In June, the Sibling Leadership Network held its seventh national conference in St. Paul, Minnesota. The SLN is an organization that supports siblings of people with disabilities in advocating for their brothers and sisters with disabilities “across the lifespan” as...
Last week, the National Council on Disability, or NCD, an independent federal agency, released its second major report on guardianship for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, sometimes shortened to ID/DD. If we could pull an overarching theme from...
Just a few decades ago, the care and respect that those with special needs received was far different. As recently as the 1960s, those with differing mental or physical abilities were all but incarcerated in bleak facilities receiving less-than-satisfactory care....
Researchers in a new study published in JAMA found a startling rise in the number of fatal falls among elderly people, according to The New York Times. We have written in this space about falls, most recently prompted by Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg’s fall in her U.S....
As people age, the fears may become more and more real. Fears of dying surrounded by strangers in a healthcare facility or being strapped to medical machines that take away dignity and a sense of what makes life meaningful. Advance medical directives help people face...
Estate planning can be tough to start. You may jot down some thoughts and wishes and then get distracted. It is important to recognize that handwritten (holographic) wills may not be legally binding and can lead to conflict. Surprisingly, some well-known people have...
Of course, from the time a child is born, his or her parents want to provide love, resources and support to help their son or daughter thrive in life. We recently talked in this space about the use of virtual reality to enrich, teach and calm people with autism and...
According to the Virtual Reality Society, “virtual reality” is a “three-dimensional, [computer-generated] environment [that] can be explored and interacted with by a person.” VRS reports that virtual reality is usually created using a variety...
Often, siblings are in their 60s or 70s, but rivalries remain and may have only intensified over the years with career and financial success or lack thereof. From the time Mom or Dad needs more care, the disagreements can start. Comprehensive estate planning and...
At & , LLC, we regularly advise and counsel parents of children with special needs, including autism. When a child is diagnosed with a developmental disability like autism, the parents should consult a...
