There have been some videos that have been key in early education for my kids that really reinforced the preschool curriculum of learning colors, shapes, ABC's, numbers/math, sight words, early reading and increasing vocabulary words. I have already mentioned Signing Time. In addition to these wonderful videos, we have had a lot of fun learning shapes, colors, letters, numbers, sight words and phonics with Preschool Prep. Company's videos of the same names. I first learned about these videos from a MOPS group when we had a "our favorite things" session and a fellow mom recommended them to all of us. Another video series along with toys and fridge magnets is Leap Frog's videos. I think the early ones are the best such as Letter Factory, The Talking Words Factory, The Code Word Caper, The Storybook Factory, and Math Circus. The newer videos didn't seem to hold my kids' attention as well. The Fridge Phonics magnets as well taught my children their abc's by sight, sound, the abc song and to be able to recognize the letters in any order.
A lot of ASD kids, are visual as well as tactile learners and all of these really reinforced their learning at such an important stage. I still play these videos for my 8 and 5 year old as reviews and they both still love them too. My 2 year old loves them and is starting his journey to learn these basics.
Sunday, October 28, 2012
Thursday, October 25, 2012
SSI/Disability benefits for children with autism and other special needs
One resource that is beneficial for low income families with children with autism and other special needs is the federal government's SSI program where if your family qualifies the children get money every month to help offset the expenses that they incur because of their disablity.
The link for SSI is http://www.socialsecurity.gov/ssi/text-child-ussi.htm and follow the instructions. Please note it is best to call and make an in-person office appointment vs. a telephone appointment, and gather all paper work in regards to doctors, therapists, early intervention, as in a IFSP, school documents, as in a IEP, etc., in order to expedite services. Some states it is harder to get than others but if you get denied the first go-around, appeals do work and if you decide to hire an SSI lawyer, a lot of times they are free unless you win and start receiving SSI benefits, then they only take a percentage of the SSI benefits you receive the first month (not after that). It's always best to do your research and read all the small print of course.
Once approved, you will need to set up a separate bank account for each child receiving SSI benefits in order to keep their expenses separate from the general household expenses. SSI can be used for anything that the child needs, such as shelter, clothing, food, and misc. expenses related to the child.
SSI benefits have kept our family from being homeless and afloat so that we are in a stable place financially. I wanted to pass along this information so if anyone else is in a similar situation, there is hope! It is a lot of paperwork and waiting but it is worth it!
The link for SSI is http://www.socialsecurity.gov/ssi/text-child-ussi.htm and follow the instructions. Please note it is best to call and make an in-person office appointment vs. a telephone appointment, and gather all paper work in regards to doctors, therapists, early intervention, as in a IFSP, school documents, as in a IEP, etc., in order to expedite services. Some states it is harder to get than others but if you get denied the first go-around, appeals do work and if you decide to hire an SSI lawyer, a lot of times they are free unless you win and start receiving SSI benefits, then they only take a percentage of the SSI benefits you receive the first month (not after that). It's always best to do your research and read all the small print of course.
Once approved, you will need to set up a separate bank account for each child receiving SSI benefits in order to keep their expenses separate from the general household expenses. SSI can be used for anything that the child needs, such as shelter, clothing, food, and misc. expenses related to the child.
SSI benefits have kept our family from being homeless and afloat so that we are in a stable place financially. I wanted to pass along this information so if anyone else is in a similar situation, there is hope! It is a lot of paperwork and waiting but it is worth it!
Tuesday, October 9, 2012
Proud of my kids and PCA's!
I am so proud of all my kids! They did so well while I was in the hospital and they were at home being taken care of by family members and friends. I am so glad that God worked everything out so the kids didn't have to be farmed out to different families. MJ has been a huge help to me with her sister and brother and to me too. She had been sleeping with me but since the surgery I had to move her to her own bed permanently. She has had a little hard time with that but I take time to give her a good back rub before she goes to bed and she settles down, especially after giving her praises for all of her help. Lydia has also been a very good child and seems to know what I can handle and what I can't. Nathan sometimes ges mad at me because I haven't been able to take him outside much and play with him but he's handling it good-naturedly for the most part.
The girls' Personal Care Assistants (PCA's) have been a huge help to me at this time in helping get the kids ready for school and after school playing with them and with some cleaning, organizing and the laundry. On Saturdays it's also nice to have an extra hand when we do different activities and Sundays getting ready for church and nap time after church since some of our family doesn't take a Sunday nap. I highly recommend getting a PCA if you are eligible wherever you live to get one. Check with your coordinator or look on the DDSN website to see if you can. It's probably best to hire a PCA yourself and put them through the agency. Care.com, special needs ( www.care.com/specialneeds) is a great resource to find that perfect care assistant, nanny or babysitter who fits well with your family. Sometimes the PCA's the agencies send out aren't trained in children with autism or special needs and it ends up being more of a burden if you don't have the right fit. But once you find great people, treat them right and you'll hopefully have them for a very long time.
The girls' Personal Care Assistants (PCA's) have been a huge help to me at this time in helping get the kids ready for school and after school playing with them and with some cleaning, organizing and the laundry. On Saturdays it's also nice to have an extra hand when we do different activities and Sundays getting ready for church and nap time after church since some of our family doesn't take a Sunday nap. I highly recommend getting a PCA if you are eligible wherever you live to get one. Check with your coordinator or look on the DDSN website to see if you can. It's probably best to hire a PCA yourself and put them through the agency. Care.com, special needs ( www.care.com/specialneeds) is a great resource to find that perfect care assistant, nanny or babysitter who fits well with your family. Sometimes the PCA's the agencies send out aren't trained in children with autism or special needs and it ends up being more of a burden if you don't have the right fit. But once you find great people, treat them right and you'll hopefully have them for a very long time.
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