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The stimulus plan: what’s in it for people with autism?

by Beth

Here’s an understatement for you: that stimulus package President Obama signed into law last week is huge. It’s a bit daunting, too. To help sort through all the changes, the Disability Policy Collaboration (The Arc of the United States, combined with United Cerebral Palsy) lists the amount of increased spending disability specific programs will receive from the time the bill is enacted through 2010. The list highlights different topics — health, unemployment insurance, housing, etc. Here are some of the changes I think could especially affect people with autism and other disabilities:

* NIH Biomedical Research: $10 billion for increased research.

EDUCATION

* Special Education: $11.3 billion for the IDEA State Grant Program and $500 million for the IDEA Part C Early Intervention Program. $400 million for the pre-school program.

SOCIAL SECURITY

* SSI: A one-time emergency payment of $250 to people who receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Social Security, disabled veterans, and other selected benefits. SSA Disability Backlog and Claims: $500 million to help the Social Security Administration reduce the processing time for claims and appeals decisions.
* SSA Modernization: $500 million to replace the antiquated National Computer Center.

Employment

*Vocational Rehabilitation: $540 million for VR State Grant.

For more information go to the DPC website.


 

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  1. Thersa Warren Says:

    April 26th, 2009 at 12:04 am

    My 18 year old son has been having difficulty with school and socialization since the age of 5. He has been diagnosed with ADD, Social Anxiety Disorder, and Asperger’s Syndrome. At the age of 16, he left school after years of being bullied, and called names by other students. As of now, he never leaves his room, and has no friends. He would like very much to have a regular life, but niether he nor I know how to help him.
    No one wanted to help us because he had no insurance, and so he has suffered in silence for years now.
    Easter Seals is just now beginning to evaluate his needs, and I pray they can assist him in achieving a normal life someday…I am completely lost as to how to help my son…

  2. Mindy Gibbs Says:

    March 5th, 2009 at 9:03 am

    How do parents access any of these additional funds or services if their children do not have medicaid or social security?