Critter Corner: New Mental Health Bill Introduced in Congress

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...]

Being Her Brother’s Caregiver

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...]

Is it Dementia or Adult ADHD?

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...]

On Pins and Needles: Caring for Those with Mental Illness

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...]

Guess What! I’m Getting Married!

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...]

Critter Corner: New iPhone App Could Transform How We Diagnose Autism

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...]

Debunking the Myths About Autism

Image from Pathfindersforautism.org Q. 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...]

Virginia Becomes First State to Approve ABLE Act

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...]

How to Choose Trustees for a Special Needs Trust

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...]

Critter Corner: Pooled Special Needs Trusts

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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