"The only disability in life is the attitude of not trying." - Stephen Hawking Imagine a world where every building is accessible, every sidewalk is smooth and even, and every communication channel is tailored to accommodate different sensory needs. In this ideal world, individuals with disabilities would not face the constant hurdles that often impede their mobility, education, and employment opportunities. International Persons with Disabilities Day (IDPD) is an international observance promoted by the United Nations since 1992. It is observed on December 3rd each year to promote the rights ..read more

About This Episode Podcast host Adam Dayan, NYC Special Education Attorney, discusses the process of pursuing adult services with Heather Deutsch, teacher, parenting coach, and founding member of Imagine Academy. As a mother of 24-year-old triplets and an 18-year-old son, Heather shares the turbulent journey she navigated while seeking adult services for her nonverbal, autistic son. While describing the seemingly endless roadblocks and bureaucratic obstacles she encountered, Heather speaks about the benefits of having legal representation and the need for resourceful advocacy when fighting fo ..read more

A special needs trust provides financial support for a person with special needs without jeopardizing their eligibility for government benefits. Special needs trusts can be created by parents, grandparents, other family members, or friends of the person. The beneficiary of a Special Needs Trust (SNT) must have a disability recognized by section 1614(a)(3) of the Social Security Act. A complete list of recognized disabilities for adults and children is available here. Who needs a Special Needs Trust? Anyone who has a loved one with a disability may want to consider creating a special needs tru ..read more

Ohtahara Syndrome (OS) is a rare, severe epileptic encephalopathy that begins in the first few months of life. A triad of symptoms characterizes it: Tonic spasms: These are sudden, brief stiffening of the body that can occur multiple times a day. Burst suppression pattern on EEG: This is a characteristic pattern on an electroencephalogram (EEG), which is a test that measures electrical activity in the brain. Developmental delay: Children with OS typically have delayed development in all areas, including motor skills, language skills, and cognitive skills. The cause of OS is unknown, but it ..read more

The Law Offices of AdamDayan, PLLC, has been named a winner of the 2023 Law Firm 500, awarded to the fastest-growing law firms in the United States. “We help children with special needs secure a quality education and long-term financial security. We See The Able Not The Label.” Our law firm is proud to have been ranked #104 in the Law Firm 500 for the fourth consecutive year, with 69% growth. We are grateful to our loyal clients, whose continued trust in our services has helped us grow and allowed us to help more families. Client happiness and satisfaction remain our top priority, and we inte ..read more

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 1 in 6 children in the United States have a developmental disability. Millions of children may have unique needs when participating in Halloween activities. By being aware of these needs and making Halloween more inclusive, we can ensure that all children enjoy this festive holiday. Halloween can be a fun and exciting time for children, but it can also be overwhelming for those with sensory sensitivities. Loud noises, bright lights, and crowded spaces can be triggering for some children, making it difficult for t ..read more

What is Cerebral Palsy? Cerebral palsy (CP) is a group of disorders that affect movement and coordination. It is caused by damage to the developing brain before birth, during birth, or shortly after birth. CP is a lifelong condition, but the severity of the symptoms can vary from person to person. Some people with CP may have mild symptoms, such as slight clumsiness or difficulty with balance. Others may have more severe symptoms, such as difficulty walking or speaking. CP can affect children in several ways. It can cause them difficulty with movement, coordination, speech, and balance. It can ..read more

Anxiety can be a normal part of life but can become debilitating for some children. Children with anxiety may experience excessive worry, fear, and nervousness. They may also have difficulty sleeping, concentrating, and socializing. Anxiety can significantly impact a child's academic performance, relationships, and well-being. As a parent, seeing your child struggling with anxiety can be difficult. You may feel helpless or overwhelmed. If they are approaching adolescence, they might keep you at arm's length, and you might miss the signs. However, there are many things you can do to help your c ..read more

When you first engage a special education attorney, one of the questions that might nag at you is how long it will take to see any results. How long will you have to wait to get reimbursed for the tens of thousands you’ve already spent on schools or services? How long before your child gets the increase in service hours that he or she desperately needs? It’s hard to answer in a way that’s satisfactory to everyone. Some people go into this process expecting it all to be wrapped up in six months and end up disappointed. Some are afraid it will take two or three years just to get an answer about ..read more

About This Episode Podcast host Adam Dayan, NYC Special Education Attorney, sits down with Natalia Rowe, a Bilingually Certified Speech Language Pathologist, Feeding Therapist, and Founder of the FirstRowe Speech and Feeding Therapy Center. They discuss Speech-Language Therapy, including: What it can entail Signs and symptoms to look for in your child Ways in which speech-language delays can impact a student's functioning They also touch on many techniques used with students, including PROMPT Therapy and what a parent might experience with a child in need of Speech-Language Therapy. (LISTEN ..read more