NOTE:  Sites listed on this page are not endorsed by AACPS; they are listed for informational purposes only.  AACPS is not responsible for their content.

Family Support

The Parents’ Place of Maryland.  This is an excellent website full of information.  Parents’ Place is a non-profit, family centered organization whose purpose is to enhance the lives of persons with disabilities.  The website contains educational resources, a library, support groups, transition information and much more:  www.ppmd.org

Comfort Connection:  A place for parents of special needs children to make a connection with others involved in caring for a child who is born medically at risk or with a disability:  www.comfortconnection.org

Johnson & Johnson owned parenting web site.  Offers age specific advice:  www.babycenter.com .  The sister site addresses sleep questions for children aged 2 to 8:  www.parentcenter.com

National Parent Network for Disabilities:  www.npnd.org

Families Together, National Capital Region – a Military Support Group Network.  This group aims to increase partnerships between military families who have a child with a disability and the professionals who serve them.  This group also sponsors a Family Enrichment Weekend.  Activities during this weekend center around strengthening families through fun activities.  Siblings have a chance to meet other siblings:  www.families-together-usa.org

Exceptional Parent magazine’s online resource which provides information, support, ideas, encouragement, and outreach for parents and families of children with disabilities:  www.eparent.com

Special Child Magazine – an online publication dedicated to parents of children with special needs:  www.specialchild.com

Children’s Hospital and Medical Center in Seattle, Washington sponsors this national project dedicated to the interests of siblings of people with special health and developmental needs.  Provides opportunities for peer support and education.  Also sponsors list serves:  www.thearc.org/siblingsupport/

Birth Defects Research for Children, Inc.  Provides parents and expectant parents with information about birth defects and support services.  Parent matching program, linking families with similar birth defects:  www.birthdefects.org

Abilities Network Family Support Services.  Home and community based support, resources, and coordination services to families that have a child with a developmental disability under the age of 22 living at home.  Information and referral, counseling, assistance with identifying needs, advocacy aimed at obtaining needed services, and assistance in locating services:  www.abilitiesnetwork.org

BraveKids.org.  Information, resources, support for children with chronic, life threatening illnesses and disabilities, their families, and the healthcare professionals who serve them:  www.bravekids.org

Casey Cares Foundation.  Programs for children 18 years and under who are critically and chronically ill requiring frequent medical attention and their families:  www.caseycaresfoundation.org

Families Involved Together (FIT).  Peer support for parents of children with mental, emotional, physical, and/or behavioral disabilities:  www.familiesinvolved.org

Family Tree.  Provides programs, services, and support for the difficult job of being an effective parent:  www.familytreemd.org

National Lekotek Center.  Non-profit network of 50 affiliates that promotes access to play for children with special needs and access to supportive services for their families.  For more information on toys, play, and technology for children with disabilities:  www.lekotek.org

MUMS is a national Parent-to-Parent organization for parents or care providers of a child with any disability, chromosomal abnormality, or health condition:  www.netnet.net/mums

General Resources

Child Care Administration.  Sets standards to ensure the safety of children in child care, regulates all child care centers of additional child care facilities, quality improvements, and services for children with disabilities through collaboration with other agencies and organizations:  www.dhr.state.md.us

Outreach and resources for children with disabilities:  www.irsc.org

Net-Mom’s Internet Kids and Family Yellow Pages.  It contains over 3,500 websites that are frequently updated.  There are weekly picks, 100 Hot Sites for Families, and other features:  www.net-mom.com

March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation.  Works to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects and infant mortality.  Funds programs including research, community services:  www.marchofdimes.com

National Information Center for Children and Youth with Disabilities.  This national information and referral center provides information on disabilities and disability-related issues for families, educators, and other professionals.  Their special focus is children and youth ages birth to 22:  www.nichcy.org

Internet Resources for Special Children.  This contains a variety of topics and related web sites:  www.irsc.org

Global Community of Disability Related Resources.  Contains information on diagnoses, communication connections, adaptive products and technology, and health issues:  www.familyvillage.wise.edu

Developmental Delay Resources (DDR).  Education, information, and referral, support groups.  Membership includes DDR’s quarterly newsletter New Developments, educational programs and hard-to-find books:  www.devdelay.org

Developmental Disabilities Administration, Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.  DDA provides an array of services and assistance to children with developmental disabilities and their families.  The primary means by which children with developmental disabilities receive support from DDA is through Family Support Services.  A variety of services is available to assist individuals of all ages to be successfully integrated into the community:  www.ddamaryland.org

Disability Resources.  Links to information about adaptive clothing and shoes, organizations concerned with adaptive clothing and shoes, and sites that list sources of adaptive clothing and shoes:  www.disabilityresources.org/clothing.html

National Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center.  Information and resources on the subject of early childhood programs for children with special needs:  www.nectas.unc.edu

KidNeeds.com.  Worldwide resource that provides children with special needs, families, and other caregivers with access to comprehensive information:  www.kidneeds.com

Brookes Publishing Co., Inc.  Books, videos, and other materials for children, parents, educators, and professionals on subjects such as early intervention, inclusive and special education, developmental disabilities, learning disabilities, communication and language, behavior, mental health, and more:  www.brookespublishing.com

Make-A-Wish Foundation of the Mid-Atlantic.  Fulfills wishes of children with life-threatening illnesses:  www.wish.org/midatlantic

Social Security Foundation.  Information about benefits for children with disabilities:  www.ssa.gov

Woodbine House.  Publishes books for parents of children with special needs and the professionals who serve them.  Wide variety of topics:  www.woodbinehouse.com

The Lodge at Sawmill Hollow; Deep Creek Lake.  Custom designed vacations and programs for developmentally-disabled persons and their families:  www.targetinc.freeservers.com

The Learning Page:  www.learningpage.com

The Storyplace:  www.storyplace.org

Maryland Child Care Resource Network, LOCATE, a program of the Maryland Child Care Resource Network, Assists parents in locating and evaluating child care.  The CCRCs provide technical assistance and training for current and prospective child care providers.  Also provides information and technical assistance to help employers assess and address employee child care needs:  www.mdchildcare.org  For Anne Arundel County:  www.mdchildcare.org/AA

Kennedy Krieger Institute.  A comprehensive resource for children with developmental disabilities and their families, providing diagnosis, evaluation, and inpatient services, outpatient clinics, training and community based home programs:  www.kennedykrieger.org

Advocacy Organizations

The Arc of Anne Arundel County offers advocacy and family support services to residents of Anne Arundel County:  www.arcofannearundel.org

The Arc of the United States (formerly the Association for Retarded Citizens):  http://TheArc.org

Zero to Three.  This organization is committed to advancing the healthy development of our nation’s babies and toddlers:  www.zerotothree.org

This site offers families and professionals information about advocacy, education, employment, health, housing, recreation, technical assistance, and transportation covering a variety of developmental, physical, and emotional disabilities:  www.childrenwithdisabilities.ncjrs.org

Hospitals and Clinics

Believe In Tomorrow National Children’s Foundation (formerly Grant-A-Wish).  Offers pediatric respite and hospital housing including the Children’s House at Johns Hopkins which provides overnight accommodations to critically ill children and their families, provides Hands On Adventures and Dreamsurfer Network website for critically ill children:  www.believeintomorrow.org

Children’s Inn at NIH.  Provides housing for parents and child while child receives care at one of the NIH Institutes:  www.childrensinn.org

The Coordinating Center.  Family centered community care coordination among children with complex medical needs and disabilities:  www.coordinatingcenter.org

Autism

The Anne Arundel County Resource Guide for Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder can be found at this site for the A.A.Co. Chapter of Autism Society of America.  :  www.aaccasa.org

Pathfinders for Autism.  Resource and referral programs and services for children with autism and their families.  Autism Resource Center for Maryland:  contact@pathfindersforautism.org, www.pathfindersforautism.org

Ahead with Autism.  Promotes understanding and awareness of autism, information, and support:  www.aheadwithautism.com

Asperger Syndrome Coalition of the U.S.  Information, support, and advocacy for Asperger syndrome and related conditions including Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD), High Functioning Autism (HFA), Nonverbal Learning Disabilities (NLD), Semantic-Pragmatic Disorder, and Hyperlexia:  www.asperger.org

Autisminfo.com.  Website with information on autism treatments and therapies, resource lists, news:  www.autisminfo.com

AutismOnline.org.  Website with resources for non-English speaking parents of children with autism:  www.autismonline.org

Autism Resources.  Website with information and links for autism, Asperger syndrome, and developmental disabilities:  www.autism-resources.com

Cure Autism Now Foundation.  Dedicated to finding effective biological treatments, prevention, and a cure for autism and related disorders:  www.cureautismnow.org

Cerebral Palsy and Other Motor Disorders

United Cerebral Palsy Foundation.  Advocacy, research, group discussions, and links:  www.ucp.org

Children’s Hemiplegia and Stroke Association:  www.chasa.org

This site provides a personal parent-to-parent type support network for parents of children with cerebral palsy.  The list serve is open to all residents of Virginia, Maryland, West Virginia, and D.C.  There are also monthly gatherings.  To join the CP Parents List Serve, send email to the following address:  CPPARENTSVA-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

Muscular Dystrophy Association.  Information, support, clinics, and services:  www.mdausa.org

Spina Bifida Association of America:  www.sbaa.org

Brain Injury Association:  www.biausa.org

Brain Injury Association of Maryland.  Information about public benefits, rehabilitation services, and support group.  Acts as a clearinghouse to provide information and referrals to survivors of brain injuries, family members, friends and professionals:  www.biamd.org

National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.  Resources, information, and links:  www.nids.nih.gov

Health Encyclopedia : http://www.healthopedia.com/spina-bifida/

Down Syndrome

The Anne Arundel County Down Syndrome Connection www.downsyndromeconnection.com

National Down Syndrome Society:  www.ndss.org

National Down Syndrome Congress:  www.ndsccenter.org

Down Syndrome on the Internet.  A collection of Down syndrome related links:  www.downsyndrome.com

Epilepsy

Epilepsy Foundation of America.  This organization is located in Landover, Maryland and can be reached by phone at (800) 332-1000 or (301) 459-3700:  www.efa.org

Hearing Impairments

Web site for Beginnings, an organization for parents of children who are deaf or hard-of-hearing:  www.beginningssvcs.com

American Society for Deaf Children.  Organization of parents and families who advocate for total quality participation of children who are deaf or hard of hearing in education, the family, and the community:  www.deafchildren.org

Auditory-Verbal International, Inc.  Supports the option to develop the ability to listen and to use verbal communication for children with all degrees of hearing impairment.  Information about the Auditory-Verbal system of communication:  www.auditory-verbal.org

Connections Beyond Sight and Sound.  Serves children with vision and hearing impairments, birth through age 21.  Some children who cannot be evaluated with formal vision and hearing tests, but function as if they have both vision and hearing losses, are also eligible for services.  A federally funded partnership between the Maryland State Department of Education and the University of Maryland at College Park:  www.education.umd.edu/Depts/EDSP/Connections

Deaf Mall.  Website with information, resources, products, publications:  www.deafmall.net

The Hearing and Speech Agency.  Evaluation and treatment for children with hearing, speech, and language disabilities.  Speech-language pathology, audiology, special education, social work, sign language classes, sign language interpreters, oral interpreters, and related services.  Information and advocacy.  Support Group for Parents of Children who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing.  Free support group open to all parents of children who are deaf or hard of hearing regardless of where they reside or attend school:  www.hasa.org

Maryland Association of the Deaf, Inc. (MDAD).  Purpose is to safeguard, maintain, and advance the civic, educational, and social welfare of people in Maryland who are deaf and hard of hearing:  www.mdad.org

Maryland Relay.  Public service operating 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, offered by State of Maryland that enables standard telephone users to communicate with deaf, hard of hearing, deaf-blind, or speech-disabled people who use a TTY (text-telephone):  www.mdrelay.org

Maryland School for the Deaf.  Offers in-home parent support for parents of infants and toddlers; provides referrals to other sources:  www.msd.edu

National Association of the Deaf.  The oldest and largest constituency organization safeguarding the accessibility and civil rights of 28 million deaf and hard of hearing Americans in education, employment, health care, and telecommunications: www.nad.org

National Cued Speech Association.  Information about the cued speech system of communication.  Promotes and supports the effective use of Cued Speech for communication, language, acquisition and literacy:  www.cuedspeech.org   Cued Speech Discovery Program, NCSA information service with answers to questions about cued speech, contacts with cuers in your area, lists of research, legal, and educational resources.  Maryland Cued Speech Association, promotes and protects the right of children and adults in Maryland to utilize and have access to cued speech in all settings.  Newsletter, information, and referrals for babysitters, classes, camps, transliterators, and experienced cuers:  www.mdcsa.org

Of Interest to Military Families

The Department of Defense launched this website for military families with children with special needs.  It provides access to information on a variety of military, federal and local programs available to families.  There is also an opportunity to exchange information with other families:  www.EFMconnections.org

This group provides support to wives whose husbands are in the military:  www.militarywives.com

Other Genetic and Related Disorders

PEPPER (Pediatric Eating Problems for Evaluation and Rehabilitation).  For children with feeding and swallowing problems.  Mt. Washington Pediatric Hospital:  www.mwph.org

National Organization on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome.  Information, support, and referrals for affected individuals, their families, and others.  Monthly support group for those in the Washington D.C. area:  www.nofas.org

Angelman Syndrome Foundation, Inc.  Information, support, and advocacy:  www.angelman.org

CHASER:  Congenital Heart Anomalies Support, Education and Resources.  Specializes in children born with congenital heart defects and also acquired heart disease in infants and children.  Resources for parents, professionals, and patients.  Parent-to-parent network training:  www.csun.edu/~hfmth006/chaser

Craniosynostosis and Positional Plagiocephaly Support (CAPPS).  Information about Craniosynostosis, Positional Plagiocephaly, and related disorders and syndromes.  Support, education, public awareness activities, social events:  www.cappskids.org

Diabetes Insipidus Foundation, Inc.  Information, support, and resources for the four types of DI:  www.diabetesinsipidus.org

GAPS (Genetic Information and Patient Services, Inc.).  Website with links to sources of Internet information about genetic disorders and birth defects:  www.icomm.ca/geneinfo/index.html

Genetic Alliance.  International coalition of individuals, professionals, and genetic support organizations working to enhance the lives of everyone impacted by genetic conditions.  Has a large alphabetical list of support groups for many genetic conditions, including rare ones.  Resources, newsletter, publications:  www.geneticalliance.org

Genetics and Rare Conditions Site.  University of Kansas Medical Center website with a comprehensive list of Internet links to advocacy and support groups, organizations, information on genetic conditions and birth defects for professionals, educators, individuals, genetic counselors, and clinical geneticists:  www.kumc.edu/gec/support

International Rare Diseases Support Network. Website has links and contact information for over 1200 diseases and disorders:  www.raredisorders.com

Klinefelter Syndrome Support Group Hotline.  Provides information and support for families of, and professionals who serve, children who have, or are suspected of having, this frequently misdiagnosed genetic condition:  www.klinefeltersyndrome.org

National Ataxia Foundation.  Information, education, support, referrals for people with hereditary or sporadic ataxia, their families and friends, and the professionals who treat them: www.ataxia.org

National Neurofibromatiosis Foundation.  Programs, information, and support for those with Neurofibromatiosis:  www.nf.org

National Fragile X Foundation.  Provides support and resources to families with Fragile X Syndrome:  www.fragilex.org

National Tay-Sachs and Allied Diseases Association, Inc. (NTSAD).  Information and support services to individuals and their families affected by Tay-Sachs and related disorders:  www.ntsad.org

Noonan Syndrome Support Group, Inc.:  www.noonansyndrome.org

Contains information on rare diseases:  www.rarediseases.org

Hydrocephalus Association.  Support, services, education, resources, and advocacy for individuals, families and professionals:  www.hydroassoc.org

NORD:  National Organization of Rare Disorders.  Clearinghouse of information and resources on rare disorders.  Provides information about support groups where available for families of children with rare or chronic disabilities or diseases, puts families in touch with one another.  Patient Service Program provides counseling and advice.  Articles and information on more than 1000 rare disorders:  www.rarediseases.org

Osteogenisis Imperfecta Foundation.  Information, support, and advocacy:  www.oif.org

Prader-Willi Syndrome Association, USA.  Information and support:  www.pwsausa.org

Williams Syndrome Associaiton.  Information, support, programs, and services for individuals with Williams Syndrome, their families, and professionals who work with them:  www.williams-syndrome.org

Alliance of Genetic Support Groups:  www.geneticalliance.org

Preemies

For Parents of Preemies.  Information and resources for parents of preemies.  University of Wisconsin and The Center For Perinatal Care at Meriter Hospital Madison, Wisconsin:  www.pediatrics.wisc.edu/childrenshosp/parents_of_preemies

Preemie-L, (Parents of Premature Babies).  Support and information for families of premature babies  while the babies are in the hospital or as they grow up.  Mailing list, discussion forum, newsletter:  www.preemie-l.org

PreemieParents.com.  Online information and resources, including products for preemies:  www.preemieparents.com

Preemies.org.  Support for parents of preemies through online charts and mail list:  www.preemies.org

Premature Baby – Premature Child.  Website providing preemie parent support for preemie special needs:  www.prematutity.org

Baby Sacks.  Clothing exclusively for infants, including low birth weight babies.  Also carries preemie sized bibs and blankets:  www.babysacks.com

Children’s Medical Ventures.  Neonatal developmental care products designed to meet the unique needs of premature babies.  Includes appropriately sized items, safety equipment, and specialty feeding and skin care products.  Examples of items include Wee Fitä, an adjustable seat insert for low birth weight infants; Tiny Tubä, a developmental bathing system that provides a safe and effective way to bathe small babies; and Baby Bendyä, a bendable positioning aid:  www.childmed.com

American Association for Premature Infants.  Organization dedicated to improving the quality of health, developmental, and educational services for premature infants, children, and their families.  Information and advocacy:  www.aapi.online.com

Lucy’s Hope Chest.  Hand-made clothing for premature infants, designed with special access openings:  www.lucyshopechest.com

Nurture Place.  Clothes and diapers for premature infants  weighing 1.5 to  6 pounds:  www.nurtureplace.com

The Preemie Store…and More.  Diapers and clothing for premature infants.  Sells clothing in four sizes; tiny (up to 2.5 pounds); small (2 to 4 pounds); medium (3 to 6 pounds); large (5 to 10 pounds).  Also, carries preemie equipment and supplies including bottles and nipples, pacifiers, sleep positioners, carseat inserts, bibs, and toys.  Free catalogs available:  www.preemie.com

Tiny Bottoms.  Handcrafted diapers for premature infants between 2 and 5.5 pounds.  Also sells other handcrafted preemie sized items including diaper covers, bibs, and blankets:  www.store.tinybottoms.com

Sleep Disorders

National Sleep Foundation.  Website includes the group’s new childhood sleep guidelines:  www.sleepfoundation.org

American Academy of Sleep Medicine.  Provides links to sleep resources and research and can direct parents to accredited sleep disorder centers (not all treat children):  www.aasmet.org

Kim West provides assistance to families whose children are not sleeping as expected.  Her office is located in Severna Park:  www.sleeplady.com

Speech and Language Disorders

American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA).  Information about speech and language delays, hearing problems, learning disabilities, and central auditory processing problems.  Referrals to certified professionals:  www.asha.org

Childhood Apraxia of Speech Association of North America (CASANA).  Help, guidance, information, referral, education, and research for families and professionals on topics related to apraxia and associated speech, language, and learning delays, education, therapy, and services.  Apraxia-Kids, website with  information about developmental apaxia of speech (verbal dyspraxia) and children’s speech and language topics including evaluation and therapy:  www.apraxia-kids.org

The Hearing and Speech Agency.  Evaluation and treatment of voice, speech, and language problems including articulation, fluency, oral motor, phonological awareness, and language delay/atypical language development for children and adults:  www.hasa.org

National Stuttering Association.  Information, support, and advocacy.  Special programs and publications for the families of teens or children who stutter:  www.nsastutter.org

American Sign Language Browser – animated American Sign Language dictionary:  www.commtechlab.msu.edu/sites/aslweb/browser.htm

American Sign Language Fingerspelling site.  Type in a word and see it fingerspelled:  www.where.com/scott.net/asl/loo/kup.html

American Cleft Palate – Craniofacial Association/Cleft Palate Association:  www.cleftline.org

Wide Smiles Cleft Lip and Palate Resource.  This resource can also be reached by phone at (209) 942-2812:  www.widesmiles.org

Sports and Recreation

Special Olympics, Inc.  Sports include floor hockey, basketball, aquatics, skiing, bowling, bocce, softball, equestrian, golf, swimming, powerlifting, track and field, and sailing:  www.SOAAMD.org

Chesapeake Region Accessible Boating (CRAB).  Annapolis.  Provides sailing opportunities to persons with disabilities and their families:  www.crab.sailing.org

Anne Arundel Department of Recreation and Parks, Therapeutic Recreation.  Variety of sports, fitness and recreation programs including therapeutic riding, swim programs, and a Teen Club for Youth with Developmental Delays:  www.web.aacpl.net/rp

North American Riding for  the Handicapped Association (NARHA).  Information on NARHA riding centers and therapeutic riding:  www.narha.org

Anne Arundel Department of Recreation and Parks.  Therapeutic camps:  Mayo Day Camp and Lake Waterford Day Camp for children 4-20 with various disabilities:  www.web.aacpl.net/rp

Technology

Learning Independence Through Computers (LINC).  The Baltimore based organization provides access to computer technology including a software loan library, open lab hours, and telephone technical service:  www.linc.org

This site covers a variety of freeware and shareware for children and adults.  Software is available for both PC and Macintosh:  www.tucows.greenapple.com/kids.html

Abledata.  Extensive database of assistive technology resources.  www.abledata.com

Alliance for Technology Access.  Network of community based resource centers, developers, and vendors providing information and support services to children and adults with disabilities and increasing their use of standard, assistive, and information technologies:  www.ataccess.org

Toy Adaptation Network, National Rehabilitation Foundation.  Provides support and advice on choosing toys as well as modifying toys based on the child’s abilities:  www.nraf-rehabnet.org

Visual Impairments

American Council of the Blind.  Information, support, referrals, advocacy, public education:  www.acb.org

Maryland School for the Blind.  Information and support group for parents of young children who are blind, partially sighted, or suspected of visual impairment:  www.mdschblind.org

National Association for Parents of Children with Visual Impairments.  Information, support, resources and training to parents of children who are blind or visually impaired, including those with additional disabilities:  www.spedex.com/napvi

National Federation of the Blind.  Education, advocacy, assistance, scholarships, counseling to families of blind children.  Matgerials in Braille, print, or cassettes available.  Operates the International  Braille and Technology Center for the Blind which has Braille and speech assistive devices for use with computers and other related technologies.  Newsline Talking Newspaper.  Materials center with publications covering all aspects and issues about blindness.  Provides advocacy services, special training for parents of blind children, and help for those newly blinded to acquire special techniques for maintaining productive lives:  www.nfb.org

Connections Beyond Sight and Sound.  Serves children with vision and hearing impairments, birth through age 21.  Some children who cannot be evaluated with formal vision and hearing tests, but function as if they have both vision and hearing losses, are also eligible for services.  A federally funded partnership between the Maryland State Department of Education and the University of Maryland at College Park:  www.education.umd.edu/Depts/EDSP/Connections