A strong support system is so important for parents. And it’s especially important when parenting children with differences and disabilities.
There are innumerable benefits to surrounding your child and yourself with people who are walking the same road as you, navigating IEPs, bouncing between therapies, and celebrating wins just like you.
Here are some Albuquerque resources and organizations for families, kids, and adults with differences and disabilities.
Autism Society of New Mexico
Autism Society New Mexico creates connections, empowering everyone in the Autism community with the resources needed to live life fully.
Best Buddies
Best Buddies New Mexico offers one-to-one friendship, integrated employment, and leadership development programs for individuals with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities in New Mexico.
Carrie Tingley Hospital Foundation
The Carrie Tingley Hospital Foundation is a philanthropic organization providing individualized services that bridge the gap for families and children with special needs and enable them to reach their full potential by giving them the same opportunities as children who are typically developing.
Cerebral Palsy Parent Association of New Mexico
CPPA offers support and understanding for families who share the unique and common bond of having a family member with special needs. CPPA distributes information to assist families with community resources, legal, insurance, medical, and school issues during monthly support meetings. They arrange recreational activities and programs for families throughout the year.
Cerebral Palsy Task Force
The CP Early Identification and Intervention Task Force works to increase awareness of clinical guidelines and help infants receive timely screenings. Cerebral palsy is the most common physical disability in children. Early screening and detection connect children with interventions, and new guidelines say children as young as three months can be screened.
Hands & Voices New Mexico
Harvest Church First Friday Dance
The first Friday of most months, Harvest Church hosts a First Friday Dance for those with special needs. You will dance, laugh, and have a great time!
Medically Fragile Case Management Program
Children who have a high level of dependence on medical technology, such as ventilators, tracheostomies, oxygen, feeding tubes, dialysis, and intravenous medication and require total care for all their daily needs are identified as medically fragile. UNM’s Medically Fragile Case Management Program offers registered nurse case management/service coordination services statewide for children who are medically fragile and their families.
Mi Via
Mi Via, which means “my path” or “my road,” is designed to assist you in managing your own services and supports to live your best life. It is about choosing self-direction over your home and community-based services, support, and goods within your approved plan and budget. Upon meeting medical and financial eligibility for Medicaid waiver services, a participant may choose Mi Via.
Office of the Special Education Ombud
The Office of the Special Education Ombud provides comprehensive information, resources, and support to public school students and families navigating the special education system in New Mexico.
Parents Reaching Out
Parents Reaching Out aims to enhance positive outcomes for families and children in New Mexico through informed decision-making, advocacy, education, and resources. Parents Reaching Out provides networking opportunities for families to connect with and support each other.
Partners for Employment
Partners for Employment’s mission is to build capacity by providing training, technical assistance, and opportunities for networking and collaboration. They work with state agency personnel, supported employment service providers, educators, family members, self-advocates, and employers to advance promising practices for inclusive employment throughout New Mexico.
UNM Center for Development & Disability
CDD’s mission is to advance exemplary services, research, education, and policies to support the well-being of all New Mexicans. They provide lifelong care for people with and at risk for developmental and other disabilities. CDD is New Mexico’s only federally funded Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities Education, Research, and Service.
Having extra support, no matter what the situation, can change stories and change lives.
If you are looking for early intervention services, we have you covered! Check out our guide here.
Are we missing any service providers on this list? If so, send us an email at [email protected].
