;)
Special Needs Parent Resource Links
Resource links for general information about behavioral health disorders, specific topics related to ADHD, autism, or mental illness, information on medications, and special education resources.
General Information about Behavioral Health Disorders
NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) is my top recommendation for the best all-round source of information about mental illness, plus links to support, education and advocacy affiliates in every state. You will find a wealth of resources on this site.
Another excellent source for a wide variety of behavior health information is
National Mental Health Association, which also has an “Mpower” site for teens and young adults that features popular musicians telling their stories of recovery from mental illness
9. National Alliance for Resarch on Schizophrenia and Depression (NARSAD)
Facts about all major mental illnesses; information on genetic links to childhood disorders.
Other sites with useful information on special topics
1. Anxiety Disorders Association of America
Describes anxiety disorders, treatments, and common co-occurring issues. Links to www.gotanxiety.org, anexcellent ADAA-sponsored website for college students.
2. Autism Society Of America
Facts about autism and latesttreatment options; ASA chapters listed by state.
3. Child & Adolescent Bipolar Foundation
Includes mood charts, on-line
support groups, and databases of
local support groups.
4. Children and Adults with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (CHADD)
5. Foundation for Children with Behavioral Challenges
Information and support groups
for parents dealing with easily
frustrated, inflexible, or explosive
children.
6. Obsessive-Compulsive Foundation
Facts about OCD and links to online webzines and websites produced by and for young adults with OCD.
7. O.A.S.I.S
The Online Asperger Syndrom Information and Support website is probably the most comprehensive listing of Asperger-related information and resources.
8. Tourette Syndrome Association
Information on Tourette Syndrome plus online webzines for children and young adults with TS.
SPECIAL EDUCATION:
The leading bible on Special Education facts and procedures is by lawyer Pete Wright and psychotherapist Pam Wright. Their series of “Wrightslaw” special education books are overly-detailed for many an overwhelmed parent, but still the absolute must-haves if you are heading into a potential conflict with a school system
From Emotions to Advocacy: The Special Education Survival Guide (Harbor House Law Press, Inc., Hartfield, VA 2007. A new edition will probably appear soon.) Available in bookstores everywhere and on the information packed website www.wrightslaw.com.
MEDICATIONS
Speaking of BIBLES, I highly recommend Straight Talk About Medications for Kids by Timothy Wilens MD (The Guilford Press, NY, 2008). In it you will find simple explanations of how psychiatric medications work, list of major medications now in use for children, and guidelines for use. Important technical terms used by doctors are defined in easy-tofollow boxes scattered throughout the text. Tables and medication logs appear in the end chapters. A very good book for browsing. At bookstores, but the best prices I’ve seen lately were at www.amazon.com
(I heard Dr. Wilens speak at the NAMI Piecing It All Together Conference At Southern Illinois University this year. He really packed a room, and the conference was a terrific gathering of parents and professionals.
For up-to-date information on medications, safety tips and other concerns, check out MedLine Plus from the National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health. www.medlineplus.org.
Legal Services
When you need a routine legal service (such as power of attorney or a simple will) Legal Zoom can save you hundreds of dollars. The site has a lot of good information, and the 24-7 telephone support is extremely helpful.
FIND MORE IN THE SPECIAL NEEDS PARENT RESOURCE TEAM UP FOR YOUR CHILD