Waivers allow states to use Medicaid funds for community-based services and assistance for people with disabilities or special needs to help them within their homes or out in the community.

There are also waivers for your kiddos as they enter adulthood. They provide funds and training and care if they need it when they turn 18. 

These programs are very worth looking into. Each state has different waivers and processes and qualifications for applying, 

kidswaivers.org is an amazing website for you to search for programs in your state. 

So many of our children have sensory needs and none of them are the same! Occupational Therapists are a great resource to help you figure out what your buddy needs. 

This website has amazing educational resources for you,  mama, and makes for a great shopping experience. 

https://funandfunction.com/

AND I simply must plug the cutest subscription box for sensory needs. Mama of Joy has some fantastic sensory products on her site but I especially love this monthly subscription box. This is one "automation" (see my Mastercourse for info on that!) that is fun for you and your kids! 

Different children have different equipment needs, but it's important to be able to find them when you figure out what you need.

Many items MAY be covered under insurance. If so you would need to find a durable medical equipment store near you (you can Google "durable medical equipment near me". Each individual store can walk you through the process.

I have found the most seamless processes come after identifying the equipment we need, figuring out the measurements, and asking our doctor to write a script for it.

This website has been so helpful in finding beds for our elopers and ragers.

https://www.adaptivespecialties.com/

And this site features car seat harnesses for our children that would like to jump out of a moving vehicle.  

EZ-ON MAX II Safety Vest | eSpecial Needs

Respite care is another type of program like Waiver Programs. It focuses on care for your special needs kiddos while you are able to get exactly what the title mentions... Respite. Rest.

• ARCH National Respite Network and Resource Center is a federally-funded grant program that helps states pay for respite for special needs parents.
• If your child is adopted the state may provide respite funds through a post-adopt program.
• Nathaniel's Hope partners with churches around the country to give parents a free night out. 
• While it was like finding a needle in a haystack, we recently were able to access "non-educational" funds through our school district for respite care. 
• Joni and Friends offers summer camps for special needs families around the country. This is an amazing opportunity for your typically-developing kids to have fun and be around others who "get" your family. 
• Other groups in your area that may offer respite are United Cerebral Palsy, Easter Seals, and local chapters of The Arc.