Medicaid is a health insurance program the United States federal government outlines for low-income adults, children without other health insurance options, senior citizens, and the disabled. Medicaid is funded by both federal funds and state funds and is managed by each individual state.  There are...

For some families with loved ones with disabilities, toileting duties are a part of a caregiver's daily responsibilities.  For individuals unable to use the toilet on a timed schedule or as-needed basis, the cost of adult diapers and other continence care products, like wipes, disposable gloves, and...

As a former special education teacher, I've sat in many, many, many IEP meetings where eligibility testing scores and reports were shared with students and families.  To the untrained ear, it can feel like lots of numbers, confusing terms, and psychology jargon.    Hearing everything for the first t...

Special needs trusts, ABLE Accounts, and finances, oh my!  While I typically cover topics geared toward high school and transition age students, getting finances in order is a topic that families with students and loved ones of all ages can learn from.

Estate planning (or financial planning) mea...

There are a variety of disability benefits for adults with autism spectrum disorder.  From financial help to housing opportunities to health insurance, there are different ways for autistic people to get the funding and support they need.  

Whether you are an adult with autism, a parent or famil...

This list goes beyond the cliche suggestions of playing board games, trying new card games, and making stress balls and sensory bottles (although those can be fun activities, too)!  Aiming to be age-appropriate for adults and skill—and ability-conscious, it includes ten ideas for ten life skill and ...

Early in my time teaching transition my fellow special education teachers and I split up the responsibility of visiting job sites and teaching vocational skills classes.  Like any true novice teacher, I focused most of my vocational skills class time on writing text-based resumes and mock interviews...

Whether the young adult needs funding (i.e. money), services (like therapy), or support (such as help with daily tasks like showering and cooking meals), there are programs available to help pay for these needs.  

While I dream about the day that young adults and their families in Illinois can subm...

What is SSI?  Supplemental Security Income, or SSI for short, is a monthly payment issued to an individual with a disability to help cover the cost of living expenses.   SSI funds can be used to cover the costs of respite, transportation, care providers, rent, food, and more.  

While families ma...

I’m sharing an in-depth resource review of my most recent Renting lesson unit.  While my original Rent lesson unit covers the necessary basics, this new resource includes all your favorite things but dives a bit deeper into renting.  So, if you are looking for materials to teach about what it really...

The mindset that students with higher support needs (aka severe to profound, multi-needs, low functioning) don’t have the ability or interest to engage in vocational training is outdated.   

Working 9-5 is not everyone’s dream and meaningfully contributing to one’s community regardless of pay is...

If you are placing students in community (or school based) jobs and are struggling to find just the right fit for some students with higher support needs, keep reading!  I’m sharing the approach we used in my former program to meaningfully connect students with community and school-based volunteer p...

 Whether you feel excitement about a new school year or dread, you have to be prepared or you will be eaten alive (not to sound dramatic, but we all know it’s true).  Knowing what you need to start the first day and week of school and having the time to create and perfect said resources are two sepa...

If you are ready to switch up your student’s community vocational sites, want more vocational experience options for students to choose from, or just know your community has more to offer than just hotels and restaurants, then review the list below!

I’m sharing over 30 community vocational si...

If you live in Illinois and your student is in Special Education then you may have heard of PUNS at an IEP meeting or from fellow parents/family members.  With a funny name and less than stellar history, it probably left you either scratching your head or with a sour taste in your mouth.  

Well, th...