Tag: Autism

  • Hidden Costs & Some Dental Prep Strategies

    Sometimes on this blog I have used my October posts to delve into some of the darker aspects of what a family of a loved one with significant disability-related challenges can experience. And, I thought about it this year too. I was thinking something about playing on the words of an older LeAnn Rimes song,…

  • It Takes A Team

    Even though I am working with Tony on his tolerance of the school environment and the behavioral skills requisite directly during the two hours he’s currently at the school itself, I am also needing to do other things outside of school to promote the best outcomes. As his habilitative therapist, we are practicing skills such…

  • Sight Word Show & Tell

    Some day, my son is definitely going to be able to read. He can do a little bit of spelling now using apps, some sight word memory games (where the sight words are turned over and he creates matches from memory). Lately I have been practicing his scanning with him by giving him fields of…

  • To Dream To Find More Of Me

    There is so much rushing, so much. My thoughts have always whirled in a rapid-fire dance across my mental stage, but life has become busier even than that. So many appointments, so many therapy sessions, so much school transition work, so much of everything. Sometimes I feel like I am hurled forward so fast I…

  • Dear Governor Hobbs and Arizona State Legislators: We Need To Pay Teachers and Aids More. Period.

    Right now as I’m starting to type this post, it’s 6:30 pm MST. Instead of planning to wind down, I’m soon to be heading out the door to walk out to do a therapy walk with Tony to help him re-acclimate to Halloween displays before the holiday itself arrives. That’s for one of my jobs,…

  • Comments On The Updated CMS 1115 Waiver Proposal: An Open Letter to the Arizona AHCCCS Administration

    On September 6th, I attended the virtual question and answer session held by the Arizona AHCCCS Administration to address additional changes they had made based on parent feedback to the CMS 1115 waiver proposal. As a parent, I personally want to express my appreciation and gratitude that our voices were heard, considered, and that modifications…

  • “Slow and Steady…”

    As you read this, I want you to envision if this were your reality, how the world would feel, how you would act. Imagine even something so common as foam soap could make you gag and vomit if it touched your skin, and that most everything that touched your skin caused pain no matter how…

  • A Response To Raising Special Kids’ Position on Waiver Proposal 1115: An Open Letter to RSK And The Arizona AHCCCS Administration

    Yesterday afternoon, I read the public response from Raising Special Kids about AHCCCS 1115, the proposed CMS waiver that seeks to extend some provisions allowing parents to provide attendant care to their children, while discontinuing others, namely allowing parents to become the paid habilitative therapy providers. I feel it is important for me to share…

  • Habilitation Needs To Be In Waiver To Meet Member Needs: An Open Letter To Arizona AHCCCS Administration

    My name is Ariana T and my son, Anthony (Tony) has multiple qualifying DDD diagnoses. He has complex behavioral and therapeutic needs, but has demonstrated progress through his therapies that have allowed him to gain skills he otherwise would not have had, thus reducing the cost of providing future services to him.  For the past…

  • Cuando El Estrés Me Molesta Mucho…

    I spoke very minimal Spanish when our little man was first placed with and adopted into our family. What motivated me initially to continue to learn was our son, because I had wanted him to be able to have a conversation with his birth mom should he ever choose to want to meet and talk…