Resources for Families with Special Needs
We're so excited to present the 2023-24 edition of Flourishing Families, San Diego and Imperial Counties' resource guide for parents of children with special needs.
This year's one-of-a-kind guide contains 1,350+ resources including service providers, research institutes, specialized doctors, resource providers, camps, therapists, advocates, associations and so much more.
Visit Special Needs Resource Foundation of San Diego for monthly articles, events and to sign up for our monthly eNewsletter.
![The Most Important Siblings in the World](/media/widgetkit/Photo_courtesy_of_Melanie_Milicevic-778cd9a66651bbe29be796ff6b3c1e3e.jpeg)
The Most Important Siblings in the World
I see a fierceness in people who have a sibling with special needs, in addition to a special love they share so willingly.
My daughter isn’t usually the subject of my articles because she . . .
![Emotional Tune-Up: How to Stay Healthy in Times of Stress](/media/widgetkit/happy-parents-and-son-running-2516-83c086dda48f05d0b45ea0c37143094b.jpg)
Emotional Tune-Up: How to Stay Healthy in Times of Stress
Professional artist Amanda Gomes knew her emotions were stretched to the limit when she faced off with her 12-year-old son with a genetic anomaly over an art project he refused to complete. "Art is . . .
![Support Business Owners with Disabilities](/media/widgetkit/Shopable-B-2464-f7fe6a54f514f934d7ee588e2a4166f9.jpg)
Support Business Owners with Disabilities
Support business owners with disabilities by purchasing products and services from our list of ShopABLE vendors. Doing so helps these individuals to achieve independence and self-reliance, and encou . . .
![San Diego Father/Son Team Creates Lights that Delight!](/media/widgetkit/2010garagedoorcrop-384441bcf93cb4206cc9a00c1059d4ac.jpeg)
San Diego Father/Son Team Creates Lights that Delight!
When you speak with Randy Schimka, Engineer at SDG&E and father of two boys with Autism, you immediately know two things: he is a committed dad; and he really, really enjoys electronics. Randy is . . .
![Make the Holidays Manageable for Children with Special Needs](/media/widgetkit/holidays-with-children-woth-special-needs_sm-b3a494da0b2505f2ca0d9e8cb789a54b.jpg)
Make the Holidays Manageable for Children with Special Needs
Holidays provide your family with a break from the ordinary, time spent with extended family and friends, and also a chance to reinforce traditions. However, jammed schedules and unpredictable routi . . .
![How to Reduce Holiday Stress for Families of Children with Autism](/media/widgetkit/5-ways-to-have-a-merry-christmas_sm-9ccc398a21c11b6d39fa2be649998f5a.jpg)
How to Reduce Holiday Stress for Families of Children with Autism
Holidays can be stressful and over-stimulating for anyone, but particularly for children with autism. We have pro tips from experts, such as when opening gifts as a family, try passing around an orn . . .
![Especially Sleepy: Better Sleep for Children with Special Needs](/media/widgetkit/Sleep2-abd14b02282a8ccd3b6279635dabce42.jpg)
Especially Sleepy: Better Sleep for Children with Special Needs
Many children with special needs also face significant sleep challenges, a draining double-whammy that leaves millions of parents and children exhausted. The National Association of School Psychologis . . .
![How to Support Siblings of Children With Special Needs](/media/widgetkit/special-needs-siblings-1328-3fefb224a47448b775dd9ba46fc3b3fa.jpg)
How to Support Siblings of Children With Special Needs
Gionna Paulin, 14, is like many teen girls—she likes volleyball, track and field, pop star Nick Jonas and walking her dog, Rocco. However, unlike her peers, she also knows what it means to be “t . . .
![Challenges and Benefits of Having a Sibling with Special Needs](/media/widgetkit/challenges_of_sibs_with_SN-2232-f2c67fe3a70a86ec1f7995a61dbde6bf.jpg)
Challenges and Benefits of Having a Sibling with Special Needs
Having a sibling with special needs is a unique experience that provides both challenges and benefits. The feelings that arise in children are often complicated. The love, appreciation and compassio . . .
![5 Things to Know About Parents of Children with Special Needs](/media/widgetkit/special-needs-parents-1573-9ff86c59491a7a8fe247b0107e6b0e86.jpg)
5 Things to Know About Parents of Children with Special Needs
My husband and I adopted our daughter when she was nine years old. She has a long list of mental health diagnoses. We quickly discovered that parenting a child with special needs results in the whol . . .