ABLE ACCOUNTS: Achieving a Better Life Experience Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Account: A tax-advantaged savings account for individuals with disabilities and their families. The amount of SSI an individual receives is based on their assets as an adult and is affected by how much money they have in their bank account. It can…
Finding a Niche with Creative Job Options The first step in thinking about your child’s transition to employment is to consider different employment possibilities. One possibility is entrepreneurship. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, people with disabilities are self-employed at a rate nearly twice that of their non-disabled peers. The 2019 American Community Survey…
Importance of Hobbies Hobbies and extracurricular activities can help your tween face new challenges, adapt to transitions from different environments and deal with possible pressures they are experiencing from home or school. Hobbies can be especially helpful as your child transitions from elementary to middle school, as they provide a sense of belonging during this…
Importance of Play Play is a natural part of child development and can have long-lasting benefits throughout a child’s life. It can offer benefits in many areas of a child’s development including the ability to learn, develop communication skills, explore creatively, learn about emotions and more. Some children will not possess these skills naturally and…
Mother’s Day Memes to Laugh About Numerous medical studies have shown the benefits of humor. Humor and laughter can act as a natural mental health remedy, it can trigger the emotional reward center in the brain, help build resilience to stress and improve overall physical and emotional health. Sit back and enjoy these positive, yet…
2•1•1 Another Community Resource 211 is an easy-to-remember, three-digit number that connects people to the services they need, such as housing and utility assistance, food resources, legal aid, and more. There is a special section of 2-1-1, the community connection resource sponsored by United Way, that lists state-contracted providers for various programs. For example, those…
BUILDING NEW HOPES & DREAMS AFTER A DIAGNOSIS My name is Tina Persels, I am the parent of Adam, a 22-year-old young man who is very handsome, loves old rock music, plays Connect 4, and has a beautiful mind. Adam also lives with complex medical needs and multiple disabilities. When Adam was born and for…
AUTISM & MENTAL HEALTH As Parents, we know that our children with Autism may experience an increase in social isolation and bullying which can lead to more serious concerns of substance use and suicidality. Bullying Parents of children with special needs know all too well the daily struggles their children face. Bullying, especially at…
TRANSITIONING FROM SCHOOL TO EMPLOYMENT: IMPLEMENTATION & BEST PRACTICES One Student at a Time Each student’s transition experience will be unique. There is not a checklist to follow. Work with your IEP team and ask what services you can access through DSPD and Vocational Rehabilitation (Voc Rehab). Explore your own interests and needs. You may…
MILITARY CHILD MONTH Military families face many challenges before, during, and after deployment. All three of these stages may have their own unique challenges and the impact of these experiences can be largely seen in the children of military families. Without focused support, military children may face social and emotional challenges while adjusting to a…
TRANSITIONING FROM PRESCHOOL TO KINDERGARTEN A new chapter is emerging for your child who is moving on from preschool services to school-age supports and services! This transition process may bring on many different types of feelings, especially as the preschool year starts to wind down. To help make this process less overwhelming, use these essential…
HIGH STAKES TESTING The goal of high-stakes testing is to measure and improve student performance while looking for ways to also improve school systems. Federal and State laws mandate the administration of such assessments. All students are required to participate in this testing with few exceptions. As parents, we want our students’ experience with testing…