Every parent wants to make sure his or her child has everything they need to lead healthy, independent lives. This is especially true for special needs children, who may need extra support as they grow older. At On Angel’s Wings, we want to make sure parents of special needs children have a robust support system and plenty of resources. That’s why we are happy to share these Arizona resources for special needs children.
Read on for more information about special needs and the resources you can use to find information, guidance, and support.
You may recognize right away if your child has physical or medical special needs, which may show themselves in certain symptoms, behaviors, or side effects. However, your child may not always exhibit obvious signs that he or she has special needs related to their behavior or cognitive abilities. It can help to have a professional (such as a pediatrician, teacher, or psychologist) keep an eye out for signs of cognitive or behavioral difficulties. These professionals may use functional development approaches to look for delays in areas of child development or learning. They may also employ a clinical diagnostic approach, where they use a set of criteria to diagnose illnesses or conditions.
The best thing you can do is be familiar with the characteristics of special needs and keep an eye on your child’s behavior at home. If possible, enlist the help of educators or counselors to monitor your child’s behavior at school or in social settings. If you are concerned that your child has special needs, contact your pediatrician or other healthcare professional to help check for signs of developmental or cognitive difficulties. You can also have your child tested for a disability early on.
If your doctor has just determined that your child has a disability that is delaying his or her learning, growth, or development, you may be wondering what the next step is. For many parents, especially first-time parents, this may be an emotional time as you sort through different thoughts and concerns. Here are a few things you can do to orient yourself with your child’s special needs and begin looking for support.
If your child has recently been diagnosed with a cognitive, behavioral, or developmental disability, it is likely their doctor has already provided you with some information. It’s critical to research your child’s disability. The more you know about their disability, the more you can understand and help them. We know this process can be overwhelming and maybe even a little bit scary. Break your research up into small chunks, and make sure to take plenty of breaks. It can be easy to go into information overload, so take your time and be sure to ask your child’s doctor any questions you have.
While you researched your child’s particular disability, you may have come across some online resources that give extra support to families who have special needs children. Support groups are a necessary part of your journey. They can offer guidance, assistance, and comfort, and help keep you from reaching burnout. Here are some examples of support groups that can help you throughout your journey with special needs.
There are a variety of local resources that can provide extra information about your child’s special needs. These resources can include information on special education, finding the right care providers, keeping your child healthy and active, and much more. We have listed several Arizona resources for special needs children down below.
At On Angel’s Wings, we want to do everything we can to help the parents and families of those with special needs. That’s why we are happy to provide an extensive list of Arizona resources for special needs children. If you have any questions about these resources, feel free to call us at (623) 780-5690. You can find more local and national resources on our Community Links page.
On Angel’s Wings is a special needs organization based on Christian values. Since 2003, our goal has been to provide a safe, caring, and loving environment for individuals with special needs. We strive to teach educational and daily living skills to each individual. On Angel’s Wings is contracted with AZ DES/DDD (Division of Developmental Disabilities) to provide a range of services including…
Home and Community-Based Services (including Attendant Care, Habilitation, and Respite)
Adult Day Program and Transportation
We serve individuals in the following cities:
If you would like to learn more about our services, please call us at (623) 780-5690 or contact us online. We are happy to help in any way we can!