Special Care Resources

 

Marion County Special Needs Resources

 

Advocacy Resource Center (ARC) Marion:  Mission: To create opportunities for persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities to live, work and play to the fullest of their capabilities in Marion County.  Vision: Understanding that Marion County, as a model community, embraces persons with disabilities and successfully supports thier dreams.

 

Camp Boggy Creek:  We are a year round camp for seriously ill children and offer weeklong summer sessions for the childred and family retreat weekends for the whole family.

 

HOPE - Horses Helping PEople, Inc.:  HOPE was established as not-for-profit organization in 2000 to offer equine-assisted occupational therapy, therapeutic riding lessons, and equine-facilitated psychotherapy to individuals with special needs.

 

KidGenius Inc.:  KidGenius Inc. is a not for profit organization that believes every child is Genius. We strive to empower families, help their children of all ages reach their full potential.  All special needs children should be given the opportunity to afford the benefits of alternative therapies and assistive technologies that can assist them with learning to communicate, develop healthy relationships, and better manage the stresses and demands of daily living.

 

Ocala Autism Support Network, Inc.:  Ocala Autism Support Network, Inc.(OASN) began assisting families in 2011. We provide education, services, support and events to individuals on the spectrum for autism and their families. We also provide respite care for 2-16 year-olds every other month for 3 hours so parents can get out and enjoy a date night or girls/guys night out.

 

PACE Center for Girls:  PACE Center for Girls provides a non-residential delinquency prevention program targeting the unique needs of females 11 to 17 who are identified as dependent, truant, runaway, delinquent, mental health diagnosis, history of abuse or in need of academic or social skills. 

 

Tomorrow's Equestrian Center:  Non Profit 501(c)3 Therapeutic Riding Center Tomorrow's Equestrian Center, Inc.'s Mission is to provide recreational and therapeutic riding to physically, mentally and emotionally disabled individuals.

 

Transitions Life Center:  Transitions Life Center (TLC) is providing options for next steps from the ESE programing for students with special needs in our school system.

 

National Resources

 

30 Ways to Celebrate Autism Awareness Month:  We like to take a goal focused approach to our Autism Awareness Month, activities by choosing projects that facilitate positive attidudes & discussions.

 

Autism Resource Center:  Finding the right treatment plan can be challenging because every child is unique and has different strengths and weadness.

 

Autism Society of America:  The Autism Society (ASA) and its chapters share a common mission of providing information and education, supporting research and advocating for programs and services for the autism community.

 

Autism Support Network Resources

 

Big Rentz:  Most parents become empty nesters at some point, when their kids grow up and move out on their own.  But when a child has special needs, there's a chance that time will never come.  That doesn't mean parents can't give young adults with disabilities more independence.  With some thoughtful modifications, it's possible to turn your home into a multigenerational space that provides adult children the opportunity to do more for themselves, while keeping them under the same roof.

 

Birth Injury Justice Center:  Birth injuries often stem from physical harm or illness during delivery and can leave babiesmentally handicapped or physically disabled for months, years, or even their entie lives.  Treatments can manage long-term health effects of birth injuries and improve qualify of life.  Doctors ad medical personnel have a duty to prevent these injuries - and if they don't they may be found medically negligent.

 

Cerebral Palsy Group:  Cerebral Palsy Group is an online resource for anyone who has been affected by cerebral palsy, birth injuries, or brain injuries. Our team was created so we can provide answers and all types of assistance needed to help improve the quality of life for loved ones and family members with cerebral palsy.

 

Cerebral Palsy Guidance:  Cerebral Palsy Guidance was created to provide answers and assistance to parents of a child with cerebral palsy. Our goal is to reach as many members of the cerebral palsy community as possible, building up a network of support, as well as providing necessary assistance.  We cover cerebral palsy from all angles–from symptoms, causes, and treatment, to daily living information, such as communication and transitioning to adulthood articles.

 

Conductive Education Center of Orlando (CECO):  CECO's mission is to transform the lives of children and adults with neurological motor disabilities so that they may achieve their greatest level of independence through conductive education; integrating physical, cognitive, and social skills.

 

Creating an Autism Friendly Home:  When you have a child or family member on the autism spectrum, creating a safe and functional home environment is an important task.

 

Do-It:  The DO-IT (Disabilities, Opportunities, Internetworking, and Technology) Center is dedicated to empowering people with disabilities through technology and education. It promotes awareness and accessibility—in both the classroom and the workplace—to maximize the potential of individuals with disabilities and make our communities more vibrant, diverse, and inclusive.

 

Helping Kids with Autism Sleep Better:  It can be difficult for children with autism and other special needs to fall asleep and stay asleep at night.  Those lost hours of slumber not only take a toll on the children but also on their bleary-eyed parents.  If you are struggling to help your child "power down" or relax at night, you are not alone.

 

Huntington's Disease Society of America, Inc.:  Huntington's Disease Society of America, Inc. (HDSA) provides resources and support to HD families and educates the public (including medical professionals) about HD, to build awareness about HD and advocate for HD patients and their families.

 

Just Great Lawyers:  Finding Local Lawyers is easy with Just Great Lawyers.  Search our website to instantly connect with Local Lawyers.  For Local Lawyers, our website works as a powerful tool for attracting more clients.

 

Moving with Kids with Autism:  If you have a loved one with autism, you know how important predictability and routines are.  Relocating can be especially difficult for a family member who is on the astism spectrum.  Although you can't eliminate all anxiety a move can cause, you can do many things to make the process easier on your loved ones and yourself.

 

My Child Without Limits:  As any parent of an adolescent knows, a child's transition into adulthood presents extraordinary opportunities for growth, reflection, and responsiblity.  The child with special needs faces all of these changes along with the added challenges brought on by his or her individual disability.  It is not unusual for a child with special needs to have a specialized set of caregivers and support organizations in place for guidance and direction through these complicated years.

 

NAC (National Autism Center) at MayInstitute:  The National Autism Center is May Institute's Center for the Promotion of Evidence-based Practice. It is a nonprofit organization dedicated to disseminating evidence-based information about the treatment of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), promoting best practices, and offering comprehensive and reliable resources for families, practitioners, and communities.

 

National Down Syndrome Society:  NDSS is committed to being the national leader in enhancing the quality of life, and realizing the potential of all people with Down Syndrome.

 

National Organization for Rare Disorders:  The National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) is committed to the identification, treatment, and cure of rare disorders through programs of education, advocacy, research and service.

 

Operation Autism:  Operation Autism directly supports U.S. military families touched by autism and autism spectrum disorders. It serves as an introduction to autism, a guide for the life journey with autism, and a ready reference for available resources, services, and support.

 

Sesame Street and Autism:  See Amazing in All Children, a nationwide initiative aimed at communities with children ages 2 to 5. Developed with input from parents, people who serve the autism community, and people with autism, See Amazing in All Children offers families ways to overcome common challenges and simplify everyday activities. At the same time, the project fosters an affirming narrative around autism for all families and kids.

 

Sleep aid:  SleepHelp.org is an independently owned and operated, unbiased sleep resource dedicated to bettering your waking life by improving your sleep problems.  Our team of sleep experts makes sense of the common issues affecting your sleep.  We're here to help you understand the impact of sleep disorders, create a long-lasting sleep routine, and provide you the advice you need.

 

Sleep Junkie:  The ultimate guide to helping children with Autism sleep soundly at night.

 

Sokolovelaw Law:  Every day, women trust doctors and nurses to hlep deliver their babies.  But sometimes mistakes occur, resulting in permanent, life-changing, or even fatal injuries to the baby.  These hartbreaking accidents may have been avoided with proper care.

 

Students with Autism:  A guide that discusses issues surrounding the education of students on the autism spectrum, including the rights and responsibilities of parties involved, plus governing laws, programs, and addtional resources.  The information also includes classroom concerns and accommodations, considerations for choosing an appropriate school setting, options for dispute resolution, and tips for further advocacy.

 

Traveling with Kids with Autism:  Traveling is a bit more complicated when you have a child on the autism spectrum, but that doesn't mean you can't do it.  With some advance planning and a good safety strategy, you can make transitions and time in transit a lot more manageable.

 

United Cerebral Palsy:  United Cerebral Palsy (UCP) is the leading source of information on Cerebral Palsy and is a pivotal advocate for the rights of personas with any disability.

 

Vocational Training:  Many disabled individuals find it difficult to access programs which cater for their unique needs, especially in the vocational training space.  We have taken some time to identify the best vocational training programs for disabled in 2018.

 

Your Storage Finder:  So how disability-friendly is your city?  The city you live in can have an enormous impact on your quality of life - especially if you have a disability.  From wheelchair accessible sidewalks to employment options to the weather itself, there are a variety of characteristics that can determine whether your hometown is a good place to live.