Crime Stoppers of Houston NEEDS Program

10/08/2026

💙 NEEDS Parenting 101 Tip: Teach Your Child How to Ask for Help!

Knowing how to ask for help is an important safety skill for children and young adults with autism and other neurodiverse needs.

Practice teaching your child how to identify a trusted adult, communicate when something is wrong, and share important information, like their name and a parent’s phone number.

For nonverbal individuals, consider a communication card or a device to help them express their needs.

💙 Building independence starts with teaching the skills to stay safe!

10/07/2026

Proud to highlight NEEDS Advisory Board member Sgt. John Stroble! 💙

Check out his video on Project Lifesaver, an incredible program supporting the safety of individuals with special needs and their families—an important part of the NEEDS mission.

09/24/2026

https://www.yahoo.com/news/us/articles/uh-downtown-launches-research-center-223135620.html

The Center for Crime, Urban Research and Education, or C-CURE, aims to partner with agencies in the Houston region and help them spot crime patterns and craft policy solutions.

09/22/2026

This is a heartbreaking reminder for all parents—especially parents of vulnerable children—to ask questions, remain vigilant, and truly listen to their children. Even when a child cannot—or does not—say that something is wrong, sudden changes in behavior may be their way of communicating distress. We must pay attention, trust our instincts, and never be afraid to ask difficult questions.

Court records detail allegations that at least two students at The Briarwood School, a Houston private school serving children with learning differences, were s*xually assaulted and harassed in locker rooms and other school-related settings during the 2025–26 school year.

09/22/2026

💙 NEEDS PARENTING 101: TIP OF THE WEEK

Topic: Encourage Independence Through Small Choices

Building independence does not happen all at once. For autistic and special needs children, it often begins with small, supported opportunities to make choices, solve problems, and complete everyday tasks.

Parents naturally want to help, but stepping back—even briefly—can give a child the chance to discover what they can do. Before automatically assisting, try asking, “Would you like help, or would you like to try it yourself?”

This week, try these strategies:

• Offer two manageable choices instead of making every decision for your child.
• Break a new task into smaller, easier steps.
• Allow extra time so your child can try without feeling rushed.
• Ask before stepping in to help.
• Encourage your child to order a meal, make a purchase, or ask a question.
• Praise effort, problem-solving, and persistence—not just the final result.
• Allow safe mistakes and use them as opportunities to learn.
• Celebrate each success, no matter how small it may seem.

Remember: Independence looks different for every child. The goal is not to remove all support—it is to provide the right support while helping your child build confidence, self-advocacy, and important life skills.

Send a message to learn more

09/20/2026

09/20/2026

Thank you to all the law enforcement officers, school counselors, educators, non-profits, etc. that came out for our Crime Stoppers of Houston NEEDS Lunch & Learn to help keep our most vulnerable citizens safe in our community. Together we are stronger!

09/19/2026

Thank you, Constable Rosen, for speaking at our NEEDS Lunch & Learn today. We truly appreciate your time, continued support, and all that you do for the NEEDS Program and the neurodiverse and autistic community. You are making a meaningful difference in our community!