When you have a child with disabilities, it can be overwhelming to know where to turn for help. There are many organizations that provide services and resources for children with disabilities. These organizations exist in your community and offer services like therapy, education, and more. You can find out about these resources by speaking with your pediatrician and specialist about what’s available in your area or by doing some research on the internet.
Understand Your Rights
Understanding your child’s rights is important. A disability is a physical or mental condition that limits a person’s movements, senses, and activities. To be considered disabled under federal law, the disability must last at least 12 months and affect at least two major life activities such as walking or speaking. A disability lawyer can help you manage the legal aspects of your child’s specific situation and may work to ensure they receive their entitlements under state or federal law, which vary depending on the type of disability in question.
Make a List of all the Specialists You Might Need
List all the specialists your child needs to see. If your child is on a long-term care plan, get a copy of the plan from your health insurance company and make sure you know who all the doctors in their network are before you make appointments. Get information about each specialist from either your doctor or their staff so that when you set up an appointment for them, they can tell you what services are covered by your insurance plan. It’s also important to apply for social security disability to ensure you get help covering bills for your child’s needs.
See a Disability Specialist
Make an appointment to see a disability specialist. You’ll need to fill out a form and bring your child’s medical records, birth certificate, social security card, and insurance card. If you don’t have any of these documents handy at the time of your appointment, they can usually be faxed or mailed directly to the specialist’s office as well. Talk with other parents who have children with disabilities. The more information you have on how school districts handle these situations, the better equipped you will be when it comes time for your child to start kindergarten or preschool.
Know Your Local Resources
As a parent, it’s important to know your local resources. Getting help for speech therapy, physical therapy, and more can sometimes even be done in more than one office. Local services and organizations can help you with the legal and educational issues surrounding disability. For example, if your child has a disability in school and needs help accessing education or special services, contact the appropriate school district. If you’re having trouble getting financial assistance for your disabled child, contact the local Social Security office or apply for Medicaid benefits online.
Find an Attorney
Finding the right attorney to help with a disability law case can be tough. It’s important to find an attorney who specializes in disability law, known as disability rights attorneys. These attorneys have experience with the laws in your state and understand how they apply to your situation. Sometimes federal organizations are slow to approve disability benefits and using a lawyer can help you get the services and finances you need.
Check out Medicare and Medicaid
One of the main benefits of living in the United States is that we have access to some of the best medical institutions in the world. Unfortunately, due to cost and lack of insurance coverage, only about 50% of American children receive regular health care. This can be especially concerning for parents whose children have disabilities or developmental delays, which often require extensive medical attention throughout their whole lives. These services are invaluable for covering the costs of medical care to ensure children with disabilities get all of their needs met.