Three Graces Featured Resources

https://rainbowofhopetexas.org/

https://www.aogh.org/

https://thecenterforpursuit.org/

https://summerhousehouston.org/

https://www.friendshiphouston.com/projects

https://www.theharriscenter.org/services/idd-services

https://eastersealshouston.org/about-us/

https://www.achillesinternational.org/houston

It's never too early to begin teaching your kids with special needs about money. To help parents who are unsure of where to start, we recently published an educational guide for parents full of tips, as well as lessons and activities for children aged 3 and up. Please take a look:

https://annuity.org/financial-literacy/how-to-teach-kids-about-money/

Those with developmental disabilities are likely to suffer many more oral health problems, including tooth decay, gum disease, and dental injury than those without. In the U.S., about one in six children will experience developmental disabilities or developmental delays. Please see links to our guides below: 

https://www.byte.com/community/resources/article/developmental-disabilities-oral-health/

https://www.byte.com/community/resources/article/dental-care-children-with-autism-guide/

Social security disability benefits can be a complicated subject for many of us. Knowing who qualifies, how to maximize your chance of getting approved, and how payments are calculated is crucial information to know. That's why we made an ultimate guide about navigating social security disability benefits and included just about everything we could think of. Check out the guide:

Social Security Disability Guide - m-n-law.com/social-security-disability-insurance-benefits-guide/

While all screen time is not bad for kids, it's a good idea to encourage your children to avoid excessive screen time. Too much screen time has been linked to obesity, poor sleep patterns, low self-esteem, and behavioral problems.

Please take a look here:

https://www.nvisioncenters.com/education/screen-time-and-your-eyes/#kids

https://www.nvisioncenters.com/education/blue-light/

To learn more about NVISION, please visit https://www.nvisioncenters.com/  

Kids are now spending more time online. Due to this increased exposure, it is more crucial than ever to keep children safe from online risks. From invasions of privacy to cyberbullying, children face more threats through the internet than previously possible.

This article educates parents, teachers and all people not only about online dangers, but also to provide tips on how to talk to their children about them:

https://www.consumernotice.org/data-protection/internet-safety-for-kids/

 Parents often don’t realize they are using child car seats incorrectly. Mistakes can be as small as clipping the harness in the wrong spot or as big as using a seat that no longer meets safety standards. These mistakes are dangerous because they increase the risk of injury to the child in the event of a motor vehicle crash. Learn 20 common car seat mistakes, their dangers, and how to fix them. 

https://farahandfarah.com/common-car-seat-mistakes/

Looking for something a little different this year? Consider the holidays from a new perspective for an out-of-this-world experience. In addition to traditional holiday lights, Galaxy Lights features planets, astronauts, spaceships, and more galactic fun. Don’t forget to stop by the hot cocoa and coffee stand and pick up a s’mores kit to roast marshmallows around the fire together. 

Space Center Houston Galaxy Lights

Dates

November 11 – January 7, Closed Dec. 7, 24, & 25

Located in Houston’s historic River Oaks neighborhood, Bayou Bend is part of The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston. Christmas Village is an immersive experience that will get you into the holiday spirit as you stroll around the beautiful grounds. Sled down the slide, have a snowball fight, listen to the carolers, shop the boutique for gifts, and, of course, take photos with Santa!  

Christmas Village at Bayou Bend

Dates

December 8 - December 30 (closed on Mondays) 

The Houston Botanic Garden launched its first-ever Radiant Nature event, featuring a collection of larger-than-life Chinese lantern creations celebrating the Lunar New Year. Imagine an illuminated dragon,  Bright beta fish, a 12-foot peacock, and friendly Chinese-inspired characters. Walk through the pink tunnel and into the immersive kaleidoscope, and don't forget the hot cocoa and smores.

Lights at the Houston Botanic Garden 

Dates

November 17 – February 25

Space themes, Chinese lanterns, and historic museums—what else could there be? Visit the Houston Zoo for a holiday-themed safari experience with towering tropical plants, dazzling trees, Coca-Cola Polar Bears, Snowy Slopes, and illuminated animal installations.  You’ll want to buy tickets online in advance for the best pricing, and don’t forget to plan for parking. Tickets are not sold at the gates.

Houston Zoo Lights

Dates

November 17 – January 7 from 5:30-10:30 pm (closed Dec. 6, 24, and 25)

Looking for the best lights in Houston? You won’t want to miss the spectacular Lights in The Heights event. You can park along the one-way routes on Bayland (going east) and Merrill (going west). Many neighbors hire bands and put on light shows and other festive attractions. People deck their kids wagons and strollers with lights (and blankets if it’s cold) so go all out!  

 Lights in The Heights is open to the public on Saturday, December 9, from 6-9 pm.  This is a Free event.

Green Mountain Energy Ice is the only outdoor skating rink in Houston. If you dream of nostalgic NYC scenes of skaters gliding by surrounded by twinkling lights and glittering trees amidst the city’s hustle and bustle, this is your chance!  

Notes: Traditional wheelchairs are permitted on the ice! They also have Special Skaters Sunday Nights for those with physical or developmental challenges. Discounts for  Bank of America Members, First Responders, Military, and Discovery Green members. 

The beach may not come to mind when you think of holiday festivities, but each year, the Galveston Railroad Museum hosts The Polar Express Train Ride, where you venture to the North Pole and back in a vintage train car. Don your PJs, and get ready for a magical, song-filled ride to the North Pole, where you’ll get to not just meet but dance with Santa! This interactive performance is fun for the whole family.

Galveston Polar Express

Dates 

November 10 – December 23 

Santa pictures are a fun tradition for many families, but Santa at the Clubhouse offers a more personalized experience for your family and littles. In addition to photos, kiddos can share their Christmas list and ask a question or two in a more relaxed and intimate setting (which means you may get bigger smiles and fewer tears). 

Date

Saturday, December 16, 2023 from 10 am – 12 pm

Location

The Clubhouse at 1846 Harvard Street, Houston, TX 77808

Price 

FREE and open to the public

Whether it’s a yearly tradition or you want to experience the magic of The Nutcracker for the first time, you have a few options for this holiday classic, including: 

·      The Houston Ballet Nutcracker - Houston Ballet’s full performance in the Wortham Center. 

·      Houston’s Urban Nutcracker, a fun cultural and inclusive take on the classic (appropriate for families)

·      Allegro Ballet Nutcracker - Performed in the auditorium of Katy High School. 

*Check individual websites for dates/prices.

Santa’s Wonderland is a grand outdoor Christmas celebration in College Station, Texas, featuring millions of dazzling lights, REAL Texas snow and ice, and a multitude of cheerful attractions. Enjoy hayrides, Marshall Frostbite's Snow Playground, meeting Texas Santa, snow tubing, and more. The event includes nightly live entertainment, specialty Texas-sized food and drinks, train rides, bull rides, photo ops, and Christmas shopping opportunities. 

Where: College Station | Santa's Wonderland

Magical Winter Lights is a spectacular holiday event featuring over 60 lantern displays, including the Space Maze and Dino Land, with larger-than-life lanterns, a towering Christmas tree, and animal kingdoms. The event also includes carnival rides, live shows, and mouth-watering treats from various vendors and food trucks. 

 Where: Katy | More Info: Magical Winter Lights
 

 A mile-long trail illuminated by two million lights, themed to holiday music, offering a visually stunning display of seasonal decorations.

Moody Gardens offers a diverse array of holiday attractions, including ICE LAND, Festival of Lights, and an Ice Skating Rink, set amidst breathtaking natural surroundings. The resort features educational activities, dining options, and exciting entertainment for all ages.

Sugar Land Holiday Lights features over 3 million lights, a carnival, holiday vendors, and Santa Claus at Constellation Field.

City Lights Downtown Holiday Magic presented by Shell Energy transforms downtown Houston into a vibrant holiday destination with 11 themed villages, featuring spectacular lights, ice skating, and family-friendly activities.

The Light Park is a mile-long, drive-thru spectacle featuring millions of synchronized lights and festive music, perfect for a holiday celebration.

Cistern Illuminated is an immersive light and sound installation in the Buffalo Bayou Park Cistern, featuring new interactive elements and showcasing the Cistern’s repeating columns and their uncanny reflections on the glassy water below. The event highlights the space’s extraordinary acoustics with special choral performances.

A timeless adaptation of Charles Dickens' novella, A Christmas Carol, follows Ebenezer Scrooge as he encounters the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Future, transforming from a miserly loner to a benevolent benefactor. The production features dazzling costumes and stunning sets, transporting audiences to Victorian England.

Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas is projected in its entirety on a big screen, accompanied by Danny Elfman's darkly charming score played live by the orchestra.

Dates: November 16th-17th

A variety show featuring world-class entertainers performing to your favorite holiday music, with stunning costumes and awe-inspiring performances for all ages.

There's something about packing up the family and heading out to a Houston Christmas tree farm to hand-pick and cut down your very own!  

Brookshire, TX {November 28th-December 14th}

Livingston, TX {Open November 29th- December 15th}

Manvel, TX {Opens November 29th}

Spring, TX  {Sales begin November 23} 

Magnolia, TX  {Opens November 23rd}

Alvin, TX  {Opens November 29th}

The magic of Galveston’s Victorian festival returns yet again! Be transported back in time with elegant costumes, street peddlers, parades, carolers, and plenty of holiday eats and drinks!

Where: Galveston | More info: Dickens

(December 6– 8| Various Times & Events)

From snow patches and Santa’s Workshop to holiday movies and live music, there’s something for everyone at this holiday celebration. Don’t miss the annual Christmas Boat Lane Parade on December 14 where hundreds of decorated boats cruise down the bay. They also have a huge New Year’s Eve celebration with family fun and fireworks too!

Where: Kemah | More info: Kemah

(Weekends from December 1-22)

The holidays come alive on this 3/4 mile track accented by over 300,000 lights and Christmas displays, gingerbread houses, and more. The train conductor does recommend purchasing tickets online in advance beginning November 1 but walk up tickets are also available on a first come, first serve basis.

Where: Alvin | More info: Alvin Train

(November 29-30, December 5-7, 12-14, 16-23| Departure times vary)

If you aren’t a native Houstonian, you might be surprised to discover that tamales are a BIG deal around the holidays here. This fun and festive event celebrates the diversity of Houston, and of course, all things TAMALES. Come hungry and ready to dance the afternoon away, while enjoying the various vendor booths and local offerings.

Where: Houston | More info: Tamales

(December 7)

Location: Navigation Esplanade | 2500-2800 Navigation Blvd, Houston, TX 77003

Walk through and experience our free Live Nativity! Come and see the events of the first Christmas in an evening of lights, live illustration, and music. As in Bethlehem of old, our Bethlehem Village will consist of families working at their trade together: the carpenter will be teaching his son, the weaver her daughter, and so on. We will also have related crafts for you to do, which our volunteers will assist. 

Where: Houston | More Info: Live Nativity

 Saturday, December 9, 2023 5:00-7:00 PM 

http://www.specialrodeo.org/

https://www.cmhouston.org/

https://sailingangels.org/

https://www.k2academy.com/adaptive-gymnastics/

https://www.milleroutdoortheatre.com/

https://morganswonderland.com/

https://www.soapboxderby.org/aasbd-race-program/super-kids.aspx

https://sire-htec.org/

https://www.challengeair.com/

https://www.houstontx.gov/parks/adaptivesports.html

https://www.inspiringpossibilities.org/

https://www.facebook.com/LTDTheWoodlands/

https://www.reelabilitieshouston.org/

https://www.sotx.org/

https://www.hmns.org/

https://www.pasadenatx.gov/Directory.aspx?DID=10

https://www.werockthespectrumthewoodlands.com/

https://starskaters.org/

https://easyaccesstravel.com/

https://www.studiomoviegrill.com/Movie/Film-Series/Special-Needs-Screenings

https://www.amctheatres.com/programs/sensory-friendly-films

https://wheel-life.com/

https://houmuse.org/

https://www.treasuresofjoy.org/

https://gigisplayhouse.org/sugarland/

https://autismontheseas.com/

http://www.uh.edu/csd/

http://www.thinkcollege.net/

https://www.hccs.edu/continuing-education/departments/hcc-vast-academy/

https://aggieachieve.tamu.edu/

https://disabilitystudies.utexas.edu/e4texas

https://www.landmark.edu/

https://www.lonestar.edu/lifePATH

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https://www.affordablecollegesonline.org/financial-aid-and-scholarships/fully-accessible-guide-paying-college-students-disabilities/

https://tcdd.texas.gov/resources/higher-education-resources/

https://tcdd.texas.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/2020-Higher-Ed-Guide-Remediated-EN.pdf

 This scholarship is exclusively for beginning college students with disabilities who are completing their first semester of college and going on to their second semester. Applicants write an essay about a challenge they overcame during their first semester of college. Please click the link above for full details. (Due Date: December 1st, 2023)  This is our third year offering this scholarship. 

https://www.simmonsandfletcher.com/students-disabilities-scholarship/

 The Foundation for Autism Care, Education and Services improves the lives of Houston, Texas area children with autism spectrum disorder and their families by providing scholarships for Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), the most studied and validated therapy available.  

Applications are open to Houston, Texas area residents only. This includes residents of Brazoria, Chambers, Fort Bend, Galveston, Harris, Liberty, Montgomery and Waller counties.

https://facesautism.org/scholarships

On a mission to show what people with differing abilities can do, this scholarship celebrates people with Autism.  

Are you a high school student who will be graduating this year, or a current college student who will be enrolled for the Fall 2024 semester? 

Submit a brief statement about yourself and what you will do with the autism scholarship. Then, design a pair of socks! 

Deadline: March 15, 2024. 

https://johnscrazysocks.com/pages/autism-can-do-scholarship-2024

Brought to our attention by an Eagle Scout, Jackson, this is a carefully crafted and helpful guide to various financial resources, discounts and savings opportunities, and travel tips for students with disabilities.  

https://couponfollow.com/research/financial-resources-for-students-with-disabilities

This gem celebrates human connection and calls for shared activism. The resource section at the back helps classes talk about ableism, accessibility, and more. An all-ages book with many layers.

Joe is deep into a game of pirates at the playground when other children begin asking him questions about why he has one leg. Joe deftly keeps the focus on play, teaching his playmates about empathy and privacy. This is an important book for talking about respectful responses to (any) differences. 

Add this joyful title to your collection of books about families! A young boy zooms through the day on his mom’s lap in her wheelchair.

Written by an author with autism, these stories encouragingly highlight common experiences for neurodiverse kids. Many children can relate to having to cope at noisy places, manage schedule changes, try new foods, or figure out another’s feelings.

This personal narrative explains how the metaphor of a flowing river helped the author feel less alone with his stuttering.

Zulay is a blind first grader. She’s already learned to read and write Braille, climb trees, swim, and has a fun crew of friends. She’s learning to use a cane, and she works determinedly to run a race on Field Day. 

BY SHANE BURCAW

The author uses photos and examples from his own life to answer FAQs and normalize disability for kids. He has a great sense of humor, which makes for an accessible, light-hearted tone. Just give it a read through first to make sure your students with disabilities would feel comfortable hearing the book shared in a group. Also, point out that while Shane is eager to share personal details, not all disabled people feel the same.

BY JESSICA KENSKY and PATRICK DOWNES 

Jessica Kensky, an amputee, shares how her black lab is both a service dog and a treasured companion.

BY ANNETTE BAY PIMENTEL

As an 8-year-old with cerebral palsy, activist Jennifer Keelan-Chaffins crawled to the top of the Capitol building steps. This Capitol Crawl protest helped spur Congress to pass the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in 1990. The resource section teaches readers more about the history of the ADA as well as the work still to be done.

This teacher and author who has Spinal Muscular Atrophy sends a clear message: “Having a disability is one of the many ways to be normal.” It’s a great conversation starter about how to live—and spread—this mindset.

BY CERRIE BURNELL

The author explains that this collection of mini-bios is a children’s book about disabilities she wishes she had as a kid. 

This author was the first person in a wheelchair to be cast in a Broadway show, so she’s well suited to write about thirteen-year-old Natalie, whose biggest dream is to be a musical theater star.

Cece Bell based this graphic novel on her own experiences with deafness—her “superpower.” The author’s note can help kids learn about varied experiences in the Deaf community.

Tween sisters Lara and Caroline start a detective agency and end up taking a closer look at their own family mysteries. Each sister has different characteristics on the autism spectrum. This is an affirming title for kids with similar experiences written by an autistic author.

As a child with multiple disabilities, Sam demonstrates a heroic spirit. She is a fearless six-year-old girl with amazing strength and determination, and though challenges are a normal part of her life, you will see that she lives so happily that it would be unfair to focus solely on her disabilities. 

This is a heartwarming story of two brothers who aren't having good days.  While Benji, Sammy's brother who has autism has a way to deal with his bad day, Sammy doesn't.  When feels like no one cares about him, someone close to him has an idea how to help.

BY JULIA FINLEY MOSCA and DANIEL RIELEY

The Girl Who Thought in Pictures is the first educational book series about the inspiring life of one of the world's quirkiest science heroes.   When Temple Grandin was young, she was diagnosed with autism and not expected to speak ever.  Yet, as Temple grew, she learned to cope with her autism and allowed her to connect to animals, helping to create groundbreaking improvements for farms!

Patricia Polacco is a world-renowned book author who has written many authentic books with characters that allow the reader to connect to themselves.   Thank You, Mr. Falker is a wonderful book for children ages PreK-3rd grade that may be struggling readers. Trisha is an artist, but when it comes to reading, the words look jumbled.  It takes a special teacher to recognize her dyslexia and to push her to overcome it.

“Peanut Butter Falcon” was the highest grossing independent film in 2019. Featuring oustanding performances by Shia LeBouf and Zack Gottsagen, the movie is a comedy-drama about friendships, fortitude and the pursuit of dreams. The story follows the adventure of a young man (played by Zack) who dreams of becoming a professional wrestler and attending the wrestling school run by his wrestling idol. 

“Crip Camp,” a documentary from Barack and Michelle Obama’s production company, Higher Ground Productions. Defiant, boisterous and at times shocking, it takes a look back at Camp Jened (located in the Catskills in the US), which welcomed people with disabilities in the 1950s, 60s and 70s when many mainstream summer camps did not and in an era when people with disabilities were sent away to institutions simply because of their disabilities. 

Starring performances by Sean Penn, Michelle Pfeiffer and a young Dakota Fanning, “I Am Sam” is a fictional drama about a man who is living with an intellectual disability, who is fighting to keep custody of his daughter after they were abandoned by the mother. It’s an examination of the social prejudices and stereotypes against people with intellectual disabilities (general developmental delay), and their abilities and rights as parents. 

 It's important to relate to the youth of the world that disabilities make us unique, not different, and are especially not an invite for hurtful ridicule. Based on the novel from R. J. Palacio, Wonder follows the elementary-school-aged Auggie Pullman (Jacob Tremblay), a boy born with Treacher Collins syndrome (which basically translates to severe facial deformities). 

Darius Weems, a teenager who lives with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, and his road trip from Athens, Georgia, to Los Angeles to raise money to find a cure for his disease, and to ask MTV to customize his wheelchair on its show Pimp My Ride. The film won awards at film festivals across the US.

One of the most commercially successful films in Hollywood history. The film takes viewers through the life of a developmentally delayed boy from Alabama who goes on to witness or influence several pivotal moments in American history. 

A young hurler, who has autism, is an inspiration to the players and coaches on a minor league baseball team. (PG)

When a young woman with an intellectual disability is placed in an institution, she will stop at nothing to return to the man of her dreams. Featuring a breakthrough cast with intellectual and developmental disabilities, LOVE LAND challenges stereotypes in a story of labels, love, and liberty.

 A young woman with Down Syndrome (GLEE's Lauren Potter) must face the harsh realities of adulthood after an unexpected turn of events with her boyfriend.

Educating Peter centers on Peter Gwazdauskas, a third-grade student with Down syndrome who attends school with typically developing students.

After his father is killed in the World Trade Center on September 11, a young boy with autism embarks on a journey across New York City to discover the purpose of a mysterious key. (PG-13)

Wishing to be more independent, and to escape her over-protective mother, a woman who has a developmental disability rents an apartment of her own and falls in love with a man who also has a developmental disability. (PG-13)

A baseball player whose professional career was cut short due to personal problems is suddenly awakened and invigorated by a young man with Down syndrome who works at the local grocery store. (PG-13)

Sam, a young man with autism spectrum disorder, decides it is time to start dating. (TV-MA)

https://www.learningforjustice.org/magazine/summer-2014/beautiful-differences

https://www.learningforjustice.org/classroom-resources/texts/a-painter-named-kennedy

https://www.learningforjustice.org/magazine/summer-2015/clear-connection

 Camp Summit is a one-of-a-kind camp for individuals with disabilities where the emphasis is on each campers' abilities rather than their disabilities. Traditional camp activities are adapted to each individual, provided in our barrier-free facilities, and implemented by trained, caring staff. Near Dallas/Ft. Worth

https://www.campsummittx.org/

https://campsweeney.org/

https://www.marbridge.org/

https://www.lionscamp.com/

 Camp Blessing makes an iconic experience–summer camp–available to campers whose challenges prevent their participation elsewhere. We are a residential Christian summer camp offering love, acceptance and fun to children and young adults with special needs and their siblings. We believe that our campers, regardless of ability level, should have all of the fun summer camp has to offer. Near Brenham

https://campblessing.org/

http://laportetx.gov/444/Youth-Adult-Programs

https://www.aogh.org/

https://www.texaselkscamp.com/

https://www.facebook.com/CristoViveInternational/

https://www.eftx.org/epilepsy-camps/

 A week-long day camp for children with disabilities (ages 6-15) and their siblings (ages 6-10) to attend together. Campers are paired 1:1 with a volunteer, who acts as their buddy throughout the week and helps to lead them through the day of activities. Camp hours are from 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Monday through Friday for campers.  https://eastersealshouston.org/services/camps-and-recreation/camps/

https://campcamp.org/

 Camp For All is a Houston special needs camp for children that provides a safe, inclusive, barrier-free camping experience for children with a wide variety of special needs and challenging illnesses.  

https://www.campforall.org/

A resource list of camps for kids with special needs in and around Houston.

https://houston.kidsoutandabout.com/content/special-needs-camps-kids-and-around-houston