March is Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, a time to raise awareness about the inclusion of people with developmental disabilities in all areas of community life, as well as awareness to the barriers that people with disabilities still sometimes face in connecting to the communities in which they live.
Developmental disabilities occur among all racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic groups. According to the CDC, recent estimates in the United States show that about one in six, or about 17%, of children aged 3 through 17 years have one or more developmental disabilities, such as:
- ADHD
- autism spectrum disorder
- cerebral palsy
- hearing loss
- intellectual disability
- learning disability
- vision impairment
- and other developmental delays.1
While national population-based estimates do not exist for youth with disabilities who are involved with the child welfare system, there are various localized studies that use different disability definitions to track the prevalence of disability. These studies suggest that the prevalence of disability among child welfare-involved youth is significantly higher than 17%.2 In Fairfax County, there is a great need for loving foster and adoptive homes for children with special needs.
In Fairfax County, there are some helpful resources available to support resource parents of children with disabilities:
Fairfax County Special Education PTA
SEPTA is a local PTA (Parent Teacher Association) affiliated with the state and national PTA but specifically established to address the unique needs of special education, special needs, and disabled students and families. The local chapter was the brainchild of two parents of special needs students in Fairfax County who wanted to unite the diverse and numerous communities of special education and special needs families within the community. Fairfax County SEPTA serves all special education, special needs, and disabled students, their families, and educators in Fairfax County. They seek to strengthen the network of resources, information, education, and social opportunities for the Fairfax County special needs community in ways that support students’ academic and social success. Visit their website for additional information about meetings and informative livestreams.
Fairfax County Public School Resources
16th Annual FCPS Special Education Conference will be held virtually on Saturday, April 17, 2021. The conference will include a combination of synchronous (live) and asynchronous (recorded) sessions supporting the conference's theme, The Time for Inclusion is Now. The conference provides parents, educators, administrators, preservice teachers, and community members with the latest research, strategies, and trends in the education of students with learning challenges, special needs, and disabilities. For more information, send an email or call 703-204-3941.
Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) offers some online resources and support for families of children with disabilities. Their website includes information on a variety of topics such as assessments for student disabilities, assistive technology, accommodations and modifications, occupational and physical therapy services, and much more. FCPS, also offers a monthly Special Education Newsletter with updated information, tips and ideas to support families.
In addition, the FCPS Parent Resource Center offers some supports to families of children with special needs. The Parent Resource Center offers a welcoming and engaging environment for families, educators, and community members. They provide access to information and resources to support the success of all students, including those with learning challenges, special needs, and disabilities. Their resources include free webinars on a variety of topics. They even have a video playlist specifically related to special education resources. Visit their website or contact them Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. by email or phone 703-204-3941.
Fairfax County Department of Family Services Disability Rights and Resources is another resource to help families. If interested, sign up for their Access Fairfax newsletter – providing news to use for the disability community.
1Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 2021. Facts About Developmental Disabilities | CDC. [online] Available at: <https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/developmentaldisabilities/facts.html> [Accessed 4 February 2021].
2Slayter, Elspeth. “Youth with disabilities in the United States Child Welfare System.” Children and Youth Services Review 64 (2016) 155-165.
This article posting is part of the Foster Family News monthly newsletter designed to keep foster parents informed about all the new and notable happenings in Fairfax County.
Learn about what the Foster Care & Adoption program has planned for foster families - stay on top of trends, participate in trainings and learn about policy changes.