May 2, 2024
Special Needs
March 27, 2024
Benefits of Assistive Technology for Students with Disabilities
What is Assistive Technology? In a very broad sense, most of us have used some kind of assistive technology (AT) during our lives. Consider eyeglasses, contact lenses, or hearing aids. Wheelchairs and grab bars, a must for many individuals with physical disabilities, are also considered assistive technology. These items are critical to meeting career, academic, recreational, and self-care needs. WhenSpecial Needs
February 26, 2024
What You Need to Know About Being an Adult with Disabilities
A comprehensive guide for Adults with disabilities spearheaded by PBWS Partner Margaret ‘Peggy’ Graham for the Special Needs Alliance (SNA). Navigating the complexities of adulthood can be challenging, especially for individuals with disabilities and their families. The newest SNA guide “What You Need to Know About Being an Adult with Disabilities: A Handbook for Self-Advocates, Parents, Guardians, and Their LovedSpecial Needs
July 14, 2023
Preparing Young Adults with Disabilities for College
This post was authored by SNA member Beth C. Manes, Esq., Co-Founder and Partner at Manes & Weinberg Special Needs Lawyers, LLC. in Westfield, NJ, and Denise Gackenheimer Verzella, a Senior Associate with her firm. An SNA member since 2022, Beth focuses her practice on the areas of Special Education Law, Special Needs Planning, Guardianships and Estate Planning. Every parent experiences some anxiety asSpecial Needs
April 13, 2021
If You Have an ABLE Account or Special Needs Trust Do You Need the Other?
ABLE Accounts and Special Needs Trusts serve different purposes but can be used together to give the beneficiary the most freedom and independence possible. An ABLE Account is a tool that was created by federal law (the same part of the tax code where we find 529 Education plans) to help people with disabilities save some money and be asSpecial Needs
January 8, 2021
PBWS Attorney Named to Special Needs Alliance
PBWS Attorney Named to Special Needs Alliance Albuquerque, NM — January 6, 2021 — Attorney Margaret “Peggy” A. Graham of the law firm of Pregenzer, Baysinger, Wideman and Sale, PC (PBWS Law) has been selected as the newest member of the Special Needs Alliance. Established in 2002, the Special Needs Alliance (SNA) is a national, non-profit collective of many ofSpecial Needs
December 9, 2020
Paying Family Members to Provide Care for Special Needs Individuals
The Special Needs Alliance recognizes, paying a relative to care for a family member with disabilities can solve several challenges. This solution allows the individual requiring care to remain at home, where they likely feel most comfortable. As The Caregiver Space observes, paying a family member also acknowledges the important work they do and compensates them for the financial sacrificesSpecial Needs
July 3, 2019
Update on Special Needs Planning Seminar 2019 Video and Handouts (June 26 & 27, 2019)
The Update on Special Needs Planning Seminar was held on Wednesday, June 26, 2019, in Santa Fe, New Mexico, and Thursday, June 27, 2019, in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The seminar was hosted at the DoubleTree Hilton and New Mexico CPA Society from 3:00 p.m to 5:00 p.m. Presented by: Pregenzer, Baysinger, Wideman & Sale, PC (PBWS) First American Bank ARCASpecial Needs
June 10, 2019
What is the DD Waiver and Why Does it Matter for Special Needs Families?
The DD Waiver is the Developmentally Disabled Waiver in New Mexico. It is a Medicaid program that provides services to qualifying individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Often people ask what the “waiver” part means. One of the qualifying questions for the DD Waiver is whether the individual would otherwise qualify for nursing home level of care (NHLOC). If so,Special Needs
April 18, 2018
Update on Special Needs Planning Seminar 2018 Video and Handouts (April 11, 2018)
The Update on Special Needs Planning Seminar was held on Wednesday, April 11, 2018 in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The seminar was hosted at the New Mexico Society of CPAs from 3:00pm to 5:00pm. Presented by: Pregenzer, Baysinger, Wideman & Sale, PC (PBWS) Zia Trust, Inc. The Arc of New Mexico ARCA Presentors: Elaine Solimon, Community Relations Director of ARCA BridgetSpecial Needs
December 1, 2017
3 Simple Tips for Enjoying the Holidays with Special Needs Kids
Tis the Season- Holidays can be a stressful time in general, but particularly for children with a disability such as autism, Asperger’s or a sensory processing disorder. All of the hyped-up energy, excitement and new adventures is multiplied by ten for them, and can be really difficult to handle. I have seen how the holidays can overwhelm my typically developingSpecial Needs
September 13, 2017
7 Things You Don’t Know About a Special Needs Parent
About 6 million kids in America are Special Needs and receive special education, according to the U.S. Department of Education. One out of every 10 children under the age of 14 has some type of special need, which includes any physical, cognitive, or medical disability, or chronic or life-threatening illness. Raising a child with any disorder, condition or special need,Special Needs
April 10, 2017
Special Needs Children – Know the Types and Know Your Rights
18.5% of American Children under age 18 are Special Needs Children. That doesn’t mean that they aren’t smart, talented or capable. Just that they have specific challenges that a “normal” student would not face. There are four major types of special needs children: Physical – muscular dystrophy, multiple sclerosis, chronic asthma, epilepsy, etc. Developmental – down syndrome, autism, dyslexia, processingSpecial Needs
December 28, 2016
Is There an Age Limit for Special Needs Trusts?
For Special Needs Trusts, as usual, the answer is, it depends. Special Needs Trusts (SNTs) are a way to save money for disabled persons that do not risk a person’s eligibility for government funded programs, such as Medicaid and Supplemental Security Income (SSI). There are three (3) types of Special Needs Trusts. They are: Self-Settled Special Needs Trust Third-Party SpecialSpecial Needs
July 20, 2016
Moving to a New State Can Get Complicated
Posted on July 5, 2016 by The Arc. To read the original article, please click HERE. By Wendy H. Sheinberg, CELA written for The Arc in partnership with the Special Needs Alliance. Moving to another state is a challenge for most families. If a family member has disabilities, that challenge is even greater. State benefit programs vary, and states administer federal programs atSpecial Needs
March 14, 2016
Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month: 3 Ways to Recognize, Celebrate, and Support People with Special Needs
March is Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month! While many advances have been made for people with developmental disabilities, there is still a long road ahead. In the Special Needs Alliance article, Robert B. Fleming, discusses advances and setbacks surrounding developmentally disabled people from 1987 to present. How can we recognize, celebrate, and help support those with Developmental Disabilities? Here are aSpecial Needs
February 22, 2016
It’s All About Perspective – A Different Perspective From My Special Needs Daughter
How often are we sitting in traffic, running late, hitting every red light, and becoming more and more frustrated? Or maybe waiting in a line that never seems to move, or in a doctor’s office waiting room well past your appointment time? We all experience these frustrations, but we all know that getting angry or frustrated or having a melt-downSpecial Needs
January 25, 2016
How 529 Plans are Opening Doors to the Disabled
When you think of a 529 plan, you probably think of the 529 college-savings plan. Well, there’s a new 529 plan available now – the 529 ABLE (“Achieving a Better Life Experience”) account. The 529 ABLE account will provide eligible disabled people a savings vehicle that offers the same tax-free growth as a 529 college-savings plan provides. In December 2014,Special Needs
June 29, 2015
Summary of the 2015 Legislative Report and ABLE Act
In our firm, we work with many families that include people with disabilities, and disability issues rank high on our list of top priorities. We like to keep an eye out for laws that pertain to disability issues to keep our clients informed about how it may affect them or their loved ones. Here is brief recap of the DisabilitySpecial Needs
May 11, 2015
Planning for Your Special Needs Child – Surviving Your Child’s IEP Meeting
Your child has been evaluated and determined to be in need of special educations service. Now you’ve been informed that there will be an IEP meeting for your child. This notification must be provided to you in writing and in advance of the planned meeting. Usually the school will provide you with a date and time for the meeting. IfSpecial Needs
March 31, 2015
Special Needs Resources – A Parents Best Friend
There are many resources available for parents help their special needs children in many areas. There are resources for obtaining equipment such as walkers, wheelchairs, adaptive strollers, car seats, swings, high chairs and more. There are resources for obtaining therapies and various specialized medical services. There are resources for adaptive activities and entertainment such as bowling, horseback riding, kayaking, soccer,Special Needs
March 25, 2015
Special Needs Planning – For You and Your Child
Just like parenting a typically developing child, parenting a Special Needs Child is full of challenges and rewards. Milestones are anticipated and often met, but many times much later than the typical age and often with much therapy, intervention and work. While there are many books and articles about parenting children with various special needs, every child is different andSpecial Needs
March 15, 2015
Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month
Opportunities and Misconceptions March is Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month. Owing to parent advocacy and landmark legislation, communities have become significantly more responsive to the needs of people such as my daughter, Emily, who has cerebral palsy and autism. But challenges remain, and families continue to band together throughout the U.S. to help one another, increase general understanding, and lobby forSpecial Needs
June 16, 2014
Nell Graham Sale helps the Special Needs Alliance
We learned about Paws and Stripes when they received an award for best new nonprofit in 2013. They have been in business since 2010 in Albuquerque. We need to recognize the number of disabled veterans that have returned from the two wars of the last decade, and understand that even though they are soldiers, they encounter the same obstacles thatSpecial Needs
March 11, 2011