Our Content
Perspectives For Parents:
Advice & Support from Parents & Caregivers
Who is Exceptional Lives? Resources and support for families caring for children with disabilities.
December 30, 2021
Exceptional Lives envisions a world where families raising children with disabilities (or special needs) become effective advocates for their children. We support families, train providers and educators, and offer guidance grounded in our own personal experiences. Listen to this short podcast to learn more about how we can support you.
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We’re proud to announce that we’ve reached 1 million website views.
October 7, 2021
We’re proud to announce that we’ve reached 1 million website views. Thank you to the families, caregivers, and providers who continue to use our resources and tools. We take pride in the work that we do supporting families of children with disabilities. We hope to continue to reach and support families that need our…
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Exceptional Lives, Inc. Awarded Grant From The Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana Foundation To Pilot Peer Support Program
October 1, 2021
New Orleans, Louisiana: Exceptional Lives, a not-for-profit that works in Louisiana, was recently awarded $23,840.00 of grant funding from the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana Foundation to pilot a peer support program for rural BIPOC families.
Read moreLiteracy FAQ: Where do I start to help my child catch up with reading skills? (video)
September 30, 2021
Watch this 2-minute video to learn some ways to help your child catch up with reading skills.
Read moreOne Quick Question: How do I help my struggling reader?
September 30, 2021
Watch this 2-minute video from a literacy expert on how to help your child struggling with reading skills such as identifying the areas of challenge.
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Literacy FAQ: What can the school do to help if my child is struggling with reading? (Video)
September 30, 2021
Watch this 2-minute video for tips on how to partner with your child’s school to help your child that may be struggling with reading.
Read moreOne Quick Question: What are the components of literacy?
September 22, 2021
How do children learn to read? Watch this 2-minute video about the most important early reading skills and how you can help your child gain those skills.
Read moreKitchen Conversations, Know your rights: navigating your young child’s transition into school
July 29, 2021
Do you know the laws that protect children with disabilities? Hear from Maria Blanco, AD @ LSU HSC on how to best advocate for your child.
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One Quick Question: “Will my young child with special needs need to do therapy forever?”
July 22, 2021
If your child has a disability, it may feel like they will be in therapy forever. In this 2-minute video, Anne Hindrichs and Kim Haynes from the McMains Child Development center in Baton Rouge give us the straight story.
Read moreOne Quick Question: How do I choose the right school for my young child with a disability?
July 22, 2021
Finding the right school for a young child with a disability can be hard. In this 2-minute video, Joyce Ridgeway, formerly of Early Steps (Early Intervention) explains how Louisiana families can find the right fit.
Read moreKitchen Conversations: Therapies and accommodations to support young children with disabilities in school
July 14, 2021
Are you aware of accommodations for students with disabilities? Learn about adaptations for special needs in the classroom plus more!
Read moreOne Quick Question: My child is turning 3 and is ready to transition out of Early Intervention… but no one is calling me back about school or services. What should I do?
July 13, 2021
Your child is turning 3 and is ready to make the transition from Early Intervention to pre-school or services, but no one is calling you back. Now what? In this 2-minute video, Joyce Ridgeway lays out what you can do next to advocate for your child.
Read moreKitchen Conversations: Preparing for your child’s transition into school
July 13, 2021
What are the most important things to do before your child with disabilities or special needs starts school? Joyce Ridgeway of EarlySteps breaks it down.
Read moreTropical Storms 2021: My child has a disability. How do I prepare for hurricane season?
June 9, 2021
In past years, we’ve shared some tips to help your family prepare for hurricane season. This year, we want to share our tips for emergencies like hurricanes or evacuating your house, but given the current pandemic, we also recommend you check out our 3-part Pandemic Emergency Planning Series.
Read moreStatement in support of AAPI community
March 19, 2021
The Exceptional Lives team stands in solidarity with the Asian American and Pacific Islander community. In the wake of the racially-motivated murders in Georgia that included 6 Asian women, we are horrified and hurting alongside you.
Read moreExceptional Lives Celebrates Black History Month
February 22, 2021
This year, in recognition of Black History Month, we are highlighting four Black disability activists. These women are working in four different fields but their missions are aligned; to advocate for Black disabled communities.
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2021 Parenting Mantras
January 8, 2021
2020 was a tough year for us parents (and for everyone), and 2021 has started off with quite a bang. But a new year gives us a chance to pause, breathe, and set our intentions for how we move forward with our children. Here are some of our favorites.
Read moreThe Census and Disability: what you need to know
October 6, 2020
I’ll be honest with you. Until recently, I didn’t really understand why the Census really mattered all that much. For example, did you know that U.S. Census Bureau data helps communities respond to natural disasters and secure funding for hospitals and fire departments?
Read moreDeaf with a capital D
September 22, 2020
My daughter can hear the doorbell ring -- once in a while. She can hear dogs barking and she says something that sounds a lot like “bless you” when you sneeze. She sings “Wheels on the bus” without any recognizable English words, but with a close enough approximation of the tune that anyone would recognize…
Read moreMy favorite thing about being Deaf, by Addie
September 21, 2020
For International Week of the Deaf 2022, Addie, age 11, tells us her favorite thing about being Deaf.
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