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Getting Started
Get Diagnosed
Gathering Important Information
Organizing Your Information
The Educated Parent
Early Intervention
What To Do First
What is Early Intervention?
Research
Introduction
Keeping an IEP Notebook
Preparing for an IEP Meeting
Conducting an IEP Meeting
Individuals With Disabilities Act
IDEA ACT - A Quick Reference
IDEA Legal Text
Family Finances
Recommended Resources
Housing
Introduction to Universal Housing Design
Housing options
Building a New House ~ That Works!
Introduction to Universal Housing Design
Entrances and Thresholds
Single Family Home Resources
Remodeled Bathroom
Ceiling Lifts
Problem Spaces
Adding a Ramp
Good Restroom
Not So Good Restrooms
Great Space Adaptions
Not So Great Adaptations
Ramp Design
Ramp Design (Part 2)
Commercial Ramps
Public Access Ramps
Adding a Ramp
Retrofit Door Sill Ramp
Insurance
Medical Bills
Filing an Appeal
Medical Expenses and Income Taxes
Finding Help for the Uninsured or Underinsured
Free or Discounted Prescription Programs
Medicaid Waivers
Legal Adults - Introduction
Guardianship and Declaration of Incapacitation
Establishing Guardianship and Obtaining a Declaration of Incapacitation
Dependency Determination (Military)
When to Start the Transition Process
Begin Transition - Age 14-16
Exploring Possibilities and Guardianship Issues - Age 17
Age 18
After High School Graduation - Age 19-22
Post High School Education Options
Future Housing Options
Specialized Medical Equipment
Wheelchair Evaluation
Wheelchair Safety
Introduction: Special Needs and the Military Family
DEERS & ID Cards
Dependency Determination
TriCare Introduction
TriCare Program Options
Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP)
Individual Case Management
TriCare Extended Care Health Option (ECHO)
Early Intervention
Housing Options
Family Support Services
Community Contacts
Letters of Medical Sufficiency
Wheelchair Accessible Vans
Van Conversion: A good Example
Fund Raising - The Flamingo Air Project
Utah DSPD Complaint List Winter 2011
 

Research

It is important to learn everything you can about the condition your child has been diagnosed with. Knowledge is power. The more you know, the more able you will be to meet your child's needs and access services in the community. Self-education by the parent is essential in maximizing all the resources available. There are several excellent places you can start in your quest for information.

  • Ask your child's Pediatrician or Specialist to explain the condition to you
  • Research information regarding your child's condition. There are many excellent resources of medical information.

    *Note: Linda highly recommends the Hardin Library for the Health Sciences at the University of Iowa. You can find further contact information at the link below.

    http://www.lib.uiowa.edu/hardin/md

    Medical librarians are also an excellent resource to use when trying to figure out which Internet sites are good and which are not. Not all Internet web sites are accurate when it comes to medical information. Do not use school-type encyclopedias as a reliable medical resource. The Internet can be an invaluable tool but you need to be very, very cautious when you are utilizing the Internet for research. Current diagnostic information listed on AMA (American Medical Association) sites may not be included on other specialty sites appearing as legitimate medical resources. Always check your source! There are several excellent links listed below and on the National Resource Links list.

    For more research sources see Getting Started - The Educated Parent

  • Contact your closest Children's Hospital. Ask for the Parent/Patient Educator. Some hospitals have their own education centers with employees assigned to assist parents/patients in researching any medical question they may have. They should also have a list of community supports available.
  • Community supports. Contact a parent support group for Parents of Special Needs Children. Parents themselves can be a great educational resource and a great emotional support to new parents.
Information Links
ectacenter.org Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center
www.dec-sped.org The Division for Early Childhood - DEC
www.zerotothree.org Zero to Three