For The Teachers

This website has a section dedicated to the basic principles of differentiation that could work well as a refresher or to explain to parents how it works in the classroom. The best part of this website in my opinion is this huge list of different strategies to use while teaching content. Each section addresses a different aspect of learning, such as the section on activities to get up and move, the section(s) on group work, and the section on adapting content. There is a HUGE amount of information and methods available here, so for anything strategy-related, look no further.

Understood | For Learning and Attention Issues

This website is an excellent resource to point parents of students with disabilities to. There is a section that allows them to see what it is like to have the same difficulties that their child does, which can help foster sympathy and understanding (hence the website name) and garner support at home. This can also be a powerful tool for teaching other students and teachers. There is also a customizable tip-guide that allows the parents to select things their child has trouble with, such as social skills, listening, and more, as well as their grade, and receive ideas on how to help their child. It even mentions UDL in the assistive technology section, and includes information about what rights their child has as a student. All of the language and articles are written in a very accessible way that uses a minimal amount of jargon, and explains in depth any acronyms.

AACAP | American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry

This website has a lot of excellent sources for a range of disabilities, as well as other issues that children face such as drug and alcohol abuse, physical and sexual abuse, bullying, being in a military family, and more. There is a glossary of disorders and disabilities, an index of terms addressed, resource centers with FAQs and other information on disorders, and expert interviews on many related topics. There is also a section for information for students and children related to self-advocacy and learning about mental illnesses. The website has many sets of videos, like this one where students discuss their experiences in a short video.

Child Development Institute

This website has many excellent resources for parents that can also provide insight for teachers. There are many articles on helping students and children who have ADD/ADHD, particularly with homework. There is also an overview of the stages of adolescence, and how to help students through it. An individual section contains articles written by field experts, ranging on topics from learning, to family living, to how to be a parent.

10 Basic Steps in Special Education

This website (and included pdf) outlines in very easy language the basic steps that occur to determine whether a student has a disability and/or needs special education/ an IEP. It would be great as a personal refresher, but probably would serve better purpose as way to introduce parents to the idea of what their child will be receiving (and a general “why”).

RTI Action Network

This is a website that focuses on RTI: what it is and how to make it work in schools. There are a few videos that give a solid overview and have some nice visuals to help remember the basic principles. There is a section that addresses the different tiers of RTI, a section on how to ensure ongoing student assessment, and a section on getting families and communities involved.

Autism Society

This website has a strong advocacy program for people with autism spectrum disorders. This website is useful largely for people with autism as well as their families. Parents could get a lot of help from this website, such as in the section on living with autism.

BTF | Brain Trauma Foundation

This could be a good website to point parents of a child who has a TBI to, as it has information on comas, concussions, and many resources and links. It is also useful for me as a teacher because it has statistics, resources/links, and even a glossary.

LD Online

This website is awesome for parents, teachers, and even children. It has an overview of SLDs, as well as specific sections with resources and explanations for teachers, parents, and children. The section for kids is visually directed at them, and includes a part with books that they could be able to relate to. This is a great resource to direct parents to if they are unsure of how to help their child. They might find the glossary especially helpful.

LDA America

This website provides information on managing learning disorders as a parent, an educator, and adult, and a professional. Assessment, technology, and mental health are emphasized in each category, as well as issues such as employment, post-secondary options, and early intervention are also covered (as well as much more). For educators, there is information on dyslexia, disgraphia, dyspraxia, and dyscalcula, as well as things like ADHD, auditory processing disorder, and nonverbal learning disorders.

Autism Now

This website is very easy to navigate and includes several main sections including autism in the classroom, the community, at home, and at work. This alone shows the breadth of the website. Many topics are included such as: traveling, promoting inclusion, transition planning, college, planning for employment, employment support services, information across the lifespan, and building relationships. There is also a searchable map for local agencies.

The Arc

This website is dedicated to resources for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. In addition to an overview of intellectual disabilities,

this includes information on different services available as well as public policies for the areas. There is information that could be very helpful for parents and families on this website.