Protecting our Special Needs

Too often, special needs individuals are relegated to an already overloaded system. Our most vulnerable over time often outlive their advocates. Sadly this can relegate them to the system with silent voices. Learning how to speak as a collective group can be a daunting task.

In Michigan, special needs are eligible for schooling through age 26. Sadly, after this age, many are left to one's own devices to navigate a very complex system along with one's advocates. Insurance remains at the forefront of concerns. Medicaid and Medicare have many options including Molina and Meridian. One may have enough understanding to select an HMO, but fall through the cracks because the insurance people do not fully understand the varying mental capacities of individuals who the insurance companies have managed to talk one into signing on.

While in school, Individualized Education Plan Program (IEP) are created to help the special need student. Sadly, there are times when the student especially, the autistic student requires a specific structured program, but can be left with a substitute teacher who has no idea the differences between say Emotionally Mentally Impaired (EMI) or cognitively impaired (CI) or many other terminology that assessments have been assigned to properly teach the student. Substitutes must have some general knowledge to properly provide the best education for when the teacher is conducting required training. Paraprofessionals are the fabric of the classroom when difficult duties such as remaining patient with the student who may need to visit the bathroom. Sign language is a critical part of the program for teaching students. Many well intentioned substitutes are not qualified to substitute in these classes, but the class will be short on personnel if a substitute is not available.

Once the student graduates, training the student may end unless a strong advocate stands behind the student. Group homes seem to come and go quickly in this climate that lumps individuals together with completely different needs. Person Centered Plans (PCP) often can fall short for individuals. Many individuals do not have the cognitive awareness to advocate for themselves and this remains to an overburdened mental health system. Sadly, individuals may suffer further and be incapable of understanding one's surroundings and may need hospitalization for a time. Sadly, abuses occur despite the best advocates intentions. There is a real need to recognize our most vulnerable population. Having a President who does not understand the vulnerabilities of this population is not only truly sad, but devastating as well. Medicaid and Medicare need overhaul, no doubt, but carrying out the task in a careful, methodical method that does not abandon our vulnerable population is a must.

Our collective voices must be heard.