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Achieving with Special Needs

4 Powerful Special Needs Characters
ByDigital Marketing Intern September 28, 2017April 12, 2025

Mainstream media influences us in ways we aren’t even conscious of at times; The characters portrayed in television shows, movies and even book characters can help shape not only our minds as individuals but also as social beings. Including characters with special needs in these storylines is something that plays a key role in helping people to understand all the different kinds of people that exist in this world. There have been some powerful and influential characters that have helped familiarize the public with people who have special needs over the years and it’s time to give a few of them some extra attention:

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Special Needs Representation on Television
ByDigital Marketing Intern September 27, 2017April 12, 2025

A few weeks ago, an intern here at The Achievement Center of Texas put out a blog discussing special needs representation in film. The discussed the portrayal of those with special needs in the medium, as well as the ethical dilemma of an able-bodied actor playing a disabled character. After its release, we got to thinking about representation in in other forms of entertainment; so here we’ll be talking about television.

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The 10 Best TED Talks about Special Needs
ByDigital Marketing Intern September 26, 2017April 12, 2025

TED (or technology, entertainment and design) Talks have featured presentations from phenomenal speakers with the brightest minds in many fields including science, philosophy, entertainment, business, philanthropy, art and religion. The nonprofit organization serves as a platform for intellectual individuals to speak freely about their passions, inspiring their audiences. Amongst a plethora of other inspirational speeches, TEDTalks regarding special needs are exceptionally moving as they reveal the gifts hidden behind disabilities, challenging conceptions of normalcy. Here are 10 of the best TedTalks about special needs:

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10 Best Books for Parents of Children with Special Needs
ByDigital Marketing Intern September 21, 2017April 12, 2025

Parenting is hard but parenting a kid with special needs can prove to be even harder. However, no matter how hard (or even easy!) it gets, it’s important to remember that it is ALWAYS OKAY for you to ask for help. Problems rise, things happen and sometimes the answers just don’t come as quickly as we need them to. Parenting woes can conquer the best of us, so here’s a list of books to help you on your journey raising your child with special needs.

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Ableism: How to End the Prejudice that No One Talks About
ByDigital Marketing Intern September 1, 2017April 12, 2025

12.6 percent of people in the United States are living with disabilities as of 2015, according to the American Communications survey. That’s over one in eight people. Despite this vast number within the population, individuals with disabilities still face discrimination. However, perhaps not in ways you may be thinking of. Many, if not most, people with disabilities are victims of ableism.

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Special Needs Parent Support

Loving Your Child with Special Needs through Their Tantrums
ByDigital Marketing Intern September 1, 2017April 12, 2025

Individuals with special needs can sometimes be susceptible to behavioral outbursts. Facing a string of tantrums can grow tedious for parents of special needs children like you. Regardless of the tantrum’s cause, it’s important to keep a cool head and learn how to calm your child down under difficult circumstances.

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Special Needs Art Projects | Special Needs Parent Support

6 Sensory Arts and Craft Projects for Children with Autism
ByMarketing Director September 1, 2017April 12, 2025

Sensory Arts and Crafts are both fun to make and something that you can reflect on in the future, something your child can be proud of. Here are 6 sensory arts and craft projects for you and your child with Autism to enjoy making together:

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Employment Opportunities for Adults with Special Needs: An Interview with the Founder of Hugs Cafe
ByMarketing Director August 17, 2017February 7, 2018

Hugs Cafe is a restaurant located in downtown McKinney, Texas that works to employ adults with special needs. There are few and far between options for employment for this population, and Ruth Thompson, the founder of Hugs Cafe, is doing everything she can to fix that problem. Although Ruth has been interviewed by Upworthy and…

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Further Education for Adults with Special Needs: An Interview with the Executive Director of My Possibilities
ByMarketing Director August 15, 2017February 7, 2018

Adults with special needs have few opportunities for advancement once they age out of high school. Currently, there is no university program in Texas designed specifically to educate people with intellectual disabilities. The Executive Director of My Possibilities, Michael Thomas, is trying to change that. My Possibilities is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to…

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Achieving with Special Needs

7 Famous People with Special Needs
ByDigital Marketing Intern August 10, 2017March 27, 2018

Stevie Wonder by World’s Direction (Edited in Canva) Several prominent people of American and international history have been known for their mass achievements despite adversity. You’ve probably heard these names before. Maybe you knew they had a disability. Maybe you had no idea. But the one thing they all had in common is their success…

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