Author: Brittany Long

Planning for our children’s future is part of parenting, but when your child has a disability, there are often a few more tasks (and worries) on that already full to-do list. When your days are packed with managing care, appointments, and never ending paperwork, it’s completely understandable to push aside those big questions like: How …

Late sunsets, hot weather, disrupted routines, travel plans, and sensory overload — summer has a way of shaking things up. For kids who already face challenges with sleep or eating, it can be even harder. From insomnia and sleep apnea and from picky eating to struggles with variety and nutrition, this season can quickly become …

Summer is in full swing, and if you’re parenting a child with a disability, you know that “summer fun” often comes with a whole lot of planning, prep, and pivoting. While many kids count down the days to backyard parties and fourth of July fireworks, those same summer highlights can be overwhelming for our kiddos. …

If you’re raising a child with cerebral palsy, epilepsy, or Down syndrome, you’re probably already living a reality many people wouldn’t understand: navigating therapy schedules, medical appointments (like EEGs!), and medication; advocating for inclusion and accommodations at IEP meetings; overcoming stigma, stereotypes, and misconceptions (even from providers?!); juggling overlapping needs like support with mobility, communication, …

Summer’s calling, and so is the chance to get away, unwind, and make some unforgettable memories with our kids. Whether you’re dreaming of the perfect road trip, accessible beach or hiking trail, or just hoping to find an accessible theme park where your child can explore (and ride that roller coaster!) comfortably, we get it: …

Dear new parent, You may not be new to parenting, but if your child has just been diagnosed with a disability or developmental delay, you are likely new to disability parenting (what some call being a “special needs parent”) — a phrase that, as you’ll find with so many words, doesn’t come close to describing …

If you’ve ever typed “child care options for kids with disabilities” into Google and immediately felt overwhelmed, we get it. Child care isn’t one-size-fits-all, especially when your child has unique support needs. For some families, it looks like finding a caregiver who just gets it, whether through a friend or agency, or a respite provider. …

If you’ve ever found yourself squinting at IHSS paperwork and thinking, “Is this written in another language?”— you’re not alone. Between the forms, the rules, and all the secondhand advice from “a friend of a friend,” it’s easy to feel lost before you even begin. And let’s not even get started on the common myths …

As the school year wraps up and summer vacation looms, we know it’s easy for parents to feel like they’re juggling a million things, especially when it comes to your child’s IEP. Is the clock ticking down and you’re stressing about getting that IEP signed before the final bell rings? Or maybe your child’s big …

Let’s be real — coordinating your child’s medical care and supports can feel like a full-time job. First steps, birthdays, graduations… and then suddenly you’re enrolling in Medi-Cal waivers, trying to find new doctors for your young adult, and wait — why can’t I see my child’s medical info anymore?! And let’s not forget the …