Special Needs

The differences between 504 plans and IEPs

Today's children who struggle with learning differences have something in common with veterans injured in the Vietnam War. Both groups are protected by the federal...

New book explores autism and the extended family

An autism diagnosis is a traumatic event that can create challenges for a child’s immediate family. But what about the extended family—grandparents, aunts, uncles...

Parenting without punishment, time-outs or yelling

What if someone told you it was possible to raise great kids without yelling at them, putting them in time-outs or otherwise punishing them?...

Valley mom starts Arizona’s first autism charter school

When Diana Diaz-Harrison’s son was young, she noticed that he was not reaching typical milestones at the appropriate age. Some of Sammy's behaviors seemed...

The role of developmental assessment in recognizing diverse learners

Six child development experts had been watching the 2-year-old boy for an hour and a half. Sitting in a darkened room behind a two-way...

An interactive preview for Suns fans with disabilities

The Phoenix Suns and PAL Experiences have created a video and printed guide to make attending a Suns home game more predictable and enjoyable...

ESAs: What parents of students with disabilities need to know

Arizona’s Empowerment Scholarship Accounts (ESAs) offer parents of students with disabilities more control over their children’s education. But parents considering it should carefully assess...

GiGi’s Playhouse Phoenix to serve Down syndrome community

In support of the Valley’s Down syndrome community, GiGi’s Playhouse Phoenix---the 21st in the nation---opened last month in Phoenix amidst a crowd of founders,...

PEN Phoenix supports families facing learning and attention differences

As a preschooler, Colin Erfle struggled to learn the names of colors. He couldn’t memorize the ABCs. Rhyming was tough. “He couldn’t memorize our phone...

For Arizona kids with learning differences, what’s after high school?

The idea of college and postsecondary education can be very intimidating to families with children who have attention and learning differences. Parents will learn...

Smartphones support autism diagnosis from home

For parents who suspect that a child's behaviors might indicate autism, figuring out what to do next can be overwhelming. Appointments with professionals can take...

SpoFit hosts goalball clinics for blind and visually impaired athletes

The second of two goalball clinics for blind and visually impaired athletes ages 10 and up will be held from 2 to 5 p.m....

Special needs students and rescue dogs benefit from interaction

Special needs students in Sherri Hoffman’s WorkBridge classes at Mountain Pointe and Desert Vista High Schools in Tempe get some time off campus. Activities...

A Halloween BOO-tique with benefits

If you're like RAK's Calendar & Directories Editor Mala Blomquist, your house has been decorated for Halloween for oh, probably a few weeks now....

Max and Marc Ashton: Blind since birth, “Max has flown”

“Something’s wrong with his vision.” When Max Ashton was three months old, his grandma noticed that his eyes looked different—as if they were crossed. It...

Arts enrich special-needs students’ lives at Hi-Star

Students at Hi-Star Center for Children in Phoenix performed their own take on a popular musical for more than 500 people in May. Their...

PARTY ARTICLES

Money Lessons from Birthday Parties

Teaching Kids the Value of Gifts & Gratitude Between the cake, balloons, and wrapping paper tornado, birthday parties are often all about fun, but they also provide the perfect opportunity to teach kids early lessons...

Time to Paw-ty

Celebrating your favorite furry friend Call me crazy, but when my husband and I adopted our first dog together, we threw her a birthday party complete with cake, streamers, guests, appetizers, games, and more. Was...

Unique Ways to Host a Joint Birthday Party

My brother and I have birthdays that are just one day apart—his on March 3rd, mine on March 4th, and our oldest brother just a few weeks later on March 21st. Fast forward 31 years...

Out-of-the-box Birthday Party Ideas in Phoenix & Tucson

Wanting to do something a little extra special for your child’s next birthday party? Maybe it’s a milestone birthday—like turning double digits or entering the teen years. Or perhaps your child has requested to...

Birthday Traditions & Clever Theme Ideas

Childhood birthdays are unlike any others. I have fond memories of waking up on my birthday morning anticipating all the fun that was in store. With three kids who had birthdays all in the same...

Out-of-the Box Birthday Party Ideas

Wanting to do something a little extra special for your child’s next birthday party? Maybe it’s a milestone birthday—like turning double digits or entering the teen years. Or perhaps your child has requested to...

Party Etiquette

Whether you’re hosting a party or attending one, you may be wondering—do people really RSVP anymore? What about goodie bags, are those still a thing? Do I need to stay with my child at...

How to Throw a Birthday Party that Won’t Break the Bank

I remember the days when birthday parties consisted of colorful balloons, streamers, a simple cake, and the classics like musical chairs and tag with a few friends. Times have changed and suddenly it feels necessary...

How to do a drive-by birthday party

As we get deeper into quarantine, people have gotten creative with birthday celebrations. One result: the drive-by birthday party.

Home pool party? Hire a lifeguard!

Drowning happens silently and quickly. That’s why children are at risk even when — and sometimes especially when — adults are nearby. Even a "designated pool watcher" can avert his or her eyes for a...

Hiking birthday party

For a child who loves adventure and outdoors, turn a hike into a birthday party.
Tour de Liam, Biking birthday party theme, bike race, outdoor activites, arizona parties

Bike race birthday party

When there are lots of neighborhood friends who love to ride their bikes together, host a birthday party that feels like an official bike race.

Island birthday party

Pool parties are popular in Arizona. Make a stylish upgrade at your next birthday party by incorporating décor and details that will transport guests from the desert to a tropical island paradise.

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