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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
 

What To Do First?

Once your child has been diagnosed with a medical condition or disability it is important for the parent to do several things. The most important is learning everything you possibly can about your child's immediate day-to-day personal care needs. Learn what medical requirements you child has and become accomplished in performing those tasks. Find out about the medications your child may need or other medical treatments required. Stay in close contact with your child's physician and his/her nursing staff. They should be one of your most valuable resources in learning what you need to do for your child's daily care needs.

Parents of a newborn or toddler newly diagnosed with a medical condition or disability are often overwhelmed by the new and unfamiliar responsibilities they face, feeling a sense of inadequacy and isolation. Some feel guilt or anger over circumstances of which they have no control. It is important to know that even if your infant or toddler has a disability it is not the end of the world. It is time to roll up your sleeves and get to work!

One important item a parent must learn early when raising a child with a disability is their child has the same right to SELF-DETERMINATION as any other child. What is Self-Determination? Self-Determination is the right to build your own dreams and make them come true regardless of physical or mental condition. It is important that persons with disabilities be allowed to live the fullest life they possibly can. Start early by allowing your child to make as many choices and decisions as they can possibly make themselves. This is an important skill to have later in life.

The next important step is enrolling your child in the appropriate Early Intervention Program.