{"id":10069,"date":"2017-08-29T06:00:00","date_gmt":"2017-08-29T06:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.metrokids.com\/index.php\/2017\/08\/29\/8-things-every-philly-special-needs-family-needs-to-know\/"},"modified":"2023-08-16T20:50:28","modified_gmt":"2023-08-16T20:50:28","slug":"8-things-every-philly-special-needs-family-needs-to-know","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.metrokids.com\/8-things-every-philly-special-needs-family-needs-to-know\/","title":{"rendered":"8 Things Every Philly Special Needs Family Needs to Know"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"I was at a conference a few years ago, and sat with a woman who, in the course of our conversation, told me that her region has 1 vision teacher to serve 4 counties. I was floored! Our IU has almost a dozen TVs I think! I didn’t realize how much I was taking for granted, as far as living in this area.<\/p>\n

I love living near Philly. Living in a large metropolitan area gives you so many more resources, not to be taken for granted. If you are living near here and either you or your loved one has disabilities, consider yourself lucky. I think it is one of the best areas of the country to live, as far as resources and programming. Here are 8 things you may not know about living near Philadelphia if you or someone you love has a disability.<\/p>\n

1. We actually have three great children’s hospitals. Sure, the media loves to swoon over CHOP, and they are great. But we also have Nemours\/duPont in Wilmington, DE, and St. Christopher’s in northern Philly. For some of the rare conditions, you might find a home at one of the other places besides CHOP. For example, there is a cluster of dup15q families at duPont, due to a former researcher there, and I heard that there is a cluster of Batten Disease families at St. Chris'. You also can access different services at each — more on that later. All three have a Ronald McDonald House should you need it.<\/p>\n

2.  Get on Medicaid and get your PA Access card. The PA Access card will give you free and reduced admission at many of our region’s museums and attractions. PA has a loophole so that MA for disabled children is not based on income. The Art Reach and Access programs are a must — I love them!<\/p>\n

3.  PA has wraparound. Not all states do, but we do, and it’s a godsend for many families. You must be on MA to access it, so do that step first.<\/p>\n

4.  Finding a special needs dentist takes patience. It’s not impossible, but it takes patience.<\/p>\n

How to find a special needs dentist near Philadelphia:<\/p>\n

This will depend on your child’s unique needs, but here’s how to get started…<\/p>\n

Find your local pediatric dentist and call and ask if they serve children with disabilities and tell them your child’s needs. You may not have to leave your local community.<\/p>\n

Next, the following places:<\/p>\n