For eight hours today, I helped families with disabled children and young adults. 

The younger families needed help understanding a new autism diagnosis, finding ABA providers that accept Medicaid, and learning the secret words that open up the doors of the special education system. 

Parents with older teens and young adults needed information about applying for SSI and DDD, finding doctors who provide low-cost evaluations, finding pro bono lawyers who do SSI appeals and guardianship, and getting a spot on the waitlist for a mental health clinic. 

It’s a lot. 

The current system is brutal on special needs families. After a child is diagnosed with autism, Down syndrome, or a developmental delay, parents fight a never-ending battle with the lack of information and resources. The hurdles are high, and the expenses can be huge. Sometimes, the parents also suffer from a disability and can’t read the government forms. I’m happy to be part of the solution, thanks to the big hearts of generous philanthropists. 

The current system is tough. Now, imagine a system with even less money. That’s the fear in the disability community.

Read more at Apt. 11D, the newsletter