finding other parents with special needs kids?

[hdirks]

My dd is 2 and I live in Iowa. I have looked since she was born for support groups or parent groups or anything where I can meet other moms in the area with special needs kids to get together for play dates or just to talk or anything. How did you find other parents? Or are any of you in Iowa? I'm a young mom and none of my friends have  kids let alone a child with special needs. Would love someone to talk to in a similar situation.

[melissa17s]

Hello, I am in central IA, if you are in this area, I might be able to refer you on (my dc are in elementary now, so I am not in the toddler loop).  When dc were young, we participated in play groups and many were accepting of kids within an age range of 0-3 or 4.  I found with really young ones, there is such varying range, but it is nice to get out with other parents.  I also found la leche league to be wonderful because you got to be around other moms and form relationships with similar aged kids- not necessarily sn.  

Have you contacted early intervention through your school district?  They may be able to refer you to groups, too.  I would also ask at the ped.'s office because they might have info.  

[hdirks]

I'm in central Iowa! Dallas Center so just 30 min west of Des Moines. If you have some resources or know a group that would be amazing! Yes my dd has had Heartland AEA since she was born. We do PT OT among other things with them as well but they don't seem to know of any groups like that.

[KCMichigan]

Have you checked out this website?

http://dsmspecialneedsparents.org/organizations

We looked into ChildServe and Camp Sunnyside for my DDs when I thought I may need childcare for kiddos with special needs. We also looked into therapudic riding.

We are in Johnston-- my DDs have mild special needs....but from age 2-4 we were very involved in the local Spec.Needs community in MI where we lived at the time. It was great to have support from other parents.

Specifically- have you looked online for the type of Special Needs in this area? I know there is a local chapter for Families with Children that have Down Syndrome (Ames has the Special Olympics) & there is a local support group for kiddos w/ visual impairments that I saw in a local paper not too long ago.