Explainers and Tools
The hard stuff, explained in plain English with the rules cited, plus tools you can print. Each one is checked against official sources and dated at the bottom.
Start Here
- Be in Charge: Understand It Before You Say YesThe same rule at school and at the doctor: understand it, get it in writing, keep your records.
- If They Say This, Ask This (And If They Do Not Say It, Ask Anyway)What to ask when you hear no, wait, or sign here, and what to ask when nobody says anything.
- South Carolina Fine Print: What State Law AddsSouth Carolina autism insurance law and its limits, coverage past the age limit, rights at 18, and mediation.
- The Fine Print on Evaluation and DiagnosisYou can ask for an evaluation, the 60 day clock, no single test, and diagnosis versus eligibility.
- The Road From Birth to 26: Dates to Put on Your CalendarEvery date that matters from Early Intervention to age 26, in order, with links.
- Three Traps Nobody Warns You AboutThe diploma that ends services, IEP changes without a meeting, and the Medicaid renewal form.
Early Years
School
- South Carolina Fine Print: When You Disagree With the SchoolSouth Carolina's ombudsman, free facilitated IEP meetings, free mediation, state complaints and hearings.
- The Fine Print Nobody Hands You at SchoolA second opinion at the school's expense, records before the meeting, and other rules nobody mentions.
- The Fine Print on Behavior and Discipline at SchoolThe ten day count, services while out, the meeting about the behavior, and support first.
- The IEP Meeting, Decoded: Who Gets a Chair at the TableWho must be in the room, who you can bring, and how often the meeting has to happen.
Money
- South Carolina Fine Print: Medicaid, Waivers and Katie BeckettSouth Carolina's Katie Beckett (TEFRA) option, the waivers by name, the closed autism waiver, and appeals.
- The Fine Print Nobody Hands You in MedicaidA no needs reasons, the hearing right, the 90 day ceiling, and what EPSDT says for children.
- The Fine Print on ABLE AccountsWho qualifies, who can contribute, what SSI ignores, what it can buy, and the repayment rule.
- The Fine Print on SSI Nobody Hands YouThe 60 day appeal clock, the review at 18, when parent income stops, and what is set aside.
- Too Much Income for SSI? Meet the Medicaid Door Called Katie BeckettThe Medicaid option that counts the child's income only, and the exact conditions in the law.
- Why Your Paycheck Counts Against Your Child (Until They Turn 18)Why a parent's paycheck can block a child's SSI, what is left out, and when it ends.
Adulthood
Tools
- How to DisagreeWhat to do when the school, Early Intervention or Medicaid says no: the steps and the deadlines.
- Printable ChecklistsSteps from these pages, ready to print and check off.
- Ready-to-Send Letters for ParentsCopy-and-send letters for evaluations, records, meetings, denials and the move to adulthood.