Welcome!

Celebrating Abilities Inc. started as a support group located in southwest Florida for parents of children with different abilities. We are no longer active as a group because we've all moved on to other areas of the United States. I've decided to keep the blog active so that information can be shared with our loyal families and some new ones, too.

If you have any further questions, please contact:
hawkinsj68@gmail.com or ceenic123@aol.com


Have a blessed day!

Thursday, May 27, 2010

Proposed Diagnostic Change Not Enough To Help Children Currently Diagnosed With Bipolar Disorder


 Proposed Diagnostic Change Not Enough To Help Children Currently Diagnosed With Bipolar DisorderMay 19, 2010  
(Garrison, NY) Shifting children from the controversial diagnosis of bipolar disorder to one that more accurately reflects their symptoms will not by itself decrease the rate of psychopharmacologic treatment and is not enough to help troubled children flourish, according to a commentary in the New England Journal of Medicine by researchers at The Hastings Center, a bioethics research institute, and a physician-researcher at Stony Brook University School of Medicine.

A new diagnostic category for troubled children called Temper Dysregulation Disorder with Dysphoria (TDD), which would to a considerable extent replace the diagnosis of bipolar disorder in children, is one of the most talked-about features of recently released draft revisions to the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM). The new diagnosis would focus on negative mood and temper outbursts as their own symptoms, rather than as indications of mania or other elevated mood symptoms associated with bipolar disorder.

The proposal of a new category suggests that the dramatic increase in the number of children diagnosed with bipolar disorder is not appropriate. But "will the TDD diagnosis promote the ultimate goal of psychiatric classification: helping troubled children to flourish?" ask Erik Parens, senior research scholar at The Hastings Center; Josephine Johnston, research scholar at The Hastings Center; and Gabrielle A. Carlson, Director of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at Stony Brook University School of Medicine. The answer is no, "unless we get serious about reforming pediatric mental health care," the authors write in an essay, "Pediatric Mental Health Care Dysfunction Disorder?"

"No existing DSM diagnosis conveys the appropriate severity and complexity of these children's moods and behaviors; the 'bipolar disorder' label was meant to provide a home for children who were diagnostically homeless," according to the authors. "The dispute has been about whether bipolar disorder is the right diagnostic home."
 
To read more, please visit: http://www.physorg.com/news193493276.html

Disability Benefits Are Not Just For Grown-Ups

Disability Benefits Are Not Just For Grown-Ups  
By Elizabeth Wertime
 Social Security Public Affairs Specialist in Albany, NY

When you hear about disability benefits, you probably think about adults. But disability benefits are not just for grown-ups. In some cases, children can receive benefits too.

If your child who lives with you has a disability, and you also have limited income and resources, your child may be able to receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) disability benefits. SSI is another program run by Social Security.  SSI is a needs-based program funded through general tax revenues.

To qualify for SSI, your child must meet the following requirements:
·       Under age 18
·       Not be working and earning more than $1,000 a month in 2010. (This earnings amount changes every year.) If he or she is working and earning that much money, we will determine that your child is not disabled.
·       Have a physical or mental condition (or a combination of conditions) those results in "marked and severe functional limitations." This means that the condition(s) must very seriously limit your child's activities.
·       Have a condition that has lasted, or is expected to last, at least 12 months, or is expected to result in death.
Once your child reaches age 18, SSI disability benefits might still be payable as an adult. Also, an adult who was disabled before reaching age 22 might be eligible for Social Security benefits as a "disabled adult child." For a disabled adult to become entitled to this "child" benefit, one of his or her parents:
·       Must be receiving Social Security retirement or disability benefits; or
·       Must be deceased and have worked long enough to be covered under Social Security. 
 

TRAINING FOR ADVOCATES


SOCIAL SERVICES PROGRAMS

SPRING 2010 SCHEDULE

 
FOUR MORNING SESSIONS 9:00AM - 12:00PM, COVERING PROGRAMS AND SERVICES AVAILABLE FROM THE SUFFOLK COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES. PRE-REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED.
 
DAY ONE - TUESDAY, JUNE 15, 2010
MEDICAL ASSISTANCE
 
DAY TWO - WEDNESDAY, JUNE 16, 2010
TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE, FOOD STAMPS, DISABLED CLIENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM,
CHILD CARE

DAY THREE - THURSDAY, JUNE 17, 2010

CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES/ADULT PROTECTIVE SERVICES

DAY FOUR - FRIDAY, JUNE 18, 2010

CHILD SUPPORT ENFORCEMENT BUREAU/HOUSING ASSISTANCE


For more information, please
 visit:http://suffolkcountyny.gov/departments/socialservices.aspx 
 

Saturday, May 22, 2010

11th Annual AHA Abby Irwin Family Picnic

This event is a "must attend" event..........I had the pleasure of getting to know Abby Irwin when I worked at EEDA.  She fought tirelessly to advocate for her son and many other children, all while fighting her own battle with cancer...........Please take time out of your day on 6/12 to support AHA and also to remember Abby, by attending this awesome event.


Thanks,
Jacqui



11th Annual AHA Abby Irwin Family Picnic

Date:

Saturday, June 12, 2010

Time:

11:00am - 4:00pm

Location:

West Hills Country Park, Group Picnic Area

City/Town:

Melville, NY

Please join us for our annual family picnic -- everyone, all ages, welcome.

To register, please visit: http://bit.ly/aAmQwB

Suggested Donations:
$10 p/p adults over 18
$ 8 p/p children under 18

Horseback riding provided by MY SHINE - $25 p/p ages 3 and up (up to 20 riders)

- Games
- Softball
- Free Pony Rides (12:00 noon to 1:00 pm)

- Hiking
- BBQ
- Volleyball
- Counselors for games, crafts, and more activities
- Sibling activities
- Water games
- Horseback riding (offered by MY SHINE, an equine program for individuals with special needs) for up to 20 riders, 3+ years old.
Cost: $25 per person.

Directions: Northern State Parkway to exit 40 (Rt 110) South. Make first right onto Old Country Rd. Make first right onto Sweet Hollow Rd. Go under parkway and straight ahead at the intersection. Picnic ground is on the right about a 1/4 mile past the intersection. Parking fee is $2.00 per car.

Patricia R. Schissel, LMSW
President, AHA
Asperger Syndrome and High Functioning Autism Association (AHA), Inc.
PO Box 916
Bethpage, NY 11714
P/F:888.918.9198
www.ahaNY.org
PatS@ahaNY.org