The coronavirus—COVID-19 is stirring up conversation, and children with special needs are bound to have questions about what it is. Especially with the increasing number of school-closure announcements, and news of the outbreak dominating headlines and social-media platforms, children are likely to be exposed to loads of information and misinformation. They may react with emotions such as fear, worry, shock and grief. And if you have a child with special needs, he may respond in ways that are difficult to handle. And while we may not be able to shield our children from what is happening, there are plenty of ways to explain the coronavirus COVID-19 to your child with special needs without causing undue alarm.

Read More

You can’t help it—you are fearful about the well-being of your children when you are a parent. And if you are the parent of a child who has autism, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, or another type of disability, it can be extra worrisome as the stories about COVID-19 (coronavirus) flood the news. What is the risk? Can you prevent your child with special needs from getting coronavirus?

Read More

California State’s In-Home Supportive Services program (IHSS) provides a helpful program to get financial support every month if you are the parent of a child with special needs such as autism, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy or another disability. And if you have had to stop working in order to take care of your child, disability benefits such as IHSS and Protective Supervision allow you to be employed as your child’s in-home caretaker. But can you get IHSS retroactive back pay?

Read More

Being a mom is a tough job. And when your child has special needs, including autism, Down syndrome and cerebral palsy, you are challenged even further. The struggles seem to double, and if you don’t have support or you don’t practice acts of self-care, you can end up feeling alone, helpless and ultimately, an overwhelmed mom.

Read More

If you are the parent of a child with special needs, you want to make sure he or she is never subjected to discrimination and that there is every opportunity to thrive. To be an effective advocate for your child, however, you need to understand the laws that are in place to protect children with special needs. Federal laws regulate special education services and make sure schools provide accommodations for children with disabilities. Almost all states now have anti-bullying laws on the books as well. With a more thorough knowledge of these laws, you’ll better understand your child’s rights and how to defend him or her against unfair or discriminatory treatment. Read More

Children with special needs such as autism, Down syndrome, or cerebral palsy can often take a heavy financial toll on a family. It is common for you to have to stop working in order to take care of your child. But disability benefits such as In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) and Protective Supervision allow you to be employed as your child’s in-home caretaker. California State’s In-Home Supportive Services program (IHSS) provides an amazing program for financial support to enable you to stay at home with your child with a disability and keep her or him safe and happy. But what if you already have IHSS, and they cut your IHSS hours? What do you do?

Read More

The holidays and breaks from school can mean hectic schedules and chaotic moments with your child with special needs. Disruption in your daily routine and an increase in unstructured moments for your child may result in low levels of motivation and higher levels of anxiety and stress. For you as a parent of a child with a disability like autism, these may seem magnified. Below are some helpful tips to help you survive these days during winter break with your child with special needs.

Read More

If you are the parent of a child who has autism, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, or another disability, you are your child’s best advocate to get him or her educational services. If you believe your child deserves should receive special education, but have been denied, you can still appeal this decision through a due process hearing. But what is a due process hearing and how do you win your case against the school?

Read More

It’s common that you as a parent have a lot of questions and emotions when you first learn that your child has been diagnosed with autism. These include dealing with the diagnosis, choosing the best treatment options, and building a strong and supportive family structure. Managing the stress is fundamental to a family’s long-term health and wellbeing. Here are some steps to take when your child has been diagnosed with autism.

Read More

Having a child with special needs like autism brings with it many of the typical joys of parenting, but there are major drawbacks for you as a parent as well. Finances are often a struggle, as well as battling the school system, the ignorance from other people, and the lack of support. Frequently one parent sacrifices her career to attend to the child’s needs with a resulting loss of income for the family. How can you be a good parent for your child with special needs when you are mentally, emotionally, and physically exhausted from all the stress?

Read More