Resources

22 Great Special Needs Groups on LinkedIn

By now you  have most likely heard of LinkedIn, a social networking website for people in professional occupations. With millions of professionals actively contributing, this is the perfect forum to get your questions answered, network with others in the special needs community, and provide advice to other special needs professionals and parents. Here are 22 great Special Needs Linkedin groups. Know of more Special Needs LinkedIn Groups? Share in the comments below and don't forget to follow Friendship Circle on LinkedIn.

Special Needs Parenting

1. Parents of Special Kids

Members: 3,124 Parents of Special Kids is focused on networking parents of children with special health and educational needs. Their objective is to provide both business and personal support to parents, caregivers, healthcare personnel, and educators.

2. Special Kids Network

Members: 1,039 Special Kids Network was founded in 1999, by Chad and Debbie Coe who wanted to make a difference in the lives of children with special needs. In addition to the money raised for special needs organizations they have started this LinkedIn Group so parents and special needs professionals could network.

3. Special Needs Group

Members: 4,370 The Special Needs Group is a social group for special needs families. This group has a number of ongoing discussions from a variety of special needs, parents, therapists, special educators and more. Browse through the many topics being discussed or start your own topic, Someone will be sure to respond with guidance, support and advice.

4. Understand Special Needs from the Inside

Members: 789 Understanding Special Needs from the Inside provides a platform of support and guidance for special needs families. In addition it is used as a gathering point to advocate and lobby for special needs families, special educators, and special needs professionals.

Special Education

5. Advocates Network for Special Needs Education

Members: 4,613 This group focus on Educational advocacy and creates an opportunity to change the educational direction of children with special needs in a positive manner. This group will help members to connect with other special education advocates, attorney's and other special education professionals in an open dialog forum.

6. Council for Exceptional Children (CEC)

Members: 9,962 The Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) is the largest international professional organization dedicated to improving the educational success of individuals with disabilities and/or gifts and talents. CEC uses their platform on LinkedIn to discuss advocating for appropriate governmental policies and much more.

7. Special Education Needs

Members: 6,260 Students with Special Education Needs require exponentially more support than any other student irrespective of age, ethnicity, location or socio-economic background. This group focuses on finding ways students with special needs can develop to their full potential as well as making progress on issues that will benefit ALL students with special needs.

Legal

8. Special Education Consultants - Law, Policy and Practice

Members: 10,003 Are you a special educator looking for an attorney, consultant or specialist with a specific type of expertise? Are you an attorney, consultant or specialist looking for opportunities to share your knowledge and expertise in the area of special education? This group will provide networking opportunities as well as a forum for asking questions and problem-solving.

9. Special Education Law

Members: 12,281 A group for those who can't get enough special education law. Participants include: lawyers, advocates, parents, teachers, principals, related service providers, school administrators, state administrators, students, regulators and others interested in special education and the laws that affect it.

Autism

10. Parents with Patience

Members: 3,054 Parents with Patience is a LinkedIn group dedicated exclusively to parents of children with autism spectrum disorders. This group provides empathetic, peer-to-peer support to help parents to cope and help our children thrive. We're not educators and experts, just parents helping parents with "been there, done that" advice that's friendly, proven and non-judgmental.

11. Autism Awareness

Members: 13,433 The intention of this group is to bring together business professionals that are touched in some way by Autism.

12. Autism Innovators Special Educators Corner

Members: 17,714 This group is dedicated solely to meeting the needs of special education teachers and those preparing for the field of special education teaching Parents having special children can also join this group Special Educator MR Autism Attention Issues ADD/ADHD Dyslexia Giftedness Learning Disabilities.

13. Linked to Autism

Members: 7,442 Group for Linkedin members with a connection to Autism, either personal or professional. A place to make connections within the professional community and promote Autism awareness.

General Special Needs

14. Supporting Children with Special Needs Forum

Members: 2,171 The purpose of this group is for educators and families to network on the joys and frustrations in supporting children with developmental disabilities.

15. American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

Members: 1,597 AAIDD promotes progressive policies, sound research, effective practices, and universal human rights for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

16. Intellectual Disabilities Support Professionals

Members: 3,124 A forum for professionals who support people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to discuss their work, challenges, vision and trends. Members will be able to share information and resources that will help with their professional development, and enrich the lives of the people they support.

17. President’s Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities

Members: 1,677 PCPID works to expand educational opportunities, increase access to technology, improve individual and family support, increase employment and economic independence and promote access and integration into community life for people with intellectual disabilities.

18. Professionals with Disabilities

Members: 6,561 This group is meant to be a networking place for professionals touched by disability. If you have a disability or work closely with or for people with disabilities this group is for you.

ADD/ADHD

19. Adult ADHD Foundation

Members: 951 This is a group for adults who have ADHD, have a friend or a loved one who does. In this LinkedIn Group members talk freely, share the good, the bad, the ugly stories that others might find useful.

20. ADHD - No Fear, No Limits

Members: 1,193 A group for those who believe ADHD when managed well has nothing to fear and as Michael Phelps has shown, there are No Limits as well.

21. ADHD Aware

Members: 2,453 Run by and for people with ADHD, the purpose of ADHD Aware is to empower children, adults and families affected by ADHD, educate, and enlighten all people as to the courage and competence of the ADHD community.

Special Needs Travel

22. Accessible Travel for Persons with Disabilities

Members: 1,687 This group consists of travel professionals (accessible specialists or general travel), persons with or without disabilities, suppliers (land, air or sea), and any other association connected with the disability market.