HomeSpecial Needs

Special Needs

Robotic Technology Helps Kids With Disabilities Walk

United Cerebral Palsy (UCP) of Central Arizona is using a new robotic technology to help children with disabilities learn to walk. The ZeroG® Gait and...

Southwest Human Development : Disability Resources

Being a parent is hard. Navigating questionable online advice and shuttling your kids from appointment to appointment...

Local High School Students Needed for Technology Challenge to Benefit Children with Disabilities

Southwest Human Development is getting ready to host their annual MAKERS of Change Assistive Technology Challenge benefiting children with disabilities and is looking for...

Local Non-Profit Offers Formula Shortage Resource

The formula shortage has caused many parents anxiety, fear, and worry as they wonder when store shelves will be stocked again. For most, if...

New High School uses H.E.A.R.T and Horses to reimagine Special Education

Remembering school before COVID-19 can oftentimes leave parents feeling wistful. Rightfully so. The reality of education today is daunting: children forced to sit in...

Valley Mom Invents Sensory-Friendly Socks for Children of All Ages

When one Valley mother noticed her baby ripping off his socks, she soon realized this was going to be an ongoing battle, and she quickly came up with her own solution.

Please don’t say, “You’re so strong”

What if I told you I’m not especially strong? That I am an average woman who plays the cards I’m dealt? That you could do hard things, too, if it was the only choice you had.

Cookie Cutters-Haircuts for Kids

If you have a child with special needs, you might be familiar with the struggles of simple tasks like a haircut. Luckily, there is...

Chip in for Autism

Picazzo’s Healthy Italian Kitchen and Southwest Autism Research & Resource Center (SARRC), Arizona’s leading autism nonprofit, are teaming up to raise funds for autism...

Finding the support to thrive

Parker Cook has a dazzling smile and intensely blue eyes behind tiny glasses. At age 5, he is thin but energetic, sweet and a...

Nominate a family with Special Needs for the September 2021 cover!

If you know an amazing special needs family, nominate them here!

Phoenix Film Festival to show award-winning autism documentary spotlighting Arizona

“In A Different Key,” a documentary about autism and the struggle to belong, follows Caren Zucker as she tracks down the first person in...

Virtual gala to benefit summer camp for kids with spina bifida

Camp Patrick is hosting an April 22 virtual fundraiser to help support its all-volunteer, overnight summer camp for kids with spina bifida. The 6:30...

A Valentine’s Day greeting from Mazie, a show of love for Ryan House

You'd never know it by looking at her, but 3-year-old Mazie has had a long, rough road. "On paper, on a medical chart, she's...

Study: Autism diagnoses come years later for Black children

A new study highlighted by the American Academy of Pediatrics found racial inequities in the timely diagnosis of autism in children. The sooner the...

Celebrating 10 years of open doors and open hearts at Ryan House

For 10 years, Phoenix-based nonprofit Ryan House has provided pediatric respite and end-of-life care to Arizona’s most medically fragile children and their families.

Party Articles

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...

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...

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...

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...