What is eSpecialMatch.com?

eSpecialMatch.com is a social networking site dedicated to connecting the families of children with special needs and the professionals that serve them. The goals of eSpecialMatch.com are to:

1. Create a community where families can find information, support, friendship, and appropriate peers for their children
2. Connect families with service providers (therapists, doctors, etc.)
3. Help service providers connect with others in their field and across fields for professional development

eSpecialMatch.com is not:

1. A dating site
2. A site where individuals with special needs can create a profile for themselves. The individual’s legal guardian is responsible for creating and maintaining their profile.

How do I create a profile?

1. Click the "Sign up" link
2. Fill out your personal info
3. Choose your type of profile
   1. "Parent/Family Member"
   2. "Professional"
   3. "Friend"
4. Choose the way in which you would like to be contacted
   1. "Members can contact me at any time"-members can e-mail and add you to their friend list any time.
   2. "Send me an email when a member is interested in contacting me"-you will be sent an email that requires your approval before the member can be added to your friend list.
   3. Once the member is added to your friend list you can contact each other at any time.
5. Choose how the information is displayed
   1. "Public"-in addition to your friends, your profile information will be displayed to non-members and members that are not yet on your friend list. (Note: it is easier to make connections with other families and professionals if your profile is public.)
   2. "Private"-your profile info will only be displayed to your friends.
6. Input the CASE sensitive code.

How do I use the forum?

1. Create a profile and log in with your username and password
2. Locate the appropriate section for your comment
3. Click the link. If you see a conversation you would like to take part in, click the “Reply to topic” link.
4. If you would like to start a new conversation, click the “New Topic” link.
5. To view another member’s profile, click their name. Here you can see the user’s history and send them a direct email.

How do I personalize my profile?

1. My Information
   1. Click "My Information"
   2. Click "Next" until you reach the section you wish to edit
   3. Click "Edit"
2. My Photos
   1. Click "My Photos"
   2. Click "Browse"
   3. Select the photo you wish to upload
   4. Give the photo a title
3. My Blog
   1. Click "My Blog"
   2. Give your blog a title and description (Note-describing the blog does not add a blog post. Members cannot comment on your description. You must add an actual article to begin blogging).
   3. Hitting "Add Blog" activates your blog
   4. Click "Post New Blog" to begin blogging
   5. You can start a new blog from the home page by hitting "Create a Blog". If you want to add to your blog, you must do so from your profile.
4. My Reviews
   1. Click "My Reviews" in your profile or go the "Review" section on the home page
   2. Fill in the information and hit "Add Review"
   3. Once the administrator reviews and accepts the information, the review will be posted
5. My Chat
   1. Click "My Chat"
   2. Friends that are logged on will appear in the chat box
   3. Chat live
   4. Create groups in the chat box by clicking "New Group"

How do I post an event?

1. Go to the "Events" link in the "Information" section
2. Click the date of the event on the calendar
3. Once the administrator accepts the information, the event will be posted

How do I make friends?

1. Go to the "Community" link or "Search Community"
2. Search the community using the following criteria:
   1. Member search
   2. Family info
   3. Child info
   4. Professional info
3. Choose the member you wish to contact
   1. A house icon indicates the member is a parent or a family member of an individual with special needs.
   2. A cross icon indicates the member is a professional.
   3. If no icon is present, the member is either a friend or someone that does not wish to advertise their status
4. Click on the member’s link to open their profile
   1. If the profile is "Public" the profile information will be displayed
   2. If the profile is "Private" you can view the member’s pictures, blogs, and the “About me” section. You will be able to read the profile once you become friends with this member
5. Send the member a friend request. Depending on how the member chose to be contacted:
   1. The member will be added to your list, or
   2. The member will review and either accept or deny your request.
6. Once the member is added your friend list, you can email them by clicking the envelope icon.

What is a blog and why should I create one?

A blog, short for web log, is a personal online journal that is frequently updated and intended to be read by the public. Creating a blog is a great way to share your thoughts and experiences, or promote your cause, business or organization through online dialogue.
Have a question that you’d like to see posted on the eSpecialMatch.com FAQ?

Email your question to info@especialmatch.com.


eSpecialMatch.com
A Social Network for Special Needs