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!

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.

Upcoming surgery

Dear Family and Friends.
My right kidney will be removed on Sept. 24th, 2012 at 8:30am. I will be at Baptist Hospital in Columbia and will be listed in the directory. Thank you for praying.

It is due to a birth defect and the kids will also all get checked out to make sure they all have healthy, correctly formed, functioning kidneys too. Please pray for them also.

Coffee and Music Therapy

 Nathan sitting on the table stealing Lydia's coffee:)

The girls playing the piano during Music Therapy


Three out of four of us in our family LOVE coffee! The only one who doesn't is MJ. I found that Lydia would take my coffee so I started making her own cup, then Nathan started taking her coffee. So now I make him a little bit in his sippy cup. It's mostly milk and sugar and just a little coffee for the kids.

The girls have been taking music therapy this summer and they love it! They are introduced to all kinds of musical instruments and songs to sing. At the end, Nathan and I get to come sing and play too! MJ and Lydia both love the drums and the piano.

Summer Fun with Family

Family is so important to children in general but even more so for children with autism. The kids have been able to spend some time this summer with their dad, grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins while I recover from a medical procedure.
They've been able to play outside until their heart is content, go swimming, on little trips and also to the Music Therapist and Early Intervention (for Nathan)too. They might've even been able to play a little on Nana's keyboard and grow in music. I think that the girls have hidden musical talent and I can't wait to see how they grow in this area as I find people to help discover it and bring it out, as I am not musically inclined myself other than I like to make a joyful noise.
Nathan has really took off in walking and will be running when I get the kids back next week. That reminds me I'd better go to the next phase of child proofing the home.
I love them so much and I miss them greatly, but they've needed this time with their family. And I"m so glad they were able to do so!

Update on funding for lessons for the children

Wohoo! God is so good! I got a phone call yesterday that funding through the Dept. of Disablities for the girls swimming lessons and horseback riding lessons were approved! I got an email today from the Respite Care Coalition that respite care funds are available to us. I got another phone call from a good friend of the family who will also be our nanny so I can work and get my small businesses started on the right foot and also substitute for the schools in the fall and also at the children's room for our public library. So the only thing that I am really looking for right now are iPads for the girls and apps to go with them.
They have an iPad on each of their wish lists at amazon.com.

Team Page Family is raising funds to help the children with autism and developmental delays become all they were meant to be! Join us in this endeavor by donating to assist in purchasing much needed products and services! We are looking to purchase iPads, apps, lessons for dance, swim, gymnastics, and horseback riding. Thank you for considering us when choosing where your donation funds go!
Sincerely,
Ronda Page
https://www.wepay.com/x1upqnk/donations/team-page-family-autism-fund