The Early Intervention Clearinghouse (EI) offers books, videos, articles and web resources to help with toilet training your child. This site provides information that can be used for most children, with and without disabilities.
Medical/Health and Wellness Resources
The Little Resource Center in Carbondale
The Little Resource Center (TLRC) provides free health, safety, and well-being services to strengthen and empower families, parents, and caregivers. TLRC services and programs are free. Help includes infant and postpartum care items, classes and webinars on various wellness topics, and referrals to other needed services. The Little Resource Center’s support includes:
- Short-term diaper and formula assistance
- Events, classes and support groups for families, caregivers and expecting parents
- Referrals to healthcare providers, social service agencies and community-based agencies for resources
The Shannon Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping to pay for medical care for children whose families can’t afford it
Working through social workers at various hospitals across the country to identify kids in need, the foundation has paid for medicine, medical tests and procedures, equipment (such as wheelchairs, ventilators, etc.), hospital visits, surgery, medical co-pays, chemotherapy and physical therapy.
For more information, email shannonfoundation@fishersuhr.com or call (303) 436-1224.
The Society of St. Vincent de Paul
The Society of St. Vincent de Paul USA (SVdP) fosters personal relationships and service to people in need. Local SVdP Councils and Conferences, located in rural, suburban, and urban communities, provide rental and utility assistance, food pantries, charitable pharmacies, day centers, transitional housing for people with disabilities and veterans, thrift stores and more.
SVdP has chapters throughout Illinois. To find help near you, contact SVdP or ask your local Catholic church if they have a Society of St. Vincent de Paul chapter.
The University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) College of Dentistry Pediatric Special Needs Dentistry
The University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) College of Dentistry Pediatric Dental Care provides comprehensive dental care for children including individuals with complex oral health needs and special developmental and behavioral care needs. Pediatric Dentistry clinics provide care for children from infancy through adolescence (under age 17), including:
- Comprehensive oral health examinations, teeth cleaning, fluoride treatments, sealants, restorative procedures (fillings, crowns, etc.)
- Extractions and minor surgical procedures
- Urgent care (trauma, infection, etc.) and more
These services can be completed using inhalation sedation (Nitrous oxide), moderate sedation and general anesthesia. Read more about pediatric services.
Social stories are also available to help children with autism or sensory issues get ready for a dental visit:
Thresholds provides recovery services for persons with mental illnesses and substance use disorders in Illinois. Thresholds’ services include:
- Youth and young adult services
- Deaf program
- Intensive outreach for mental illness
- Training and workforce development
- Integrated primary and behavioral health care
Thresholds offers programs at more than 75 locations throughout Chicago, the adjacent suburbs and four surrounding counties.
Thumbuddy Special is a non-profit organization that was started by a group of special education teachers and therapists to raise money to provide adaptive equipment for children with special needs.
Thumbuddy Special supplies equipment such as wheelchairs, walkers, bath chairs, adapted bikes, ramps and computers. In addition, the nonprofit offers scholarships to children to attend local special recreation camps in the summer.
Tips for Teens on Talking With Your Parents or Guardians About Vaccines
Talking with family members about vaccines and healthcare choices can be stressful and scary, especially for teens. The Illinois Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics (ICAAP) has created a “Tips for Teens – Talking with Your Parents or Guardians About Vaccines” handout in English and Spanish to help teens navigate those tricky conversations.
The Maternal and Child Health Services Block Grant, Title V of the Social Security Act, is a federal program that aims to improve the health of all women, children and families. Each state has a Title V program that serves children with special health care needs.
The Maternal and Child Health Bureau of the Health Resources and Services Administration provides this list of state Title V program contact information.
Toilet Training Children With Special Needs – Early Intervention Clearinghouse
Toilet Training Children with Special Needs – HealthyChildren.org
The American Academy of Pediatrics’ website HealthyChildren.org provides parents of children with disabilities information for determining when to start and how to begin the toilet-training process.
The information includes:
An overview of physical and developmental challenges and how they can impact toilet training
Tips on when and how to begin toilet training
The importance of having a parent support network and focusing on celebrating your child’s overall growth, not the mistakeThis information is also available in Spanish.