April 4-13, 2016 is “My Social Security Week.” To mark it, here is the first in a regular series of Q&As with Kristen Alberino, veteran public affairs specialist with the Social Security Administration (SSA) in Quincy. They’re based on actual parent questions about SSI (Supplemental Security Income) we’ve fielded at Exceptional Lives. Q. My 17-year old […]
News & Blog
4 Pieces Every IEP Goal Should Have
One question we hear often from parents getting ready for their child’s Individualized Education Program (IEP) meeting is “what should the IEP say?” You want advice on what exactly to write in the IEP, what goals to include, and examples of what other parents have written in theirs. It’s a hard question to answer quickly, […]
How Can Social Workers Help Me? National Social Work Month
March is National Social Work Month, and their motto this year is “Forging Solutions Out of Challenges.” This is something parents of children with disabilities have to do all the time. You’re faced with a challenge, and you work hard to solve it. As a social worker myself, I’ve worked with many parents to try and help […]
6 Sets of Questions to Help You Decide About Guardianship
Your child with a developmental disability is approaching 18. In Massachusetts this is called the ‘age of majority.’ It’s when he or she becomes a decision-making adult in the eyes of the law. You need to decide if some type of guardianship or shared decision-making is right for them as they enter adulthood. But how […]
National Nutrition Month: Get Food Help from SNAP
March is National Nutrition Month, so it’s a great time to remind you that you may be able to get food help from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). SNAP, which used to be known as food stamps, is a U.S. nutrition program that gives families money each month to help pay for groceries. This money is stored […]
Thinking about Special Education: Getting a Referral for Evaluation
You feel your child is struggling in school. You’ve tried to ask your child about school, but they only get upset. When you talk to your child’s teacher about his or her progress, they agree with you that your child is having a hard time in class. Your child’s teacher has suggested that you think […]
Choosing the Right Health Care Combo: Making the Most of Your Coverage
Having the right health insurance package can be the key to specialized services. Sometimes you can get everything you need from one plan. Other times there might be more behavioral or medical services that you need for your child with a disability that are not included in your current plan. Many families find that in order to […]
5 Things I Wish I Knew Then – Tips for “First-timer” Parents
The team at Exceptional Lives is out in the community all the time. We’re asking questions and listening to parent feedback, with the goal of making our free online Guides better for parents. One thing we hear often is “I wish I knew [fill in the blank] when I was going through this for the first […]
The ABC's of IEP's: Tips for your First IEP Meeting
An IEP, which stands for Individualized Education Program, is an agreement between you and your child’s school. This plan serves as an outline of what services your child needs in order to be successful in school. It’s a road map for your child’s education. As an important part of the team, you help create your child’s […]
Know these 3 Basics about Guardianship
1. Why is Guardianship important? When a child turns 18 in Massachusetts, parents no longer have the legal right to make decisions for him or her. Yet many children with disabilities need help making decisions after they turn 18. These decisions fall in key areas of life like: Education Housing Health care Insurance Safety This […]
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