Special Needs Parenting
We want to support and encourage families with children facing unique and sometimes difficult medical diagnoses and illnesses. The following links and resources have been assembled to help you in your parenting vocation. We welcome your suggestions of helpful information – please email lisa@catholicmom.com to share your input and ideas. You are in our prayers!
Featured Links:
- Prenatal Partners for Life – Support information & encouragement for carrying to term with an adverse prenatal diagnosis and support for raising your child with special needs after birth
Links and Resources:
- USCCB Welcome and Justice for Persons with Disabilities
- Pastoral Statement of United States Catholic Bishops on People with Disabilities
- Prenatal Partners for Life
- Daily Miracles Column archives by Mary Ellen Barrett
- Cause of Our Joy Blog by Leticia Velasquez
- Be Not Afraid Outreach for families with a poor prenatal diagnosis
Link Resources from Mary Ellen Barrett:
- Reading and Language Arts:
- Sensory Processing Disorder:
- Tactile:
- Visual:
- Autism:
- ADHD/ADD:
- Down Syndrome:
- General Developmental Disabilities:
- Speech:
- Homeschooling and Special Needs:
Reader Recommended Links:
- Cause of Our Joy – The wonderful blog of Leticia Velasquez contains a wealth of links, resources and inspiration
- Children of Destiny – This reader-recommended Christian site offers daily scripture and prayer support, inspirational topics and radio shows to support family and friends of persons with Autism.
- Down, Hero Dad and Palin – National Catholic Register article by Leticia Velasquez
- Down, Not Out – National Catholic Register article by Leticia Velasquez on the Legacy of Jerome Lejeune and the Resurgence of Down Syndrome Research
- International Down Syndrome Coalition for Life – Resources for parents, promotes the dignity and respect for ALL life.
- Novena for Autism – Novena to St. Philomena the Wonder Worker for the healing of autistic children and autistic adults and for help for their families, carers and for the professionals who work with them.
Latest Posts In This Topic
His 100%
It is a mother’s fear, a mother’s concern; that my son Paul is three and does not speak. He’s social. He smiles. He says some things. He dumps oatmeal on his head if I’m not vigilant. He will open the … Keep reading
Catholic Book Interview: A Special Mother is Born by Leticia Velasquez
Those children with special needs are a gift from God. In the new book by Catholic writer, Leticia Velasquez, called A Special Mother is Born, Leticia shares stories from Catholic parents as they tell how God has called them to … Keep reading
Why the World Needs Special Kids
How many times have you heard an expectant mom say, “I don’t care if it is a boy or a girl, as long as the baby is healthy?” But what happens when the baby isn’t healthy? How does one’s world … Keep reading
The Difference Hope Makes
A Palm Beach jury just awarded a couple $4.5 million in damaged in a wrongful birth suit. Their son Bryan was born in October 2008 without arms and with only one leg. Their suit was against the mother, Ana Mejia’s … Keep reading
The Pope and the Disabled Meet in Madrid
Among the groups honored by an audience with the Holy Father during World Youth Day, was a group of sick and disabled youth from St Joseph’s Hospital. Like the seminarians, university professors, and women religious, the Holy Father wanted to … Keep reading
Kids Like Paul
My son is two and a half. He has blue eyes, a mischievous smile, loves dogs, balls and chugging my diet coke if it is in arm’s reach. He dances to any music, applauds at mass at the end of every song … Keep reading
Oh!
My two year old woke up on the wrong side of bed yesterday. He woke up ravenous and angry about that physical fact. He slumped at the top of the stairs and cried until his brother picked him up and carried him … Keep reading
The Very Necessariness of Everyone
It was a cold afternoon but I’d agreed to a play date at the park and so I trundled the four littles into the van for what I hoped would be a bit of fun. The playground had a fenced in area … Keep reading
Incompatible With Life
As I read former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum discuss his precious daughter Bella’s struggle for life despite a diagnosis of trisomy 18, tears streamed down my cheeks. I am reminded that my husband and I for a short time faced … Keep reading
Religious Ed for Special Needs Kids by Kristi McCabe
Many times special need kids are overlooked when planning lessons for religious education classes. It is vital that these children feel included in the group and benefit from the class just as much as the other students. The National Directory … Keep reading