ADD, ADHD, and dyspraxia resources in Seattle and North King County

This is a review in only the loosest possible way, but I had some bits and pieces I wanted to assemble in one spot and this seems like a good place. A few times a month -- and that's not an exaggeration -- I have a conversation with a parent who's just found out their kid has special needs of one type or another. A few days ago I met a woman at a playground whose son had just been semi-diagnosed with ADHD, and she ended up using a golf pencil to scrawl phone numbers on the label of her water bottle.

So, for that woman at the playground and for anyone else who can use it, here are some helpful people in the Seattle / Shoreline / North King County area.

Rosemary White PT/ OT. She has a waiting list for new clients; get on it. The other therapists in her office are good, too. Occupational and physical therapy can help with all sorts of issues, including dyspraxia. I think most of her clients are on the autistic spectrum, but not all of them are. Her summer camp is great -- expensive, and medical insurance doesn't cover it, but great. Any age.

The Parenting Clinic, a.k.a. Dinosaur School. A wonderful program at UW for young children who need to learn how to control their aggressive and impulsive aspects, and for parents to learn how to help them with it. I can't recommend it highly enough. My family was very lucky and got into the summer camp and Saturday morning parenting program. It was life changing, in a good way. Ages 4 - 8, roughly.

Child Find. This is the first step in getting your kid into special ed in Seattle, and here's Child Find for the Shoreline school district. Free preschool, and they get to ride the bus! Yeah! Score! (No, but really, it's bizarre how many friends were envious that my three-year-old got into special ed while they had to pay for their neurotypical child to go to preschool. People are strange.) Age 3 and up.

ABCD, Inc. Child psychologists. If you want an official diagnosis -- which can be useful for getting your son or daughter the resources they need -- this is a good place to go. Any age.

Wonderland. In Shoreline. All kinds of support for all kinds of special needs. I don't know them personally, but I've heard only good things about them. Newborn to age 3.

Kindering Center. Like Wonderland, but in Bellevue. They have parent support groups with childcare (although the babysitters were a bit out of their depth, I found). Newborn to age 3.

Shoreline Co-op Preschool. Not specifically for kids with special needs, but the teacher there is great about working with all kinds of children. Ages 2 - 5, roughly.

The Center for Children with Special Needs. At Children's Hospital. I haven't found much of use here, but maybe you will. Any age.

Washington State's ombudsman for special education. This is where you take your complaints with the school district, if you have any. And maybe you won't! Let's stay optimistic, shall we?

...but just in case: Dussault Law Group. A legal firm specializing in helping people with disabilities.

Dale Turner YMCA in Shoreline has "special skills" baseball and soccer teams, and they're going to do more. Each player has a "buddy" who helps them stay on target, throw a ball, or whatever it is they need assistance with. The teams aren't listed on the website, so give the Y a call. Ages 5 to 21, I think, but they might start younger.

Outdoors for All has day camps and other activities for people with all sorts of disabilities. Well-intentioned and friendly, but they didn't know what to do with an impulsive kid who kept running away. Who can blame them? I don't know what to do, either.


More as I think of it. Good luck! Courage! Look after yourself!