Parent Resources
- ADHD
- Autism
- Behavioral Strategies
- Executive Functioning
- Learning Disabilities
- Mental Health
- Organization/Homework Help/Study Skills
- Transition
- Parent Support Services
- Social Skills
- Special Education
- Events
- Disclaimer
ADHD
Parent's guide to ADHD in children. Child Mind Institute offers ADHD resources to help parents understand behaviors and decide on treatment.
Inside the ADHD Mind. ADHD is a neurological condition that impacts executive function, working memory, impulsivity, focus, distractibility, and emotional health. Here, learn about ADHD symptoms in boys, girls, women, children, and adults. Take tests and learn about treatment options for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, too.
Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (CHADD) is the nation's leading nonprofit organization serving people affected by ADHD.
Chat with experts, connect with parents and get tips on parenting kids with ADHD with reading, writing, math, etc. At a Glance- Help Kids With ADHD Manage Screen Time ... Sign up for weekly emails with helpful resources for you and your family.
Parents and Teacher Resources
An article providing introductory information on ADHD
Autism
In partnership with the autism community, AMC theaters will be presenting "sensory friendly" films for children. Learn about these programs here.
Parents and siblings: www.autismsciencefoundation.org/resources/support-for- Autism
Wandering Awareness Alerts Response and Education(AWAARE)
Reports the latest information on treatment, education, research, and advocacy.
FEAT is a non-profit, volunteer-driven organization of parents, family members, and treatment professionals dedicated to providing best outcomes for education, advocacy and support for the Autism Community.
A website that provides basic information on autism spectrum disorder.
Behavioral Strategies
Teaches children, ages 4-11, how to figure out what they are feeling, why they are having that emotion, and how to make better choices.
Are you looking for that Aha! Moment to transform your child’s behavior, or maybe your own? Whether you’re wondering how to handle a specific challenge, just figuring out your child-raising approach, or ready to tear your hair out, you’ve come to the right place.
Executive Functioning
Learning Disabilities
A guide to literacy development and reading struggles
Dyslexia is a specific learning disability that is neurological in origin. It is characterized by difficulties with accurate and/or fluent word recognition and by poor spelling and decoding abilities. These difficulties typically result from a deficit in the phonological component of language that is often unexpected in relation to other cognitive abilities and the provision of effective classroom instruction.
GetReadytoRead.org is one of the National Centers for Learning Disabilities' family of websites.
LD OnLine offers accurate and up-to-date information about learning disabilities and related issues.
LD Resources is a collection of resources on various aspects of learning disabilities with comments from community members.
Each July, the Center also offers a two-week Summer College Prep Program for graduating high school students and rising seniors at FDU’s Metropolitan Campus. The program introduces students to college-level work and helps them develop the specific skills and academic strategies needed to make a successful transition from high school.
The National Information Center for Children and Youth with Disabilities (NICHCY) is a national information and referral center. NICHCY provides information on disabilities and disability-related issues for families, educators, and other professionals. At the NICHCY website, you can access a list of state agencies, national agencies, toll free numbers, or read definitions and explanations on various disabilities. You can also contact NICHCY by email or a toll free phone number and have your questions answered.
Your central “Hub” of information and products created for the network of Parent Centers serving families of children with disabilities.
The Council for Exceptional Children is a professional association of educators dedicated to advancing the success of children with exceptionalities. We accomplish our mission through advocacy, standards, and professional development.
Mental Health
Tips for Parents and Teachers
Information about youth suicide prevention
A service that provides support and resources to those impacted by suicide
A comprehensive site available for information on alcoholism.
Access resources from NASP's collection of research, podcasts, handouts, articles, and guidance on topics related to students, schools, and the profession of school psychology.
Valuable resources for mental health and addiction services and supports in Union County.
The Mental Health Association in New Jersey strives for mental health for children and adults through advocacy, education, training, and services.
Mental Health America (MHA) – founded in 1909 – is the nation's leading community-based nonprofit dedicated to addressing the needs of those living with mental illness and to promoting the overall mental health of all Americans.
Organization/Homework Help/Study Skills
GetReadytoRead.org is one of the National Center for Learning Disabilities' family of websites
Resources to support your child through homework struggles.
Study tips and homework help for students of all ages.
Khan Academy is a great way for your child to get help with what they’re learning in school or to learn something completely new.
Students can practice and master whatever they're learning. Quizlet provides engaging and customisable activities thanks to contributions from people everywhere.
Brili is the ultimate system to help families with children stay on task and on time every day. Easy setup, guidance, rewards, voice prompts and real-time monitoring: it's got it all.
Take a photo of your homework question and get answers, math solvers, explanations, and videos. Works for Math, Science, History, English, and more.
As an engineer, Damir received substantial math training, but he still frequently had trouble figuring out the best way to explain math concepts and solutions to his son in a way that he would truly understand them.
Trello’s boards, lists, and cards enable you to organize and prioritize your projects in a fun, flexible, and rewarding way.
It's super fast and easy to add your tasks to Remember The Milk with Smart Add. Enter your task's properties in one line, including due date, priority, repeat, tags, and more.
Help your child develop the organization skills he or she needs to better manage time, complete chores, clean up around the house, and excel at school.
Transition
The Planning for Adult Life Program (PFAL) provides free presentations, hands-on workshops (HOW) and resources for school classrooms, parent groups, community or civic groups, and professional organizations. Presentations are approximately 45 minutes long.
The Arc of New Jersey-Workshop sessions on October 2019, April and May 2020
The Family Resource Network’s New Jersey Work Incentives Network Support (NJWINS) program assists Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) beneficiaries to start, continue or increase work efforts while maintaining benefits for as long as they are needed.
Any individual with a physical, mental, cognitive, or other form of disability that has a substantial impediment to employment may qualify for services through the New Jersey Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services
Social Security’s Ticket to Work program supports career development for Social Security disability beneficiaries age 18 through 64 who want to work. The Ticket program is free and voluntary. The Ticket program helps people with disabilities progress toward financial independence.
Parent Support Services
Video available here.
Spanish PDF available here.
Video in Spanish available here.
The mission of The Arc of Union County is to empower and support people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families. This organization will utilize all of its resources to ensure our members, their families, and all people with intellectual and developmental disabilities associated with The Arc of Union County realize a full, productive, and enhanced life.
An article and information on building resilience
Information on trauma and how to support children
Information on the impact of social media
For High School and Middle School Parents:
New Jersey Department of Education: Parental Rights in Special Education Booklet
English version here
Spanish version here
New Jersey Department of Education Administrative Code Title 6A Chapter 14 Special Education, here
Information about special education law, education law, and advocacy for children with disabilities.
GetReadytoRead.org is one of the National Center for Learning Disabilities' family of websites
Special Ed News Publication
Social Skills
Touch Autism began building mobile device applications in 2010 for children with special needs after discovering how incredibly useful this type of technology can be. Some of the many advantages of apps as teaching tools are that they suit visual learners, they allow for non-verbal and non-written responding, they provide immediate and consistent feedback, and are very motivating, because they are just so much fun!
Learn about the social milestones your child should have at different ages and the activities that can help enhance social development.
Apps
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Mystery Games that reinforce and can facilitate cooperative learning
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My Play Home (preschool/kindergarten)
- Toca Boca Apps (Toca Tea Party, Toca Kitchen, Toca Hair Salon)
- Freddi Fish
- Putt-Putt
- Pajama Sam
- Adventure Quest
Games
Many of these games are available through Amazon, Target, Amazing Savings, Walmart and other major retailers.
Cooperative Games (no winner)
- Dragon Dash
- Stone Soup
- Mermaid Island
- Spot it! (cooperative vs competitive)
- I Spy!
- Hoot Owl Hoot!
- Table and Chair Game (cooperative vs competitive)
- Marble Genius (cooperative building game)
- Count Your Chickens!
Competitive Games
- Chutes and Ladders
- Hi Ho Cherry O!
- Candyland
- Zingo
- Top Trumps Games (many categories available)
- Slapzi
- Matching Games- I never forget a face, memory
- Guess Who?
- Monopoly Junior
- Connect Four
- Sneaky Snacky Squirrel
- Trouble
- Don't Break the Ice!
- Ants in the Pants
- Let's Go Fishin'
- Pop up Pirate!
- Hungry Hungry Hippos
- Yeti in My Spaghetti
- Uno Moo
- Lucky Ducks
- Card Games - Go Fish! Uno
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Sorry
Special Education
For High School and Middle School Parents:
New Jersey Department of Education: Parental Rights in Special Education Booklet, English version here, Spanish version here
New Jersey Department of Education Administrative Code Title 6A Chapter 14 Special Education, here
Parents want the best for their children. We do, too. For the first time ever, 15 nonprofit organizations have joined forces to support parents of the one in five children with learning and attention issues throughout their journey.
Events
On February 2, 2020 - Over 30 vendors, hosted by JCC, 1391 Martine Avenue, Scotch Plains, NJ.
Coffee and Conversation presented by the Summit Elementary Counseling Department - February 4th, 9am at Washington Elementary School learning Center. Join the Counselors with child behavior expert, Carrie Spindel Bashoff, PsyD. for a conversation about "Increasing Positive Behaviors in Children".
SEPAC 2019-2020
Summit Public Schools presents a workshop on: The Zones of Regulation, for parents of students in all grades, February 21st, 9am, at the Summit Community Center, 100 Morris Avenue.
Guardianship and Supported Decision Making: Just the Basics, hosted by: CHOICES, location: Watchung Hills Regional High School. This event is FREE but registration is required, Helpdesk@planningforadultlife.org
A ten-week winter acting studio course for adult students with disabilities presented by Paper Mill Playhouse in collaboration with Theatre in Motion, free of charge, registration is required.
Hosted by Union Thunder Youth Hockey, on Saturday, February 29nth. This is a free event for participants and families, prior registration is required.
The Planning for Adult Life Program (PFAL) provides free presentations, hands-on workshops (HOW) and resources for school classrooms, parent groups, community or civic groups, and professional organizations. Presentations are approximately 45 minutes long.
The Arc of New Jersey-Workshop sessions in April and May 2020
In partnership with the autism community, AMC theaters will be presenting "sensory friendly" films for children. Learn about these programs here