If you have a niece or nephew with special needs, attending a conference sponsored by a national disability organization may be a great way to offer relief, support and knowledge to their parents.

These conferences generally run from two days to an entire week, offering insights into family issues, school options, communication resources, social skills, treatments, programs, medications, puberty and adolescence, transitions into adulthood, estate planning, and legal workshops. There are often attended by school personnel like teachers, principals and aides. But often enough, parents, siblings and family members, therapists, respite providers, nurses, physicians, persons with various disabilities and various professionals who work in the industry also attend.

These conferences can prove invaluable to a parent of a special needs child, but sometimes a parent might have to get the day off of work or find suitable child care and funding for the conference far  in advance.  Offering to attend in place of a parent, or going along with them, can be not only a relief, but a source of incredibly valuable information for the family.

What you'll find

At these conferences you'll find a wide variety of exhibitors showcasing toys, therapeutic items, books on all aspects of disabilities, diet and food related products, awareness items, clothing and adaptive communication tools that will give the family member ideas for birthday and holiday presents that they might otherwise have overlooked or not been aware of.  Walking through the exhibit hall during breaks and lunch will be similar to flipping through a special needs catalog with the option of seeing these items up close to touch them for clues on what will help the child with a disability that might have sensory , auditory or visual processing deficits. 

There are some options for funding of conferences or events in some states.  This may only be one per year or a reimbursement option.  It could require some research and contacting various agencies like Easter Seals, local chapters of disability organizations, the school district or an agency that works with the family.  The State of California has Regional Centers that will fund for parent training.  

Here are some links to help you find the right conference or event for your special needs family:

Local chapters of the Autism Society of America hold conferences year-round.

Future Horizons has Sensory, Autism and Asperger’s Syndrome Conferences.

The National Autistic Society in the UK has listings throughout Europe.

There is an option to subscribe to the listing of Disability and Rehabilitation Conferences  worldwide.

Fundraisers

Accompanying the family for fundraisers is enlightening, plus you get to experience parents and professionals networking for the same cause.  By being there, you may also free up the parent to communicate with other parents and to see some products worthwhile for their special child or young adult.

Fundraiser ideas

The National Down Syndrome Society Buddy Walks.

Autism Speaks’ holds Walk Now For Autism sites across the country.  These walking events also have tables with exhibitors showcasing products.

By attending a day-long event you will get a crash course in the complexities that surround a family with a child or young adult with special needs.  This is a great way to network with others in the disabled community and sign up for newsletters and/or get on email lists of organizations while absorbing a wealth of knowledge that will be beneficial to both you and the rest of the family.