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.

The most autism-friendly town in Canada

The most autism-friendly town in Canada

How two women transformed their tiny Newfoundland community from a zero-resources town to the best place in the country to raise kids with autism.

Valerie Howes

Today’s Parent launches first autism eBook for Canadian parents

Today’s Parent launches first autism eBook for Canadian parents

“My hope is that this eBook can offer families a glimpse into what their child’s future might look like. And, more important, what they can do to prepare for it.”

Today's Parent

Sorry, not sorry—this Down syndrome campaign is the sh*t

Sorry, not sorry—this Down syndrome campaign is the sh*t

The Canadian Down Syndrome Society is taking sorry out of your vocabulary with a follow-up message from last year's #AnythingButSorry campaign.

Adriana Parente

This is the sweetest Carpool Karaoke video ever

This is the sweetest Carpool Karaoke video ever

Thanks to 50 moms, 50 kids and 1 extra chromosome, this Carpool Karaoke is one of the best things you'll see on the internet

Kevin John Siazon

How to advocate for a child with an invisible illness

How to advocate for a child with an invisible illness

When a child has a physical, mental or neurological condition that’s not visible to observers, getting a medical diagnosis can take some parental pushing.

Paula Fitzgibbons

What Oprah knows for sure about adverse childhood experiences

What Oprah knows for sure about adverse childhood experiences

The evidence is piling up: we need a drastically different approach to parenting, teaching and healthcare for kids who've experienced trauma.

Arlene Karidis

The Difficult Decision to Medicate ADHD or Not

The Difficult Decision to Medicate ADHD or Not

As big decisions go, how to treat a child diagnosed with ADHD is an exceptionally hard one. And many parents agonize over whether to medicate or not.

Leah McLaren

What life is like for kids with rare genetic conditions

What life is like for kids with rare genetic conditions

The intimate photos in An Ordinary Day share an inside look into the daily triumphs and challenges of kids with rare genetic conditions.

Jennifer Chen

10 things NOT to say to the parent of a child with ADHD

10 things NOT to say to the parent of a child with ADHD

When your kid has attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, you hear a lot of unsolicited comments and advice. Please give us parents a little credit!

Julie McCann

They gave this kid his dream shot, but he deserves a real one

They gave this kid his dream shot, but he deserves a real one

Why is full participation in school sports still treated as a privilege and not a right for kids with disabilities?

Valerie Howes

12 travel destinations that kids with autism will love

12 travel destinations that kids with autism will love

These airports, attractions, cruises, resorts and destinations go the extra mile for kids with autism and other special needs.

Lisa Kadane

Why the new Gerber Baby is step in the right direction—but just a small one

Why the new Gerber Baby is step in the right direction—but just a small one

Little Lucas Warren’s win is a heartening moment for people living with disabilities. But it’s also a reminder that we’ve got a diversity-casting problem.

Katie Underwood, Chatelaine

Early research shows promise for new autism drug

Early research shows promise for new autism drug

Researchers are hopeful about a medication under development to treat symptoms of autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

Arlene Karidis

8 ways to help your kid with autism prepare for a vacation

8 ways to help your kid with autism prepare for a vacation

Travelling with a child on the spectrum can be daunting, but a little extra preparation will make things go smoother for the whole family.

Joel Yanofsky

Comic jokes about replacing “R-word” in new sketch—and it’s awful

Comic jokes about replacing “R-word” in new sketch—and it’s awful

Comedian Tom Segura's Netflix special, "Disgraceful," provokes anger from families with children who have Down syndrome and bullying retaliation by fans.

Krizia Ramos

This toddler and tween show the power of song in viral video

This toddler and tween show the power of song in viral video

Every word this two-year-old can speak, he learned through singing.

Rob Jowett

7 times these TV moms nailed parenting

7 times these TV moms nailed parenting

These TV mothers have exceptional kids and exceptional parenting styles to match. Here are some of our fave small-screen mom moments.

Valerie Howes

How to help your non-verbal child communicate

How to help your non-verbal child communicate

When speech doesn’t come easily, your nonverbal child can use other high- and low-tech tools and strategies to get their message across.

Arlene Karidis

10 things NOT to say to the parents of a kid with autism

10 things NOT to say to the parents of a kid with autism

It’s not always easy to know what to say when someone mentions their kid has ASD—these pointers will help keep your autism talk on track.

Joel Yanofsky

I never imagined a second pregnancy would be this hard

I never imagined a second pregnancy would be this hard

My doctor told me not to lift my 6-year-old with cerebral palsy during my second pregnancy, but this put a gap between us that I worried wouldn't go away.

Anchel Krishna