National Special Education Support Groups

Approximately ten percent of students are identified as students in need of special education. With the reauthorization of Individuals with Disabilities Educational Act (IDEA) in 1991, along with recents amendments, efforts to provide a free and appropriate public education (FAPE) have increased. However, families are in need of support and teachers continually desire to provide more effective services. Thus, there are a number of national support groups to turned to.

American Brain Tumor Association. Web: www.abta.org/ The ABTA is the recognized resource for comprehensive information and compassionate support for the brain tumor patients, families and caregivers who are living with this disease.

American Council of the Blind. Web: www.acb.org ACB provides resources and has an email discussion board.

American Society for Deaf Children. Web: www.deafchildren.org This group believes that parents have the right and responsibility to be primary decision-makers and advocates. For this role, parents need education, access to information, and support.

ARC. Web: www.thearc.org The Arc is devoted to promoting and improving supports and services for all people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Asperger Syndrome Education Network. Website www.aspennj.org This network offers support to asperger syndrome individuals and their families in knowing that they are not alone, and in helping individuals with ASD's and NLD achieve their maximum potential.

Brain Injury Association of America. Web: http://www.biausa.org BIAA provides information, education and support to assist the 3.17 million Americans currently living with traumatic brain injury and their families.

Epilepsy Foundation. Web: www.efa.org The Epilepsy Foundation of America� is the national voluntary agency dedicated solely to the welfare of the almost 3 million people with epilepsy in the U.S. and their families.

Families for Early Autism Treatment. Web: www.feat.org The FEAT website makes information available about FEAT, its goals, organization, how FEAT can help families and individuals directly, as well as to provide information about other helpful resources.

International Dyslexia Association. Web: www.interdys.org The International Dyslexia Association (IDA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping individuals with dyslexia, their families and the communities that support them.

Muscular Dystrophy Association. Web: www.mdausa.org MDA is the nonprofit health agency dedicated to curing muscular dystrophy, ALS and related diseases by funding worldwide research.

National Association of the Deaf. Web: www.nad.org The NAD is the nation's premier civil rights organization of, by and for deaf and hard of hearing individuals in the United States of America.

National Center for Learning Disabilities. Web: www.ncld.org Our mission is to ensure that the nation's 15 million children, adolescents, and adults with learning disabilities have every opportunity to succeed in school, work, and life.

National Down Syndrome Society. Web: www.ndss.org The mission of the National Down Syndrome Society is to be the national advocate for the value, acceptance and inclusion of people with Down syndrome.

National Family Association for Deaf-Blind. Web: WWW.NFADB.ORG NFADB believes that individuals who are deaf-blind are valued members of society and are entitled to the same opportunities and choices as other members of their community.

National Reye's Syndrome Foundation. Web: www.reyessyndrome.org The Foundation is committed to the health and well-being of those who are most at risk.

Tourette Syndrome Association. Web: http://tsa-usa.org TSA provides essential TS information to educators and families to optimize teaching and learning, and tries to end stigma and promote acceptance regarding TS in school settings.

Whether your child or student has a physical, neurological, medical or some other type of disability, you needn't feel alone in trying to figure out what will help your child/student the most. National support groups understand the concerns and want to be a resource for you.

More Information On Special Education Support Groups

ADD and ADHD Support Groups
Autism Support Groups
Brain Injury Support Groups
Cerebral Palsy Support Groups
  1. Disability Information for Students
  2. Federation for Children with Special Needs
  3. Independent Panel for Special Education Advice (IPSEA)
  4. Parents Helping Parents
  5. DevelopmentalDisaility.org