Helpful Links

The Arc Maryland- http://www.thearcmd.org/ The Arc Maryland, part of a national network (The Arc US),  provides services and supports to people with I/DD and their family members, including individual and public policy advocacy, residential, educational, and vocational services, employment, family supports and early intervention that promote people with I/DD to participate and be included in their communities. The Arc works with all ages and over100 different diagnoses including intellectual disabilities, autism, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, fetal alcohol syndrome, Fragile X syndrome, and other developmental disabilities. 

Catholic Coalition for Special Education- http://www.ccse-maryland.org/ The Catholic Coalition for Special Education (CCSE) is an organization that supports the creation and expansion of special education instruction and programs in Catholic Schools in Washington, D.C. and Maryland. It also provides support to parents on the journey of raising a child with a disability.

Child Mind Institute- https://childmind.org/ The Child Mind Institute is dedicated to transforming the lives of children and families struggling with mental health and learning disorders by giving them the help they need. They provide evidence-based care, offer educational resources, train educators , and develop treatments. They offer quality online resources and telehealth support. 

Guiding Exceptional Parents- https://guidingexceptionalparents.com/ A local PG County resident, Dr. Sarah Wayland, founder and owner, has been deeply involved with disability support organizations in both a professional capacity and as a parent. Dr. Wayland supports parents in three unique ways: 

• Neurodivergent Care Navigation ~ Helping parents figure out what supports to put in place and helping them navigate medical, educational, and community-based systems to access those supports; 

• Relationship Development Intervention (RDI) ~ Coaching parents of kids with social communication challenges and autism to teach their kids the skills that make relationships (and life!) work; and 

• Parent Coaching ~ Working with parents to brainstorm challenging situations and behavioral issues so they can put effective supports in place and teach their kids essential skills.

Harvard University's Center on the Developing Child- https://developingchild.harvard.edu/ The Harvard Center on the Developing Child has a fantastic resource library on a wide variety of subjects including but not limited to: stress, brain building through play, racism and the developing child, motivation, resilience, executive function, and more. 

Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)- https://sites.ed.gov/idea/ The U.S. Department of Education's Individuals with Disabilities Act is a law that makes available a free appropriate public education (FAPE) to eligible children with disabilities throughout the nation and ensures special education and related services to those children. Have a question about the law and how it relates to private schools? You can find your answers here. 

The Parents' Place of Maryland- https://www.ppmd.org/ The PPMD began as a grass-roots effort of families, professionals, and community leaders determined to provide resources, support, and information to parents of children with disabilities and special health care needs. Today, the Parents’ Place offers a variety of programs and services that continue to support families of children with disabilities and special health care needs. Their mission is to empower families as advocates and partners in improving education and health outcomes for children with disabilities and special healthcare needs.

St. Joseph's House- https://www.stjosephshousemd.org/ St. Joseph's House is a licensed family daycare located in Hyattsville serving school-aged youth with intellectual and developmental disabilities (ages 5-21) and their families. They offer day care, summer camps, and respite. 

St. Margaret of Castello- https://www.littlemargaret.org/little-margaret/ The history of this group's patron saint. 

Wrightslaw Conference- https://www.wrightslaw.com/blog/events/category/conference/ Special education law and advocacy group. Offers conferences through the year virtually and in-person.