Special Needs Resources

Advanced Therapy Solutions

Advanced Therapy Solutions (ATS) was founded by OT, Dillen Hartley, and PT, Niel Visser, to provide physical and occupational therapy for adults and children. This South Carolina-based organization receives referrals from several places in SC and all over the world. The website includes:

  • Information about their locations and the staff that works at each facility

  • Information about services provided at each location

  • Information about the organization’s history as well as employment and volunteer opportunities

  • Contact information

  • A medical library and additional informative links

  • Patient forms, testimonials, and FAQs

BabyNet

“BabyNet is South Carolina’s interagency early intervention system for infants and toddlers under three years of age with developmental delays, or who have conditions associated with developmental delays.” This website informs parents, caregivers, doctors, and more about the resources available for a child with developmental delays or struggles associated with developmental delays. This resource includes:

  • Information on where to find a BabyNet office

  • Information for BabyNet providers

  • Resources such as BabyNet forms and state and federal reporting

  • A place to refer a child

Wondermoms

Wondermoms understands that one of the greatest resources for a special needs parent is to learn from those who have already traveled this journey. This website includes blogs that offer real-life tips and support for parents with children with special needs.

Mommy Speech Therapy

Mommy Speech Therapy realizes that one of the single greatest influences on a child’s language development comes from the parents. This website contains free resources that provide parents with some of the tools they need to help their children develop language skills. Some of the resources include:

  • Apps

  • Assistive technology

  • Information regarding language and hearing loss and executive function

  • Information regarding fluency and improving articulation

  • Resources in Spanish

Teach Me to Talk

Laura Mize, M.S., CCC-SLP, offers free videos to parents, caregivers, and healthcare providers that work with children with speech delays. Laura’s videos give practical advice and demonstrate strategies to help teach children with speech delays. She also informs about her:

  •  Videos from her bestselling series

  • Podcasts 

  • Blogs

Mrs. Speechie P  

Mrs. Speechie P (Andi Putt) is a pediatric speech-language pathologist, autism specialist, and disabilities advocate. Her Facebook page offers:

  • Consultations

  • Informative Facebook posts

  • Contact information through email and Facebook Messenger

  • A link to her website

SC Resources for Special Needs Children and Families

SC Resources for Special Needs Children and Families is a Facebook group where parents, caregivers, and professionals can connect, share resources and ideas, and get support from others. Group members also have the chance to connect with service providers without solicitation.

The Passy Muir Speaking Valve

The Passy Muir Speaking Valve invented by patient David Muir is a life-changing medical device for tracheostomy and ventilator patients. “The Valve redirects air flow through the vocal folds, mouth and nose enabling voice and improved communication.” Here are the several documented benefits of this device: (list cited from website)

  • Voice/Speech Production

  • Improved swallowing

  • Secretion management

  • Oxygenation

  • Restores positive airway pressure

  • In-line ventilator use & interchangeability

  • Weaning

  • Decannulation

  • Olfaction

  • Infection control

  • Pediatric speech/language development

  • Quality of life

Their mascot Toby Tracheasaurus can help educate kids in a fun manner through plush toys, puppets, activities books, and more. Users of their products can receive a free Toby Tracheasaurus plush toy.

Family Connection South Carolina

Family Connection South Carolina is a resource dedicated to families with kids with special needs. This multifaceted website includes:

  • General information about programs and services, support for families, advocacy, etc.

  • Information about local healthcare and coverage resources

  • Resources regarding education for children, homeschooling and public schooling, transitions to adulthood, etc.

  • Information about classes, workshops, virtual training, conferences, etc. 

  • Additional digital and print resources

  • Information about events

Feeding Tube Awareness Foundation

The Feeding Tube Awareness Foundation has a twofold purpose of bringing positive awareness about feeding tubes and providing families with support and practical advice. This web source includes:

  •  Information about potential signs of an infant or child needing a feeding tube

  • Educational resources

  • Information for families new to feeding tubes

  • Information on tube types

  • Information about surgeries and tests

  • Information about feeding conditions and disorders

  • Information about diet and nutrition 

  • Emotional support resources (birthday and holiday resources, info on how to attain or make a doll or stuffed toy with a feeding tube, etc.)

  • Information on feeding methods

  • Strategies for public outings such as school, vacation, camp, and more.

  • Information about oral eating

  • Troubleshooting information for tube sites, equipment and tube problems, feeding intolerances, and what to do in some emergencies

  • Additional resources (such as clinician resources, products, suppliers, and general resources)

The National Down Syndrome Society

The National Down Syndrome Society is dedicated to helping individuals with down syndrome achieve and exceed their potential and live a happy, fulfilling, and purposeful life. This website includes:

  • Information about down syndrome

  • Resources (including information on where to find support locally, care across lifespan, and about Covid-19)

  • Programs regarding public policy, education, employment, health and wellness, etc. 

  • Information about their awareness-raising event, Buddy Walk. (Including information on where to find a walk, start and organize one in your area, etc.)

  • Advocacy resources

  • News

  • Volunteering information

My Belly has Two Buttons

Here is a link to purchase the adorable book, My Belly has Two Buttons. This story is about a little boy named Nico who shares about his second belly button -- his feeding tube. Educate your children with this wonderful resource!

Complex Child

Complex Child is a monthly magazine written by parents with kids with special needs. Their resource is free, and their website contains many additional resources such as:

  • Access to current and past issues of the magazine

  • Caregiving resources

  • Medical information

  • Therapy and Education information

  • Disability and advocacy resources

South Carolina Equipment Distribution Program

For those with difficulty hearing or speaking, the South Carolina Equipment Distribution Program (SCEPD) offers communication technology such as phones, phone accessories, tablets, and alerting devices specially crafted for those with special needs. If the applicant qualifies, they can receive the items at little or no cost so long as the South Carolina resident lives in the state. It is SCEPD’s goal for everyone to feel connected. Their website also includes information about community resources and events.

South Carolina Autism Society

The mission of the South Carolina Autism Society is as follows: “To equip those affected by autism spectrum disorders with knowledge and support to maximize their quality of life.” Their website includes:

  • Parent-school partnership

  • Case management:

  • Information and Referral

  • Advocacy resources

  • Covid-19 resources

  • Outreach/speaker requests

  • Information on autism (such as diagnosis information, treatment options, therapies, etc.)

  • Different South Carolina resources (such as intake, Medicaid, schools, ABA therapy, social security, guardianship and trusts, support, and connection resources)

  • Events

  • A marketplace

Autism Parenting

Autism Parenting is a magazine dedicated to supporting and equipping families with the information they need in order to help their children lead fulfilling lives. Their magazine includes articles relating to 

  • Improve social skills

  • Improve communication

  • Decrease challenging behaviors

  • Decrease sensory sensitivities

  • Increase verbal abilities for people with speech difficulties

  • Decrease gastrointestinal discomfort

  • Increase awareness and acceptance of autism

  • Supply information on safe options so parents and autistics can make their own choices based on their individual circumstances

  • Special interest and success stories

Birth Injury Justice Center

The Birth Injury Justice Center offers information and resources to parents of children with birth injuries. Their website includes

  • Information on many types of birth injuries including but not limited to cerebral palsy and Erb’s palsy

  • Treatment options

  • Legal information (settlements, finding a lawyer, etc.)

  • Additional resources (such as support groups, special education opportunities, financial support, recreational activities, clinics and facilities, blogs)