Resources For Parents of Special-Needs Children

When you have a newly diagnosed, special-needs child, often your primary focus is getting that child appropriate medical care.  After the dust settles you start to learn about some of the many resources available to special-needs children and their parents. I thought I would post a few of them here for those of you with differently-abled children.

1. Disability Placard. Most people do not know that a child with Autism and related disabilities qualifies for a Disability Parking Placard. As long your child has a valid diagnosis from a physician you may be able to get a placard. Here is the link for the application. 

http://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/publications/pdf_publications/vsd62.pdf  While your child may be physically able to walk, it is the neurological impairment that qualifies him or her. Many times children with Autism are unable to safely navigate a parking lot without physical assistance from their parents. I know all too well what it is like to have a differently-abled child who will wander or dart around a parking lot or street if I do not physically assist him to our destination.

2. Medical I.D. bracelet. My son has had one for years due to his asthma. I recently changed it to include his Autism and ADHD diagnoses as well. As he got older, he became a bit resistant to the idea of wearing one, but I found a cool one that comes in a jelly band with different colors. The front of the plaque has his first name only and the back has the emergency contact information. This is the company that I used but feel free to google "medical i.d." to get a list of companies that manufacture these types of devices.  http://www.americanmedical-id.com/marketplace/category_viewall.php?bbmetalgroup=&filter_price=&scrollcat=brac_siliconeflex&mastercategory=bracelets

3. Deerfield Police Departmet's Premise Alert and Project Lifesaver programs. The Premise Alert Program is a program that notifies the police department that you have an individual with special needs living in your home. This is especially important if you have a loved one that is non-verbal or otherwise unable to communicate with first responders. The form kept at the police station will have your loved one's information on file in case of an emergency. Here is the link: http://www.deerfield.il.us/assets/1/police_department/Illinois_Premise_Alert_Program.pdf

The Project Lifesaver program is actually a tracking device that looks like a wristwatch that is worn by the special-needs individual. This device is available to individuals that are prone to wandering and getting lost like those with Alzheimer's, Dementia, or Autism. When a person wearing the device is missing the police department activates the tracking feature of the device and is usually able to locate that person within 30 minutes. The tracking device is about $200 but the police department is very willing to work something out with those households who may not be able to afford it. Here is a Patch article on this subject. 

4. Sensory Story Time at the Deerfield Public Libray. This program is open to special-needs children and was developed in cooperation with N.S.S.E.D. Here is the link for the March program. http://host7.evanced.info/deerfield/evanced/eventsignup.asp?ID=2221&rts=&disptype=&ret=eventcalendar.asp&pointer=&returnToSearch=&SignupType=&num=0&ad=&dt=mo&mo=3/1/2012&df=calendar&EventType=ALL&Lib=&AgeGroup=ALL&LangType=0&WindowMode=&noheader=&lad=&pub=1&nopub=&page=&pgdisp= 

5. Sensory Friendly Films. AMC theatres provides "a special opportunity for families to enjoy their favorite films in a safe and accepting environment. The auditoriums dedicated to the program have their lights up, the sound turned down and audience members are invited to get up and dance, walk, shout or sing!" This is a wonderful program for those of us who have kids with Autism or other sensory disorders. Here's the website. http://www.amctheatres.com/sff/

6. West Deerfield Township Assistive Technology Grant. Did you know that West Deerfield Township provides "Grants up to $1000 per household per year will be awarded to residents or their families to help meet the special needs and extraordinary expenses which often impede accessibility at home, at school, the community or the world at large." You must submit an application to be considered for a grant and the deadline is March 31st. Here's the link. http://www.westdeerfieldtownship.org/Documents/Disabilities_Grant_Application.pdf

"Services or expenses which may qualify for this program include home remodeling/adaptation, transportation equipment, communication devices, durable medical equipment, specialized therapy tools, or other user-centered products or services which foster accessibility and independence."

7. Legal Advocacy. Unfortunately discrimination against differently-abled individuals is still rampant in all aspects of society. Students aren't always provided legal accommodations that are listed on their Individual Education Plans or 504 plans. The same is true for disabled employees in their workplace accommodations. Organizations like Equip For Equality work towards righting those wrongs. http://www.equipforequality.org/

There are many more services and organizations that provide assistance to special-needs individuals. I will periodically update you on them. In the meantime, feel free to comment and add resources that you have found to be valuable.