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Sussan, Greenwald & Wesler > Articles posted by admin (Page 6)

Make 2021 the Year you Act to Protect your Family’s Future

By Mariann Crincoli, Esq. January is the start of a new year, bringing new hopes and possibilities. It’s also National Financial Wellness Month, a great time to make sure you have a comprehensive estate plan in place to protect your family and your special needs child into the future. Why is having an estate plan important, no matter the size of your estate? Through estate planning, you ensure that your assets will go to your intended beneficiaries. You also may save money on taxes, court costs, and attorney’s fees, and prevent disputes and financial confusion among heirs. In addition, you can protect...

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Happy Birthday, IDEA!

December 2nd is National Special Education Day, commemorating the anniversary of the nation’s first federal special education law. The Education for All Handicapped Children’s Act was signed into law on December 2, 1975. In 1990 this law was renamed The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). The IDEA is a law that makes available a free appropriate public education (FAPE) to eligible children with disabilities throughout the nation. It ensures special education and related services to those children in the least restrictive environment (LRE). At Sussan, Greenwald & Wesler, our own history is intertwined with the birth of this landmark legislation. It...

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Epilepsy and the Classroom

As a parent, you know that for a child with epilepsy, a seizure disorder can seriously impact their success in the classroom. November is National Epilepsy Awareness Month, and the attorneys at Sussan, Greenwald & Wesler want you to know that federal law, as well as many state laws, grants children with epilepsy the right to receive certain supplemental services and, if necessary, special education. These federal laws are known as the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Section 504). A child with epilepsy or another disability who does not qualify for...

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Practice, Predictability, and Patience.

HELPING KIDS WITH SENSORY ISSUES ADJUST TO MASK-WEARING Most people have adjusted to wearing a mask during the Covid-19 pandemic, but the strange and new feeling of a mask against the face can be difficult for children with sensory processing differences. Parents, here are some suggestions for making the transition to mask-wearing easier on your child – and you! 1. The Mask. • If you already know the things your child can’t stand, like seams, tags, or synthetic fabrics that may feel scratchy, choose masks that don’t have these irritants. • Get masks that are properly sized for your child’s age and face, with adjustable...

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It’s Back to School – One Way or Another

Whether or not we feel ready, the start of another school year is here. The big difference this year, of course, is the COVID-19 virus. Some school districts will open on a modified basis, but many families are continuing only virtual learning from home. Whatever this school year holds for you and your special needs child, the attorneys at Sussan, Greenwald & Wesler want to share some tips to help with the adjustment to this new school model. Staci J. Greenwald, Esq. Being proactive can help avoid problems once the school year starts. Reach out to your child’s teacher in advance and...

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Returning to the Classroom under COVID: A Planning Checklist

When children walk into their classrooms this fall, many things will look different. Since familiarity helps children feel secure, the changes necessary to safeguard everyone from COVID-19 may upset or confuse your child, at least at first. To help parents prepare children for new school procedures, the national Centers for Disease Control (CDC), offers some ideas: Talk with your child: Describe how the school will look different (e.g., desks far apart from each other, teachers maintaining physical distance, the possibility of staying in the classroom for lunch). Ask about how the school is going and about interactions with classmates and teachers. Find out...

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Bullying Basics – Special Needs Children

Sussan, Greenwald & Wesler works with all families whose children are involved in bullying matters as either victims or alleged violators of school anti-bullying policies. Bullying can be a devastating experience for any child and could result in long term consequences. Fortunately, due to the vulnerability of special needs children, they receive extra protection under the law. Parents of all children involved in bullying matters can invoke a variety of laws and parents of special needs children are afforded protection under laws that have been written specifically to protect children with disabilities who are bullied. Here’s Your First Step to Start...

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Why We Advocate

[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DUuWoied2zU[/embed] Sussan, Greenwald & Wesler is recognized as one of the leading special education law firms in NJ, having helped thousands of children with special needs receive access to the educational opportunities they might otherwise not have had. Our efforts on behalf of our clients have helped to set legal precedent in the New Jersey and Federal Courts. We are here to help. Call us today! 609.409.3500...

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Stand Up to Bullying

Bullying can be a devastating experience for any child, but when the child being bullied has special needs, serious and long-term consequences for the child may result. Fortunately, special needs children receive extra protection under the law. Parents can invoke laws that have been written specifically to protect children with disabilities who are bullied. First, what qualifies as bullying?  Bullying includes physical threats, but it may also encompass verbal abuse (teasing and threats), graphic or written statements, and behavior that creates a hostile environment or infringes on a student’s rights at school. In general, bullying involves an imbalance–or a perceived imbalance–of power....

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Report: Waiting Lists For Medicaid Waivers Up, Competitive Employment Down

Source: Disability Scoop -Wide geographical disparities exist when it comes to opportunities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to live and work in their communities, according to a new report that ranks states. The Case for Inclusion 2019 report released this week by United Cerebral Palsy and the ANCOR Foundation examines how well state programs — particularly Medicaid — are meeting the needs of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The report evaluated how states are promoting independence, including by avoiding placement in institutions. In the top ranked state, Arizona, 99 percent of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities live at home...

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