Special Needs
New and Noteworthy: The Southwest Florida Education Center
The desire to provide continuing music education and promising pathways to a talented young adult who learns differently has quickly grown into a life-changing opportunity for neurodivergent musicians and the Southwest Florida community. Read more
Your ASD Child Deserves a Safe Home to Grow In
Youngsters with autism spectrum disorders, or ASDs, possess a number of characteristics that make them more susceptible to danger. Read more
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Planning for the Future When Your Child Has Special Needs
Norell Albanis, an Estate Planning Attorney, helps you plan for the future while keeping your child with special needs in mind. Read more
Collier County Deputies Receive Special Training for Encounters with People with Autism
Have you ever wondered how your child with autism might fare during a conversation with a deputy, firefighter, or medic if you weren’t there to facilitate? Read more
Taking Flight With Sensory Issues
Anna Snyder helps parents learn tools to navigate air travel with children on the autism spectrum or with other sensory disorders through personal stories and expert advice. Read more
Brothers Inspire Greatness While Helping Others with Special Needs
Inspired by his brother, John J. Ciocca created the app youBelong for individuals with special needs and their families. Read more
KidzAct to Offer Sensory Friendly Theater Classes and Performances
The Naples Players believes that every member of our community deserves access to high-quality arts education and performance. KidzAct's new programs are just the beginning of their initiative to serve an even wider base of the community. Read more
Family Law Issues for Children With Special Needs in Divorce
All married couples face the possibility of divorce and the presence of a child with special needs will add an element to any divorce case that must be addressed. Read more
Where to Start: Resources & Support for Parents of Kids with Special Needs
It is difficult to know where to start when you find out your child has special needs. The tasks seem overwhelming, and there is so much emotion involved. Learn how to get started finding the support that you need in Naples and Collier County. Read more
Mr. Anthony Makes Sundays Special for Kids of All Abilities
Naples gymnastics teacher Anthony Dunford makes Sundays special for Kids with Special Needs. Read more
Cruising with Autism on the Seas: Making Vacations Happen for Families with Special Needs
The organization Autism on the Seas helps make travel and vacations possible for families with special needs. Read more
Summer Camps for Children with Special Needs
For families with children who have special needs, the summer months can prove to be a daunting obstacle. The need for childcare, as well as educational bridges between the end of one school year and the beginning of the next, creates a burden. Read more
Habits of Effective Parents of Special Needs Children
Many parents of special needs children appear to parent with grace, balance, and energy. In addition they also seem remarkably stress-free and organized. How, in the face of all of these challenges and more, do they keep it together? Read more
Pool and Water Safety for Special Needs Children
For parents of children with special needs, finding a program that addresses the unique challenges of their children can be critical to their survival in the water. Read more
Have a Child with Special Needs? Start Here: The Rushman-Micah Angel Foundation
In its second year of operation, the Rushman-Micah Angel Foundation (RMAF) a collaborative, parent-driven organization serves families in Collier and Lee counties by providing a single-stop resource for all special needs cases. Read more
Health Matters for Special Needs
Searching for Autism
A simple checklist filled out by parents launches the search. Many suspect their child has autism but have nothing to go on. So they come from across the state to take part in Golisano Children's Hospital's free autism screenings. Read more
Autism & the Flu Factor During Pregnancy
As the number of children diagnosed with autism rises, so do questions. If we had a better idea of what causes it, would we be able to curtail it? Jami Hallman is an autism screener at Golisano Children's Hospital. Read more