Children with serious chronic illnesses face immense obstacles in education and socialization. Until recently, it was not possible for a homebound or hospitalized child to attend school. However, it is happening now, with the assistance of telepresence robots. These robots, which consist of a rolling screen with a camera, microphone and speakers, allow users to hear, see, interact and move around in real time in a faraway place. They are being used to allow students with chronic illnesses to participate in traditional school environments for the first time. A child who must be at home or in the hospital can use a telepresence robot to attend classes in different classrooms, participate in small group discussions and talk with friends. This level of participation can help chronically ill students overcome their isolation, and it provides educational and social benefits that cannot be obtained from individual tutoring. Telepresence robots hold great promise for students with serious illnesses, but there are obstacles to their use, including the cost of the technology and the fact that not all school districts permit them.

For other students with special needs, a wide variety of smartphone and computer applications have been developed to help with educational and adaptive needs. These include apps that help students with communication skills, or that help young adults with vocational training. Read about how “Technology Makes Things Possible” at Autism Spectrum News.

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Tags: arc of westchester, autism spectrum news, educational and adaptive needs, educational and social benefits, help students with communication skills, help young adults with vocational training, homebound or hospitalized child, preventing isolation, school districts, Technology Makes Things Possible, telepresence robots, the cost of the technology, traditional school environments

Obtaining services for a child with special needs has never been an easy or straightforward process. However, given the realities that the country is currently facing, parents with children who have special needs are having an especially difficult time obtaining the services their children need to thrive.

Parents are experts when it comes to their children. However, parents who suspect that their child is experiencing a developmental delay need assistance in determining what services their child needs and how to get them. In most cases, a child will not receive any developmental support services until they have a diagnosis. However, studies show that many parents are waiting months, or even years, to get a formal diagnosis for their children. This delay may mean that parents miss a critical window, during which interventions for disorders such as autism or Rett’s Syndrome can be most effective.

Delayed diagnoses have always been a problem, but are even more of an issue today, given the realities of COVID-19. Families are less likely to visit the doctor, children are not interacting with others as often, and children are not interacting with early childhood professionals regularly. These are the ways in which developmental delays are most often noticed.

According to some experts, another primary reason for this delay is the complex system states use to identify and serve young children with developmental disabilities. To obtain services, parents must navigate a “labyrinth” of health care providers, special education entities, and insurance programs, each with their own eligibility criteria and rules. Most parents find that the state offers them little to no guidance or support throughout this complex process. As a result, parents find that they end up making unnecessary appointments, wasting time and insurance co-pays.

What makes this issue especially frustrating is that there are services available for most families. However, there is no resource to help parents identify these programs, determine eligibility criteria, and, ultimately, qualify for benefits. A New York special needs advocate can assist parents with this, helping them through the complicated process.

Is Your Child Receiving the Necessary Support?

If you believe that your child is not receiving the support they need, deserve, and are entitled to, contact one of the knowledgeable special education advocates at Littman Krooks, LLP. While the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the way in which many services are provided, schools and government organizations are still required to comply with a child’s needs. The dedicated team of special education attorneys at Littman Krooks, LLP, has a comprehensive understanding of the educational requirements as they pertain to students with special needs, as well as other critical services necessary to a child’s success. Our lawyers use their advanced knowledge to ensure that every child gets the services and education they deserve. At Littman Krooks, we have been helping New York families for over 30 years, and we are currently accepting new clients. Our knowledgeable New York special education attorneys can be reached at 914-684-2100 or contact us here

Posted in Autism, Special Education Advocacy | Comments Off on Parents Face a Complex System When Searching for Services for Children With Special Needs
Tags: and insurance programs, determine eligibility criteria, developmental support services, New York special needs advocate, Obtaining services for a child with special needs, qualify for benefits, special education entities