Katherine Swarts – Page 4

About PDSES: A Texas Grant for Your Children’s Special Education

“Free” public education isn’t really free. Families still pay for non-textbook supplies, school clothes/uniforms, in-school meals, and many extracurricular activities. And that’s just for able-bodied, neurotypical students. If your child has disabilities, there are expenses such as wheelchair maintenance, medications,…

older adult holding smartphone with younger adult sitting next to her on couch looking on

Overcoming Social Isolation for Older Adults

More than one-third of 50–80-year-old Americans report feeling lonely and/or “socially isolated.” There are many reasons, but the most common factors are: Other contributing factors include: How We Can Help For many, the answer is “getting together” virtually, with the…

photo of CES sign at las vegas convention center

Consumer Electronics Show 2025: Recap

This year’s Consumer Electronics Show (CES) was held January 6–10 in Las Vegas. Sponsored by the Consumer Technology Association Foundation (CTA Foundation or CTAF), this gigantic expo showcases the latest in technology for the everyday consumer. Over 4,500 exhibitors and…

students and teacher gathered around a laptop at table

The Upgraded and Improved TexasYouth2Adult

BridgingApps’ TexasYouth2Adult website got a major upgrade in 2024, thanks to a generous grant from UnitedHealthcare (UHC). UHC’s support has allowed us to make a number of much-needed site updates and other improvements to this unique resource for youth with…

Youth2Adult Breaks New Ground: Introducing the Virginia Transition Tool

Our TexasYouth2Adult website/tool, “created to empower youth with special health care needs to transition successfully into adulthood,” now has a sister site for Virginia. Why a Transition Tool? For those used to individualized education programs, the world beyond high school…

3 adults sitting on couch together looking at laptop

10 Tips for Making Progress That Counts

“Life is a marathon, not a sprint”—but who can wait until the 26th mile to savor the joy of accomplishment? Without regular milestones to mark progress, it’s easy to get discouraged and give up. Whether your long-term goal is to…

Holiday Apps for Family Travel

When it comes to holiday travel, getting there is rarely half the fun. Not when you’re dealing with heavy luggage, winter driving, crowded roads and airports, security checks—and frustrated, bored, overstimulated children. Our BridgingApps for Traveling Over the Holidays list…

Planning Autism-Friendly Holidays for Your Children

For children with autism, the holidays aren’t always happy. Flashing lights, loud music, and strange aromas assault the senses. Noisy crowds are everywhere. Routines are disrupted. And with end-of-year school breaks, parents often bear a double burden: managing the children…

dad helping young daughter with homework

What Is National Special Education Day?

Hope you had a happy Thanksgiving Day! You may also have observed some of the days attached to Thanksgiving: If you’re a churchgoer, you may know that in 2024, “Thanksgiving Sunday” (December 1) was also the first Sunday of Advent.…

family in front of Christmas tree taking selfie

BridgingApps Holiday App Favorites 🎄

Post-Thanksgiving days are here, and the next few weeks will be a blur of: Be sure to save time for the quieter traditions: the candles and meditations and peaceful family nights. However your family prefers to celebrate, there’s an app…