Resources

• Parent Support Groups:
  • https://childmind.org/article/how-parent-support-groups-can-help/

• https://www.verywellfamily.com/support-groups-for-parents-of-special-needs-children-4155146

• https://www.autismcincy.org/support-groups/

• https://www.cincinnatichildrens.org/patients/child/special-needs/family-support

• https://www.ohiof2f.org/ohiop2p/

• http://appliedbehavioralservices.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/ABS-Local-Parent-Support-Groups.pdf

• https://pauseforparents.org/

• https://www.tchcincy.org/parent-services/

• https://beechacres.org/parent-connext/

• Sibling Support:
  • https://siblingsupport.org/sibshops/faqs-about-sibshops/

• https://www.cincinnatichildrens.org/patients/resources/services/child-life/patients/siblings

• https://www.cincinnatichildrens.org/service/a/aaron-perlman-center

• https://blog.brookespublishing.com/12-ways-to-support-siblings-of-children-with-disabilities/

• Mental Health Support:
  • https://www.cincinnatichildrens.org/patients/child/special-needs/medical-health/mental-behavior

• https://lindnercenterofhope.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/ADAP_Resources_11-10.pdf

• https://www.lys.org/

• https://bestpoint.org/

• https://www.talberthouse.org/help/mental-health-6/mental-health-services-28/

• https://www.gcbhs.com/

• https://www.pressleyridge.org/

• Overview:
  • https://www.helpguide.org/articles/autism-learning-disabilities/autism-treatments-therapies-interventions.htm

• https://www.verywellhealth.com/autism-treatment-401420

• https://www.milestones.org/get-started/all-about-asd/intervention-therapies-and-support

• Music Therapy
  • Transitions Behavioral Health: https://transitions-bh.com/

• Autism Connections: https://www.autismcincy.org/social-programs/

• Cincinnati Center for Autism: https://www.cincinnaticenterforautism.org/appointment-based-services
• https://www.verywellhealth.com/music-therapy-for-autism-260057

• https://www.autismparentingmagazine.com/autism-child-music-therapy/

• https://www.choosingtherapy.com/music-therapy-for-autism/

• https://beaminghealth.com/article/music-therapy-for-autism-what-parents-should-know

• https://www.betterspeech.com/post/music-for-autism

• Art Therapy
  • Autism Connections: https://www.autismcincy.org/social-programs/

• Best Point: https://bestpoint.org/autism-services/
• 
  
  • https://www.verywellhealth.com/art-therapy-for-autism-260054

• https://www.autismparentingmagazine.com/art-for-children-with-autism/

• https://www.integrityinc.org/benefits-of-art-therapy-for-children-with-developmental-disabilities/

• https://beaminghealth.com/article/art-therapy-for-autistic-children-factors-to-consider

• https://www.crossrivertherapy.com/autism/the-benefits-of-autism-art-therapy

• Speech Therapy
  • S.M.I.L.E.S Integrative Therapy Services: https://www.smilestherapy.com/

• Cincinnati Center for Improved Communications, Inc.: https://ccicinc.com/speech-language/therapy-treatment.aspx

• Cincinnati Center for Autism: https://www.cincinnaticenterforautism.org/

• Hopebridge: https://www.hopebridge.com/autism-services/

• Best Point: https://bestpoint.org/autism-services/

• ABC Pediatric Therapy Network: https://www.abcpediatrictherapy.com/

• Cincinnati Children’s Hospital: https://www.cincinnatichildrens.org/service/k/autism/diagnosis-treatment

• https://www.verywellhealth.com/speech-therapy-for-autism-the-basics-260577

• https://www.autismparentingmagazine.com/autism-speech-therapy-benefits/

• https://www.forbrain.com/speech-therapy-for-kids/autism/

• https://www.speechandlanguagekids.com/5-principles-of-speech-therapy-autism/

• https://www.abtaba.com/blog/speech-therapy-for-autism

• Occupational Therapy
  • Cincinnati Children’s Hospital: https://www.cincinnatichildrens.org/service/o/ot-pt/autism-intensive

• Cincinnati Center for Autism: https://www.cincinnaticenterforautism.org/appointment-based-services

• S.M.I.L.E.S Integrative Therapy Services: https://www.smilestherapy.com/

• Best Point: https://bestpoint.org/autism-services/

• ABC Pediatric Therapy Network: https://www.abcpediatrictherapy.com/childrens-therapy-serving-dayton-and-cincinnati/pediatric-occupational-therapy-development-in-the-cincinnati-dayton-oh

• Hopebridge: https://www.hopebridge.com/autism-services/

• https://www.verywellhealth.com/occupational-therapy-for-autism-4783594

• https://beaminghealth.com/article/occupational-therapy-does-my-child-need-it

• https://www.autismparentingmagazine.com/occupational-therapy-for-autism/

• https://harkla.co/blogs/special-needs/occupational-therapy-autism

• https://medicaid.ohio.gov/families-and-individuals/coverage/01-how-to-apply

• https://member.uhc.com/communityplan/public/oh-recertification

• https://www.disabilityrightsohio.org/medicaid-faq-service-denials-reductions

• https://www.ehealthinsurance.com/resources/individual-and-family/ohio-medicaid-redetermination

•  Disability Rights Ohio - Home

• Medicaid_service_denials_and_reductions.pdf (disabilityrightsohio.org) 

• https://www.cincinnatichildrens.org/patients/child/special-needs/financial-law/other-coverage

• https://medicaid.ohio.gov/

• https://www.swocog.org/index.php?page=services

• DDS Services - Hamilton County 
  • https://www.hamiltondds.org/services/eligibility/

• Hamilton County Department of Job and Family Services - Obtaining Medicaid 
  • https://www.hcjfs.org/county-medical-services/

• https://publicassistance.clermontcountyohio.gov/program-services/family-medicaid/

• http://clermontdd.org/services/community-support-services/service-and-support-administration-waiver-services/

• http://clermontdd.org/services/community-support-services/family-support-services/

• https://dodd.ohio.gov/waivers-and-services/waivers

• https://www.hcjfs.org/services/medical-assistance/healthy-starthealthy-families/

• https://www.hamiltondds.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/2021SSAHandbook.pdf

• https://www.hamiltondds.org/funding/#:~:text=There%20are%20three%20different%20types,pays%20the%20remaining%2060%20percent.

• https://www.hamiltoncountyhealth.org/resources/fact-sheets/bcmh/

•  https://www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10026.pdf

• https://www.ssa.gov/benefits/ssi/

• https://www.hcjfs.org/county-medical-services/

You can apply for SSI/SSD and Medicaid/Food Stamps at any time. However, prior to your 18 th birthday, they will look at your parent’s income and assets when determining your eligibility. If your family has low income and assets, it would be worth looking into before your 18 th birthday.

If your family is not low income, or the child with a disability has been turned

down in the past due to family income, you may reapply when the child turns 18.

You can actually go to apply on the day of your 18 th birthday, if you would like.

First: Apply for SSI (Supplemental Security Income) or SSD - 

Call the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213

1. Phone line is open between 7am and 7pm work days so it is best to call closer to 7am or 7pm so you are not on hold as long.
2. Tell them you would like to apply for SSI the individual; you will need:
   1. Individual’s full name
   2. Their Social Security #
   3. Their date of birth
   4. Any work paystubs

Social Security may or may not mail you a packet to fill out. They may just set an

appointment date to fill it out with them. The application is still written as if the

individual was just injured (recently disabled) so you simply need to answer the questions as best you can. They will ask for schools attended and doctors,

psychologists and specialists who have/are treating the individual. They will also ask that the individual or parent sign blank release forms so that they may collect information from these sources regarding the applicant. Any medical or school reports that you may already have would be helpful to include with the application or bring with you to the appointment. Don’t worry about what you don’t have; Social Security will secure the information from the sources themselves.

Social Security will set up an appointment at their local office or over the phone to complete the application. 

There are two offices in Hamilton County:

• The Federal Building Downtown at: 550 Main Street, 45202

and

• Their North Office at: 10205 Reading Road, 45237

It will depend on your zip code which office they will send you to. If you go to the downtown office, parking is on the street or in a lot/garage (plan on 2-4 hours); you will need to go through a metal detector and show a picture ID before going upstairs to the second floor.

Eligibility for SSI as an adult (18 years or older):

1. Must have a disability
2. Must be earning less than $1260 gross per month in 2020
3. Must have less than $2000 in assets. (Social Security will ask about bank accounts, stocks, bonds, CD’s, life insurance policies, burial agreements, trusts, etc. to look at assets.)

At the end of the appointment, the Social Security representative will give you an envelope for any further documentation that they require. Please make sure that you return the needed documents in the time allotted or you will be denied benefits.

Second: Apply for Medicaid/ Food Stamps - 

Medicaid will look to SSI to determine if you, the individual, have a disability so it helps to go there first if you want both benefits. You can actually have the appointments on the same day; just make SSI appointment first in the day so you can bring your receipt to show that you have applied. Medicaid will wait for SSI to decide about the disability piece but will be made retroactive to the application

date once it all is approved.

Call the Department of Job and Family Services to apply for Medicaid (and Food Stamps) at 946-1000. Make sure that you emphasize who the application is for, if not yourself, if you are a family member. They should send you a letter with appointment information for them to call you for the appointment over the phone.

They may not call you at the exact time specified. In fact, it could be up to several hours or even days later, so you may need to carry around your materials with you for the appointment. Afterwards, it is best to come to their office at 222 Central

Parkway, 45202, downtown to drop off the documents requested from the interview. Or, if you prefer, you can go to any public library and the librarian will fax the documents to JFS for you and provide you with a receipt.

Eligibility for Medicaid as an adult with a disability (18 years or older):

1. Must have a disability (eligibility for SSI or SSD)
2. Eligibility for SSI makes a person automatically eligible for Medicaid.
3. Must have less than $2000 in assets. (Job and Family Services will ask about bank accounts, stocks, bonds, CD’s, life insurance policies, burial agreements, trusts, etc. to look at assets.)

At the end of the appointment, the JFS Case Worker will mail you a Checklist for any further documentation that they require. Please make sure that you return the needed documents within the 10 days allotted or you will be denied benefits. Job and Family Services has a policy to screen everyone who comes in their door for every program that they offer. So, along with the letter you will receive later stating that your child is eligible for Medicaid, you will get notice that they are not

eligible for many other programs.

When will you hear their decision?

You will receive notices from Social Security for SSI and Job and Family Services for Medicaid in 4 - 6 weeks. If you are applying for SSD only, it can take up to 5 months to receive a determination. The Medicare that goes with the SSD, will not start for 24 months after the first SSD check.

Denied?

If you are denied SSI/SSD or Medicaid, please consider appealing. The majority of the denied decisions are overturned at the appeal stage. If the denial letter states that they simply did not receive the reports that they asked for, it is best to try to secure these reports from doctors, schools, etc., yourself to submit with the appeal. If the denial letter states that you are not disabled or not eligible due to “not being

disabled enough”, please call Legal Aid (at 241-9400) or a private attorney for assistance. If the denial letter states that you are not eligible due to earning too much through your job, please call your DD Service & Support Administrator or to be contacted with the benefits department to look into your case.

• https://www.parentcenterhub.org/iep-overview/

• https://www.verywellfamily.com/essential-parts-of-an-individual-education-program-2162702

• https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/iep.html

• https://www.ohiolegalhelp.org/topic/special-education

• https://www.parentcenterhub.org/steps/

• https://eclkc.ohs.acf.hhs.gov/children-disabilities/article/communicating-your-childs-school-
• through-letter-writing

• https://education.ohio.gov/Topics/Special-Education

• https://www.pacer.org/parent/php/PHP-c82.pdf

• https://www.parentcenterhub.org/disputes-landing/

• https://www.autismspeaks.org/tool-kit/guide-individualized-education-programs-iep?utm_source=email&utm_medium=text-link&utm_campaign=100DayYCDrip

• https://tacanow.org/family-resources/iep-transition-planning/

• https://www.disabilityrightsohio.org/special-education

• https://www.ocecd.org/ForParents.aspx

• https://www.autismspeaks.org/sites/default/files/2018-08/Toilet%20Training%20Guide.pdf

• https://www.autismparentingmagazine.com/autism-potty-training-guide/

• https://www.milestones.org/files/assets/toilet-training-tool-kit-printable-2019.pdf

• https://aeroflowurology.com/pediatric-diapers-medicaid

• https://www.autismparentingmagazine.com/finding-well-priced-big-kid-diaper-protection-that-
• fits/

• https://beaminghealth.com/article/the-complete-guide-to-potty-train-your-autistic-child

• https://autismadhdconnection.com/autism-and-toilet-training-overcoming-the-challenges/

• https://marybarbera.com/potty-training-constipation-dr-steve-hodges/