify.
Did you know there is an amazing resource readily available at your fingertips to provide you with information or support in raising your children? Help Me Grow Vermont is a statewide system for improving access to existing resources and services for prenatal parents and families with young children under the age of 8. The information they provide on their website or via phone is essential to the overall development of children and family support.
Their website offers very specific information regarding childhood development. From reaching milestones, social and emotional development, to managing challenging behaviors. Not only do they provide information for families and caregivers, they also offer valuable developmental monitoring and screening tools to health care providers, educators, and community service providers.
Mansfield Hall, located in Burlington, is an innovative college support program and living and learning community for students with disabilities, who with additional individualized support, have the academic potential to be successful in college. Mansfield Hall is designed to support students with social communication challenges, executive functioning deficits, ADHD, learning disabilities, Asperger’s Syndrome, nonverbal learning disabilities, and mild autism.
A great resource that lists many sensory friendly places to visit, camps, sport activities, travel information and more.
Think College Vermont @ UVM/CDCI is a small, innovative, inclusive, academic, social, and vocational program for students with disabilities, including intellectual disabilities, seeking a college experience and career path. Participants earn a 9-18-credit Certificate of Professional Studies for non-matriculated students designed to include: academic enrichment, socialization, independent living and self-advocacy skills, and work experience and career skills.
VCIL offers transition programs for youths with disabilities transitioning from high school. Youth Transition will also provide youth group support and an opportunity to work one-on-one with someone who has been there. They offer trainings on: skills for employment, confidence building, and communication with others.
The Vermont Federation of Families for Children’s Mental Health exists to support families and children where a child or youth, age 0-22, is experiencing or at risk to experience emotional, behavioral, or mental health challenges. The Federation is committed to:
- Providing families with peer support and information in order to make informed decisions.
- Empowering families, youth and young adults to navigate service and support systems.
- Advocating for accessible, flexible and quality family centered and driven services on a local, state and national level.
The WillPower Foundation provides financial support that empowers Western Massachusetts families and individuals with different abilities to meet their unique needs.
This is an amazing program for individuals who have a diagnosis of autism.
1) Children & adults do need a diagnosis of Autism.
2) They can live anywhere! We have folks come from NY!
3) No membership at the Y is required
4) A few different options in terms of age. If they’re over 3 years old we look at the 6 private swim lessons, one-on-one with an instructor
The grant will cover 6 private swim lessons (30 minutes each) OR if they’re under the age of 3 I look at integrating them into our parent/child program with a caregiver from home in the water with them.
They offers six 1/2 hour swim lessons for free if your child has ASD. After six sessions, you can take private lessons for $30.00 per 1/2 hour.