Community guidelines

Special Needs Forum works because parents in hard seasons can count on this being a kind, useful place. These rules keep it that way. Moderators remove content that breaks them; repeat or serious violations lead to a ban.

1. Be kind first

Every family here is doing their best with the information they have. Disagree with ideas, never with a parent's worth. No shaming anyone's choices about therapies, schooling, medication, or diagnosis.

2. Protect children's privacy

Don't post children's full names, school names paired with identifying details, photos, or anything a future classmate could Google. First names or nicknames are fine.

3. Share experience, not prescriptions

"Here's what worked for us" is gold. "Stop your child's medication" is not allowed. Nobody here can diagnose a child or direct medical treatment — including professionals, who can only speak generally.

4. Professionals: disclose and don't promote

If you work in the field, say so — it makes your answer more useful. But answers exist to help the family who asked, not to win clients. No links to your own services, no DM solicitation, no "call my office."

5. No spam, ever

No affiliate links, cure-alls, MLM products, fundraising links, or off-topic promotion. Our filters and moderators are aggressive about this on purpose.

6. When you see a problem

Use the Report link on any post. A moderator reviews every report. If a post makes you worried about a child's immediate safety, contact local authorities — we are not an emergency response service.