We want to support and encourage families with children facing unique and sometimes difficult medical diagnoses and illnesses.  The following links and resources have been assembled to help you in your parenting vocation.  We welcome your suggestions of helpful information – please email lisa@catholicmom.com to share your input and ideas.  You are in our prayers!

Featured Links:

• Prenatal Partners for Life – Support information & encouragement for carrying to term with an adverse prenatal diagnosis and support for raising your child with special needs after birth

Links and Resources:

• USCCB Welcome and Justice for Persons with Disabilities
• Pastoral Statement of United States Catholic Bishops on People with Disabilities
• Prenatal Partners for Life
• Daily Miracles Column archives by Mary Ellen Barrett
• Cause of Our Joy Blog by Leticia Velasquez
• Be Not Afraid Outreach for families with a poor prenatal diagnosis

Link Resources from Mary Ellen Barrett:

• Reading and Language Arts:
  • Institute for Multi-Sensory Education
  • Lindamood – Bell
  • Earobics
  • Fast ForWord
  • In A Flash Series (For teaching Down Syndrome children to read)
  • Scaredy Cat reading System
• Sensory Processing Disorder:
  • Sensory Processing Disorder
  • The Sensory Processing Disorder Network
  • Pocketful of Therapy
  • Professional Development Products
  • Southpaw Enterprises
  • Therapro Inc.
  • The Therapy Shop
  • Weighted Vests/Blankets
• Tactile:
  • Brain Gym (Learning through movement)
• Visual:
  • Discovery Channel
  • Brain Pop
  • Inspiration Software
  • Math-U-See
• Autism:
  • American Society of Autism
  • Autism Speaks
• ADHD/ADD:
  • Children and Adults with ADD (CHADD)
• Down Syndrome:
  • Directory of Down Syndrome Resources
• General Developmental Disabilities:
  • Division on Developmental Disabilities
  • The Arc
• Speech:
  • Speech Therapy Activities
  • Straight Talk Speech Therapy Program for Homeschoolers
  • Dynavoxtech (A speech device for the non-verbal)
• Homeschooling and Special Needs:
  • National Challenged Homeschoolers Associated Network
  • Christian Homes and Special Kids

Reader Recommended Links:

• Cause of Our Joy – The wonderful blog of Leticia Velasquez contains a wealth of links, resources and inspiration
• Children of Destiny – This reader-recommended Christian site offers daily scripture and prayer support, inspirational topics and radio shows to support family and friends of persons with Autism.
• Down, Hero Dad and Palin – National Catholic Register article by Leticia Velasquez
• Down, Not Out – National Catholic Register article by Leticia Velasquez on the Legacy of Jerome Lejeune and the Resurgence of Down Syndrome Research
• International Down Syndrome Coalition for Life – Resources for parents, promotes the dignity and respect for ALL life.
• Novena for Autism – Novena to St. Philomena the Wonder Worker for the healing of autistic children and autistic adults and for help for their families, carers and for the professionals who work with them.