Here are the questions to ask when selecting a toy for a child with disabilities. Search a database of independently evaluated toys for children with special needs.
Review Date: November 16, 2012
National Lekotek Center
Children with learning disabilities lack the language,motor, and memory skills to easily negotiate everyday life, and can quickly sink into a defeatist frame of mind. This toolkit of values and strategies is designed to counteract the failure-focused attitudes commonly experienced by children with learning disabilities.
Review Date: September 12, 2012
National Center for Learning Disabilities
Many child development and child welfare professionals believe that spanking, hitting, or slapping is not effective and is damaging to the self-respect and self-esteem of children.
Review Date: October 31, 2012
American Humane Association, Children's Division
A home filled with reading material is a good way to help kids become enthusiastic readers. What kind of books should you have? Ask your kids about their interests. If they're too young to have a preference, your local librarian can offer suggestions about age-appropriate books.
Review Date: October 29, 2012
The Nemours Foundation
If you're a professional serving children, youth and families or a parent with your own children, find high quality, research-based youth and family resources from the Nation's Leading Universities
Review Date: November 05, 2012
National Institute of Food and Agriculture - NIFA
USDA
A growth disorder means that a child has abnormal growth — for example, growing much slower or faster than others the same age. Fortunately, many of these growth disorders can be successfully treated today.
Review Date: January 14, 2013
The Nemours Foundation
Too much screen time can have unhealthy side effects on your child. Learn why it's wise to monitor and limit the time your child spends playing video games, watching TV, and playing games on the Internet.
Review Date: March 21, 2011
The Nemours Foundation
These booklets feature practical lessons and activities to help school aged and preschool children master reading, understand the value of homework and develop the skills and values necessary to achieve and grow.
Review Date: October 29, 2012
U.S. Department of Education
Find tips from occupational therapists to improve your child's ability to use computer time effectively, finish homework successfully, and develop social skills appropriate for learning.
Review Date: December 09, 2012
American Occupational Therapy Association, Inc.
KidsHealth has doctor-approved articles, animations, games, and resources to help kids learn more about their bodies and stay healthy.
Review Date: October 14, 2012
The Nemours Foundation
This fact sheet outlines three key steps to finding out if you have a learning disability. The evaluation should provide direction for employment, education and daily living, and should make specific recommendations for learning strategies that may be the most helpful to you.
Review Date: April 21, 2011
National Center for Learning Disabilities
To find answers to your questions on toys and play for children with disabilities and special needs, contact a Lekotek specialist at 1- 800-366-PLAY.
Review Date: February 01, 2013
National Lekotek Center
The LPA Medical Resource Center (MRC) is the official site for medical information about dwarfism (conditions of short stature). The MRC provides public access to the latest and most accurate medical information available about dwarfism and its associated conditions.
Review Date: April 14, 2011
Little People of America, Inc.
The Period of PURPLE Crying® is the phrase used to describe the point in a baby’s life when they cry more than any other time. Parents will learn about the normal crying curve, how to cope when emotions run high, and the dangers of shaking a baby.
Review Date: October 29, 2012
National Center on Shaken Baby Syndrome
In key ways, the adolescent brain doesn’t look like that of an adult until the early 20s. This article explores some of the puzzling contradictions of the teen years, such as the fact that many teens achieve peak physical health and mental capacity, yet are prone to accidents and substance abuse.
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Review Date: October 29, 2012
National Institute of Mental Health -NIMH
National Institutes of Health
All parents struggle with some of the things their children do. While there is no magic formula that will work in all situations, it is helpful to understand the kinds of issues that impact a child's behavior.
Review Date: February 13, 2013
Child Welfare Information Gateway
A learning disability (LD) is a neurological disorder that affects the brain's ability to receive, process, store and respond to information. This fact sheet provides an introduction to LDs in general and how they affect people at different ages.
Review Date: April 21, 2011
National Center for Learning Disabilities
Lekotek makes the world of play accessible to disabled children through special play and learning centers where they can have fun with traditional and adapted toys, books and computers.
Review Date: February 01, 2013
National Lekotek Center
The Bright Futures developmental tools offer a framework for providers and families to begin a conversation together about how best to support healthy social and emotional development in children and teens. Checklists are provided on "what to expect" in developmental milestones and "when to seek help."
Review Date: March 07, 2012
Georgetown University Health Policy Institute
