Special Needs

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.

Navigating the oral health of children with special needs

For most of us, preparing for a routine dental appointment doesn’t take much thought. If you’re the parent of a child with special needs,...

Parents of students with learning differences have a right to independent, paid evaluations

When our son was 3 years old, my Swiss husband sat at the kitchen table trying to teach him French, his native language. “Un, deux,...

GiGi’s Playhouse offers free tutoring for students with Down syndrome

GiGi’s Playhouse Phoenix — one of only 49 Down Syndrome Achievement Centers for children across the United States and Mexico — has turned its...

Max in Motion clinics offer adaptive sports fun for children and teens

The Max in Motion program has announced dates for this year's adaptive sports clinics for children and teens with physical and intellectual disabilities.

American Girl’s newest doll is Joss Kendrick — a fearless surfer born with hearing loss

American Girl's 2020 Girl of the Year doll is Joss Kendrick — a surfer and competitive cheerleader who was born with hearing loss. According...

All Abilities Marketplace event in Phoenix features young entrepreneurs with disabilities

Fall weekends are filled with festivals and markets leading up to the holiday season, but this one will surely stand out. On Saturday, Nov. 16,...

“Sesame Street” puppeteer to speak at Raising Special Kids Symposium on Oct. 24

Stacey Gordon, the Phoenix puppeteer who performs on “Sesame Street” as Julia, a curious 4-year-old with autism, is one of several local and national...

The language of disability: Words matter, but getting it right isn’t easy

I used to love the term “mouth breather." I loved it so much that I once stopped reading a column my then-boss had written for...

Turn family gifts into future security for a child with a special-needs trust

Two years ago, my sister Cheryl, who is in her 40s, discovered she was pregnant. Her only child was 26, and she had been...

Storytimes for Families with Special Needs offers fun plus emotional support

Public librarians are awesome. They are the most versatile, eclectic members of the helping professions, and books are just a small part of their...

Super House: The Lefebvres know real joy raising their sons, two of whom are medically fragile

I see the sign from the street, before I get out of my car. Before I walk up the sidewalk to the front door....

Enjoy free vision, hearing and dental screenings and more at Special Needs Resource Fair

From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. this Saturday, Sept. 7, Raising Arizona Kids magazine hosts its fifth annual Special Needs Resource Fair at Ability 360 Sports...

Transitions: Helping your child navigate to a new school or on to college

Consider a visit to a foreign country where you don’t know anyone, you don’t speak the same language and you aren’t familiar with the...

Q&A with Arizona’s 2019 Teacher of the Year Kareem Neal

Kareem Neal was a chemical engineering major until late into his junior year at Seton Hall University in New Jersey. Then he attended a...

Detour Company Theatre stages “Shrek,” “Legally Blonde”

The 46 actors have 16 weeks to get ready for their January performances of the Broadway musicals “Shrek” and “Legally Blonde.” In the piano...

PARTY ARTICLES

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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