Tzvi Schectman
Friendship Circle, Products, Resources 1. 15 Reasons Why Its Hard To Get Along With Special Needs Parents
By Karen Wang
Have you ever wondered why parents of kids with special needs always seem to be so cranky? Special needs parenting is a lifestyle. For many of us, it is not the lifestyle we chose. And even if we did choose to become a special needs family through adoption, there are still plenty of reasons to be cranky – and then joke about it later. Here are 15 possible reasons to explain the mysterious behaviors of some special needs parents.
2. 23 Ways To Communicate With A Non-Verbal Child
By Emma Sterland
“Just because a person can’t speak doesn’t mean they have nothing to say.”
Communication is a basic human need, allowing people to connect with others, make decisions that affect their lives, express feelings and feel part of the community they live in. People with little or no speech still have the same communication needs as the rest of us. We may just have to work a bit harder to find a communication strategy that works. Here are 23 ways you can communicate with a non-verbal child.
3. 12 Computer Programs, Websites And Apps For Making Social Stories
By Tzvi Schectman
For many children with special needs social stories are very helpful for staying on task and ensuring that the child is prepared for future events and activities. Making Social Stories for your child with special needs can be a time consuming task. Here are 12 sites that will help you make effective social stories.
4. 8 Online Stores To Purchase Sensory Friendly Clothing
By Tzvi Schectman
when it comes to clothing children with autism and sensory challenges have many enemies. Clothing tags, exposed elastic bands and itchy socks are just some of the challenges facing children with special needs. As more parents start requesting sensory friendly clothing more stores will start to carry these products. To get you started in the comfortable clothing hunt we found eight stores that sell sensory friendly clothing:
5. 10 Tips for Selecting Toys for Your Speech Delayed Child
By Katie Yeh
As a speech-language pathologist, I am asked what toys I recommend most for children with speech and language delays all the time. Today, I’d like to share my 10 tips for selecting toys for your child with speech/language delays.
6. 21 Great Fidgets For Your Child With Special Needs
By Tzvi Schectman
Fidget toys are great self-regulation tools to help with focus, attention, calming, and active listening. We asked some of our contributing bloggers what widgets they would recommend. The results are some pretty neat fidget toys that will help your child with special needs. Check out all 21 here.
7. S.T.R.E.S.S: The 20 Things I Need to Remember Every Single Second for my Child With Special Needs
By Karen Wang
One definition of stress is “Stuff To Remember Every Single Second.” That’s an accurate summary of the caregiver lifestyle, so I jotted down some thoughts racing through my mind that were just too important to forget.
8. 10 Sensory Chew Toys For Children With Autism & Other Special Needs
By Tzvi Schectman
Many individuals with special needs feel a need to chew on anything that crosses their path. Here are 10 safe chew toys that will calm your child with autism and other special needs.
9. 19 Toys & Apps that can help develop Language and Social Skills in Children with Autism
By Penina Rybak
Children with Autism and special needs in particular, respond well to structured, repeated, developmentally appropriate “teachable moments”.. If done right, integrating toys & tech can help facilitate cognition and self regulation. Here is my list of toys and how it can benefit a child with autism.
10. Ten Comments You May Hear at IEP Meetings and How You Should Respond
By Marion Walsh
With the start of the New Year, families and special educators start thinking about IEP Meetings. While most school district personnel are caring individuals with knowledge of the law, some may misunderstand IDEIA obligations or simply be too overwhelmed to address your child’s needs. Here are 10 comments that school district personnel will frequently say, in frustration or ignorance. And here is how you can answer:
The Top 10 Special Needs Blog Posts of 2013
As 2013 draws to a close we took a look back at year that was. The Friendship Circle Resource blog was started in 2010 with the goal of providing resources and support to special needs families in Michigan. In the last three years the blog has grown into an international community of parents,special educators and individuals with special needs. 2013 was a year of huge growth for the Special Needs Resource Blog. Here are some of the numbers:- 1.3 Million Unique Visitors
- Over 2,000 comments
- 247 Blog Posts
- Readers from 221 Countries
- Over 20 Contributors
1. 15 Reasons Why Its Hard To Get Along With Special Needs Parents
By Karen Wang
Have you ever wondered why parents of kids with special needs always seem to be so cranky? Special needs parenting is a lifestyle. For many of us, it is not the lifestyle we chose. And even if we did choose to become a special needs family through adoption, there are still plenty of reasons to be cranky – and then joke about it later. Here are 15 possible reasons to explain the mysterious behaviors of some special needs parents.
2. 23 Ways To Communicate With A Non-Verbal Child
By Emma Sterland
“Just because a person can’t speak doesn’t mean they have nothing to say.”
Communication is a basic human need, allowing people to connect with others, make decisions that affect their lives, express feelings and feel part of the community they live in. People with little or no speech still have the same communication needs as the rest of us. We may just have to work a bit harder to find a communication strategy that works. Here are 23 ways you can communicate with a non-verbal child.
3. 12 Computer Programs, Websites And Apps For Making Social Stories
By Tzvi Schectman
For many children with special needs social stories are very helpful for staying on task and ensuring that the child is prepared for future events and activities. Making Social Stories for your child with special needs can be a time consuming task. Here are 12 sites that will help you make effective social stories.
4. 8 Online Stores To Purchase Sensory Friendly Clothing
By Tzvi Schectman
when it comes to clothing children with autism and sensory challenges have many enemies. Clothing tags, exposed elastic bands and itchy socks are just some of the challenges facing children with special needs. As more parents start requesting sensory friendly clothing more stores will start to carry these products. To get you started in the comfortable clothing hunt we found eight stores that sell sensory friendly clothing:
5. 10 Tips for Selecting Toys for Your Speech Delayed Child
By Katie Yeh
As a speech-language pathologist, I am asked what toys I recommend most for children with speech and language delays all the time. Today, I’d like to share my 10 tips for selecting toys for your child with speech/language delays.
6. 21 Great Fidgets For Your Child With Special Needs
By Tzvi Schectman
Fidget toys are great self-regulation tools to help with focus, attention, calming, and active listening. We asked some of our contributing bloggers what widgets they would recommend. The results are some pretty neat fidget toys that will help your child with special needs. Check out all 21 here.
7. S.T.R.E.S.S: The 20 Things I Need to Remember Every Single Second for my Child With Special Needs
By Karen Wang
One definition of stress is “Stuff To Remember Every Single Second.” That’s an accurate summary of the caregiver lifestyle, so I jotted down some thoughts racing through my mind that were just too important to forget.
8. 10 Sensory Chew Toys For Children With Autism & Other Special Needs
By Tzvi Schectman
Many individuals with special needs feel a need to chew on anything that crosses their path. Here are 10 safe chew toys that will calm your child with autism and other special needs.
9. 19 Toys & Apps that can help develop Language and Social Skills in Children with Autism
By Penina Rybak
Children with Autism and special needs in particular, respond well to structured, repeated, developmentally appropriate “teachable moments”.. If done right, integrating toys & tech can help facilitate cognition and self regulation. Here is my list of toys and how it can benefit a child with autism.
10. Ten Comments You May Hear at IEP Meetings and How You Should Respond
By Marion Walsh
With the start of the New Year, families and special educators start thinking about IEP Meetings. While most school district personnel are caring individuals with knowledge of the law, some may misunderstand IDEIA obligations or simply be too overwhelmed to address your child’s needs. Here are 10 comments that school district personnel will frequently say, in frustration or ignorance. And here is how you can answer: 
