Whether you’re just getting started with a new diagnosis or looking for new ways to help your child grow, your child’s village is an important part of their success. This month, we’ll explore some of the places you can find your child’s “people” along with resources to support these relationships.

Family

Your family are the people you trust most to take part in raising and caring for your child. Family means something different for everyone, but they can include parents, grandparents, siblings, step-family, extended family or chosen family.

When a diagnosis is new, you may need to spend time educating family members. Podcasts like Autism 101 and Executive Function 101 can be a great place to start. CFK also has resource guides on different diagnoses and how to-guides that can help with things like hosting inclusive holiday celebrations.

School

Children spend about 20 percent of their lives in school, so a big part of your child’s village will naturally be at school. Depending on your child’s needs, their “school village” may include:

• Teachers 
• Paraprofessionals/Aides 
• Related Services (OT, PT, Speech, etc.) 
• Classmates

When children are younger, parents may spend a lot of time educating and coordinating with teachers and other staff. This can mean getting familiar with the special education process and communicating with teachers. You don’t have to do it alone though – ask if your school has a parent mentor or a special education PTA/PTO.

Building your child’s school village may also mean educating classmates and their parents about your child’s disability. Many families use local libraries to find age-appropriate books and other resources to share in the classroom. If you are part of a preschool PTA/PTO, you can also request someone from Connecting for Kids to talk about inclusion by emailing info@connectingforkids.org.

Community Groups

As your child gets older, they may spend more time in the community. This can mean:

• Participating in community programs and camps 
• Joining clubs, classes or other paid programs 
• Playing on sports teams 
• Getting involved in arts programs like theaters or choirs 
• Being part of a church, temple, mosque or other religious group 
• Volunteering and community service

Levels of inclusion can vary, making it sometimes hard to find and find the right fit. Families can work together with a Family Resource Specialist in an Ask Us 1:1 call to find programs to support their children while helping them grow.

Don’t forget that Connecting for Kids programs are also a great way to connect in the community. We offer inclusive playgroups, Music Therapy & More and many free caregiver programs too!

Disabled Adults

Children with disabilities need positive role models – seeking out disabled adults can help. Some of the ways families connect with others in the community include:

• Looking for diagnosis-specific organizations like Down Syndrome Association of Northeast Ohio, Northeast Ohio Neurodiversity Network, The Epilepsy Association or The Spina Bifida Coalition. 
• Checking out inclusive recreation programs for all ages, like Empower Sports, Rec2Connect or Miracle/Challenger Leagues. 
• Joining inclusive organizations like Best Buddies, GiGi’s Playhouse or I’m Possible Games & Studio 
• Attending adapted or inclusive library programs 
• Checking with your county board of disabilities for programs like Good Life Ambassadors

Whether you’re looking for resources to explain a new diagnosis to family or community programs, we’re here to help. Connect with us through our free Ask Us 1:1 program at a time that’s convenient for you.

Don’t have time for an Ask Us call? Try a quick request! Just tell us a little bit about what you’re looking for and we’ll get to work!