Getting financial help as parents try to work, pay bills, and raise a child with a disability like autism, cerebral palsy, or Down syndrome can sometimes be necessary. Not only does it ease the constant worrying about money, monetary benefits can also help pay for therapies and other treatments, or simply daily expenses that become difficult if you have to take time off or you are unable to work completely. This is where In-Home Support Services (IHSS) comes in. IHSS is a California government program that provides financial support for in-home caretakers of children with developmental disabilities including autism. But how long does it take to get approved for IHSS?

Read More

Raising children is expensive. This is especially true when it comes to raising a child with special needs. In fact, one study by Autism Speaks estimated that the average lifetime cost to raise a child with autism is $1.4 million dollars. So how do you financially plan for the future of your child with special needs?

Read More

If you have California’s In-Home Supportive Services program (IHSS), you know it provides amazing financial support to enable you to stay at home with your child with special needs. Children with autism, Down syndrome, or cerebral palsy can often take a heavy financial toll on a family. It is common for you to have to stop working in order to take care of your child. But disability benefits such as In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) allows you to be employed as your child’s in-home caretaker. If you already have this program, how do you get more IHSS hours?

Read More

As a parent of a child with autism, are you constantly worrying that you don’t have enough money to provide the best care for your child? Your fears are understandable, since studies estimate that the costs of raising one child with autism in the United States is $17,000 annually. These expenses include doctor visits, specialized care, and therapy. But can you get money to help raise your child with autism and assist you with these costs?

Read More

The holidays are here, and when you think about celebrating, you may have happy memories of your family spending quality time together. For many children with autism, however, the holidays can make them feel stressed because of the unfamiliar situation, and all the different noises and people that can be overwhelming. So how do you keep your child with autism calm, and reduce his anxiety during the holidays?

Read More