Employment Matters…Especially for Those on the Spectrum
The job of “raising” a son or daughter significantly impacted by autism spectrum disorder (ASD) does not come to an end when your child reaches the age of majority. It just shifts to a new realm. Indeed, adulthood brings significant new worries and new challenges. Vital concerns for parents of emerging adult children with ASD […]
Continue readingAutism Grants for Families
How to apply for autism grants Applying for grants can seem like a daunting process. Don’t let paperwork, reference letters, and the waiting game discourage you from filling out an application. As an increasing volume of research on autism spectrum disorders (ASD) is published, public awareness is rising, and services—including grants—are more readily available than […]
Continue readingEasy Ways You Can Create a Comprehensive IEP/504 Plan Home File
By now you (and your child) are probably breathing a sigh of relief that you made it through another school year. Most likely the last thing you want to do right now is to think about the next school year. That’s perfectly understandable. It’s okay to allow some time to decompress and forget about it […]
Continue readingHealthy Play Diets: The Best Way to Set Limits on Screen Time
In my work as a clinical child psychologist, I frequently encounter parents bewildered by their kids’ fascination with video games, social media, and other screen-based technologies. While problems with these technologies seem to be worse with kids diagnosed with ADHD or autism spectrum disorder (ASD), even many of the siblings of my patients would choose […]
Continue readingAdult Life – What Is Available For My Child With Special Needs?
Parents, families, and adults have the same burning question, “What happens when school is over?” In the past, the answer was for the child to continue to live at home with parents or in a group home setting, possibly work part-time at a fast food restaurant, grocery store, pet store or maybe just be able […]
Continue readingOne Mom’s Lessons from Raising Three Children on the Spectrum
Jeannie married and had her first child by age 18. Carlos was a quiet, sweet natured baby. The year was 1998. For this first time parent, the word autism didn’t mean much. Unfortunately, it didn’t mean much to Carlos’s teachers or pediatrician either. As an only child for the first six years of his life, […]
Continue readingBeware: The Government Is Not Planning for You
In our last issue, we discussed the continued rise in technology that will support individuals with autism as they live and work in their communities in the most independent manner possible. However, in order to take advantage of these growing opportunities, individuals with autism must be financially prepared to do so. At A Special Needs […]
Continue readingHow Do I Ensure My Daughter with Special Needs Has Secured Housing For Life?
Alexis asks: “How do I best make arrangements for the physical care (housing, etc.) of my daughter when I am no longer around?” Alexis, thank you for your question. This is a concern that we hear from every family we meet. It is truly at the core of planning for your daughter’s future. I recommend […]
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