SharonKingWorldWide Newsletter July 2026 Edition

Happy Fourth of July, Beautiful SharonKingWorldWide Community!

As we celebrate Independence Day, let us also celebrate the freedom to be ourselves, embrace our unique abilities, and build a world where every individual is valued, respected, and included. At SharonKingWorldWide, we believe every child, teen, and adult with special needs deserves the opportunity to learn, grow, succeed, and live a joyful life surrounded by love and acceptance.

Summer is a wonderful time to create lasting memories, explore new experiences, strengthen life skills, and enjoy quality time as a family. Whether your loved one has autism, ADHD, Down syndrome, a speech or language disorder, cerebral palsy, a behavioral or emotional disability, sensory processing challenges, an intellectual disability, or another developmental difference, there are many programs and resources available to support your journey.

July Awareness & Celebrations

July is Disability Pride Month!

Disability Pride Month celebrates the strength, resilience, talents, and accomplishments of individuals living with disabilities. It is a reminder that disabilities are a natural part of human diversity and that every person deserves dignity, respect, accessibility, inclusion, and equal opportunities.

July is also National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month, encouraging families to prioritize emotional wellness, reduce the stigma surrounding mental health, and seek support when needed. Remember, asking for help is a sign of strength.

As families enjoy summer activities, we also recognize World Drowning Prevention Day on July 25. Water safety is especially important for children with autism and other developmental disabilities. Close supervision, swimming lessons when appropriate, and water safety education can help keep our loved ones safe all summer long.

Summer Camps & Recreation Programs

Summer is the perfect opportunity for children to make friends, build confidence, develop social skills, and simply have fun. Many communities offer inclusive and adaptive programs designed to support children with disabilities.

Look for:

• Inclusive summer day camps
• Evening recreation programs
• Adaptive sports programs
• Therapeutic recreation
• Art and music camps
• STEM camps
• Nature camps
• Social skills groups
• Teen transition programs
• Camps offered through local Parks and Recreation Departments
• Programs through Regional Centers
• School district Extended School Year (ESY) services, if eligible

Resources for Children with Special Needs

Families looking for additional services may benefit from:

• Autism support services
• Speech and language therapy
• Occupational therapy
• Physical therapy
• Behavioral intervention services
• Social skills programs
• Developmental pediatricians
• Educational advocacy
• Assistive technology services
• Family Resource Centers
• Regional Centers

Resources for Parents & Caregivers

Parents and caregivers give so much of themselves every day. Please remember that caring for yourself is an important part of caring for your child.

Support is available through:

• Parent support groups
• Caregiver support groups
• Respite care services
• Parent mentoring programs
• Individual and family counseling
• Mental health services
• Educational workshops
• Family Resource Centers
• Financial assistance programs
• Community advocacy organizations

You are never alone. Every challenge you overcome and every milestone your family reaches deserves to be celebrated.

Helpful National Resources

• Autism Speaks — https://www.autismspeaks.org
• Autism Society of America — https://autismsociety.org
• Understood.org — https://www.understood.org
• Child Mind Institute — https://childmind.org
• Easterseals — https://www.easterseals.com
• The Arc — https://thearc.org
• Special Olympics — https://www.specialolympics.org
• YMCA — https://www.ymca.org
• Boys & Girls Clubs of America — https://www.bgca.org
• Camp Fire — https://www.campfire.org
• Parent Center Hub — https://www.parentcenterhub.org
• Family Voices — https://familyvoices.org
• National Center for Learning Disabilities — https://www.ncld.org
• Council for Exceptional Children — https://exceptionalchildren.org
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Developmental Milestones — https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd

California Resources

• California Department of Developmental Services (DDS) – Regional Centers
  https://www.dds.ca.gov
• Disability Rights California
  https://www.disabilityrightsca.org
• California Department of Education – Special Education
  https://www.cde.ca.gov/sp/se
• Family Empowerment Centers on Disability
  https://www.matrixparents.org/fecs
• 211 California (Local Community Resources)
  https://www.211ca.org

Monthly Encouragement

Every child learns differently.

Every voice deserves to be heard.

Every family deserves support.

Every milestone is worth celebrating.

No matter where your journey begins or where it leads, know that you are part of a caring and compassionate community. Continue believing in your loved one, celebrating every achievement, advocating with confidence, and embracing each new day with hope.

Thank you for being a valued member of the SharonKingWorldWide family. Together, we are creating a future where inclusion, acceptance, kindness, and opportunity are available to everyone.

Have a safe, joyful, and blessed Fourth of July!

With gratitude,

Sharon Mae King
Founder & CEO
SharonKingWorldWide

“Empowering Families. Inspiring Hope. Creating Inclusion.”