About us

Built from lived experience.

My Special Needs Village was created to bring families together in one trusted, supportive community built by moms who truly understand the journey.

Founded by two mothers of children with special needs — one a Speech-Language Pathologist and the other a Special Education Teacher, School Counselor, and Special Education Advocate — this village was born from lived experience. We felt the gaps ourselves: the struggle to find trusted therapists, reliable support, honest recommendations, meaningful connections, and everyday help from people who truly "get it."

Because raising a child with special needs takes a village — and we're building one together.

Ruthie Lydon

Special Education Teacher, School Counselor, Special Education Advocate

"Every child can thrive when they have the right support system behind them. It truly takes a village."

Ruthie Lydon is a Special Education Teacher, School Counselor, and Special Education Advocate with over 22 years of experience in special education, school counseling, social work, special education advocacy, executive functioning coaching, tutoring, and college and career preparation. As both an educator and a parent of a child with unique needs, she understands firsthand the challenges, emotions, and victories of raising and supporting a child with unique needs — and has dedicated her career to helping students and families succeed and find joy in learning.

Tanya Acosta-Sinnott

Speech-Language Pathologist, M.A., CCC-SLP

"Having a village is more important than ever — no parent should have to figure this out alone."

Tanya Acosta, M.A., CCC-SLP, is the owner and director of Boston Speech Therapeutics LLC, as well as the owner of ACM Staffers and founder of Sensory City. She is a Massachusetts state-licensed and nationally certified Speech-Language Pathologist, bilingual in English and Spanish, and a mother of a child with Down syndrome — a journey that fuels her passion for connecting families, professionals, and communities.

Our mission

To make families feel less alone, more informed, and more empowered — while helping every child reach their fullest potential. My Special Needs Village is proud to be the first hub of its kind in Massachusetts — a place where parents can connect with providers, providers can connect with families, and parents can connect with other parents who truly understand the journey. Because no family should have to navigate this journey alone — everyone deserves the right village.

Connect families with trusted providers

A vetted, searchable directory of therapists, schools, programs, and specialists across Massachusetts — with honest reviews from parents who have actually been there.

Make the invisible work visible

IEPs, insurance, waitlists, evaluations. We translate the systems families are expected to navigate alone into plain language and clear next steps.

Build real community, not just a directory

Mom Pods, shout-outs, meal trains, rides, and friendships. The practical, human support that makes a hard week survivable.

Champion inclusion everywhere

We push for sensory-friendly, accessible, and welcoming spaces in schools, businesses, and recreation — so our kids belong in their own communities.

Give providers a way to be found

Small practices and nonprofits doing extraordinary work often have no marketing budget. We put them in front of the families searching for exactly what they offer.

Keep it accessible and affordable

Searching, reading reviews, and taking the quiz will always be free for families. Paid plans exist to keep the village running, never to gate the basics.

Take the next step

Where do you fit in?

Request a consultation

Share what you're looking for and we'll point you in the right direction.

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Join as a parent

Find providers, share reviews, and form Mom Pods.

Join as a provider

Therapists & specialists — join our trusted directory.