Helpful Links

You know what makes looking up special education
resources way more fun?  My mousepad, available
on Zazzle.

If you're dealing with some of the same issues, you too may go stark. raving. mad.  Some of this madness may stem from the fact that people think that Kawasaki Disease is the same thing as Coxsackie Virus, or the fact that your father-in-law thinks that food allergies are a sign of his grandson needing to "toughen up."  Feel free to forward these links to those frenemies that suggest that your child's anxiety would be lessened if only you, the parent, would lighten up and let her watch Halloween IX: Jason's Wicked Migraine with the rest of the criminals in training kids at the slumber party.

Disclaimer: Please note that I am not an attorney, a medical professional, or in any way credentialed to help anyone with anything.  What I write about is my personal experience.  If any of these websites or organizations suck, I'm sorry but I can't take the blame on that.

New! Help with Education Law and Education Advocacy
Afraid your school district is giving you the shaft?  Overwhelmed with gobbledygook about IEPs and 504s?  You're not a lone.  Take a look at these websites for help understanding the process.

• I'm from the government and I'm here to help you: The U.S. Department of Education's website for the Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA) 2004.  Not nearly as hard to understand as you might think.  Note of caution: the "Birth to Age 2" section has been "Coming Soon" for as long as I've been looking this crap up.  WTF?
• Wrightslaw -- Hands-down the best website for figuring out what the hell they're talking about in the IDEA website, above. 
• Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates.  A non-profit group comprised of, apparently, pissed-off parents and attorneys.  So right there I like them.  I don't know too much about them, except that their website includes a search engine to find attorneys and advocates by state.  Might be a good place to start if you're at square one looking for help.
• Education Law Center of Pennsylvania.  Adore this site for its thorough help understanding both federal education laws and those pertaining to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.  Includes template letters for nastygrams to your school.  Contact me if your state has something similar and I'll add it to my list!

Allergies
The Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network (FAAN)

New! ADHD
Sigh ... I kept forgetting to add this one.  Go figure.

• CHADD: Children and Adults with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
• Adult ADHD: Just noticed that you have a little too much in common with your ADHD kid?  Take Harvard's Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale Symptom Checklist.  Then print it out and bring it to your doctor.  When you remember.

Anxiety in Children
Anxiety Disorders Association of America

Autism and Asperger Syndrome
Not surprisingly, there are some politics involved with which of the national autism organizations you like or agree with it.  I don't have time to care or get involved with it.  Seriously.  All of them offer helpful information, so the politics of autism can suck it.

• National Autism Association
• -- NAA on Autism and Wandering: .pdf brochure on Autism and Wandering (free to download and print)
• Autism Speaks
• Asperkids
• OASIS (Online Asperger Syndrome Information and Support)
• Wrong Planet An online community of people (and parents / professionals of those) with Autism, Asperger Syndrome, ADHD, PDDs and other neurological differences.
• Maria's Journey: A short video about autism in Spanish (English subtitles).  Produced by the Orange Foundation.

Kawasaki Disease
Kawasaki Disease Foundation

Updated! Sensory Processing Disorder / Sensory Integration Dysfunction
Sensory processing problems are common in autistic children and in children who were born prematurely.

• Sensory Processing Disorder Foundation
• Hartley's Life With 3 Boys: My personal favorite blog about SPD.  Includes tons and tons of resources.  Also check out Hartley Steiner's books.  They are invaluable.