CHADD (Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder): (chadd.org) – A leading national resource offering information, advocacy, and support for individuals with ADHD and their families.
ADDitude Magazine: (additudemag.com) – Provides strategies and support for individuals with ADHD and learning disabilities, with extensive resources for parents.
BOOK – ADHD 2.0: New Science and Essential Strategies for Thriving with Distraction https://amzn.to/3Gpaw25
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD):
Autism Speaks: (autismspeaks.org) – Dedicated to promoting solutions for the needs of individuals with autism and their families. Offers toolkits, resources, and research information.
Autism Society of America: (autismsociety.org) – Provides advocacy, education, information and referral, support, and community at national, state, and local levels.
Organization for Autism Research (OAR): (researchautism.org) – Funds research and disseminates evidence-based information, with many practical guides for parents and educators.
Specific Learning Disabilities (SLD – e.g., Dyslexia, Dysgraphia, Dyscalculia):
Understood.org: (understood.org) – Offers personalized resources and support for parents of children with learning and thinking differences. Covers a wide range of challenges.
Learning Disabilities Association of America (LDA): (ldaamerica.org) – Provides support to people with learning disabilities, their parents, teachers, and other professionals.
National Center for Learning Disabilities (NCLD): (ncld.org) – Works to improve the lives of individuals with learning difficulties and disabilities by empowering parents and young adults, transforming schools, and advocating for equal rights and opportunities.
BOOK – The Dyslexic Advantage: Unlocking the Hidden Potential of the Dyslexic Brain https://amzn.to/3Tlqnl6
Speech and Language Disorders:
American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA): (asha.org) – The professional association for audiologists, speech-language pathologists, and speech, language, and hearing scientists. Their “Information for the Public” section has valuable resources for parents.
BOOK – Talking with Your Toddler: 75 Fun Activities and Interactive Games that Teach Your Child to Talk https://amzn.to/3TmgF1T
Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD):
STAR Institute for Sensory Processing: (sensoryhealth.org) – A leading research, education, and treatment center for Sensory Processing Disorder. Offers resources for parents and professionals.
BOOK – The Out-of-Sync Child: Recognizing and Coping with Sensory Processing Disorder https://amzn.to/403c5cK
General Child Development & Mental Health (often co-occurring or related):
Child Mind Institute: (childmind.org) – An independent, national nonprofit dedicated to transforming the lives of children and families struggling with mental health and learning disorders. Provides clear, expert-backed information.
CDC – “Learn the Signs. Act Early.”: (cdc.gov/ncbddd/actearly) – The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offers information on developmental milestones, screening, and what to do if parents have concerns.
BOOK – The Whole-Brain Child: 12 Revolutionary Strategies to Nurture Your Child’s Developing Mind https://amzn.to/4nKHomS
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA): (sites.ed.gov/idea/)
The official website for the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) from the U.S. Department of Education. This site provides information about the law that makes available a free appropriate public education to eligible children with disabilities throughout the nation and ensures special education and related services to those children.
BOOK – Individuals With Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Regulations: as of February 14, 2020 https://amzn.to/44sA1rd
CDC – “Learn the Signs. Act Early.”: (cdc.gov/ncbddd/actearly/)
As mentioned above, this CDC site is also a key government resource that helps parents track their child’s development and act early if there’s a concern, including connecting them to services.
BOOK – The Early Intervention Guidebook for Families and Professionals: Partnering for Success (Early Childhood Education Series) – https://amzn.to/4lVTkR5
Administration for Children & Families (ACF) – U.S. Department of Health & Human Services: (acf.hhs.gov)
While very broad, ACF is the government agency responsible for federal programs that promote the economic and social well-being of families, children, individuals, and communities. Their site can be a starting point for understanding various federal support systems.
The CDC provides comprehensive milestone checklists for various ages (from 2 months up to 5 years typically, but their site also has information and links related to older children’s development and what to do if there are concerns). For milestones beyond 5, you might look to combine this with resources from HealthyChildren.org.
HealthyChildren.org (from the American Academy of Pediatrics): (healthychildren.org)
This site offers information on development for all ages, including middle childhood (6-11 years) and early adolescence (12-14 years), covering physical, cognitive, and social-emotional milestones. You can search for “milestones” or specific age groups.
