For Parents

Madison House Autism Foundation receives hundreds of questions from parents, siblings, caregivers, and friends. To help address these concerns, Madison House Autism Foundation is conducting Parent Focus groups over the next several months to identify and prioritize your issues of greatest concern. We are working with communities, businesses, and local and national organizations to develop answers and design solutions that will allow adults with autism to live as independently as possible and provide support to parents. We know how important it is for your voice to be heard and we want to help tell your story.

Resources for Parents

Financial Planning

Legal Planning & Special Needs Trusts

Providing for your child with autism’s future requires careful planning. In order to qualify for Medicaid and other benefit programs, special-needs children may not have more than about $2,000 in their own name. Parents and well-meaning relatives who give a disabled child money — either now or in their wills — could make the child ineligible for some benefits, and he or she would need to spend down the money and re-apply. VIEW THE PAGE

Tax Strategies for Parents of Kids with Special Needs

Schwab Learning estimates that 15-30 percent of families with a special needs child have one or more unclaimed tax benefits. Are you one of these families??? VIEW THE PAGE

College

COllege Programs and Funding

There are companies who can assist you in finding grants, scholarships and appropriate placements in schools, as well as offering ongoing tutoring and mentoring services throughout the school year. VIEW THE WEBPAGE

10 Impressive Special College Programs for Students With Autism

Many autistic teens out there have the brains to make higher education a breeze, but are lacking in some of the social, time management and organizational skills they’ll need to make the grades they deserve. Luckily, there is a wide range of colleges out there stepping up to offer support and help for students with autism spectrum conditions. Here are 10 of the growing number of colleges that can be a good choice for students with autism, as they can provide support groups, assistance with courses, special classes and all the information students need to get a degree. SEE THE LIST

College Internship Program (CIP)

CIP’s full-year postsecondary programs provide young adults with Asperger’s, High-Functioning Autism, ADHD, Nonverbal and other Learning Differences with the social, academic, career and life skills necessary for success. VIEW THE PAGE

Housing

Housing (Talk About Curing Autism)

There are several types of housing options available. A disabled adult can live on their own, if able, in houses or apartments or if they are unable to care for themselves with limited help, they can live in residential facilities, such as adult foster care, group homes, farms and institutions. VIEW THE PAGE

Government Agencies

Whitehouse.gov Issues: Disabilities

The President is committed to nurturing a society that values the contributions of all of our citizens and residents, including the approximately 50 million people in this country living with disabilities. While people with disabilities are integrated into society as never before, we must do more. VIEW THE PAGE

Autism Insurance Legislation

There are a number of efforts happening throughout the country to get autism treatments, or at least ABA therapy, covered in states. Parents and advocates are working together to get coverage. You can help too. Keep reading. VIEW THE PAGE

List of State Developmental Disabilities Agencies

VIEW THE PAGE

State Councils on Developmental Disabilities

State Councils are federally funded programs charged with identifying the most pressing needs of people with developmental disabilities in their State or Territory. Councils work to address these needs through systems change and capacity building efforts that promote self-determination, integration and inclusion for people with developmental disabilities. VIEW THE PAGE

Technology

How To Get An iPad (or other AT/AC device) Funded

iPads and other technology “touch devices” are a wonderful new tool and may benefit children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) greatly. The iPad can speak for the nonverbal, aid functional speech, soothe, educate, teach skills to and entertain all. It’s really amazing what this little machine can do! VIEW THE PAGE

Georgia Institute of Technology

National Public Website on Assistive Technology VIEW THE PAGE

AbleData

“AbleData provides objective information about assistive technology products and rehabilitation equipment” VIEW THE PAGE

Transition into Adulthood

Resources for Teens & Adults

As the children of TACA’s parents have aged, we’ve worked to put together a series of articles to address teen- and adult-related issues and services. Below you will find many articles to help you survive the teen years and get your young adult on the road to his or her future. VIEW THE PAGE

Preparing for Adulthood

It seems like just yesterday that my son was toddling around on unsteady legs and poof, now he’s almost a legal adult. Yikes! So besides a party and some gifts, what else do we need to prepare for? A lot, it turns out.
So much changes when adulthood comes – insurance coverage, assistance eligibility, finances, educational options, employment, housing and legal obligations all require a new focus. VIEW THE PAGE

Transition Tool Kit from Autism Speaks

The Autism Speaks Transition Tool Kit was created to serve as a guide to assist families on the journey from adolescence to adulthood. VIEW THE PAGE

Siblings

Teens with ASD: Siblings

The only thing everyone has ever agreed on when your child was diagnosed was that “Early intervention is crucial.” Yes, it certainly is, and the learning curve for autism is hugely steep, confusing and time-sensitive. So when you were so immersed in doing everything you could, you had to put your child with ASD first, before the other kids, the bills, work, marriage, friends, community, sleep, and even your sanity on occasion. While not ideal and not what should happen, the reality is that for a few years or more, that’s just what happens in most families. VIEW THE PAGE

Careers

Vocational Rehabilitation

Vocational Rehabilitation is for employment services for people with disabilities. Voc Rehab helps people make career plans, learn job skills, coordinate services for independent living, and get and keep jobs. VIEW THE PAGE