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Congress includes relief for the autism community in the American Rescue Plan… and there are many elements of the $1.9 trillion bill that will provide financial help, as well as housing, food and health care assistance. Throughout the past year, in response to hearing from autistic individuals and their families, Autism … The voices of advocacy ambassadors and grassroots advocates, including autistic individuals, family members and others who care deeply about the autism community, played an important role in getting Congress to incorporate these provisions in the … The vast majority of residential services for adults with autism are provided via Medicaid HCBS, which also offers respite to family caregivers, supported employment services to autistic adults, along with many other critical community …
I'm a mother of a child with profound autism. I want to share our story.… nonverbal, ABA has given him a way to communicate basic needs through an AAC device. Additionally, he has acquired self-care skills such as brushing his teeth, getting dressed, and using utensils. Charlie requires 24/7 supervision. It’s … to look away for even a few seconds, as he might put himself in danger or damage things around the house. I applied for respite care almost nine years ago, around the time of Charlie’s diagnosis, but I’m still on a waiting list that could …
Meet Karelix… (ABA), her commitment to the autistic community in south Florida runs as deep as her Puerto Rican roots.    Throughout her career, Karelix has seen firsthand the difficulties that Hispanic families have with the high costs of therapies and … In addition to ABA therapy, we provide other services and supports like parent training, autism screening evaluations, and respite care.   Lotus Children is a 501c3 nonprofit organization that provides ABA therapy services, fine arts activities, …
Meet Alivia and Sophia… have a destinated program for special needs families called the Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP) and The Extended Care Health Option (ECHO). Our family utilizes both programs by receiving 40 hours a month of Air Force respite care and in-home ABA therapy for both our girls. When our daughter Alivia needed specialized medical equipment …
How I reacted after the doctor said, 'fathers don't take it well'… struggling we are not only concerned about his current well-being, but also his future when we may not be able to take care of him. We know that if it were up to him he would like to do the same things in his 80s that he can do now and spend … years. Some with autistic children have started charities to raise awareness, provide social opportunities, Santa visits, respite relief, and housing. Others are not as much in the spotlight but are grinding away every day in their daily lives to …
Meet Kimacka R.… a while, we were referred to general speech therapy. We did not realize that would be our first encounter with the healthcare disparities that contribute to delayed diagnosis in the black community. Kadell Jr would eventually obtain a diagnosis … through the education system, but also in discovering their gifts and talents. Other resources include psychotherapy and respite care service providers. Kadell Jr (now age 24) wishes to continue his music career and hopes to expand into …
Autism grants for families… cards allow families to focus on providing the most enriching and meaningful experiences for their autistic child.  Autism Care Today Autism Care Today’s Quarterly Assistance Program provides families with real help by directly paying a child’s … special needs. Examples of qualifying costs include: specialized activities, adaptive equipment, assistive technology and respite care, among others.  Maggie Welby Foundation Scholarships The Maggie Welby Foundation offers scholarships for school …
Transition from school-based services to HCBS Waiver adult services… someone who supported me. In January of 2015, I was also given an individual budget through CBDD. I used my budget for home care services, which help with things such as working on grocery shopping, cooking, cleaning and other life skills. I also … these waivers in the future .) Waivers can pay for things such as adult day programs; assistive technology or equipment; respite services for caregivers; direct service providers to offer support with cooking, cleaning, shopping, leisure, community outings and more; …
Financial assistance resources… experience with special needs financial planning. We have also included some personal stories from other parents or caregivers like you. Learn more and download the free  Financial Planning Tool Kit . State and Federal Disability Benefits … The benefits provided by these waiver programs vary by state, but most generally provide coverage for medical treatments, respite care, transportation, in-home support, and more. In some states, children  do not  need to meet eligibility criteria …
Policy Pulse Newsletter - July 2023… Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic and Treatment benefits to PreK-12 special education, postsecondary transition, career and technical education and higher education. Learn more about a few of the bills we currently support.   RISE Act … their life spans to live, remain safe and participate in their communities. This includes residential and day supports, respite, recreation, transportation and others.  Unfortunately, lengthy waiting lists exist around the country and the … creates a pilot program across the metro areas of Miami and Tampa to give those on the waiver waitlist access to a managed care program set of supports. Infrastructure/Process Improvement -  The state budget included $6million for increased wage …