Dear Commander Bun Bun,I am a caregiver for my brother, who has schizophrenia. I heard something about a bill to help caregivers like myself and those with mental illnesses. Do you know anything about it, and if so, can you … [Read more...]
Print This PageBeing Her Brother’s Caregiver
May 10, 2016 by
A year ago, Helen Ries’s mother died unexpectedly, and she became the primary caregiver of her brother, Paul Knoll. Knoll has Down syndrome and had lived with his parents most of his life. Ries admits that her first year as a … [Read more...]
Print This PageIs it Dementia or Adult ADHD?
April 5, 2016 by
Ginny is a 58-year-old widow who struggles each day with where she puts her keys, her cell phone, her purse, and even sometimes her coffee cup after she fills it with coffee. She often has trouble following conversations, and … [Read more...]
Print This PageOn Pins and Needles: Caring for Those with Mental Illness
March 1, 2016 by
As many as 8.4 million Americans are providing care to an adult with an emotional or mental health issue. Often, these family caregivers feel the impact of the disease as they struggle to care for their loved ones and to bridge … [Read more...]
Print This PageGuess What! I’m Getting Married!
February 24, 2016 by
When you see a subject line like this one, you may have several different reactions. The first one that comes to mind is happiness for the couple who is planning to share their life together. The second may be shock or even … [Read more...]
Print This PageCritter Corner: New iPhone App Could Transform How We Diagnose Autism
October 16, 2015 by
Dear Commander Bun Bun,I heard somewhere that a new app has been developed by Apple that can be used to diagnose Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) using facial expressions. Since you are attuned to what's going on with … [Read more...]
Print This PageDebunking the Myths About Autism
October 15, 2015 by
Image from Pathfindersforautism.orgQ. We recently found out that my son, Freddy, has been diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. After accepting the fact that things will be more challenging for him socially and academically … [Read more...]
Print This PageVirginia Becomes First State to Approve ABLE Act
July 31, 2015 by
Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe Signs ABLE Act into Law (Source: NBC 29)Q. Our son, Jeff, has autism spectrum disorder and will likely need assistance throughout his lifetime. We are looking for ways to save for his … [Read more...]
Print This PageHow to Choose Trustees for a Special Needs Trust
May 5, 2015 by
Mark is an autistic adult who resides in a Medicaid-funded residential program in upstate New York. Before his parents passed away, his mother established a Special Needs Trust for him, which held in excess of $2 million, with the … [Read more...]
Print This PageCritter Corner: Pooled Special Needs Trusts
March 6, 2015 by
Dear Commander Bun Bun,I am considering a pooled special needs trust (managed by a non-profit organization) for my daughter, Shannon, who is intellectually disabled. What are some of the benefits and … [Read more...]
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