Read Useful Articles
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Learning in School
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Parents, Navigate Adapted Physical Education, IEPs, and 504 Plans
Physical Education (PE) is part of school for all students and may be particularly important for your student with a disability. What are the ways…
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Keeping Kids Busy Through Summer: Summer Camp Alternatives
Summer camp is an excellent way for children to spend the long summer days. However, camps often fill quickly, and many are too expensive for families. Here are some alternatives to summer…
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School to Adulthood: Planning for Life after High School
For families supporting a young person with a disability, it’s never too soon to begin planning for the years after high school. Post-secondary transition planning…
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Kinship Families: Early Intervention, Special Education, and 504 Plans
Kinship families are created when a relative or close family friend raises a child or children when parents can’t. The relative or friend is often referred to as…
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Students: Get Ready to Participate in Your IEP Meeting with a Handout for the Team
Students of all abilities have the right to a solid education to get ready for adult life. Students with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) have a…
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What to Know About Special Education in Private Schools
Families who enroll their child with disabilities in a private school keep important legal protections, though these are different from those in public schools. Public…
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Kinship Caregiving
Relatives raising the child(ren) of a family member (Kinship Families) Kinship families are families in which children live with and are being raised by grandparents,…
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Creating Comfortable Holiday Spaces
Navigating social interactions can be particularly challenging for individuals with disabilities, especially during the holiday season when gatherings are frequent and often overwhelming. While some…
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Help for Military Families: Tips to Navigate Special Education Process in Washington State
For families new to Washington State, this article includes state-specific information about special education systems. PAVE wants to extend a warm welcome to your entire family…
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Are There Changes to My Family’s Healthcare Due to Federal Legislation?
This article covers changes to health care eligibility and requirements to keep their healthcare for people who get their health care through Apple Health (Medicaid)…
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Expanding Your Child’s Horizons Through Adaptive Play
We have come to learn what an important job play has in the development of a child’s brain and social skill set. Play sets the foundation for learning in infants and toddlers.…
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Evaluations Part 1: Where to Start When a Student Needs Special Help at School
When a student is struggling in school and may have a disability, families can request a formal evaluation to explore eligibility for special education services.…
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Evaluations Part 2: Next Steps if the School Says ‘No’
Families may feel uncertain or discouraged when a school denies a request for special education evaluation or finds a student ineligible for services. Fortunately, there…
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PAVE Provides Sample Letters to Support Families in their Advocacy
PAVE offers a collection of downloadable sample letters, available in multiple languages, to help families advocate for their children’s educational needs. These letters support clear…
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Disability History Month Provides Opportunities for Reflection
The history of disability rights shows how people with disabilities have worked hard to get equitable access, fair treatment, and meaningful inclusion. Key laws and…
Parent & Family
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Parents, Navigate Adapted Physical Education, IEPs, and 504 Plans
Physical Education (PE) is part of school for all students and may be particularly important for your student with a disability. What are the ways…
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Keeping Kids Busy Through Summer: Summer Camp Alternatives
Summer camp is an excellent way for children to spend the long summer days. However, camps often fill quickly, and many are too expensive for families. Here are some alternatives to summer…
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I Have to Sign What? Healthcare in Transition
When young people turn 18, a lot happens. For instance, in Washington State, 18 is the age when a person legally becomes an adult and…
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Insurance in Healthcare Transition
Healthcare transition, like all other aspects of transitioning to adult community living, employment, and services, can be difficult. However, if teenagers and families plan ahead…
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Autism Spectrum Disorder: Information and Resources for Families
Autism spectrum disorder can affect how a person talks, learns, and relates to others, and every individual is different. Families can learn about early signs,…
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Asking for Help is a Selfless Act for Family Caregivers
Many family caregivers find it difficult to ask for help, but it’s not good for either the caregiver or the person they care for. Getting…
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Purple Up! Celebrating the Month of the Military Child
April, the Month of the Military Child, celebrates military-connected children and youth. They show an ability to adapt in the face of unique challenges. They…
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Do You Have an Emergency Respite Plan?
Who will care for your family member if you are temporarily incapacitated? Don’t wait for an emergency situation to occur to think about who will take…
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Creative Options for a Respite Break
The person you care for may have specific assets and strengths that provide an opportunity for you to have a respite break. These include being able…
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ABLE: An Account to Overcome the SSI Resource Limit for Adults with Disabilities
Living with a disability can be challenging, especially with financial limitations. The Stephen Beck Jr. ABLE Act of 2014 allows individuals with disabilities to save…
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Graduating from NICU: The Joy and Anxiety Finding Your Way to Baby’s Norm
Coming home from the hospital with your baby can be both a joyous and potentially uncertain event, especially for families whose child is graduating from…
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Medicaid or Medicare-Which Covers Long-Term Care?
This quick tip sheet explains which of these programs covers long-term care either in your home, or in a nursing home or other care facility.…
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How to Afford Family Caregiving, Part 3: Offset Some Costs of Caregiving
Being a family caregiver can be financially stressful. This tip sheet, part 3 of a 4-part series, tells you how to find benefits for those…
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How to Afford Family Caregiving, Part 1: Paid Leave and Job-protecting Unpaid Leave in WA State
Being a family caregiver can be financially stressful. In addition to taking on the costs of caring for a close friend or family member, caregiving…
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Kinship Caregiving
Relatives raising the child(ren) of a family member (Kinship Families) Kinship families are families in which children live with and are being raised by grandparents,…
Military Families
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Purple Up! Celebrating the Month of the Military Child
April, the Month of the Military Child, celebrates military-connected children and youth. They show an ability to adapt in the face of unique challenges. They…
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Respite Offers a Break for Caregivers and Those They Support
Respite offers a short-term break for caregivers and those they support. This article provides information and resources to get started seeking respite services. Resources and…
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Help for Military Families: Tips to Navigate Special Education Process in Washington State
For families new to Washington State, this article includes state-specific information about special education systems. PAVE wants to extend a warm welcome to your entire family…
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School Support Plans for Deployment-Tips for Parents
When a military parent deploys, children—especially those with disabilities—may show changes in behavior, emotions, or learning. With the right support at home and school, these…
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Five Tips for a Smooth PCS
Planning ahead and staying organized can make a military move much smoother, especially for families with children who have special needs. These key strategies and…
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Military Interstate Children’s Compact Commission (MIC3), Part 3: How the Compact Protects Academic Progress toward Graduation
The Military Interstate Children’s Compact Commission (MIC3, pronounced “mick three”) is the more commonly used name for the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunities for Military…
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Glossary of Terms for Future Planning
Legal Documents Letter of intent: a personal document expressing your wishes for your child which are not included in the will. It has no legal…
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Medicaid Waiver Benefits for Military Families
When considering medical benefits for family members with special needs, military families often overlook Medicaid, a health benefits program established by federal law. Medicaid covers…
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Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP), Part 2: How Does EFMP Benefit Military Families?
A Brief Overview Full Article The Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP) is a mandatory program for all branches of the U.S. Armed Forces that helps…
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Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP), Part 1: What Makes a Military Family Exceptional?
A Brief Overview Full Article The Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP) is a mandatory program for all branches of the U.S. Armed Forces that helps…
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Military Interstate Children’s Compact Commission (MIC3), Part 2: Supporting Appropriate Placement and Inclusion of Military Families
A Brief Overview Full Article The Military Interstate Children’s Compact Commission (MIC3, pronounced “mick three”) is the more commonly used name for the Interstate Compact…
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Military Interstate Children’s Compact Commission (MIC3), Part 1: The Impact of MIC3 on Military Families
A Brief Overview Full Article The Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunities for Military Children was created to provide a smooth transition for military children as…
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Disability Redetermination: What Happens to Supplemental Security Income (SSI) When a Child Turns 18?
A Brief Overview Full Article As a continuation to our article, Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a monthly financial benefit from the Social Security Administration…
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Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
A Brief Overview Full Article What Is SSI? Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a monthly financial benefit from the Social Security Administration (SSA) to people…
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MIC3 Step-by-Step Checklist-Resolve School Issues with the Interstate Compact
This resource shows you specific steps to take to resolve school issues for your child, using the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children. …
Health & Wellness
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Disability and Sexual Health Education
Washington’s Comprehensive Sexual Health Education helps all students learn about their bodies, relationships, and sexual health through age-appropriate, inclusive curriculum. A Brief Overview Introduction Parents…
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Parents, Navigate Adapted Physical Education, IEPs, and 504 Plans
Physical Education (PE) is part of school for all students and may be particularly important for your student with a disability. What are the ways…
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I Have to Sign What? Healthcare in Transition
When young people turn 18, a lot happens. For instance, in Washington State, 18 is the age when a person legally becomes an adult and…
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Insurance in Healthcare Transition
Healthcare transition, like all other aspects of transitioning to adult community living, employment, and services, can be difficult. However, if teenagers and families plan ahead…
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Asking for Help is a Selfless Act for Family Caregivers
Many family caregivers find it difficult to ask for help, but it’s not good for either the caregiver or the person they care for. Getting…
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Kinship Families: Early Intervention, Special Education, and 504 Plans
Kinship families are created when a relative or close family friend raises a child or children when parents can’t. The relative or friend is often referred to as…
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Graduating from NICU: The Joy and Anxiety Finding Your Way to Baby’s Norm
Coming home from the hospital with your baby can be both a joyous and potentially uncertain event, especially for families whose child is graduating from…
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Camps for Individuals with Disabilities
It’s that time of year! Registration for summer camps usually open January through March. Camp dates tend to fill up fast, so we offer a…
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Understanding the impact of Whooping Cough, the Flu, and COVID in Washington
Since the COVID shutdown ended, flu season has become increasingly hard on young children. Influenza A and B, as well as RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus),…
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Medicaid or Medicare-Which Covers Long-Term Care?
This quick tip sheet explains which of these programs covers long-term care either in your home, or in a nursing home or other care facility.…
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For Care Partners/Caregivers of Individuals Living with Parkinson’s Disease
At Lifespan Respite WA, we focus on caregivers. Our team gathered resources specifically for caregivers from the organizations listed below, to support you in your…
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Expanding Your Child’s Horizons Through Adaptive Play
We have come to learn what an important job play has in the development of a child’s brain and social skill set. Play sets the foundation for learning in infants and toddlers.…
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Sample Letter to Request a Functional Behavioral Assessment
Families can formally request a Functional Behavioral Assessment (FBA) when a student’s behavior interferes with learning. This process helps schools identify the root causes of…
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Developmental Screening (Birth to Three and Medically needed developmental screening)
What is Developmental Screening? Developmental screening is the practice of systematically looking for and monitoring signs that a young child may be delayed in one…
Youth
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I Have to Sign What? Healthcare in Transition
When young people turn 18, a lot happens. For instance, in Washington State, 18 is the age when a person legally becomes an adult and…
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Insurance in Healthcare Transition
Healthcare transition, like all other aspects of transitioning to adult community living, employment, and services, can be difficult. However, if teenagers and families plan ahead…
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School to Adulthood: Planning for Life after High School
For families supporting a young person with a disability, it’s never too soon to begin planning for the years after high school. Post-secondary transition planning…
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ABLE: An Account to Overcome the SSI Resource Limit for Adults with Disabilities
Living with a disability can be challenging, especially with financial limitations. The Stephen Beck Jr. ABLE Act of 2014 allows individuals with disabilities to save…
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Kinship Caregiving
Relatives raising the child(ren) of a family member (Kinship Families) Kinship families are families in which children live with and are being raised by grandparents,…
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My Family’s Sensory and Adaptive Needs for the Holidays
The holidays are a fun and festive time that often includes lots of change in schedules, foods, bright lights, loud unexpected sounds, new people, and…
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Sensory-Friendly Holiday Tips
The holidays are full of sensory experiences. Flickering candles, holiday music, the aromas of food cooking, the fur on an unfamiliar dog, and the sounds…
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Expanding Your Child’s Horizons Through Adaptive Play
We have come to learn what an important job play has in the development of a child’s brain and social skill set. Play sets the foundation for learning in infants and toddlers.…
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Sample Letter to Request a Functional Behavioral Assessment
Families can formally request a Functional Behavioral Assessment (FBA) when a student’s behavior interferes with learning. This process helps schools identify the root causes of…
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Your Personal Roadmap: Students’ Guide to the High School & Beyond Plan
Washington State requires all students to build a future-focused plan starting in middle school that can be tailored to match their goals and strengths. When…
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Defining your Social Media Game Plan: #Goals
Thinking about how you use social media and screens can help you make better choices for your mind, body, and relationships. When you take time…
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Level Up Your Social Media Game: Digital Safety Tips for Youth and Young Adults with Disabilities
Social media has both benefits and disadvantages. To use social media safely and effectively, it’s important to practice digital safety and self-awareness. This guide teaches…
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Dating on the Spectrum
This article is written for older youth and young adults who are neurodivergent, with an emphasis on autistic neurodivergence. It is based on research and…
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Attention Students: Lead your own IEP meetings and take charge of your future
If you are a student with an Individualized Education Program (IEP), read this article to find out how you can be a leader on your…