Westfield Mom Launches Special Needs Online Directory

Westfield, NJ -- For years Leslie Crowe struggled with finding special needs service providers for her son.

Jack Leone was diagnosed with Aspergers at the age of three and needed a speech therapist.

“It was a whole new world of special needs,” Crowe of Westfield told Patch. “I didn’t know where to start so I got out the Yellow Pages. It was very difficult back then.”

Jack is now 14, and throughout his life Crowe struggled with finding the proper therapy or services he needed.

“It’s always been a struggle,” Crowe said. “To this day I am still trying to find a good local therapist for Jack who has experience with Aspergers and takes our insurance.”

Looking for a solution that Crowe was sure many other parents were also struggling with. Crowe started NeedQuest.com -- an online local search directory to find special needs providers.

“I wanted to make a sort of Angie's List-like website for special needs parents,” Crowe said.

Crowe launched her site last week which has more than 30 local providers and more than 100 parents on their website. Parents can search and join for free.

Further, NeedQuest currently offers users the following categories of special needs service providers to choose from: Therapists, Schools, Camps, Medical/Dental, Sports Programs, Music Programs, Early Intervention, Travel/Activities, After School Programs, Holistic, Parent Support, Government Agencies, Day Care, Financial, Housing and Legal.

The site currently serves all of Union County and Crowe plans to create a solid foundation before branching out to other areas of New Jersey.

“The web site serves as a way to bring the community together,” Crowe said. “Because we are a highly-fragmented community.”

For more information visit NeedQuest.com.

(Photo Taryn Donofrio: Leslie and Jack Crowe)