“Until now, the state did not have a single full-time psychiatrist on staff to treat youthful offenders.” This is the most startling sentence in this NYTimes article detailing the settlement which allows the federal government to oversee four of New York’s juvenile prisons. New York’s juvenile prisons are the place where troubled kids are locked… Read More »
Posts Categorized: Special Needs
Divorce and Special Needs Children
Raising a child with special needs is hard on marriage. Today, the divorce rate among all couples is over 50%. Although statistics differ, there is no question that divorce rates are even higher among parents of children with special needs. When a couple divorces, it is even more important to consider the financial needs of… 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 »
Improving I.Q. for Autistic Toddlers
An exciting new study has shown that an intensive behavioral intervention raises the I.Q. level of toddlers diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This study, reported by Pediatrics, the official journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics, compared 48 children diagnosed with ASD by placing the children in one of two controlled groups. Early Start… Read More »
Special Needs Trusts and Personal Injury Settlements
When a disabled person receives a personal injury settlement, it is often a good idea to set up a Supplemental Needs Trust to receive those monies in order that any public benefits the disabled person receives not be disrupted or lost altogether. Money received in a personal injury lawsuit are considered to belong to the… 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 »
The Lovely Blog Award
Several days ago, I was honored to learn I had been nominated to receive a Lovely Blog Award from Connecticut Special Education lawyer Jennifer Laviano, author of the SpecialEdJustice blog. Quite honestly, I am proud of my blog. I have found it to be an effort of love. I love sharing what I’ve learned both… 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 »