Ask the Expert
Q: What is mindfulness and why is it so important?
A: Mindfulness is defined as a mental state achieved by focusing one’s awareness on the present moment, while calmly acknowledging and accepting one’s feelings, thoughts, and bodily sensations, and is used as a therapeutic technique. Jon Kabat-Zinn, who is the creator of the Stress Reduction Clinic and the Center for Mindfulness in Medicine, has defined mindfulness as “paying attention to our lives, moment by moment, on purpose, in a certain way, and without judgment.”
In other words, mindfulness is staying focused on being in the now, the moment you are currently in, and not perseverating over the past (it’s finished) or the anticipation of the future (it has not occurred yet). It is the process of practicing paying attention to your thoughts, feelings, sensations, environment/atmosphere around you and learning to be significantly present.
Research has shown many benefits to engaging in mindfulness practices that promote awareness. Some of these benefits include: focus, stress reduction, rumination/perseverative decrease, improved working memory, less emotionally reactive, increase cognitive flexibility, more satisfaction in relationships, etc. In addition to cognitive and emotional benefits, there are also many physiological and physical benefits as a result of mindfulness based practices that can include: decrease in tension, increase in endurance/energy levels, treating heart disease, lower blood pressure, improve sleep, pain decrease, balance, posture and strengthen immune, autonomic, nervous and endocrine systems.
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Q: Just a few more weeks until school is back in session! What are your tips for helping parents to get their children ready?
A: You purchased new school clothes and got every item on the supply list. All set? Almost! Parents with children who have autism know that a few more preparations help the transition from summer to the classroom. Let’s review our back-to-school checklist for the child with autism:
Confirm the child’s placement
-What building, what room, what teacher?
-Have any of the arrangements changed over the summer? If so, you may have to do some footwork to make certain your child is receiving all necessary accommodations. Better done before school begins instead of everyone dealing with a surprise.
Visit the school and teacher before the first day
-Often, teachers are in their classrooms a week or two before school begins. Ask if you and your child can visit before the chaos of the first day.
-Visit even if the teacher is not available. Think of it as a visual support for your child.
-Take pictures of the school (playground, cafeteria, gym, classroom, etc.) and review them with your child daily before school begins.
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Q: As a parent, I want to help my child to have a healthy understanding of his sexuality. What is the best way to approach the subject during early childhood and later during the teenage years?
A: Most parents are concerned about teaching sex education to their child, but find resources are lacking to help them do it. First, it is never too young to start addressing sexuality. Schools don’t start teaching sex education until 5th grade, but it is recommended to start age appropriate education earlier, especially for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). First, educate your child about gender differences early on (e.g., toddler and school age) through use of pictures, Social Stories™ and game playing. Remember to use different types of body sizes, hair style and clothing for both males and females. Use life-size posters, anatomically correct dolls and other hands-on visuals while teaching. Teach the similarities and differences between genders, while still encouraging non-gender stereotyped play and activities.
Next, teach about body parts using anatomically correct words such as penis, vagina, breasts, pubic hair and so forth as it is developmentally appropriate. They also need education on body fluids such as tears, mucus, saliva, sweat, blood, urine, semen and menstrual blood – explaining what body parts excrete what fluids. Again, use of pictures, Social Stories™ and other hands-on learning tools that are age appropriate will be the most helpful.
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Q: What is a STABLE Account and how do I know if I’m eligible? How can I use the money in my STABLE Account?
A: STABLE stands for State Treasury ABLE. It is an account for individuals with disabilities that is generally not counted as a resource when determining Medicaid or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) eligibility. Although STABLE is the name for the Ohio program established after the federal Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Act was passed, it is not limited to Ohio residents. A STABLE Account is not a trust. To open a STABLE Account, a person must qualify as an “eligible individual,” which means that the person developed his or her disability prior to the age of 26. Additionally, an eligible individual must be entitled to SSI or Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), have a condition listed on the Social Security Administration’s List of Compassionate Allowances, or be able to “self-certify” the disability and diagnosis. STABLE’s enrollment is only available online and offers an eligibility quiz to help individuals identify if he or she is eligible to enroll.
A STABLE Account can receive combined deposits of up to $14,000 per year from any source, including the eligible individual. The maximum amount that can be contributed over the eligible individual’s lifetime is equal to the sponsoring state’s 529 plan, which in Ohio is $426,000; however, the Account balance over $100,000 will be considered a resource if the eligible individual is also an SSI recipient.
The eligible individual has direct access to the funds in the STABLE Account and can even request a reloadable prepaid debit card. It is the responsibility of the eligible individual to use the funds correctly. STABLE Accounts should only be used for qualified disability expenses, which are expenses incurred when the person was an eligible individual, the expense relates to the disability, and the expense helps the eligible individual maintain or improve his or her health, independence, or quality of life. Examples include housing, transportation, education, assistive technology, employment training, legal fees, personal support services, health and wellness, and financial management. If an eligible individual expends funds from the STABLE Account for non-qualified disability expenses, the eligible individual will pay income tax, plus a 10% penalty, on the earnings of the non-qualified distribution. An improper distribution from a STABLE Account could also be counted as income when determining the individual’s eligibility for means-tested government benefits, like Medicaid or SSI, so understanding the rules and keeping accurate records is important.
For more information or to establish a STABLE Account, visit www.stableaccount.com or call 800-439-1653.
-Amanda M. Buzo, Esq.
Amanda M. Buzo, Esq., is the Executive Director of Community Fund Management Foundation, a non-profit special needs trust advisor. Prior to joining CFMF, Amanda was a special needs and estate planning attorney.
[Opening photo: stableaccount.com]
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