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?

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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.

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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?

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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.

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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?

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If you’ve recently learned that your child has or will have Down syndrome, there are many steps you can take to give her or him a happy, healthy, and rewarding life. And with early intervention, there are many therapies for children with Down syndrome that can have a positive impact. Even if your family is struggling financially, you may be eligible to receive benefits so you can provide these therapies for your child with Down syndrome and pay for them without any financial stress.

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When you are raising a child with autism, there are many different types of services you may qualify for. But researching the right ones for your child can be an overwhelming experience. If you need financial help, or you are battling the school district for the services your child needs, you can get assistance from an advocate to help you with your child with autism.

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Today, the estimated cost of raising a child with autism from birth to 18 years is about $30,000 a year, $17,000 more a year than a child who doesn’t have special needs. Over a lifetime, this can add up to well past $1 million depending on the severity of the disability. Occupational, behavioral and life skills therapy, private schooling and private caregivers factor into these expenses. Is there a way to get financial assistance for your child with autism? Read More

If you are a single parent who is struggling financially, you may be eligible to receive benefits such as In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) for your child with special needs. But what about child support? You should be receiving enough money every month to not only support your child, but to cover all of his doctor appointments, therapy and extra essentials. If not, you need to get more child support for your child with a disability like autism.

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