Resources and Community for the special needs parent

One thing that I know well, is resources, and another is finding and growing community. So we're gonna get into that. My therapist, she said, Camille, I'm impressed with you. She said, You are so resourceful, and you have the gift of problem solving. And I said, Wow, I've never thought about that. And so I realized that maybe some people may not know when I'm going to share. So I'm going to just start sharing resources. If you are a parent, and you have a child, and you think there may be some delays, I spoke about this on a previous podcast, but there is something called early intervention. And that is a program that exists all throughout the United States. It's called something different in every state, I know up north where I'm from, it's called Birth to Three. Down here in Texas, it's called something different, but every state has it. And what early intervention is, is a list of it's a place of resources for your child, they can have speech therapy, sometimes occupational therapy, different things to work with them to get them on the level that they should be on developmentally, before there's ever a diagnosis. And many children who receive birth for three services don't even need have a need for a diagnosis after not because of the early intervention, just because they may have never had a disability, they just might have needed someone to work with them along the way. And so you can find out who that is in your area by using Google or 211. Google, and 211 are my favorite resources. Very simple to access to one one, you pick up your phone in the United States and Canada, and you dial 211 It's a UNICEF number, but it is going to put you in touch with someone who can give you the resources you need around your area. So say you're looking for respite, respite care in your area, and you have no idea how to get started, how to find someone that can help you with your child or your adult. You find respite. Respite is relief for the caregiver. So it's a short period of time of rest or release relief for the caregiver. This means say you have a teenager or a 19 or 20 year old, you're not able to leave your child with anyone or your adult with anyone you are their primary caregiver. But you have to go on a trip for work. Now what?