Transition to Independence Act Opens Doors for the Disabled
Last updated on August 28th, 2015 at 11:05 am
Like most special needs parents, I don’t have a lot of free time. Sometimes I can’t even keep up on the news or find time to vote (although I fixed that problem by voting by mail). But recently three senators put party lines aside to work together on the Transition to Independence Act and this time I put a few things on hold to read up on it.
This program would work through Medicaid to financially reward states that increase job training and employment opportunities for people with disabilities over the course of five years. It would also allow individuals with disabilities to buy their way into Medicaid. The act may improve the financial situation of disabled individuals as well as improve their working conditions and expand their possibilities. It will finally allow people to work and pursue a career without losing Medicaid benefits. You can read a summary of the bill here.
As with any piece of legislation this bill may have a long road ahead of it, but kudos to Senators Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Bob Casey, Jr. (D-PA) for stepping up to bring these issues into focus and for at least trying to take some action. While most of the media attention tends to focus on autism, people with other conditions, such as muscular dystrophy, will also benefit from the bill.
Transition to Independence Act – Primary Purpose:
- Improve opportunities for people with disabilities to obtain integrated employment and reduce their relegation to subminimum wages and segregated environments;
- Modernize and coordinate systems to offer cost-effective supports and services to people with disabilities consistent with the rising expectations of and for people with disabilities; and
- Ensure that people with disabilities and their families regularly receive accurate information about and have access to services and supports that promote self-determination, independence, productivity, and integration and inclusion.
Photo credit: Bureau of Land Management Oregon; CC license
Shaun the Sheep Movie is AMC’s Sensory Friendly Film for August
Last updated on August 28th, 2015 at 11:04 am
Once a month, AMC Entertainment (AMC) and the Autism Society have teamed up to bring families affected by autism and with other special needs “Sensory Friendly Movie Screenings” – a wonderful opportunity to enjoy their favorite “family-friendly” films in a safe and accepting environment.
The movie auditoriums will have their lights turned up and the sound turned down. Families will be able to bring in snacks to match their child’s dietary needs (i.e. gluten-free, casein-free, etc.), there are no advertisements or previews before the movie and it’s totally acceptable to get up and dance, walk, shout, talk to each other…and even sing – in other words, AMC’s “Silence is Golden®” policy will not be enforced during movie screenings unless the safety of the audience is questioned.
Does it make a difference? Absolutely! Imagine …no need to shhhhh your child. No angry stares from other movie goers. Many parents think twice before bringing a child to a movie theater. Add to that your child’s special needs and it can easily become cause for parental panic. But on this one day a month, for this one screening, everyone is there to relax and have a good time, everyone expects to be surrounded by kids – with and without special needs – and the movie theater policy becomes “Tolerance is Golden“.
This Saturday August 22nd, at 10am local time, the Autism Society’s “Sensory Friendly Movie Screenings” program will be showing the Shaun the Sheep Movie. Tickets are $4 to $6 depending on the location. To find a theatre near you, here is a list of AMC theatres nationwide participating in this fabulous program (note: to access full list, please scroll to the bottom of the page).
Coming September 26th: Hotel Transylvania
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Editor’s note: Although the Shaun the Sheep Movie has been chosen by the Autism Society as this month’s Sensory Friendly screening, we do want parents to know that it is rated PG by the Motion Picture Association of America for rude humor. As always, please check the IMDB Parents Guide for a more detailed description of this film to determine if it is right for you and your child.
See Minions Sensory Friendly Tomorrow at AMC
Last updated on August 18th, 2015 at 06:20 pm
Once a month, AMC Entertainment (AMC) and the Autism Society have teamed up to bring families affected by autism and with other special needs “Sensory Friendly Movie Screenings” – a wonderful opportunity to enjoy their favorite “family-friendly” films in a safe and accepting environment.
The movie auditoriums will have their lights turned up and the sound turned down. Families will be able to bring in snacks to match their child’s dietary needs (i.e. gluten-free, casein-free, etc.), there are no advertisements or previews before the movie and it’s totally acceptable to get up and dance, walk, shout, talk to each other…and even sing – in other words, AMC’s “Silence is Golden®” policy will not be enforced during movie screenings unless the safety of the audience is questioned.
Does it make a difference? Absolutely! Imagine …no need to shhhhh your child. No angry stares from other movie goers. Many parents think twice before bringing a child to a movie theater. Add to that your child’s special needs and it can easily become cause for parental panic. But on this one day a month, for this one screening, everyone is there to relax and have a good time, everyone expects to be surrounded by kids – with and without special needs – and the movie theater policy becomes “Tolerance is Golden“.
This Saturday July 18th, at 10am local time, the Autism Society’s “Sensory Friendly Movie Screenings” program will be showing Minions. Tickets are $4 to $6 depending on the location. To find a theatre near you, here is a list of AMC theatres nationwide participating in this fabulous program (note: to access full list, please scroll to the bottom of the page).
Coming August 22nd: Underdogs
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Editor’s note: Although Minions has been chosen by the Autism Society as this month’s Sensory Friendly screening, we do want parents to know that it is rated PG by the Motion Picture Association of America for action and rude humor. As always, please check the IMDB Parents Guide for a more detailed description of this film to determine if it is right for you and your child.
To Hover or Not to Hover? THAT is the Special Needs Question
Last updated on July 21st, 2015 at 12:27 pm
I took my three kids (2 are typical, one has almost invisible special needs) to a theme park last week. As we were walking some park employees started to close a gate and told us we had to wait a bit before we could proceed. There was a young man standing next to me who asked his mom if it was a train or a carriage that was coming by. She said she didn’t know. He started watching a video on his phone to pass the time. I could tell from his posture and his speech that he had some special needs and since I deal with kids with challenges at home and at work I was fine with it when he leaned over and showed me his screen. “See, ma’am?”
His mom’s eyes widened. As she hovered, ready to jump in and steer him away I let her know with my smile that we were just fine. “It’s Wicked,” he explained. I commented on how great it was, and answered yes when he asked me if I had seen it.
He was sad because it was closing soon so Phantom of the Opera could take over the theater. He asked if I had seen that show and I told him yes, back in my hometown of New York. I told him he should go see that show, too. His mom jumped in and told me he wouldn’t let her take him because the show is too loud. I agreed it is loud but it is worth it. The carriage passed, the gates opened, and she hurried him away…but I wasn’t finished talking to him!
I wanted to tell him about Phantom and about the tricks of stage special effects. I wanted to suggest that he bring sound-dimming headphones. I wanted to tell him about how live music changes the air around you so you actually feel it, not just hear it. I thought he might be interested in the plot about someone who hides himself away because he thinks the world isn’t ready for him and his talents.
But I understand that mom. She was protecting her child, and she had no way of knowing that he didn’t need to be protected from me. There have been many times when I stand just off to the side while my child interacts with strangers. Usually they have trouble understanding her, so I jump in to translate and then step back again unless I am needed. I want my child to be independent, to initiate social interaction and to make her own way in the world – but some people in the world can be harsh.
Occasionally I have caught other kids rolling their eyes or exchanging looks then scurrying away to play on another part of the playground. Once I even caught a girl making fun of the way my child was talking – so I headed right over to the grown up who was allegedly watching this child and explained about my child’s disability and what had just happened. She was horrified and the girl got quite a scolding, which was not my intention! I just want people to be educated and to stop making fun of others…but in the age of reality tv and cyber bullying that may be an impossible dream.
So where is the line? Do we hover constantly or do we turn them loose and wait for the consequences? Of course the answer is different for each child. I only know the answer for my child – I have been letting her figurative leash out little by little. When she was younger I always remained within earshot, but now I am okay with letting her be only within my sightlines. I have to trust the people at her school to respond appropriately if an issue comes up, and ultimately I have to trust her. My child is going to have some rough times, and I can’t hover her through all of them. They will be stepping stones and learning experiences, and they may involve tears and disappointment but that is all part of parenting.
Of course sometimes people with special needs don’t interpret situations correctly, which is why I still hover. I am sure it is why that mom at the park was hovering. For some great activities to help kids with special needs with social interactions, check out this article from the Friendship Circle’s blog.
Inside Out is Sensory Friendly This Saturday at AMC
Last updated on July 13th, 2015 at 10:53 am
Once a month, AMC Entertainment (AMC) and the Autism Society have teamed up to bring families affected by autism and with other special needs “Sensory Friendly Movie Screenings” – a wonderful opportunity to enjoy their favorite “family-friendly” films in a safe and accepting environment.
The movie auditoriums will have their lights turned up and the sound turned down. Families will be able to bring in snacks to match their child’s dietary needs (i.e. gluten-free, casein-free, etc.), there are no advertisements or previews before the movie and it’s totally acceptable to get up and dance, walk, shout, talk to each other…and even sing – in other words, AMC’s “Silence is Golden®” policy will not be enforced during movie screenings unless the safety of the audience is questioned.
Does it make a difference? Absolutely! Imagine …no need to shhhhh your child. No angry stares from other movie goers. Many parents think twice before bringing a child to a movie theater. Add to that your child’s special needs and it can easily become cause for parental panic. But on this one day a month, for this one screening, everyone is there to relax and have a good time, everyone expects to be surrounded by kids – with and without special needs – and the movie theater policy becomes “Tolerance is Golden“.
This Saturday June 27th, at 10am local time, the Autism Society’s “Sensory Friendly Movie Screenings” program will be showing Inside Out. Tickets are $4 to $6 depending on the location. To find a theatre near you, here is a list of AMC theatres nationwide participating in this fabulous program (note: to access full list, please scroll to the bottom of the page).
Coming July 18th: Minions
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Editor’s note: Although Inside Out has been chosen by the Autism Society as this month’s Sensory Friendly screening, we do want parents to know that it is rated PG by the Motion Picture Association of America for mild thematic elements and some action. As always, please check the IMDB Parents Guide for a more detailed description of this film to determine if it is right for you and your child.
Thin Line Between Helping and Enabling My Special Needs Child
Last updated on June 12th, 2015 at 10:16 am
My special needs daughter always wants help. As she gets older I want her to start being more independent, which means that sometimes I say no when she asks for help. I encourage her and tell her I know she can do it on her own. And I feel guilty about it.
For a long time I didn’t say no – I helped. And helping usually means doing it for her. I mean, her fine motor skills challenges make it tough to put clothes on hangers and then hang them in her closet. But as time went on I was getting worn out. I also started to think that I was being conned.
Sure enough, with the right amount of bribery, she was suddenly able to manage the hangers. But not before a very dramatic outburst where she tearfully asked if I was never going to help her again for the rest of her life. I assured her that I would always be there to help with the big things for the rest of her life, but it was my job to make sure she could do as much as possible on her own as she grows up. She wasn’t happy about it, but she understood.
There have been countless times when I have been tempted to step in and help with tasks. Many times it is just easier – and quicker and neater, too. Sometimes she truly does need some assistance, but sometimes if I just hold back a moment longer she manages to do it. Maybe not perfectly, but that’s okay!
Then there are times when she doesn’t really need help…she just wants help. This brings up another issue – is she avoiding things that are challenging to her, or just avoiding work altogether? The jury is still out on this one. Sometimes she will admit that she just wants company, so I try to join her while she completes her task. But still, somehow, I end up being the one who does it. I have to catch myself, because those are the times when I am enabling and not helping. And in the long run that is not helping her at all.
