Assisted listening devices like FM, soundfield amplification, and induction loop systems, help students challenged by hearing loss, classroom background noise, auditory processing challenges and/or fluctuating conductive hearing loss often found in students with Down syndrome,

Purses, diaper bags and suitcases - childhood treasure chests - are often overlooked as dangers even in child-proofed homes and vehicles. Parents, babysitters, relatives and visitors may not realize how inquisitive and vulnerable children may be to accidental poisoning, choking, or other injury.

Reports of iPhone and iPod Touch apps especially developed for children and adults with developmental disabilities or alternative communication options have inspired parents to start thinking about what might benefit their son or daughter with special needs.

Students who qualify for special education services through and IEP or 504 plan may also benefit from extended school year services to focus on existing or emerging skills that can diminish or be lost be lost over summer vacation. An excellent resource for parents is the Wrights Law website on ESY.

Summer learning opportunities can pop up in unexpected places for children with developmental disabilities, chronic health conditions or other special needs. Our children may benefit from neighborhood play, extended school year classes, summer camp, parks department programs or respite and daycare.

The updated version of the Amazon Kindle reader for books and magazines may be more useful than the original for children and adults with disabilities. Advocates for the vision impaired would improve text to speech controls but recognize Kindle 2 provides better access to visually impaired readers.