By Karen Kaplan, MS As we grow up, we learn so much through observation, paying attention, listening, and watching our parents, teachers, and friends, who help us manage our daily lives. Today, I wondered how those with exceptional needs, who have attention differences, cognitive differences, or different social awareness, learn what many of us learn so easily. I urge you, parents, to ensure your child acquires these skills. You will need to help them develop observation, att

By Karen Kaplan, MS Dear Parents of Special Needs Learners, In this time of much upheaval and uncertainty regarding the education of your child, perhaps some of these tips will uplift and help you have hope and see possibilities of what you can do to continue their education: Connect with others on a similar journey for understanding, connection, and help. Learn everything you can about your individual’s rights and be their positive voice. Remember, you can also become the te

By Nithish Sugumar The Hidden Barriers in “Printable PDFs” “Just print it out and hand it to the students.” That simple instruction has been part of classroom life for years. Teachers often rely on PDF worksheets because they are easy to share, preserve formatting, and work across different devices. Yet beneath that convenience lies a challenge many do not see. Most printable PDFs are not accessible to every learner. In many classrooms, these worksheets include images withou

By Chisom Pascaline Becoming a first-time Mom, I often look back and wish I had understood so much more about autism before the...

By Karen Kaplan, MS Our lives are often described as books with many chapters. Each chapter is believed to explore a different phase or...

"Inclusion isn’t just a policy—it’s a promise of belonging." As families prepare for the new school year—checking supply lists,...

By Karen Kaplan, BS Today, I observed a young boy, perhaps 10 years old, holding a vehicle license plate in one hand as he entered the...

By Karen Kaplan, MS It is summertime, and school is out for some children with special needs, so parents might worry that skills could be...

By Karen Kaplan, MS Some parents wonder why their child with additional needs has not qualified for extended school year (ESY). They fear...

By Karen Kaplan, MS, The Oxford dictionary defines goodbye as expressing good wishes when leaving a place after having a conversation...

By Priya Pasumarthy   A student profile is an outline that summarizes the student’s overall progress, academic growth, strengths,...

By Karen Kaplan On my usual walk today, I saw an ice cream truck with the quote “Different Makes Every Difference” on its side panel. The...

By Pollethe Ramirez When a child is diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), families are often left swimming in a sea of emotions,...

By Karen Kaplan Today, I heard someone say, "Choose to live in the possible." I smiled and reflected. I remembered Dr. Robert Schuller,...

By Karen Kaplan Parents and professionals are greatly concerned about the prevailing belief that the Federal Department of Education is...

By Karen Kaplan   Life is like assembling various pieces and connecting them to create positive lives.   So, we must teach our children...

By Karen Kaplan, MS Everyone becomes overwhelmed at some time. Frequently, we may be over-scheduled in our daily life. Frequently, we may...

By Karen Kaplan, MS Have you ever noticed the signs that pop up on telephone poles, parking signs, or stop signs in your neighborhood?...

By Karen Kaplan, MS Dear Parents, I have met many of you who second-guess yourselves, thinking that you need a specialist credential or...

By Karen Kaplan, MS I came across a reel today with soothing music and the title, “Put Yourself in Time-Out.”  As someone who suggests...