Category: Texas HHSC

2017 International Meeting for Autism Research (IMFAR)

I do not consider myself new to the Autism community, however, I did not know about the autism research meeting of hundreds of clinicians and researchers from fifty countries, who met this month in San Francisco for the 16^th annual meeting.  Various articles from the discussions by the panels at the conference can be found at here that include Diagnostic tests miss autism features in girls, and Alternative screen finds high autism prevalence in U.S. state, where South Carolina’s study (unpublished findings) indicates 1 in 28 children are on the spectrum. This screening used in South Carolina was modeled after South Korea’s screening process that yielded an autism rate of 2.65 percent, approximately double that of the United States.

Another article I found of interest is Doctors twice as likely to miss girls as boys on autism screen by Hannah Furfaro, May 12, 2017.  For more info, go to https://spectrumnews.org/conference-news/international-meeting-autism-research-2017/.

Check out this new video on YouTube about government benefits for children with disabilities and estate planning with The Filis Law Firm.

https://youtu.be/dePvB1R1_jk

During the upcoming Thanksgiving festivities, when your family and friends gather for hours in a cozy family home or two homes, consider that this time offers you a remarkable opportunity to determine who your key people will be in your legal documents. Who are key people – these are the people who you chose to have as your independent executor, trustee, and attorney-in-fact. If you are married, it is likely that your first choice is your spouse; however, you should have alternates listed on all your personal legal documents.

I am not suggesting you make your family holiday gathering more awkward than it typically is every year. My proposal is that you silently observe your siblings, their spouses and kids, and how everyone interacts with your child/children from the perspective of a parent removed from the situation. Siblings are not the only candidates for the role of key people. Outside of your immediate family, there are cousins and family friends to consider. Parents to choose key people candidates near their age or younger.

Thinking of your possible untimely death or disability may seem morose; however, your Will, Power of Attorney (“POA”), and Medical Power of Attorney (“Medical POA”) are legal documents in which you designate in writing people you trust to make important decisions about your child/children, your finances, your bank accounts, and vital medical decisions.

The key people you should be looking for are people that can naturally offer patience to raise your child or children in the event they become orphans. The selected key person to raise your children may not be the same key person who you select to be your “attorney-in-fact” in your POA. The key person you choose to handle your finances may not be the key person you select to make end-of-life decisions in your Medical POA.

Look on www.filislaw.com for the Will Packet prior to scheduling an appointment for a consultation.

The U. S. Supreme Court will decide what is the standard of education public schools must provide to students with disabilities.  Specifically, the dispute is about the intention in the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (“IDEA”) for the level of education public schools must offer.

In 1982, the U. S. Supreme Court stated that IDEA contains no “substantial standard prescribing the level of education to be accorded handicapped children.” Board of Education of Hendrick Hudson Cen. Sch. Dist. v. Rowley, 458 U.S. 176, 189 (1982). Due to Rowley, the Supreme Court allows States to provide a program “reasonably calculated to enable the child to receive education benefits” then it “has complied with the obligations imposed by Congress and the courts can require no more.” Rowley at 206-207.

Should IDEA be interpreted to demand school districts to provide a “substantial” education or merely make an effort to educate children? Cases from various Courts of Appeals conflict with their interpretation of IDEA.

Endrew F. is a minor child with autism whose parents filed suit against the Douglas County School District.  Individualized Education Program (“IEP”) is a legal document containing written statements regarding the student’s education program.    Endrew F.’s parents objected to the District’s offering of substantially similar IEPs year after year and not the achieving the level of education that meets an appropriate standard for Free Appropriate Public Education (“FAPE”).

Oral arguments before the Supreme Court are scheduled for mid-January.

Neighborhood Newspaper The Leader is a Great Local Resource for Small Businesses!

I enjoy working with Katy to help my business get the best marketing for my money.

Welcome to The Filis Law Firm website!  Please feel free to click around. For the DADS questions form or Camera in the Classroom letter (template) look at The Filis Files on the right side of the page.

You can also add to your cart a PDF of my presentation.

Thanks for visiting!

https://www.facebook.com/events/814755271958829/

Join TEAM Project on September 23, 2016 for Game On! Share The Knowledge Symposium Series 2016 and Community Resource Fair. Admission is FREE but pre-registration is required. A boxed lunch will be provided to registered participants.
TEAM Project’s Symposium will include 3 presentations offering information and knowledge to help empower parents and youth to become better advocates.
There will also be a resource fair with local community agencies and service providers.
Presentation Topics:
Self Employment? Yes YOU Can!
Advocacy
Parents and The Transition Process
Youth Panel: Youth with DisABILITIES sharing their experiences as students of Special Education and beyond. Youth 14-26

Contact Info: Regional Coordinators Celia Ulloa : culloaprnteam@sbcglobal.net, 832-640-0509 and Ana Esparza aesparzaprnteam@sbcglobal.net 832-878-0509

Click here for more information!

Free Tickets

Ohio has ABLE Accounts! 529A accounts for loved ones with disabilities can be opened in Ohio for non-residents.

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If you have scanned the handy QR Code at today’s  CureDuchenne workshop, please bookmark my website and start exploring the site.

For more information about Medicaid Waiver Programs, click on the link below

https://houstonspecialneedsattorneys.commedicaid-waiver-programs/

Leona