Smart Kids with Learning Disabilities

What Smart Kids with Learning Disabilities does

Smart Kids with Learning Disabilities is a Connecticut-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1999 by Jane B. Ross to serve parents and caregivers of children with learning disabilities and ADHD. The organization delivers a comprehensive suite of free educational resources and programs, anchored by a content-rich website (smartkidswithld.org) that hosts hundreds of expert-authored articles, guides, and a blog covering topics including dyslexia, ADHD, executive functioning, IEPs, 504 plans, evaluations, assistive technology, and college transitions. Programs are delivered through multiple channels: a free monthly email newsletter, a recurring parent webinar series with archived recordings, in-person parent support groups hosted with the Fairfield Public Library, an annual Parent Conference co-presented with the Fairfield University School of Education and Human Development, and the annual Fred J. Epstein Youth Achievement Awards and Denim & Sparkles Benefit gala. Underlying technology is a standard web-based content platform; no commercial software, APIs, mobile apps, or AI/ML capabilities were disclosed.

The organization is funded entirely through donations and fundraising events rather than product sales — all resources are provided free of charge to parents. Revenue streams include one-time and recurring individual donations, legacy giving, and an annual gala (Denim & Sparkles) supported by a tiered corporate sponsorship program. Operations are supported by a small team (11–50 employees) headquartered in Norwalk, CT, with leadership including Founder Jane B. Ross and Interim Executive Director Lisa Pannone, JD, and a Board of Directors with honorary members Henry Winkler (Honorary Chairman), Anne Ford, and former Connecticut Governor Dannel Malloy. The customer base is a national, horizontal segment of parents of children with LD/ADHD, supplemented by educators and clinicians who refer families to the organization's resources.

Name

Smart Kids with Learning Disabilities

Legal name

Smart Kids with Learning Disabilities, Inc.

Website

https://smartkidswithld.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1999

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Smart Kids with Learning Disabilities is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides free expert-authored articles, webinars, support groups, an annual conference, and youth recognition awards to parents of children with learning disabilities and ADHD across the United States.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Special Education Parent Resources

NAICS

Educational Support Services (611710), Educational Support Services (61171), Child and Youth Services (62411)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Special Education, Disability Support & Inclusive Education Nonprofits (BPAGADAH)

akta.pro secondary industry

Autism Parent/Caregiver Education & Training (School-Linked) (EDAKAKAJ)

Keywords

• Special education resources
• Learning disability support
• Parent education services
• ADHD family resources
• Special needs advocacy

Headquarters

HQ city

Westport

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: One-time and recurring donations from individual supporters. The organization runs online donation forms and promotes monthly giving programs to provide steady revenue for free resources and programs.
2. Event-Based Fundraising: Annual Denim & Sparkles Spring Benefit event featuring cocktail reception, dinner, awards program, and live/silent auctions to raise funds for organizational programs.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Smart Kids with Learning Disabilities is a nonprofit organization that provides free educational resources, expert-authored articles, webinars, newsletters, parent support groups, and an annual conference for parents and caregivers of children with learning disabilities and ADHD. All offerings are delivered at no cost to families and are funded by individual donations and event sponsorships.

Product overview

Smart Kids with Learning Disabilities is a nonprofit organization offering a comprehensive suite of free educational resources and programs for parents of children with learning disabilities and ADHD. The core offering is a content-rich website providing articles, guides, and practical resources. The organization complements its digital platform with in-person programs including an Annual Parent Conference, Parent Support Groups, and the Denim & Sparkles Benefit. Key recognition programs include the Fred J. Epstein Youth Achievement Awards for students and the Countdown to Kindergarten Program for early childhood development. Additional offerings include a Free Monthly Newsletter, Parent Webinar Series with recorded sessions, an award-winning Blog, and an Ask the Experts Q&A panel. The portfolio is entirely nonprofit-oriented with no commercial software products, APIs, or technology integrations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Parent Webinar Series Free parent-focused webinar series covering topics such as learning differences, ADHD, executive functioning, literacy, school success, mental health, and self-advocacy, featuring expert panelists and recordings of past sessions.
• Parent Support Groups Free in-person parent support groups in partnership with the Fairfield Public Library, providing opportunities for parents and caregivers to connect, share experiences, and find support from others raising children with learning differences.
• Annual Parent Conference Annual in-person conference held at Fairfield University featuring leading experts on ADHD, dyslexia, advocacy, social challenges, and related topics. Includes keynote speakers, breakout sessions, expert panels, and networking with exhibitors.
• Countdown to Kindergarten Program A program empowering parents to help young children develop early literacy and social-emotional skills, preparing them for kindergarten.

Quantifiable outcome

• Free monthly newsletter and award-winning blog provide up-to-date information, news, and research to thousands of families
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Fairfield Public LibrarycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSmart Kids partners with the Fairfield Public Library to host free in-person Parent Support Groups for parents of children with learning differences and ADHD. The groups resume in September 2026 and continue throughout the school year.
• Fairfield University School of Education and Human DevelopmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSmart Kids' annual Parent Conference is presented in partnership with the Fairfield University School of Education and Human Development. The conference takes place at the Dolan School of Business at Fairfield University.
• Sasco River CenterminorOthersSasco River Center is a Diamond-level sponsor of the Denim & Sparkles 2026 Spring Benefit. Christopher Bogart, PhD, Executive Director of Sasco River Center, also serves on the Smart Kids Board of Directors and Professional Advisory Board.
• Winston Preparatory SchoolminorOthersWinston Preparatory School is a Platinum sponsor of the Smart Kids 2026 Parent Conference, supporting the organization's educational programs for parents of children with LD/ADHD.
• The Bridge Program Wooster SchoolminorOthersThe Bridge Program at Wooster School is a Platinum sponsor of the Smart Kids 2026 Parent Conference.
• The Southport SchoolminorOthersThe Southport School is a Silver sponsor of the 2026 Parent Conference and contributes speakers to the program, including Jeffrey Ruggiero, MS, Executive Director of Academic Programs and Research.
• Franklin AcademyminorOthersFranklin Academy is a Bronze sponsor of the 2026 Parent Conference, with Dr. Alexander Morris-Wood serving as Head of School and board member of College Autism Network contributing as a speaker.
• Sadar Psychological and Sports CenterminorOthersSadar Psychological is a Silver sponsor of the 2026 Parent Conference, with Jenna Prada, M.Ed., Director of Learning, presenting on body-based self-regulation tools.
• Fusion AcademyminorOthersFusion Academy (Fairfield, Greenwich, and Westchester campuses) is a Silver sponsor of the 2026 Parent Conference.
• Superpower MentorsminorOthersJake Sussman, founder of Superpower Mentors, is the keynote speaker at the 2026 Parent Conference, presenting on reframing learning differences as strengths.

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Emerging players

• ADDitude Magazine: ADDitude is a multimedia ADHD information brand offering expert articles, webinars, and a paid online community serving parents and adults with ADHD. It is a comparable content-first LD/ADHD parent resource, though it is a for-profit media business rather than a nonprofit.
• Reading Rockets: Reading Rockets is a national public media literacy initiative offering free, research-based resources for teaching reading to children with learning differences. It is comparable as a free expert-content resource serving parents and educators of children with reading-related learning disabilities.

Direct peers

• National Center for Learning Disabilities (NCLD): NCLD is a national nonprofit advocating for individuals with learning disabilities and their families through policy, resources, and youth programs. It directly parallels Smart Kids' parent-empowerment and advocacy mission, and notably shares an honorary board member (Anne Ford) with Smart Kids.
• Understood.org: Understood.org is a leading free digital resource for parents of children with learning and attention issues, offering expert-reviewed articles, tools, and a large online community. It is the most direct nonprofit peer to Smart Kids with Learning Disabilities given overlapping LD/ADHD parent-education mission and free content model.
• Wrightslaw: Wrightslaw is a leading online resource for parents and advocates navigating special education law, IEPs, and 504 plans. It closely overlaps with Smart Kids' parent-advocacy content focus and free distribution model.
• Learning Disabilities Association of America (LDA): LDA is a national nonprofit serving individuals with learning disabilities through advocacy, education, and research, with a network of state and local affiliates offering parent resources. Comparable to Smart Kids in mission, audience, and reliance on volunteer-led parent programming.
• International Dyslexia Association (IDA): IDA is a nonprofit providing comprehensive information and resources on dyslexia, dysgraphia, and other language-based learning differences for parents, educators, and individuals. It overlaps with Smart Kids on dyslexia-specific parent content and educator partnerships.
• CHADD (Children and Adults with ADHD): CHADD is a national nonprofit providing education, advocacy, and support for individuals affected by ADHD. It is highly comparable to Smart Kids given its overlap on ADHD parent education, webinars, conferences, and local chapter support groups.

Regional players

• Decoding Dyslexia: Decoding Dyslexia is a grassroots parent-led movement advocating for dyslexia identification and instruction, with state chapters across the U.S. It is comparable to Smart Kids in parent-led advocacy and community organizing for children with LD.

Broad incumbents

• Parent Training and Information Centers (PTI) - Center for Parent Information and Resources: The PTI/CPIR network is a federally funded set of parent training and information centers providing free resources, training, and advocacy support to parents of children with disabilities. It broadly overlaps with Smart Kids' parent-empowerment mission but operates at a larger, federally supported scale.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks4 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/smartkidswld
• Facebookfacebook.com/SmartKidsWithLD
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/smart-kids-with-learning-disabilities-inc-

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Smart Kids with Learning Disabilities