SPECIAL NEEDS NETWORK
The Go-to OrganizationFor Autism… Underserved Communities and Marginalized People.
Kevin Hart Picks Up Shopping Spree Tab for Special Needs Kids
One of Hollywood’s biggest stars teamed up with America’s largest brick-and-mortar retailer to spread joy this holiday season.
Kevin Hart and Sam’s Club are all in for a special L.A. nonprofit.
Bring Cheer to Special Needs Children this Holiday Season!
...Meet Prince
“What’s going to happen? Where do I start? Who do I talk to?”
Yesenia’s son Prince was diagnosed with autism at 18 months old. Like so many parents who have children with autism, questions like these raced through her mind when she received his diagnosis.
“I got very depressed, and I didn’t know how to act, what to do, or where to start,” Yesenia recalls, tears streaming down her cheeks.
“Prince would hit himself and cry and scream and hit his head. I would try to help, but I didn’t know what to do or say, and I would try to ask him what he wanted.”
Prince has a nonverbal form of autism, and without any outside guidance or support, Yesenia’s efforts to calm him or communicate with him were often in vain.
“One time I threw myself on the floor and cried for 20 minutes, and just prayed, because I didn’t know how to help my son.”
...But when Prince was five years old, his life and Yesenia's changed forever.
“I met a clinical supervisor named Carol, who specialized in Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) therapy. She sat down with me and reassured me that I wasn’t alone; she told me she worked for Special Needs Network, and that Prince was going to be fine, and I was going to be fine.”
Relief flooded over Yesenia as doors began opening for Prince to get the help and support that he needed at Special Needs Network – and for her to receive the parental support that she needed as well.
A compassionate team of highly trained behavioral therapists began working with Prince, and within a few months, the progress that he was making was changing both of their lives. “His increased abilities, motor skills, the way he walks… he even began playing and laughing! He can skip now too!”
“To be honest, if it wasn’t for ABA and Special Needs Network, I don’t know where my son would be today.”
Today, Prince's world is bigger than Yesenia had ever imagined could be possible
Now eleven-years-old, Prince attends school each morning, has ABA therapy at home with caring Special Needs Network staff every afternoon, and receives daily tutoring in sign language.
Today, the change in Prince that matters most to Yesenia isn’t something that can be quantified… it’s something that can be felt.
“When Prince looks at me, I feel like he’s looking right into my soul.” To Yesenia, that deep gaze from Prince means more than words can describe.
It hasn’t been an easy road, but Yesenia’s loving dedication to Prince, coupled with the unwavering support of his clinical team at Special Needs Network, has given them both a new perspective on life. For Yesenia, there is hope for her family’s future; for Prince, there is a wide new world to be explored, and it’s getting bigger every day.
“Every night when I put my son to bed, I tell him ‘Today was a good day, and tomorrow is going to be even better.’ He deserves everything.”
Prince's life is just one of thousands that has been touched by Special Needs Network.
But it takes a team to rally around a family, and today I would like to invite you to be part of our team by making a tax-deductible year-end gift. You have the power to change the lives of incredible children like Prince, and dedicated parents like Yesenia.
We hope your holiday season is a filled with joy and gratitude; at Special Needs Network, we are grateful to be able to count on generous supporters like YOU!
Mission
Values Statement
Special Needs Network, Inc. (SNN) is a nonprofit grassroots organization responding to the crisis of autism and other developmental disabilities in underserved communities. We recognize the intersectionality of individuals with disabilities and that their fight for disability rights is inextricably tied to the fight for racial justice and the civil rights of all people.
A Word
From Our President
“It is the men and women that I am privileged to work with at Special Needs Network and those whom I serve with on the Board of Directors of this organization do each and every day for the most vulnerable children in our society. And for this I am grateful and filled with hope that not only my son, but the thousands of kids like him across this nation, will continue to grow, thrive, and live their best lives. “
– Areva Martin, Esq.
PROGRAMS
Our long list of programs and campaigns address issues from both a top-down approach – by changing government legislation; and bottom-up – by collaborating directly with parents, caretakers, and healthcare professionals who work with children with developmental disabilities.
SNNABA
SNNABA provides direct therapy in a one-to-one setting, delivered by highly-skilled, experienced and culturally competent clinical staff. During individualized therapy sessions, behavior-based principles and naturalistic teaching strategies are used to target maladaptive behaviors and increase functional skills with the goal of improving the child’s and family’s quality of life. Families can access services through regional center funding, private health insurance and Medi-Cal.
Calendar
Upcoming Events + Programs
FRI
19
NOV
Sirens of Silence
9am–2pm
Special Needs Network, cordially invites families with children on the autism spectrum and other intellectual / developmental disabilities to come join us for a special in-person event.
Event Info
The Los Angeles County Fire Department will be on hand to help parents navigate potentially difficult emergency situations, as well as learn from you, how they can better serve their families. They will provide safety tips and other important information.
In addition, children will have the opportunity to get to know and explore a fire truck and other emergency equipment. You don’t want to miss this!!
Location:
MLK Jr. Center for Public Health
11833 S. Wilmington Ave., Los Angeles CA 90059
Please register with Connie via email at Connie@snnla.org.
For more info: https://fire.lacounty.gov/Sirens-Of-Silence
SAT
20
NOV
Free Community Vaccination Event
10am–1pm
Special Needs Network, Inc. together with Walmart Health & Wellness, Brotherhood Crusade, Assemblymember Isaac Bryan and Southside Coalition are helping protect our community from COVID19
Event Info
Reach out to Mary Lee for more information at mary@snnla.org or call 323.840.5201
THU
25
NOV
Thanksgiving
Enjoy your family and friends
Event Info
Testimonials
Meet Michelle Baylor
Michelle was introduced to Special Needs Network, Inc. in 2013 through the PAM program, and now she is one of our most involved Parent Advocate and Volunteer.
You are not alone
Your child has just received a diagnosis of autism, you are probably feeling completely overwhelmed. It is never easy to learn that someone you love has a serious health or developmental condition. Nothing is quite the same after the diagnosis comes in from the doctor. Many families report mixed feelings of sadness and relief when their child is diagnosed. You may also feel relieved to know that the concerns you have had for your child are valid. An entire world changes just at the diagnosis, but there is hope for both the parents and the child.
Join our network
We are more than an organization that provides health resources. we are support group …we are a family. Parent’s that engage with special needs network and our programs become the living breathing resources for the parent’s that follow. We are strong alone, but a force together.
Become and advocate
Our parent advocates participate in a wide-range of legislative advocacy campaigns and community and faith-based events throughout the state. Our “boots on the grounds” approach to community organizing helps to promote and support a wide-range of social justice issues and causes. Our Advocacy Teams launch and participate in grassroots policy advocacy campaigns and conduct activities such as townhall meetings, community forums, letter writing campaigns, press conferences and social media campaigns.
Parent Advisory Council PAC
Parents are our greatest resource, and SNN’s Parent Advisory Council provides our organization, partners, and policymakers with critical advice and counsel on issues related to children, teens, and adults with a range of special needs.
In-Person Events
Organization Employees
Virtual Programs
Families Served
Get In Touch
Location: 4401 Crenshaw Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90043
Telephone: (323) 291-7100
Email: info@specialneedsnetwork.org
School Hours: M-F: 8am – 5pm
In the NEWS
Press Releases + Statements
SNN serves as a link between families of children with autism and other developmental disabilities, underserved communities and the governmental institutions which often fail.
Kevin Hart Picks Up Shopping Spree Tab for Special Needs Kids
One of Hollywood's biggest stars teamed up with America's largest brick-and-mortar retailer to spread joy this holiday season. Kevin Hart and Sam's Club are all in for a special L.A. nonprofit. Spirits were high at Sam's Club in Oxnard as ten families with children on...
SNN celebrates milestone anniversary
With 500 guests in attendance, Special Needs Network successfully raised $350,000 to help build a specialized medical clinic that will serve South LA children with autism and other developmental disorders. Areva Martin (L), SNN co-founder, with LA Supervisor Mark...
Areva Martin receives key to the city of Lynwood
Award-winning civil rights attorney and nonprofit leader, Areva Martin receives key to city of Lynwood Lynwood, Calif. (12/10/15)— Edwin Hernandez, mayor of Lynwood, Calif., presented Areva Martin Esq., the president and co-founder of Special Needs Network (SNN),...