Today, we’re sitting down with one of your favorite guests, Paul Curley, to get into the details of the ABLE Age Adjustment Act, which passed as a part of SECURE 2.0 in December 2022. It’s April, which is recognized as Autism Acceptance Month. Last week, when we talked to Sara , she let us onto another way to celebrate April, by rebranding it as Autism Action Month. Joyce’s idea of reaching out to Autistic people and Autistic families this month to provide direct support was absolutely spot-on. ...
Apr 18, 2023•41 min•Season 3Ep. 8
Sara Bradford is an Autistic woman with an Autistic family. Everyone from her husband to her two children are on the spectrum. Living in Utah, Sara has been uniquely equipped to navigate the state’s difficult and often inadequate systems for her autistic family, and even still has faced exclusion at various points. But she marches on to try to change things in her community and make them better. Today we’ll cover all kinds of issues Sara has dealt with while raising her family, from diagnosis to...
Apr 11, 2023•1 hr 6 min•Season 3Ep. 7
What happens when a financial planning firm is both Autistic-centered and Autistic-owned? Planning Across the Spectrum is what happens. Planning Across the Spectrum is a full-service financial planning firm that can help you do all the traditional things like plan for retirement, establish life insurance to take care of your children after you’re gone, and manage your investments. But they do so much more on top of these traditional services. They can help you navigate benefits, Medicaid waivers...
Apr 04, 2023•54 min•Season 3Ep. 6
On top of completely changing the trajectory of an entire industry by bettering animal welfare in corporately-owned settings, Temple Grandin is also a huge financial literacy advocate. And today, she’s joining us to talk about the best way to teach financial literacy skills to your Autistic child. We’ll talk about an array of different topics including: · Managing an allowance. · Transforming money from an abstract concept into something more concrete and real. · Teaching kids how to save. · Tea...
Mar 28, 2023•26 min•Season 3Ep. 5
This week we're talking all things ABLE accounts! From eligibility to qualified disability expenses to using your ABLE account as a tax-advantaged investment vehicle, we've got you covered. Joining us to discuss these accounts is Mary Rubenis, VP of Client Relationship Management and ABLE Savings at Vestwell. Vestwell is the program administrator for ABLE accounts in 20 states. But today's episode is for everyone -- regardless of which state you live in! Get out a pencil and notebook and get rea...
Mar 21, 2023•41 min•Season 3Ep. 4
Today we’re back with researchers from Drexel’s Autism Institute to explore the intersections of race, poverty, and health outcomes for Autistic kids. They covered this topic in their 2022 National Autism Indicators Report. Some of the findings you might have predicted, like the fact that no matter how much income you make, societal structures around race may negatively impact your health outcomes. Others may be more surprising, like the fact that in many cases, Autistic children from middle-inc...
Mar 14, 2023•50 min•Season 3Ep. 3
Average student loan debt is nearly $40,000 -- per person! This economic burden can massively impact all the other money moves you make in your life. Luckily, there is a disability discharge program for federal student loans, and more people qualify than you might think. Plus, the program is getting a lot easier to navigate, with some big, positive changes promised starting in July 2023. Today, we'll talk to Heather Watkins, a writer and disability advocate who successfully had her student loans...
Mar 07, 2023•57 min•Season 3Ep. 2
No joke – Sheletta Brundidge has secured $200,000 in grant funding for her Autistic children’s needs. And today, she’s going to help you learn how to get some of that grant money regardless of your child’s disability. You can use this money to fund therapy and healthcare needs, on top of everyday needs like weighted blankets, trampolines, fences, and home security systems. We’ll talk about how to find grants, how to write a successful application essay, and how to avoid scams as you conduct your...
Feb 28, 2023•1 hr•Season 3Ep. 1
We are joined once again by Paul Curley, and he comes bearing NEWS! The ABLE Age Adjustment Act has finally made it into a bill. Now, it just needs to make it into law. Upping the age of onset of disability from 26 to 46 means about 7 million more people would qualify for ABLE accounts, including one million veterans. A larger pool of eligible account holders means lower fees on ABLE accounts and more bargaining power in Washington for things like removing Medicaid clawback provisions -- in ALL ...
Jun 28, 2022•37 min•Season 2Ep. 13
Today on Mom Autism Money, we learn that Joyce has a cleaning habit. It helps her relieve stress. But what about the rest of us who maybe aren’t super on top of it? We’re talking to Corinne Schmitt of Wondermom Wannabe to learn her strategies to stay organized. It’s all about hacking your brain to make things easier. Corinne uses a color-coded organization system to keep herself and her five children organized. This simple system is applicable for everything from your kid’s toy room to your fili...
Jun 21, 2022•31 min•Season 2Ep. 12
Today we're talking with Corinne Schmitt of Wondermom Wannabe about money mindset and teaching financial literacy for children. We'll delve into a lot of topics, but some of the things you'll hear us discuss are Corinne's scaffolding for teaching financial literacy to children, why it can be hard to teach your kids about investing when you don't feel confident in it yourself, and how to develop an abundance mindset even when you're living in forced poverty. This is part 1 of a two-part conversat...
Jun 14, 2022•31 min•Season 2Ep. 11
Today we talk military life, finances and Autism with Rich Davis. Rich retired after a 28-year career in the US Navy as a helicopter pilot. He and his family reside in Roanoke, Virginia where he volunteers with his church, as the education coordinator for a local museum, and where he is involved with the local art scene as a photographer. He has an adult son with autism who lives with he and his wife and works in the community. We'll discuss a whole range of topics, including: The Exceptional Fa...
Jun 07, 2022•47 min•Season 2Ep. 10
Join us today for a conversation with Arianne Garcia and Dr. Kristina Lopez about Autism in the Latino community. This is part two of a two-part episode. Listen to Part One aired last week if you want to catch up! Today, we’ll be talking how difficult it is to assess which state laws best serve Latino Autistic people, and why it may be better to acknowledge that all states have broken, inadequate systems. Period. We'll also be talking about the transition to adulthood. Topics include access to p...
May 24, 2022•36 min•Season 2Ep. 9
Join us today for a conversation with Arianne Garcia and Dr. Kristina Lopez about autism in the Latino community. This is part one of a two-part episode. Be sure to subscribe to Mom Autism Money on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or Google Podcasts so you won't miss part two when it drops next Tuesday. Today, we'll be talking primarily about Autism diagnoses in the Latino community, and the systemic obstacles that prevent people from accessing services to which they have a right. We'll talk about Bruno,...
May 17, 2022•38 min•Season 2Ep. 8
Welcome to part two of our retirement planning discussion with Brenton Harrison and Joe Saul-Sehy! This week we'll cover: Annuities. Sheltering your investments from asset tests. How ABLE accounts & supplemental needs trusts fit into the equation. Life insurance for parents of disabled children. Finding the right financial advice for your unique situation. Listen to part one of this conversation: https://momautismmoney.com/mom-autism-retirement-planning-101/ Get Stacked: Your Your Super Seri...
May 10, 2022•47 min•Season 2Ep. 7
This week, we're talking about retirement planning with Joe Saul-Sehy, co-author of Stacked and co-host of the Stacking Benjamins podcast, and Brenton Harrison, financial planner. In week one of this two-week discussion, we cover: The basics of tax-advantaged retirement accounts -- and why Roth IRAs may be particularly attractive to the resource-thin. Similarities and differences between target date funds, index funds and ETFs. Time horizon & risk tolerance. Why investor behavior is often mo...
May 03, 2022•38 min•Season 2Ep. 6
Today on Mom Autism Money, we sit down with Blake Baumann of Aspie-R Coaching. Blake is a life and success coach that specializes in working with young adults and teens with Asperger's. As a parent of two young ASD adults as well as being on the spectrum himself, he understands personally the struggles that are faced by both autistic individuals and parents. Blake shares great, actionable ideas to help prepare your kids for communication in social circles and work venues, ways to build confidenc...
Apr 26, 2022•45 min•Season 2Ep. 5
In this week's episode of Mom Autism Money, Dena Gassner teaches us the ins and outs of Vocational Rehabilitation. Your state's office of vocational rehabilitation can provide funding for job training, college, and even entrepreneurship. Dena has used her VR office to secure nearly $20k in startup funding for her own business, and used it to facilitate her son's college education. This programming can be immensely helpful, but you're going to want to come in with a concrete plan. Otherwise, you ...
Apr 19, 2022•48 min•Season 3Ep. 4
Applying for SSI or SSDI is a daunting process that’s anything but transparent. The system is set up for you to fail, and as a result a lot of people eventually just give up. Today, we sit down with social work expert Dena Gassner, who presents her proven system for successfully applying for SSI/SSDI – without getting a lawyer. She educates us on the seven criteria Social Security is looking for (but won’t actually tell you about) and how to cross reference medical reports with your personal nar...
Apr 12, 2022•52 min•Season 2Ep. 3
Join Joyce & Brynne as they sit down with Shalese Heard, AKA The Autistic Travel Goddess, to discuss online entrepreneurship and travel. Shalese shares her innovative tips for traveling on a budget, along with travel tips for Autistic individuals. We learn about ways to fund your new business when you're Autistic or otherwise disabled, and why entrepreneurship is so vital to the Autistic community. We also discuss some of Shalese's favorite travel sojourns, and her experiences growing up as ...
Apr 05, 2022•51 min•Season 2Ep. 2
Welcome back to Mom Autism Money! In our first episode of Season Two, we sit down with Lei Wiley-Mydskey -- the founder of the very first Neurodiversity Library. Ahead of Autism Acceptance Month, Lei educates us on the differences between Autism awareness and Autism Acceptance. This information can help guide you as you decide which organizations to support during the month of April. Also, don't forget to look out for deals and autism-friendly events in your local community this month! Ed Wiley ...
Mar 29, 2022•36 min•Season 2Ep. 1
ABLE accounts turned 7 years old last week! In the final episode of Mom Autism Money, we catch up with Paul Curley, CFA to discuss the latest news on ABLE account legislation, and ask him some listener questions. Then, Joyce & Brynne breakdown their highlight reels of the rest of Season One. And what to expect in Season Two. Which will arrive in about February-ish. Subscribe to the podcast today to get notifications when new episodes go live! Visit our sponsor, Safety Sleeper, to take advant...
Dec 21, 2021•58 min•Season 1Ep. 10
Wondering how to get all the stuff done as a mom raising an Autistic child? Today, Cara Harvey of A Purpose Driven Mom visits Mom Autism Money to discuss ways you can build your goals and plans around an unpredictable schedule. Cara, the author of the upcoming book The 15 Minute Formula , is also a former Autism Support teacher, and has used an IEP framework to build her unique scheduling strategies. Enter to win a free trial with our sponsor, Safety Sleeper: https://safetysleeper.com/MAM Get on...
Dec 14, 2021•1 hr 18 min•Season 1Ep. 9
Researchers Lindsay Shea, DrPH, MS and Kristy Anderson, PhD of Drexel University’s Autism Institute join us today to talk about Medicaid nationwide. We learn about some specific types of waivers, the history behind them, and those dreaded waitlists. We also learn about some important areas where there needs to be more funding for this type of policy research. Today we’ll be discussing a couple different resources for parents in Pennsyvlania as a tangential part of our larger discussion about Med...
Dec 07, 2021•59 min•Season 1Ep. 8
Today, we sit down with Sam Crane, the legal director of the Autistic Self-Advocacy Network, to discuss guardianship and its superior alternative: supported decision making. Sam takes us way back to Ancient Rome to the roots of guardianship, all the way through present day cases like Britney Spears and Nichelle Nichols. Guardianship is often for life, and often results in someone outside of your family ultimately making decisions for your child, whatever you initial intentions may have been. It ...
Nov 30, 2021•1 hr 7 min•Season 1Ep. 7
This Black Friday, Mom Autism Money makes it easy for you to support Autistic-owned businesses and businesses owned by parents of Autistic children. Be sure to listen to find exclusive sales and promo codes -- just for Mom Autism Money listeners. Support the community as you shop for the holidays this year! Get 30% off with our sponsor, the Safety Sleeper: https://safetysleeper.com/MAM Tosha's Tees - https://www.toshastees.com - 10% off Nov 26-28 with code PINKONFRIDAY Taking One Step - https://...
Nov 23, 2021•24 min•Season 1Ep. 6
Autism mom Shanté Nicole is a credit expert. In Episode 5, we're joined by the dynamic owner of Financial Common Cents to talk all things credit: Scores, reports, and all those myths and misconceptions that can actually derail your progress. Get 30% off from today’s sponsor: The Safety Sleeper – https://safetysleeper.com/MAM Watch Shante's amazing cover of Cardi B's Up – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZbaTIjCgZJ4 Check out Shante's website – https://www.financialcommoncents.org/ Join the Financ...
Nov 16, 2021•1 hr 39 min•Season 1Ep. 5
Today, technology journalist Bob Sullivan joins Mom Autism Money to teach us some of the most common patterns when it comes to financial scams. Please note that this episode does tangentially reference abuse, which means it may not be the best episode to listen to in front of a younger audience. You can then teach these financial scam patterns to your child, and you'll also want to take note of them for yourself. Learning these patterns is likely to be of just as much use to neurodivergent indiv...
Nov 09, 2021•57 min•Season 1Ep. 4
In Episode 3, Morénike Giwa Onaiwu visits Mom Autism Money to educate us on the best ways to teach boundary-setting skills to our children. Please be aware that this episode does tangentially address topics such as abuse, so it may not be the best one to listen to with your children. But it's an extremely important one to listen to as a parent. Morénike is an educator, advocate, scholar, parent and Autistic adult, and brings deep perspective to topics such as ABA therapy and alternatives, empowe...
Nov 02, 2021•1 hr 20 min•Season 1Ep. 3
Financial advisor Brenton Harrison and attorney Jill Zacks join Mom Autism Money to decode a particularly complicated topic: Special Needs Trusts. In this episode, we’ll talk about first-party, third-party and pooled special needs trusts, Medicaid clawback provisions, the importance of life insurance for parents of disabled children, and how you might want to plan your retirement savings differently after listening to this episode. Get 30% off with today's sponsor, the Safety Sleeper - https://s...
Oct 26, 2021•1 hr 17 min•Season 1Ep. 2
