This Black Father Is Making a Difference for Students With Special Needs at School and at Home

There is a unique bond between fathers and sons, especially when they each must navigate an educational system where they are both equally and extremely underrepresented.…

Special and General Education Students Can Coexist and Benefit From Each Other in a Safe Learning Environment

“Ms. Green, did you know that I have autism?” Andrew asked as I discussed our new lesson, “Communicating with Persons with Disabilities.” I was stunned,…

3 Ways Music Educators Can Help Students With Autism Develop Their Emotions

Many children with autism struggle to find the words to express how they feel. But when it comes to music, it’s an entirely different situation.…

Awareness Weeks Are Fine but People With Disabilities Need a Lot More Than That

My son with autism is turning 19 in a couple weeks. In June, he’ll graduate from high school. I took a month-long break from writing…

If I Hadn’t Been in Class the Day We Talked About ‘Rules,’ My Classmates Would Have Some Strange Ideas about Autism

In class a few days ago, we started reading the book “Rules.” The book is about a girl about my age who has a brother…

How I’m Helping My Child With Special Needs Navigate Remote Learning

My children always start school two weeks before everyone else. So after two weeks of e-learning—or what I am calling two-weeks “in the trenches”—I feel…

No, It’s Not OK to Leave My Child Behind, Even in a National Crisis

As a disability advocate and a parent of a child with autism, I’m hearing stories from other parents of children with autism that break my…

My 7-Year-Old Helped Frame Her IEP Goals

Having a child with a disability, and becoming disabled myself, has put me through a boot-camp that prepared me for the war for quality services…

The Moment When You Realize Just How Much You #LoveTeaching

A few years ago I was asked to be a mentor teacher. Not to a new teacher at my school, or even in my district,…

My Daughter Has Autism and She Isn’t Just Learning Black History, She’s Ready to Teach It

Almost everyone in my family is a quick talker and quick answer-er. In fact, we hardly ever have a family discussion where people can complete…