Parenting & Children with Special Needs

Parenting requires the very best in us—especially when we are feeling at our worst or are facing challenging situations. We're here to help! Our parenting list offers support, guidance, and accessible tools from psychologists, educators, mindfulness teachers, coaches, and other parents.

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Author Videos

Helping the world by helping our STEM Kids: Dr. Katharine Beals at TEDxEnola

Find out more about Katharine Beals here.

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Featured Author

Susan Senator is the mother of three boys, the oldest of whom has autism. She is the author of Making Peace with Autism, a memoir of her family’s struggles and triumphs. Her writing on autism has appeared in the New York Times, the Washington Post, and the Boston Globe. She has been featured on the Today Show, CNN, MSNBC, Voice of America, and NPR.

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Quote

A Frivolous, Whimsical Thing

As Ned noticed the change in me, we talked about it. We didn’t consciously admit that we were passing out of a stage of mourning; we may not even have realized it at the time. We only felt a kind of lightness, a sense that it was OK to do a frivolous, whimsical thing like our planned celebration. Even though we knew it was unusual to renew vows on a ninth anniversary, rather than some round or greater number of years, we both understood that this particular anniversary marked something momentous for us: survival of our son’s diagnosis of autism.

—Susan Senator, Making Peace with Autism: One Family's Story of Struggle, Discovery, and Unexpected Gifts, page 143

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Practice

Turn Up the Real World Happiness

Redirecting attention to something else of personal interest is the top strategy for children and adults alike to resist urges to check e-mail, text right back, turn on the TV, or click on your browser—urges you may be feeling right this minute.

With such compelling modern-day marshmallows, we’ve got to have goals and interests with strong personal meaning so we can stand up to attention snatchers. For example, your dedication as a parent is stronger than your urge for a digital fix right now, and that’s what keeps you reading this book.

Does your child’s current go-to activity involve a screen? Ask her to write down or draw three things that make her feel happy and successful and don’t require a screen. Then, instead of arguing when it’s time for a nonscreen activity, find that list.

—Lucy Jo Palladino, PhD, Parenting in the Age of Attention Snatchers: A Step-by-Step Guide to Balancing Your Child's Use of Technology, pages 107–108

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Online Courses

Sitting Still Like a Frog

Sitting Still Like a Frog

Kids take to mindful awareness naturally, even enthusiastically, as soon as they see how it works. If you’re a parent, teacher, therapist—or anyone who works with kids—this online course will give you the skills you need to introduce the youngsters in your world to mindfulness and its many benefits. Best-selling Shambhala Publications author and mindfulness trainer Eline Snel offers simple, playful ways to introduce kids to the basics.

Taught By: Eline Snel

Articles

The Monster Parade Educator’s Guide

The Monster Parade Educator’s Guide

Free Companion Guide Download Download this companion guide for questions to ask while reading The Monster Parade and several post reading activities that can be done at home or in the classroom. I...

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Bodhi Sees the World: Thailand Companion Guide

Bodhi Sees the World: Thailand Companion Guide

Free Companion Guide Download Download this companion guide for questions to ask while reading Bodhi Sees the World: Thailand and several post reading activities that can be done at home or in the ...

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Coloring Page | Free Download from Bodhi Sees the World: Thailand

Coloring Page | Free Download from Bodhi Sees the World: Thailand

Download a Coloring Page Color along with Bodhi Sees the World: Thailand! Download a coloring page inspired by Marisa Aragón Ware’s illustrations. The coloring page is available for downlo...

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3 Mindfulness Exercises to Help Parents Manage the Lack of Control

3 Mindfulness Exercises to Help Parents Manage the Lack of Control

Here are three exercises to help establish a light touch for setting goals with the children in your life. ...

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