Celebrating Our Men And Women Of Service

BY MICHELLE BOUDREAU As we move into the hustle and bustle of the holidays, we are looking to honor all men and women of service. At this time, we are featuring two fathers who have encountered difficulties in their own lives, yet have shown up to serve their communities in heroic fashion. We honor Tony DeLeon, serving Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department (LASD is the nation’s largest Sheriff’s Department and the second largest law enforcement […]

Does My Disability Mean I’m Not “Normal?”

LIVING WITH A DISABILITY BY JERRY LEVINSON Often, the words that a person uses in talking with, or about you, affect not only your perception of the individual speaking them, but also your perception of yourself – your “self esteem.” Anyone who knows me will tell you that I have a couple of screws loose, my elevator doesn’t go all the way to the top, and that I’m a few tacos short of a combo […]

A GPS for Families of People with Special Needs – Part II

BY LAUREN AGORATUS INTRODUCTION I wrote this manual to help other families of individuals with special needs and the professionals who work with them. My daughter now has five life-threatening conditions, and autism just to keep things interesting. We have been through everything from early intervention to currently going through transition to adult care. I hope this helps you on your journey. Part II follows; to review Part I, see the September issue of EP […]

An Overview Of The Individuals With Disabilities Education Act

Every child deserves a home filled with love, a stomach filled with food — and a fulfilling and enriching education. Legislation is helping with education. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act ensures that all children with special needs have access to a “free appropriate public education” and they have the necessary tools to meet their educational goals. Here’s what you need to know about the act, which governs how states and public agencies, including the […]

A GPS for Families of People with Special Needs – Part I

PART ONE BY LAUREN AGORATUS INTRODUCTION I wrote this manual to help other families of individuals with special needs and the professionals who work with them. My daughter now has five life-threatening conditions, and autism just to keep things interesting. We have been through everything from early intervention to currently going through transition to adult care. I hope this helps you on your journey. EARLY & CONTINUOUS SCREENING Families may be concerned that their child […]