Tips & Suggestions

Networking together, we are a vital resource for each other. Please share information you feel will help grandparents to improve their understanding of autism, interactions with grandchildren and enhance their family relationships.

Tip categories are posted on the right. Choose a category by clicking on it. New information is added frequently and we encourage you to visit often.

Air Travel – TSA Assistance

TSA PASSENGER SUPPORT SPECIALISTS are available to families who are traveling with people with special needs. Families that are concerned about the check point process or that need special accommodation can ask a TSA officer or supervisor for a Passenger Support Specialist who will provide on-the spot assistance.

A Passenger Support Specialist can be onsite when you need them by calling ahead of time at 1-855-787-2227. The TSA website has a kids’ section with a cartoon video to help children understand the screening process at the airport. Check to see if the airport provides opportunities for families to rehearse the flight procedures prior to the traveling. If not, plan a visit there with your grandchild, before your departure, to lower possible anxiety.

More TSA info here

Things to Do In and Near Orange County, CA

Whether you reside in or near Orange County, California or plan to visit the area, there are a number of inexpensive things to do and places to visit with grandchildren. Some similar types of attractions may also be available in other communities.

Check online for hours of operation, admission fees, discount coupons or free admission days:

Visit your local library to check out books and see what activities are scheduled there and in your community.
Irvine Park has a train ride (“child free with adult” coupon has been online) and a pony ride. It also has a lake nearby nearby with paddle boats and a little zoo.
The Santa Ana Zoo is small and easy to navigate with small children.
The Ocean Institute in Dana Point Harbor has educational exhibits, boat excursions from a pirate ship and tide pools with hands-on learning opportunities.
Adventure City is a tiny amusement park (Beach Blvd south of Knott’s Berry Farm) 714/ 236-9300. Admission includes unlimited rides, free parking. Call ahead for current pricing, hours, etc.
Bowers Museum is located on Main Street in Santa Ana and one block south there is a “Kidseum.” Admission is included with the Bowers ticket. Kids can have fun on their own, dress up, play drums and lounge under a silky tent. It has a craft room and a project to do! There are wonderful books and at the Kidseum desk you can get special loaners– like Russian nesting doll sets, to play with carefully, accompanied by a book that tells the story.
On Balboa Island, visit the Fun Zone and ride the Balboa Ferry. Â You can rent a fishing boat behind the Pavilion to travel around the Bay.
Little Corona beach located at the end of Poppy Street has tide pools gentle surf, rock formations and alcoves to explore.
Take an Amtrak train ride from Santa Ana station to San Juan Capistrano to visit the mission.
Pretend City in Irvine has hands-on learning experiences. Check the calendar online for events and hours.
In Long Beach, visit the Aquarium of the Pacific. There are special exhibits and events throughout the year.
Sherman Library and Gardens in Corona del Mar has 2.2 acres of plants, gardens and walkways. They provide free Storytime and garden activities at scheduled times for children. Check their website for a calendar of events.
Rancho Santa Margarita has a lake with good dining and great walking. As you walk around the lake there are exercising stations with instructions.

Going to A National Park? Get a Free, Lifetime Pass…

A free, lifetime pass – available to U.S. citizens or permanent residents of the United States that have been medically determined to have a permanent disability – that provides access to more than 2,000 recreation sites managed by five Federal agencies. At many sites the Access Pass provides the pass owner a discount on Expanded Amenity Fees (such as camping, swimming, boat launching, and guided tours). The pass admits the pass holder and passengers in a non-commercial vehicle at per vehicle fee areas and pass holder + 3 adults, not to exceed 4 adults, at per person fee areas (children under 16 are admitted free).

The Access Pass may be issued to U.S. citizens or permanent residents of any age that have been medically determined to have a permanent disability that severely limits one or more major life activities.

A permanent disability is a permanent physical, mental, or sensory impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, such as caring for oneself, performing manual tasks, walking, seeing, hearing, speaking, breathing, learning, and working.

The Access Pass is valid only at participating Federal recreation sites. Visit http://www.recreation.gov for information about Federal recreation sites.

* National Park Service http://www.nps.gov

At many sites the Access Pass provides the pass owner a discount on Expanded Amenity Fees (such as camping, swimming, boat launching, and guided tours).

For more information on how to obtain an Access Pass go to www.nps.gov and search Access Pass

Reinforcing Parents

Frequent phone calls, notes of encouragement or just simply listening can be really helpful to your child in helping them cope with their stress.

Special Needs Trusts

The Do’s and Don’ts of Planning for Your Grandchildren with Special Needs

Grandparents want the best for their children and grandchildren. They often give gifts while alive, or make provisions for their loved ones after they are deceased. Grandparents who are in a position to leave money to grandchildren often want to do something for their grandchild(ren) who have disabilities. They often worry that they may need additional assets or assistance to lead a quality life. Grandparents are sometimes told not to leave their grandchild(ren) with disabilities anything because the grandchild(ren) may lose government benefits. People are often confused as to what to do or not to do.

Grandparents can leave money to their grandchild(ren) with special needs. There are very special ways to do it!Â Money has to be left in such a way so that government benefits are not lost. Assets in excess of $2,000 will cause the loss of certain government benefits for a person with a disability.

Money should not be left to the grandchild directly, but should be left to a special needs trust. The special needs trust was developed to manage resources while maintaining the individual’s eligibility for government benefits. The trust is maintained by a trustee on behalf of the person with special needs. The trustee has discretion to manage the money in the trust and decides how the money is used. The money must be used for supplemental purposes only. It should only supplement, or add to benefits (food, shelter or clothing) that the government already provides through Supplementary Security Income (SSI). It must not supplant or replace government benefits. If properly structured by a knowledgeable special needs attorney, the special needs trust assets will not count towards the $2,000 SSI limits for an individual.

Brief Summary of Do’s and Don’ts!

Do’s:

Make provisions for your grandchild(ren) with special needs. Leave money to their special needs trust. The special needs trust is the only way to leave money without losing government benefits.
Coordinate all planning with the child’s parents or other relatives. Notify the caregivers when you plan for grandchild(ren). Plan with others.
Leave life insurance, survivorship whole life policies and annuities to the individual’s special needs trust. The special needs trust can be named as the policy beneficiary. When the insured or annuitant dies, the death benefit is paid to the special needs trust. The special needs trust then has a lump sum of money to be used in caring for the grandchild(ren).
Consult with trained financial and legal professionals with expertise in special needs estate planning.

Don’ts:

Do not disinherit your grandchild(ren) who have a disability. Money can be now left to a properly drawn special needs trust. It does not make sense to disinherit these grandchild(ren).
Don’t give money to your grandchild(ren) with a disability under UGMA or UTMA (Uniform Gift or Transfer To Minors Act). Money automatically belongs to the child(ren) upon reaching legal age. Government benefits can be lost!
Don’t leave money to a grandchild with special needs through a will. Money left will be a countable asset of the individual – and may cause the loss of government benefits.
Don’t leave money to a poorly set up trust. Money left in an improperly drafted trust can result in the loss of government benefits.
Do not leave money to relatives to “keep or hold” for the individual with special needs. The money can be attached to a lawsuit, divorce, liability claim or other judgment against the relative.

Due to the complexity of federal and state laws, you will likely require specially trained professionals to help you plan for the future of your grandchild with special needs.

10 Tips to Consider When Buying Toys

Multi-sensory appeal – Does the toy respond with lights, sounds or movement to engage the child? Are there contrasting colors? Does it have a scent? Is there texture?
Method of Activation – Will the toy provide a challenge without frustration? What is the force required to activate? What are the number and complexity of steps required to operate it?
Places the toy will be used – Will the toy be easy to store? Is there space in the home? Can the toy be used in a variety of positions such as side-lyings or on a wheelchair tray?
Opportunities for success – Can play be open-ended with no definite right or wrong way? Is it adaptable to the child’s individual style, ability and pace?
Current popularity – Is it a toy that will help the child with disabilities feel like “any other kid?” Does it tie in with other activities like books and art sets that promote other forms of play?
Self-expression – Does the toy allow for creativity, uniqueness and making choices? Will it give the child experience with a variety of media?
Adjustability – Does it have adjustable height, volume, speed and level of difficulty?
Child’s individual abilities – Does the toy provide activities that reflect both developmental and chronological ages? Does it reflect the child’s interests and age?
Safety and durability – Does the toy fit with the child’s size and strength? Does it have moisture resistance? Is it sized appropriately? Can it be washed and cleaned?
Potential for interaction – Will the child be an active participant during use? Will the toy encourage social engagement with others?

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