Helpful Hands

Books for the Special Needs Community

2012-03-07T08:39:00.000-08:00

There are several publishers that concentrate on offerings for the special needs community, including families that have children enrolled in Early Intervention. Reading to your child is always worthwhile. The following websites are a good starting point for resources and books, and if you prefer, you can request a catalog as well:

www.woodbinehouse.com-has a wide range of books available from ADHD to visual impairments. They have parent resources, as well as children’s books and books for siblings of children with special needs. Some materials are offered in Spanish, and they carry DVDs.

www.jasonandnordic.com –carries the Turtle Books series for children with special needs and their friends. These books cover a wide range of disabilities and explain from the child’s perspective, how it feels to be “different”. For example, in Buddy’s Shadow, Buddy, who has Down syndrome, often feels left out since he can’t run fast. A new puppy helps him realize what friendship is and isn’t.

www.freespirit.com- is a leading publisher of self help books for kids. They have a series called “toddler tools” that can help to reinforce successful daily routines such as naptime, meal-time, playtime, etc.

You can also check out interactive book apps on the IPAD. Try Zanny-Born to Run or Little Lilly’s Touch Book both by Extra Special Kids, LLC. Lastly, “Words” in Maplewood, NJ is a bookstore with a welcoming atmosphere “dedicated to families in the community that have an individual with a developmental disability”. They are located at 179 Maplewood Ave and carry many books of interest to families of children with special needs. Have fun reading!

Difference between Social Security disability and SSI disability

2012-02-21T06:36:00.000-08:00

Many of you have asked what is the difference between Social Security disability and SSI disability? Below is a brief chart with detailed links to help you and your constituents/clients further understand these two programs.

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)

This program is financed with Social Security taxes paid by workers, employers, and self-employed persons.

· The worker will get Medicare coverage automatically after receiving disability benefits for two years.

· To be eligible for a Social Security benefit, the worker must earn sufficient credits based on taxable work to be "insured" for Social Security purposes.

· Disability benefits are payable to:

· blind or disabled workers

· their children

· widow(er)s

· adults disabled since childhood

· The amount of the monthly disability benefit is based on the Social Security earnings record of the insured worker.

See Understanding the Benefits for a complete explanation SSDI.

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)

Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

This program is financed through general revenues from taxes, meaning benefits are not based on your prior work history.

· In most states, beneficiaries will automatically be eligible for Medicaid.

· SSI benefits are payable to:

· individuals age 65 or older

· adults who are disabled or blind

· children who are disabled or blind

· Eligibility requirements:

· have limited income and resourcesmeet the living arrangement requirements

· a U.S. citizen or national, or in one of certain categories of aliens.

· The monthly payment varies up to the maximum federal benefit rate, which may be supplemented by the state.

See Understanding Supplemental Security Income for a complete explanation of SSI.

Answers to other related Social Security Disability Topics.

· Time it takes to get disability benefits

· Effects of private disability on Social Security benefits

· Time limits on Social Security disability benefits

· How your disability affects your benefit amount

· Eligibility requirements for a disabled adult child's benefit

· How do I apply for disability benefits?

Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) Fact Sheet

2012-02-06T08:08:00.000-08:00

**The New Jersey Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) provides public funding for services and supports that assist people with developmental disabilities.

**These services are offered in the community by more than 250 New Jersey agencies and in seven residential developmental centers.

**There is no entitlement for services funded by DDD. However, the division strives to make the most effective use of available funding so that it can serve as many people as possible.

DDD determines through an application process who is eligible* to receive services it funds. Generally, to receive services, you must show that you have a severe, chronic physical and/or mental impairment that:

manifests in the developmental years, before age 22;

is life-long; and

substantially limits you at least in three of the following life activities: self-care, learning, mobility, communication, self-direction, economic self sufficiency and the ability to live independently.

Some conditions that might be considered a developmental disability include: mental retardation, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, spina bifida, autism or a neurological impairment.

* The complete legal definition can be found at NJSA 30:6D-25(b) and NJAC 10:46.

DDD funds three types of services:

*day services, including supports for people who are employed
*residential services that support an individual in the community
*services that support a family caring for a loved one at home

For more information or to apply for services, contact the DDD Regional Office serving your county. Regional office locations and phone numbers are listed on the reverse side of this flyer.

New Jersey Department of Human Services
Division of Developmental Disabilities, P. O. BOX 726, Trenton, NJ 08625

http://www.state.nj.us/humanservices/ddd/index.html

Northern Region

Bergen, Hudson and Passaic counties:
100 Hamilton Plaza, 7th Floor, Paterson, NJ 07505 973/977-4004

Seeking Parents to Participate on the NREIC Family Support & Community Outreach Committee

2012-01-23T07:57:00.000-08:00

The Northeast Regional Early Intervention Collaborative (NREIC) is seeking family members of children receiving early intervention services or recently transitioned from early intervention, to participate on our Family Support and Community Outreach Committee. This is a subcommittee of the larger NREIC Board.

The primary purpose of this Committee is to provide guidance and offer insight into ways to enhance supports and access to community resources for families receiving early intervention services in our region comprised of Bergen, Hudson and Passaic counties.

The Committee meets three times per year and includes representatives from the NREIC Board of Trustees, NREIC staff, community representatives and family members of infants and toddlers with developmental delays and/or disabilities. There is a small stipend available for parents who participate.

All meetings begin at 9:30am and are held at the NREIC office.

For further information about the Family Support and Community Outreach Committee or to become a member, please contact Desirée Bonner, Director of Family Support at (973) 256-8484 x204 or email desiree@nreic.org.

Governor Christie Signs Bill to Assist Autism Community in NJ

2012-01-23T07:24:00.000-08:00

Following more than a year of advocacy, the Governor has signed into law S-2028/A-2878 (Gordon/Vanieri-Huttle). Developed as a remedy for individuals and families seeking reliable information about their Department of Human Services (DHS) cases, this bill does a lot more than just collect data. For individuals receiving services, it stipulates annual notification by the DHS of:

• Which services are currently being received or the amount of the budget granted to purchase services

• What a person’s status is on a waiting list and how many individuals with developmental disabilities are expected to be served within the next twelve months

• How to easily update personal information with caseworkers

• Where information about services for persons with developmental disabilities and their families can be found

In addition, DHS must annually publish a report, to be available on its website, containing aggregate data about eligible persons with developmental disabilities, including:

• The number of eligible persons by disability or diagnosis by county

• The number of persons residing in developmental centers who have expressed a desire to reside in the community but are still awaiting placement

• An explanation of how DHS determines to place an eligible person on a waiting list maintained by DHS, what criteria determine a person’s priority level and ranking within that priority level on the list and how a person is selected from the list to receive services

• The number of people who are waiting for residential services; employment or day support services; family support services and behavioral support services

• The year in which persons requested placement on any DHS-maintained waiting list

DHS will report to the Governor and Legislature two years after the effective date of the bill, as to the progress of the data collection and reporting. The bill takes effect thirteen months after its enactment, in February, 2013. Autism New Jersey believes that public knowledge of this information is vital to both the executive and legislative branches of state government to make informed decisions on funding and overall policy for individuals with developmental disabilities, including autism spectrum disorders.

Autism New Jersey applauds DHS and Commissioner Jen Velez for their enlightened response to this bill as it was developed and the Arc of New Jersey for its genesis of the legislation.

Butterfly This was Autism New Jersey at work. How did we successfully advocate for this bill? Substantive analysis was offered to the legislature at key points in the process. We considered the impact on our constituents at all times while serving as their "voice," and provided the push necessary to bring this bill to the point where the Senate would pass it in time for enactment during this legislative session.

Reprinted from Autism New Jersey E-News -- January 2012.

Apps for the Early Intervention Family

2012-01-11T06:57:00.000-08:00

This year, we have seen more and more articles and information on “apps for the special needs child”. It seems like there is an app for any need you can think of:

To teach a very young child to tap the device to practice “cause & effect”;

To create social stories with voice, text & images;

To track therapies, medications, etc. when using behavior management techniques;

To calm with soothing music and images;

To recognize the different emotions on a face;

To manipulate sound effects to desensitize a sound sensitive child;

To educate or entertain with children’s interactive books, or;

To facilitate early childhood learning with apps for letters, numbers, colors etc.

The following list of websites specializes in categorizing apps that might be useful for our families with children with special needs*.

http://a4cwsn.com/-includes video reviews of select apps

https://autismapps.wikispaces.com/- breaks apps into helpful categories

http://www.snapps4kids.com/- includes many helpful reviews

http://www.oneplaceforspecialneeds.com/main/library_special_needs_apps.html- comprehensive listing of apps, including information about android apps

http://www.lilliespad.com/apps-for-special-needs/- includes favorites of the developer’s daughter.

Many of the websites contain reviews and a few even provide a video on how an app works. Another resource to consider before purchasing an app is user reviews and/or visiting the developer’s website. After all, it is easy enough to try out an app that costs .99 but another thing to purchase an app for $14.99 and then find out that your child won’t use it.

* This list is provided for the convenience of our readers. The NREIC is not responsible for the content, links, appearance or information on these listed websites. The NREIC has no control over the nature, content and availability of these sites. Their inclusion does not imply a recommendation or endorsement of the views or information expressed within them and any questions should be directed to the websites themselves.

Special Needs Talk Radio

2012-01-09T06:18:00.001-08:00

The Coffee Klatch - Special Needs Coffee Klatch Ltd. – is a not-for-profit corporation dedicated toproviding resources and educational programs for special needs families. In an effort to continue providing outstanding broadcasts to the special needs community, Special Needs Coffee Klatch Ltd., has expanded with the addition of a sister network, Special Needs Talk Radio.

Special Needs Talk Radio is a forum for parents, educators, and experts within the special needs community that was established to help them learn from one another and to offer support.

To date, the success and response to the programs on The Coffee Klatch have been overwhelming. The programming covers a broad range of topics and children’s disorders, which has brought a unity among followers as well as a greater understanding of these children, a greater respect for their parents, and the acceptance and appreciation of the differences in both.

Become empowered, become confident, become the best parent you can be. Meet and learn from those who have dedicated their careers to treating, protecting, and educating special needs children. Meet the parents who have

walked in your shoes, understand your fears, and are here to guide you.

Listen to Special Needs Talk Radio at:

http://www.specialneedstalkradio.com/

Follow the show on TWITTER: #TheCoffeeK

NREIC Casino Night pictures

2011-12-14T06:24:00.000-08:00

Social Emotional Development in Young Children: Parent Information, Resources, Support

2011-12-07T10:41:00.000-08:00

Supporting the social and emotional development of our children through the years is an important and ongoing part of parenting. As our children grow, their social and emotional needs and abilities change. As parents, we sometimes want to pull our hair out, while other times we relish in the cuteness, maturation or independence of our little ones. There are many wonderful articles and resources available to families in the journey from age birth to three, and beyond.

The NREIC Family Support Coordinators are all parents with children of varied ages. Some of our children have special needs, and some do not. We thought this kind of information and resource was globally useful to any parent with children… with or without special needs.

We will from time to time share some websites or topical information that we think will provide further knowledge, resources, activities, and support to families. Scholastic.com seems to have a lot of parent-friendly material on the topic of social emotional development in children.

NREIC Casino Night 2011...Our Most Successful Event Yet!!

2011-12-05T07:23:00.000-08:00

NREIC Casino Night 2011

Our Most Successful Event Yet!

On November 5^th, Helpful Hands- NREIC held its 9^th Annual Casino Night at The Bethwood in Totowa, NJ. The event was a huge success, raising close to $27,000. The evening’s proceeds will benefit our Special Needs Fund and other family support activities. The Special Needs Fund provides assistance to families of infants and toddlers with disabilities impacted by the high cost of services and supports not covered under early intervention or other sources. At Casino Night, we also honored the following individuals for their contributions to early intervention and the NREIC: Neringa Fonarev, Diane Klemm & Peter Sanchez.

Thank you to all that attended or contributed to the evening’s success. We would especially like to thank the following sponsors:

Casino: DataPipe Managed Global IT Services.

Dessert Table: “Toilet Bowl Tradition”.

Poker Table: GPJNJ, Innovative Intervention, Inc., & Joseph Meyer

Craps Table: Jennifer Lim

Black Jack Tables: Bayonne Glass Company; Sheldon & Carolyn Bross; Robert DeScherer; GPJNJ; Graziano & Company CPA’s; Pediatric Therapy Resources, LLC; Platinum Alarms; The Segal Family; & Withum Smith + Brown, PC.

A Special Thank You Also Goes Out To Our Wonderful Volunteers: Maggie Alfonso, Danielle Ciccone, Patti Ciccone, Carol Ferrando, Candice Johnson, Michelle Massimi, Susan Redding, Octavia Wilson & Lisa Weinstein.

Our next fundraising event will be our

Annual Golf Outing coming on June 29, 2012 at a new location

The Knoll Country Club West.