Family

Special needs

Are you raising a child with special needs? We're here to help with personal stories, expert advice, the latest research, and tips on how to support your child.

Adapting outdoor activities for kids with special needs

Adapting outdoor activities for kids with special needs

Anchel Krishna wants to be more bold in adapting outdoors activities for her daughter with special needs.

Anchel Krishna

10 truths about parenting a child with special needs

10 truths about parenting a child with special needs

Sleepless nights, insurance policies, overscheduling—here are 10 truths about special needs parenting.

Anchel Krishna

An open letter to my daughter's therapist

An open letter to my daughter's therapist

Anchel Krishna bids an emotional farewell to the woman who worked as her four-year-old daughter's therapist.

Anchel Krishna

10 tips for helping children with autism

10 tips for helping children with autism

Here are ten meaningful ways you can make a difference for someone living with autism.

Martha Herbert with Karen Weintraub

Our autism story: The tough decision we made

Our autism story: The tough decision we made

The LaBarbera hockey couple made the hard choice to live apart to help their son with autism get the best possible care.

Kodette LaBarbera

Autism awareness: How one mom became an advocate

Autism awareness: How one mom became an advocate

Anchel Krishna talks with Brianne Buckman-Kalechstein about becoming an advocate for autism acceptance after her son was diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome.

Anchel Krishna

Ontario girl with cerebral palsy turned away from play centre

Ontario girl with cerebral palsy turned away from play centre

Anchel Krishna responds to a recent story about a Guelph, Ont. girl who was denied full access to an indoor playground because she required special equipment for her cerebral palsy.

Anchel Krishna

Special-needs parenting: I worry my daughter will die

Special-needs parenting: I worry my daughter will die

Sometimes the dark thoughts creep in and Anchel Krishna can't shake the fear that her four-year-old daughter will die.

Anchel Krishna

Parapan Am Games: Why this year's event is so extraordinary

Parapan Am Games: Why this year's event is so extraordinary

The Parapan Am Games have been equally promoted alongside the Pan Am Games, and Anchel Krishna couldn't be more impressed with the results.

Anchel Krishna

Special needs: When your child asks about their disability

Special needs: When your child asks about their disability

Anchel Krishna knew the day would come when her daughter would ask about her disability—she just didn't expect it to happen so soon.

Anchel Krishna

When disabilities disappear: Having a normal conversation

When disabilities disappear: Having a normal conversation

After a chance encounter, Anchel Krishna discovers what it’s like when someone doesn’t see your child’s disability.

Anchel Krishna

Special-needs parenting: Don't put me on a pedestal!

Special-needs parenting: Don't put me on a pedestal!

As mom to a child with special needs, Anchel Krishna doesn't think her world is any different from parents who have typically developing kids.

Anchel Krishna

To the Minister of Finance: $3M for special-needs services, please

To the Minister of Finance: $3M for special-needs services, please

Anchel Krishna spoke to the Ontario Minister of Finance about inclusive recreation, psychology services and social work for special-needs families.

Anchel Krishna

Controversy: Mom gives up baby with Down syndrome

Controversy: Mom gives up baby with Down syndrome

Anchel Krishna explains why we shouldn't be so quick to judge the Armenian mom who chose to give up her son who has Down syndrome.

Anchel Krishna

Summer camp: Finding the right fit for your child with special needs

Summer camp: Finding the right fit for your child with special needs

Registering for summer camp is stressful, especially for those parents who seek additional accommodations for their child with special needs.

Anchel Krishna

The importance of connecting with old friends

The importance of connecting with old friends

Anchel reflects on how her pre-baby group of friends helps her re-energize and connect with who she is.

Anchel Krishna

Special-needs parenting: Everyday emotional triggers

Special-needs parenting: Everyday emotional triggers

Anchel Krishna discusses the tricky, recurring moments of grief she deals with as a parent of a little girl with special needs.

Anchel Krishna

Theatre denies accommodation request for person with special needs

Theatre denies accommodation request for person with special needs

A man with cerebral palsy was denied a simple accommodation request for a bigger popcorn bag at a movie theatre. Anchel Krishna wonders what this could mean for her daughter.

Anchel Krishna

#DifferentIsBeautiful: The special-needs calendar everyone should see

#DifferentIsBeautiful: The special-needs calendar everyone should see

In a guest blog post, Tara McCallan explains the importance of celebrating what makes us all different.

Tara McCallan

Special needs parenting: How I found inspiration in others

Special needs parenting: How I found inspiration in others

One inspired mom considers how her special-needs daughter will participate in cultural programs in the future.

Anchel Krishna