AngelSense Blog

What started off as a typical Saturday almost ended in tragedy for this Los Angeles special needs family. Last week, Cris and Paul Houghtaling were 20 minutes into their exercise routine at a local gym when they were informed by an employee that Julian, their non-verbal child with autism, was nowhere to be found.

By Lisa Byrom Brown, Customer Care Specialist at AngelSense
School is out, and even summer school is ending soon. In our case that will mean three weeks’ worth of time to fill. Now don’t get me wrong, I love spending time with my eight-year-old twins, but what are we going to do for THREE WHOLE WEEKS??

At times being a special needs parent can feel overwhelming. It takes heart, guts and tears, and there’s often more hard work than me-time. With Mother’s Day just around the corner, it’s the perfect opportunity to celebrate any special needs moms you know. Even the simplest gesture can make a tired mom feel loved and appreciated.

We reached out to the AngelSense community for their funny parenting moments, and they were gracious enough to share 11 stories. But it doesn’t have to end here. We’d love to hear your funny special needs parenting moments. All of us could do with a good, heartfelt laugh. After all as the saying goes: laughter is the best medicine!

Earlier this month marked the second anniversary of the tragic disappearance of Avonte Oquendo, a young autistic teenager, from his school in Queens. After an extensive three month search, his body was found in New York City’s East River. But his story doesn’t end here. Avonte’s face has became a symbol in the autism community.

Kevin and Avonte’s Law, which aims to protect children with special needs from the dangers of wandering, could soon be passed as a law. The bill was approved by the U.S. Senate Committee on the Judiciary on April 14, and will now be voted on in the full Senate. This marks a significant victory for the autism community, and could go a long way to saving thousands of innocent lives in the U.S.

Helping your child with Asperger’s Syndrome transition into adulthood can be challenging. There is so much to consider as you prepare your teen for independent living. While you can’t prepare for every eventuality, by helping your child career plan from an early age you can ensure your child has the necessary skills to make a valuable contribution to the workforce

Families who have children with special needs understand the importance of a daily routine and strong community, medical and educational support services. These families dread the upheavals and enormous stress caused by change, such as the separation from and extended absence of a parent, or moving to a new place, not to mention the stress of dealing with a myriad of taxing paperwork.

A family getaway can be a great way to expose children with special needs to new experiences without overwhelming them. It will also give you an opportunity to bond with your special child away from the stresses of everyday life.