Autumn and Winter months can be especially stressful for children with special needs who are transitioning to new school programs, and dealing with changes in their schedules and activities, clothing issues, or coping with weather and holiday events

Children with disabilities who do not have opportunities for academics and inclusion during their school day are often taught at home and included in neighborhood events and community programs

Children with disabilities belong in school music programs, and should be allowed to express themselves by playing instruments, writing and singing songs.

Preteens and adolescents with autism spectrum disorders need information about puberty and adolescence, including training in privacy, while experiencing the same mixed messages from media that confuse and mislead their mainstream peers

Supporting children with special needs in mainstream physical education classes by introducing adaptive P.E. strategies creates better opportunities for mainstream students and builds life long habits for recreation and enjoyable fitness activities.

Down Syndrome Buddy Walks throughout the country have been raising awareness about Down syndrome for more than fifteen years. Most occur in September or National Down Syndrome Awareness month in October. The New York City event includes a Times Square video featuring individuals with Down syndrome.

Parents who homeschool their children with special needs report improvements in academic gains, independence and interdependence, as well as improved socialization, self discipline and greater self confidence.

In 2006, Bill Maher helped popularize using derogatory references to individuals with 'an extra chromosome'. Families of children with Down syndrome speak out about why they are concerned about the effect on their children's opportunities and safety.

Children's health issues five and ten years past 9/11 should be important stories in coverage of the loss of the World Trade Center towers and other terrible events of that day and those that followed

One year after hurricane Katrina devastated the Gulf Coast, disability advocacy organizations for children, families and individuals are more aware, still working to help those affected and to prepare all communities