Login here with a previously connected Facebook account.
sponsored by
RSSSpecial Needs Directory
Special Needs Directory
Northwest Indiana Special Needs Directory
GET THE WORD OUT! Your Family is the #1 local resource for news, information and what’s happening. If you know of a facility that should be added to this directory, please send complete contact information and a brief description to yourfamily@nwi.com.
About Special Kids
Lake and Porter Counties
800.964.4746
A family-to-family information network for those with disabilities. Also provides information on laws that protect children’s rights and helps obtain an advocate if needed.
All About Kids
Valparaiso
219.462.0786
Services tailored to meet each child’s specific needs, including developmental therapy, physical therapy, speech therapy, occupational therapy, family training, and service coordination.
Autism Society of America Northwest Indiana Chapter
Crown Point
219.662.2668
Parental support group for those with disorders on the Autism Spectrum.
Bureau of Developmental Disabilities Services
219.887.0503
Administers funding for services for individuals with developmental disabilities in order for them to maximize their capabilities and to actively participate in the community. Works with individuals to access residential services and other needed supports. Contact this agency to apply for a Medicaid waiver for services that may be needed in adulthood such as living arrangements, respite or caregiver help in the home. Experts say the waiting list for services is about 10 years long, so they advise applying for this in early childhood or as soon as you receive any diagnosis that will likely still require special help in adulthood. It’s better to apply early and then not need the services, than to be locked out of them.
Center for Possibilities
Hobart
219.962.5751
A full day, full year educational program along with therapy and nutrition programs for preschool aged children with developmental and physical disabilities with a strong focus on the development of self-care skills and learning opportunities for adults with mild to moderate developmental disabilities. Center for Possibilities has received a Prevent Child Abuse grant from Geminus Community Partners, and now provides FREE counseling to Lake County parents of a child with a diagnosed disability. Call for more information.
Children’s Therapy Plus
6504 E 129th Ave, Crown Point
219.662.7654
This facility provides professional therapy services in a unique, stimulating environment, which encourages children to have fun while achieving their highest potential. The only clinic in Northwest Indiana offering hippotherapy (horse riding therapy).
Club Wonder: Northwest Indiana Special Needs Alliance
Meets monthly at Opportunity Enterprises
2801 Evans Ave, Valparaiso
Club Wonder is a parent/caregiver information and support group for special needs of all kinds. The group meets on the second Tuesday of each month for support, education and community planning. The club offers monthly speakers and presentations and also organizes play dates for the children. For more information, contact Kristin at 219.309.7187.
Compassionate Friends of Lake & Porter Counties
219.552.0466
A mutual assistance self-help organization offering friendship and understanding to bereaved parents and siblings.
Contact Cares of Northwest Indiana
Merrillville
219.938.7070
Contact Cares is a telephone ministry, which is provided by training volunteers to respond to the express needs of those they serve. Through listening and caring, they help their clients achieve independence and a renewed sense of wholeness.
Crisis Center Inc.
Crisis Contact Hopeline
Gary
219.938.0900
The Crisis Contact Line and Hopeline are available 24 hours a day, every day of the year. Hundreds of thousands of problems receive responses and referrals each year.
Cystic Fibrosis Foundation/Greater Illinois Chapter
Chicago
312.236.4491
Provides information about support groups to parents of children with cystic fibrosis, educational programs or materials, advocacy, telephone support, written information.
Deaf Services, Inc.
Merrillville
219.769.6506
Provides interpreting, case management, referrals, sign language classes, information on the latest equipment available and places orders upon request, a 24-hour emergency phone line, in-service training for deaf awareness, girls’ youth programs, and developmental therapy and early intervention services.
Division of Family Resources Porter County
Valparaiso
219.462.2113
Administers public assistance.
Down Syndrome Association of Northwest Indiana
219.838.3656
Services for those affected by Down syndrome.
Duneland School Corporation Special Education
Valparaiso
219.464.9607
Helps all students to reach their greatest academic and social potential so they can become contributing members of the community.
Everybody Counts/F.A.C.E.S.
Merrillville
219.769.5055
An independent living center of Indiana which promotes activities and provides services that enable people with disabilities to lead independent, self-directed lives to as great an extent as possible.
First Steps
219.662.7790
Provides early intervention for families that have infants and toddlers with developmental delays or who show signs of being at-risk to have certain delays in the future.
Home Health Services of Porter County, Inc.
Valparaiso
219.462.5195
Provides compassionate home and hospice care in an innovative and personalized manner to those in need, within the resources available, enabling them to preserve their dignity and maintain their highest level of independence.
Indiana Professional Management Group (IPMG)
866.672-4764 ext. 253
The sole provider of person-centered case management services to more than 12,000 individuals receiving an Autism, Developmental Disabilities, or Support Services Medicaid Waiver.
Jacob’s Ladder Pediatric Rehabilitation Center
332 W 806 N (US 6)
Valparaiso
219.764.4888
Provides comprehensive rehabilitative therapies to physically challenged children. Offers physical, occupational, and speech therapies, as well as medical/neuropsychological evaluation services, free developmental screenings, and educational programs.
Kidworks Developmental Intervention Center
Chesterton
219.983.9675
A pediatric therapy clinic that specializes in providing therapeutic services for children with special needs that engage the child’s mind, body and spirit to maximize the outcome.
Life Strategies, LLC
Lake and Porter Counties
A family therapy and counseling group that specializes in Autism, Asperger's, PDD, and other developmental issues. Board Certified Behavior Analysts provide highly researched and effective ABA Learning and Social Skills programs and also offer children's groups. ABA programs may be covered by your health insurance. This organization also provides Indiana Waiver services for individuals with developmental disabilities.
Look Who’s Talking, LLC
Merrillville
888.668.8239
A provider of speech, language and developmental therapy to children of all ages.
Loving Care Agency
Valparaiso
219.548.0099
Ventilator trained RNs and LPNs, who specialize in the care of ventilator dependent children or those who have G-tubes and other complex medical needs, provide hourly shift care at the family’s home and, in most cases, at the child’s school.
Methodist Hospital Children’s Developmental Center
Lake County
219.886.5437
Provides a comprehensive approach to the evaluation and treatment of children with special needs.
NAMI Porter County
Serving Northwest Indiana
219.764.2958
NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) Porter County is a nonprofit, grassroots organization dedicated to improving the lives of people affected by serious mental illness. NAMI Porter County is comprised of families, consumers, and professionals that are dedicated to helping families through a network of support, education, and advocacy throughout Northwest Indiana. NAMI provides support groups twice monthly, and educational programs such as the Peer-to-Peer class, and "In Our Own Voice" presentations.
Nathan C. Splant Foundation
Based in Dyer, Ind.
219.365.5800
The Nathan C. Splant Foundation is a not-for-profit organization based in Dyer, Indiana, that helps local premature children and their families through assistance and grant-giving programs.
Nilsby
Nilsby is a free new resource for families with members who have special needs. It is an online community dedicated to sharing information and emotional support within the special needs community. The content on nilsby.com ranges from information about IEPs to information about specific disorders to inspirational quotes.
Northwest Indiana Chapter of the National Autism Association
Hobart
219.947.0229
Provides services for families with autism including information and referral and support groups.
Northwest Indiana Deaf & Hard of Hearing Community
Griffith
Provides an online community, message board, listserv, and youth involvement services.
Northwest Indiana Sickle Cell Foundation
Gary
219.949.5310
Aims to improve the quality of life for individuals with sickle cell disorders and other special health needs.
Northwest Indiana Spinal Cord Injury Group
Valparaiso
219.531.0055
Dedicated to improving the quality of life for people with spinal cord injuries living in Northwest Indiana through education, advocacy, peer support and recreational outings.
Northwest Indiana TOPSoccer
Chesterton
219.464.9071
A national soccer program created to train young people with disabilities in a caring coaching environment. Provides meaningful learning, development, and physical participation opportunities to these athletes through the wonderful game of soccer.
Opportunity Enterprises, INC
Valparaiso
219.464.9621
Provides early intervention services such as artistic visions, day habilitation, job placements, supported employment, adult day center, supervised living and supported living, and transportation for people with disabilities.
Parents for Parents
Valparaiso
219.464.4369
Provides information, advocacy, and support for families in Porter County. Support group meetings are held throughout the year.
Porter County Schools Special Education
Valparaiso
219.464.9607
Provides early intervention, preschool and early childhood, special education and related services.
Porter County Sibshops
Valparaiso
219.531.9090
A program just for brothers and sisters of kids with special needs. Offered for children 8-16 who have a brother or sister with special health or developmental needs; a celebration of the many contributions made by brothers and sisters.
Porter-Starke Services, Inc.
Valparaiso
219.531.3500
Provides services for attention deficit disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, behavior health, bipolar disorder, case management, counseling, grief and loss, and mental health.
Powerful Parents and Consumers Group
866.672.4764 ext. 257
A statewide resource-rich group that meets monthly and is open to individuals with developmental disabilities and their families. The group provides direct, factual information on Indiana’s waiver program, community resources, and issues of interest, including guardianships, vocational rehabilitation, self-advocacy and others.
Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago at Franciscan St. Margaret Health
Schererville
(219) 322-1600
The Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago at Franciscan St. Margaret Health provides comprehensive outpatient therapy services to children from the ages of birth through 18. They provide physical, occupational, speech and developmental therapy services as well as audiology. We specialize in treating children with a variety of disorders including Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, autism, speech – language delays, feeding, sensory, developmental disabilities, brain injury, neonatal follow up and more.
Special Education Advocate
Kelly Price
2218 Hobart, Gary
219.678.5437
Kelly Price is an independent advocate for families with special education issues. She is available for consultations, IEP reviews, and to attend Case Conference Committee meetings and mediations.
The Aliveness Project
Gary
219.985.6170 ext 25
Assists, supports and empowers individuals infected and affected by HIV.
Therapy and Learning Services, Inc.
New Carlisle
574.654.8540
therapyandlearningservices.com
Offers speech therapy and educational services for children and adults in Northwest and Northeast Indiana. A new picky eaters food exploration group, called “Munch Bunch,” utilizes food chaining therapy techniques. Teletherapy is also available.
United Way of Porter County/First Call for Help
Valparaiso
219.464.3583
Offers Porter County residents information—for problems, questions, or if people don’t know where to turn.
Vocational Rehabilitation Office/Area 3
Valparaiso
219.462.0521
Assists people with disabilities in transitioning from school to work or to re-enter the work force after an illness or injury.
Wee Care Therapy
Dyer
219.322.1415
Pediatric rehabilitation facility providing developmental therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy and speech therapy services.
West Lake Special Education Cooperative
212 E Joliet St
Schererville
219.865.1171
The West Lake Special Education Cooperative in collaboration with Lake Central and Munster school communities is committed to providing support for students by the way of offering a full continuum of services to empower them to maximize their individual potential.
Workforce Development Services/Child Care Resource & Referral
Gary
219.882.0033 or 866.582.2229
Works to improve the quantity, the quality and the accessibility of child care to meet the needs of the culturally diverse children and families in Lake, Porter and LaPorte Counties.
Local listservs for parents of kids with special needs
Indiana Family To Family: groups.yahoo.com/group/INF2FParents
Northwest Indiana Parents of Special Needs: groups.yahoo.com/group/nwiparentsofspecialneeds
Meet our Bloggers
#Food with a Dash of Fun
We've all gotta eat-might as well have some fun in the kitchen! Check here for recipes, cooking with kids, food finds, and more.
#Father Knows Nothing
Rick Kaempfer's business card says author/writer/blogger, but his real job is "stay-at-home-dad."
Please Wait…