Guardianship for Children with Autism & Disabilities

Planning for the Future – How (and Why) to Obtain Guardianship For Children with Autism & Disabilities

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Thinking about the future for your child with a disability can be difficult especially when there is so much time and effort going into what needs to happen today or in the short term. Where to start with this process can be daunting.

Despite this, it is important to ensure that you start to plan for your child’s future as soon as possible. This will ensure that things like guardianship for children with autism are done in a timely manner as well as allow for more financial stability and protection of your child’s access to government assistance in the future.

Hegwood Law Group specializes in estate planning, guardianship, and special needs trusts.

We had the pleasure of being able to ask Kim Hegwood of Hegwood Law Group some questions regarding attaining guardianship and special needs trusts. Kim also has a child with a disability and has personally gone through the process of obtaining guardianship and planning for the future for her child.

Q&A with Kim Hegwood from Hegwood Law Group

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Top 10 Ways Children with Autism Benefit from ABA Therapy

Top 10 Ways Children with Autism Benefit from ABA Therapy

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Children with autism are unique, amazing individuals. ABA is a scientific, evidence-based therapy that gives families the tools they need to support their child with ASD. We’ve compiled a list of the top 10 reasons and ways a child with autism benefits from ABA therapy.

Reason #1: ABA therapy ranks the highest out of all documented interventions and treatments and has the most scientific evidence benefiting those with ASD.

Parents, please find comfort in knowing that research backs up the claim that ABA “works”!

Research tells us that if started early, intensive, high quality, evidence-based support like ABA, 40-50 percent of children diagnosed with ASD can function and benefit from typical general education classrooms. However, not only can ABA work to compensate for struggles relating to accessing academics but for other areas as well. Read more

Is It Bribery or Reinforcement? Why Should I Care?

Bribery Vs Positive Reinforcement – Practical, Behavioral Help for Autism

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Positive reinforcement is often confused with bribery. But, is it important for parents (especially for those with children on the autism spectrum) to distinguish the difference between bribery and reinforcement. Equally important is the knowledge of HOW to practically use positive reinforcement to help everyday behaviors.

Does This Behavioral Scenario Sound Familiar?

After working all day, cleaning up after your kids, you’ve spent the past hour cooking an amazing meal for your family, and you put it in front of your toddler and tell him to take a bite. He immediately starts to cry and demand chicken nuggets. Thinking quickly, you say “Hey, I’ll make you a deal, you stop crying and I’ll go make you some chicken nuggets.” Your sigh of relief is palpable as the crying stops, and it’s quiet once more. For many parents, this is a common occurrence, and most of us don’t pause to analyze what we may be teaching at that moment. Read more

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How Expanding Language Through Play Helps with ASD

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Expanding language through play helps children who may experience delayed or absent speech as one of the core symptoms of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). While some children experience delays in reaching language milestones, others may benefit most from alternative forms of communication, such as sign language or communication via devices.

When language skills do not allow a child on the autism spectrum to effectively communicate their wants and needs, we often see problem behaviors emerge. For this reason, it is crucial to show a child the value of language through reinforcement.

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Develop independent living skills in your child with autism

How to Build Independent Living Skills in Your Child With Autism

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Daily, independent living skills or self-care skills are those skills that people use every day to maintain their appearance, health, and hygiene. These small tasks include brushing teeth, showering, chores, and getting dressed. These are arguably some of the most important skills in a person’s repertoire. These skills provide a person with the autonomy to live on their own or with minimal support.

Many of our learners with autism may need extra support to learn these important skills. For some families, caregivers have to complete these tasks for their child, adding to additional stress on the family. By their children with autism learning these skills, stress can be reduced for the caregivers. Read more

Helping Children with Autism Thrive in School

Helping Children with Autism Thrive in School

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It seems as if many kids with autism seem to struggle to thrive in school when placed in mainstream classes. Even if they are provided 1:1 attention and tutoring, they still seem to fall behind from the rest of their neurotypical peers.

As a service provider for children with autism, we want to see our clients make progress not only in their behavior but as well in their academic skills. Read more