Special Needs Awareness and Resources

Lifestyle is your neighborhood magazine and with every page of every issue, we strive to be the best neighbor possible.

Some months ago we got talking about the rise of autism here and across the country, and asked ourselves how we could help those in our neighborhood who are touched by the disorder. The answer is below, in our first-ever disAbility Resources Guide, and the articles that appear beneath it.

If you know someone who’d benefit from having the Guide, please share it. And if you know someone who’d find hope and inspiration from the families and individuals profiled, we hope you’ll share those links too.

Yours,

Read our disAbility Resource Guide Online!

Read the articles from our Autism and disAbility issue

The Arc of Greater Prince William

Doing it all for those with special needs, one person at a time

The Arc of North Central Virginia

A Small Organization with a Big Mission

College Success Stories

Yes, those with special needs can succeed in college

Can a dog enhance the life of someone with special needs?

The answer is a definite “maybe.”

Through Their Eyes

Stories of local families facing autism with hope and strength

Navigating the Virginia Waiver System

Q&A with Lucy Beadnell, Director of Advocacy, The Arc of Northern Virginia

Think college is unattainable for those with special needs?

This professor wants you to know it's not.

Don't Count Her Out!

Meet Aubrey Hamilton and her family

Accolades for our Autism and Special Needs Issue

I am so happy this issue came out.  My 23-year-old daughter is not autistic but has nonverbal learning disability (NVLD).  It is not on the DSM, and is a confusing name, because people with NVLD are verbal, but have processing and social issues.  She is graduating in May from Beacon College in Leesburg, Florida, a college exclusively for students with Autism, ADHD, and other learning differences.  We are proud to say that she is graduating with the second highest GPA in her class.  Beacon College has done wonders for her.

--Barbara Simon, ESOL teacher, Prince William

Thank you for all you do! I wish my sister in law was closer. I’m trying to encourage her to get connected with other moms of special needs children. Mostly so she can have an outlet. The Lifestyle magazines are incredible, and our community is so lucky to have them.

--Jessie Leigh Burns, Warrenton

Dear Ms. Susan McCorkindale,
I just would like to thank you for the Haymarket Lifestyle magazine Special Needs Awareness and Resources issue.
I was really touched for the great love toward your son, family and your community. Thanks the extensive coverage on Autism. As a parent of a ASD high functioning son who is 4 years old, I felt very relieved that there are a lot of support and assistance out there to support the need of our special love ones.
Best wishes with your great magazine business.
Harold Aguirre, Haymarket

I want to compliment you on the Haymarket Lifestyle magazine.  As a new resident in the Haymarket area your magazine “stands out” from the other publications that I have started to receive in the mail.  The recent edition focusing on special needs awareness and resources was an excellent guide for folks who may be facing these issues with their children.  Much more focused and an upbeat way of presenting the information and providing guidance and help to those who are looking for answers. Thanks again and keep up the good work.

--Denis Muskat, Haymarket

Thank you for compiling a wonderful resource for parents to have access at their fingertips. Very well done! Many times, we are asked for resources available to parents for their children in the region. We may know some, yet this was very informative.

--Sharron R. M. Land, MA CCC-SLPm Speech-Language Pathologist, Glenkirk Elementary School, Gainesville

Dear Ms. Susan McCorkindale,
I just would like to thank you for the Haymarket Lifestyle magazine Special Needs Awareness and Resources issue.
I was really touched for the great love toward your son, family and your community. Thanks the extensive coverage on Autism. As a parent of a ASD high functioning son who is 4 years old, I felt very relieved that there are a lot of support and assistance out there to support the need of our special love ones.
Best wishes with your great magazine business.
Harold Aguirre, Haymarket