Special Education Family Resources

Visit the Special Education Family Support website for an assortment of resources, including visuals, strategies, training videos, community supports, and programming information.

"Like" us on Facebook, where we post events, resources, and celebrations.

Supplemental Special Education Services (SSES): $1,500 (single award) grants are available for eligible students served by special education. Funds can be used to obtain educational materials and resources and/or additional therapy/services.

The SSES program has been extended through the 2023-2024 school year due to the passing of Senate Bill 1716. Currently, there is not a deadline to apply for an SSES account. However, you are encouraged to apply quickly as this is a first come, first serve grant.

For additional information, please click here.

To access the application, please click here.

Siblings (ages 8+) of students with disabilities are invited to join us on Thursday, December 14th from 5:30pm - 7:00pm!

RSVP is required; additional information and registration can be found here.

If this is your child's first Sibshop, please complete the registration form linked here. Also, the parent survey linked here. If you have any questions, please contact Kimberly Goushey: gousheyk@friscoisd.org

The Parent Sanctuary is NOW OPEN... come check out our fresh new space!

It is filled with the familiar items you love, along with hundreds of new items!

The Parent Sanctuary is located at the Early Childhood School (10330 Red Cedar Drive Frisco, TX 75033). Parent Trainers are available on Fridays from 9am-2pm. You will need a valid physical ID to gain entry to the school. Once inside, let the staff know you're there to visit the Parent Sanctuary.

We can't wait to welcome you in!

Please note- we are only open when students are in school. The Parent Sanctuary will be closed December 22nd through January 9th. Come see us on Friday, January 12th!

AAC & SANTA: Cabela's in Ft. Worth has an AAC Board available for Santa visits upon request!

MIRACLE LEAGUE ADAPTED SPORTS LEAGUES: Miracle League of Frisco is a wonderful resource for our community that was created to ensure that everyone has a chance to PLAY! They offer several different sports with varying supports. Registration is currently open for basketball & bowling. You can find more information here. They are also gauging interest in adapted cheer! If your child would like to participate, please complete this interest form.

FREE WEBINARS: ADDitude is hosting "Cognitive Disengagement Syndrome: A Distinct Kind of Inattention" on December 5th at 12pm and "The Holiday Blues: Put Your Mental Health First this Holiday Season" on December 12th at 12pm.

PARTNERS RESOURCE WEBINARS: Partners Resource Network's PATH Project is 1 of 4 federally funded Parent Training & Information Centers. They are hosting a variety of helpful webinars this month!

• December 6th: How Sensory Issues Affect Children in School
• December 14th: Virtual Youth Hangout
• December 19th: Do I Need Guardianship?

REGION 10 WEBINAR: Join Region 10 & SpedTex on December 6th at 12pm to review the Texas Transition and Employment Guide. This guide outlines steps that students and families can take to begin working toward postsecondary goals for employment, education, and independent living. Registration is free, but required.

ACE HOLIDAY BOARD GAME NIGHT: Adaptive Community Experience (ACE) invites you to a Holiday Board Game Night at Starbucks! ACE's inclusive and engaging events provide opportunities for individuals with special needs to connect with peers, develop social skills, and experience the joy of board games. Hosted from 5pm to 7pm on December 9th in Plano. This event is free; registration is required. Ages 16+.

ESPECIALLY NEEDED'S SPECIAL TIME WITH SANTA: Visit Santa in an environment created especially for children with special needs. This event will be held Saturday, December 9th from 2pm - 5pm at Christ Fellowship in McKinney (2801 Orchid Dr, McKinney, TX 75072). RSVP is required.

DINOSAURS QUIET: Visit Heard Natural Science Museum & Wildlife Sanctuary during our Dinosaurs Quiet events, which will offer a sensory-friendly experience along our Dinosaurs Live! exhibit trail. The dinosaurs of this exhibit usually move and roar; however, Dinosaurs Quiet offers a calmer environment without sounds or movement. The Heard will offer Dinosaurs Quiet on the second Saturday of each month of the exhibit from 7:30am–9am on December 9th, January 13th, and February 10th. This event is included in general admission and free for Heard members. Learn more here.

STUDIO MOVIE GRILL SENSORY-FRIENDLY MOVIE SCREENINGS: Screenings are shown with the lights on and the volume lowered; children are free to move around, talk, or even dance in the aisles during the movie. The sensory-friendly screenings are free for children with disabilities and their siblings. Adult tickets are available at a reduced price. Their next screening will be "Wish" on December 9th at 11am. For more information, please visit their website.

COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS TALENT SHOW: Community Connections is an amazing local nonprofit that hosts free programs for children with special needs & their siblings. The Annual Talent Show will be held on December 11th.. All events are hosted in locations around Frisco.

LONE STAR ABILITIES FAMILY DINNER NIGHT: Bring your family & your appetite to family dinner night on Thursday, December 14th from 5:30-7:30pm at Piada's on Preston. This is a come & go event as they know families’ schedules vary. Meet some new friends who "get it"! For more information about Lone Star Abilities, please visit their website.

DALLAS MUSEUM OF ART OPEN STUDIO SENSORY HOUR: Whether you love to draw, paint, sculpt, or glue, we've got a project for you! Stop by on the first and third Saturday and Sunday. Art projects change each month, offering new inspiration for playing and creating. All materials are provided. The first hour of Open Studio will be dedicated to providing a sensory-friendly environment for art making, with a focus on creating a quiet and calming atmosphere. Their next event will take place on December 16th and 17th from 12pm-1pm. Learn more here.

SENSORY SUNDAY AT CRAYOLA EXPERIENCE: Join Crayola on Sunday, December 17th from 10am-12pm for Sensory Sunday! Enjoy the attraction adapted for those with sensory needs. For more information, please visit their website.

HOLIDAY IN WHOVILLE: Join Canyon Creek for a walk through Whoville, photos with the Grinch and Santa, crafts, inflatables, Christmas train rides, food trucks, face painting, and a Christmas Vendor Market! Admission is free. Early admission is available from 1:30pm-3:30pm on December 17th for those with sensory or accessibility needs.

SENSORY-FRIENDLY THEATRE PERFORMANCE: The Dallas Children's Theater's next sensory-friendly performance will be Mo Willems'' "Elephant & Piggie's We Are In A Play!" on February 3rd at 1:30pm. General production adaptations include leaving the house lights up a few levels higher than a standard performance and reducing the sound level. They also offer a "Quiet Room" for children who need a break and a social story to prepare for your visit (found on their website) Tickets are heavily discounted to $5 per person. To purchase tickets, please call the DCT Box Office at 214-740-0051. For more information, please visit their website.

STARCATCHERS THERAPEUTIC ARTS CLASSES: This fall, Starcatchers will host an Intro to Acting class, Dungeons & Dragons group, and adaptive dance workshop. You can learn more here.

POWER WHEELCHAIR SOCCER: If you are looking to be part of the exciting sport of power wheelchair soccer, North Texas Fully Charged is looking for players of all ages, volunteers, and sponsors. For more information, please reach out to Team Manager, Kristin Villegas. Phone: 972-951-3028 Email: info@NTFullyCharged.org You can also visit their website.

IT'S A SENSORY WORLD: It's A Sensory World hosts classes, seasonal camps, and access to a sensory gym. To learn more, please visit their website.

SENSORY-FRIENDLY PLAY TIME: We Rock The Spectrum (Dallas) offers private play options with enhanced cleaning measures. Children are welcome to come in and enjoy the same activities that are offered during private sessions and private parties. This includes full use of the gym with all equipment, and an arts & crafts section that has: beading, painting, lanyards and much more. Please visit their website for additional information.

KIDZANIA: KidZania is a dynamic, real-life city built to inspire, educate and empower children through immersive learning experiences. This is great for practicing life skills, inspiring new leisure activities, and exploring career possibilities! To learn more, please visit their website.

PLANO ADAPTED RECREATION: Plano Adapted Recreation offers classes and activities for individuals with disabilities from age 3 through adulthood. They have a range of options from gymnastics to teen/adult dance nights. For a list of current classes & activities, please click here.

AMC SENSORY-FRIENDLY MOVIE SCREENINGS: AMC is proud to partner with the Autism Society to offer unique movie showings where lights are up, and sound is down, so you can get up, dance, walk, shout or sing! The Sensory Friendly Film program is available on the second and fourth Saturday (family-friendly) and Wednesday evenings (mature audiences) of every month. For more information, please visit their website.

SENSORY SENSITIVE SUNDAYS AT CHECK E CHEESE: Chuck E Cheese locations open two hours early on the first Sunday of every month, specifically for families of children with disabilities. Each location reduces lighting/sound and trains staff to support unique needs.

GYMMIE KIDS: Gymmie kids is a gymnastics program tailored to each exceptional child's particular needs. It is goal directed towards gaining strength, improving gross motor skills, and increasing confidence while learning gymnastics skills at the same time. In order to enroll in the program, you will need to attend an in-person evaluation. There are several levels of support available at the Plano West location, so the evaluator will be best able to place your child. For more information, visit their website.

RISE ADAPTIVE SPORTS: RISE's mission is to assist those with physical challenges to Recover, Inspire, Succeed, and Empower themselves and others by providing inclusive adaptive recreational sports programs. There are programs like handcycling, canoeing, fishing, kayaking, and rugby offered several times each month. Visit their website for current events and registration information.

The items above are a sampling of the winter break items available to borrow from the Parent Sanctuary & Lending Library. Come see us at the Early Childhood School on Fridays from 9am-2pm!

Holiday Resources:

The holidays can be challenging for children who learn and think differently. Things that are supposed to be fun — special holiday meals, chatting with friends and relatives — can be stressful. There may be unspoken (or even spoken) comparisons to others. These demands can lead to behavior struggles. One way to set your child up for success is to plan ahead of time.

Explore tips to help with:

• Gift exchanges
• Social situations
• Food sensitivities
• Restrictive clothing
• Cabin fever
• Understanding and joining holiday tradition
• GIft ideas
• Caring for your mental health during the holidays
• Picky eating & maintaining familial relationships
  
• Reshaping family traditions to accommodate diverse needs
  
• Winter activities
• Crafting ideas for those with fine motor challenges
• ADHD at the holidays

Walmart is aiming to make shopping for the holiday sensory-friendly. Stores across the nation have adopted sensory-friendly shopping hours from 8am-10am 7 days a week. During those hours, stores will lower overhead lights, turn off radios and replace moving pictures with static ones on televisions.