Most of the research in autism treatment and prevention is aimed at young children. Early intervention is best and most helpful, but as the autism population ages, so must treatment solutions be aimed at older children and young adults. As the Huffington Post points out, a new government report confirms that there is little scientific… Read More »
Posts Categorized: Future Needs
Chalimony: When Divorce Meets Special Needs
As many parents of special needs kids know, raising a disabled child is much more expensive than raising typical children. I have previously discussed some of the extraordinary costs in my post on Divorce and Special Needs Children. Many states mandate that parents of a disabled child continue supporting these children, even after they are… Read More »
Monica & David: Must See TV For The Special Needs Community
In the meantime, I want the special needs community to know about the film ‘Monica and David’ that premieres tonight on HBO — a love story about two adults with Down Syndrome.
Should We Celebrate Mental Illness Awareness Week?
The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) celebrates Mental Illness Awareness Week (MIAW) during the first week in October. In 1990, the U.S. Congress established MIAW in recognition of NAMI’s efforts to raise mental illness awareness. MIAW has become a NAMI tradition. According to NAMI, the week “presents an opportunity to all NAMI state organizations… Read More »
The Difference between Medicaid and Medicare
Previously, I discussed the differences between Social Security Disability Income (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) . Two other government programs that frequently confuse people, including professionals, are the differences between Medicaid and Medicare. Medicare Medicare is a health insurance program for persons over the age of 65 and for those with certain disabilities who… Read More »
The Difference Between SSI and SSDI is More than Just a Letter
Many people, including lawyers, confuse two very different government programs for disabled persons. Although both are overseen by the Social Security Administration (SSA), there are some significant differences both in how the programs are funded, and to whom the money is distributed. Social Security Disability Income (SSDI) SSDI is a program for disabled persons. It… Read More »
Why Use a Special Needs Pooled Trust?
When is it appropriate to choose a pooled supplemental needs trust instead of an individual special needs trust? A pooled trust has many of the same purposes as an individual supplemental needs trust. A pooled trust is established to provide for a beneficiaries’ supplemental needs without jeopardizing the disabled person’s government benefits. Funds that are… Read More »
Are Schools Prepared for an Increase in Autism-Related Special Needs?
The reported rate of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) has significantly increased and is now expected to affect 1% of children ages 3 to 17, or approximately 1 in every 100 children, according to two recent major studies. Both the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and a study published in the journal Pediatrics indicate… Read More »
Action Plan–8 Weeks to a Letter of Intent
Comprehensive planning for your child with special needs includes both legal planning to ensure financial security and information-gathering in order to write a guide for future caregivers. My hope is to alleviate some of the worries and unique concerns parents face when thinking about the future of their special needs children. The Letter of Intent… Read More »
New York State's New Power of Attorney
What is a Power of Attorney? A Power of Attorney is a powerful and important legal document delegating authority from one person to another. It allows the agent you’ve appointed to make financial decisions on your behalf. The person giving the authority is known as the principal, while the person to whom the authority is… Read More »