Brrr.  I had to turn on the heat in my car this morning.  Got me to thinking that winter is coming.  With the high cost of heating, whether it is oil, gas, electric or whatever, we get lots of phone calls here at the office from parents looking for assistance with their energy costs.  Unfortunately, ASCONN does not have funding to help parents pay for heat.  There are no special programs for persons on the spectrum.  But, Connecticut DOES have an energy assistance program, although my understanding is that there are fewer dollars this year (so what else is new?).  Go to the Department of Social Services website to find out about the program, what the eligibility requirements are and how to apply.  Applications are being accepted NOW, so make sure you get yours in early, especially if there is less funding than in years past.

If you heat with electricity or gas, the utility company cannot turn off your heat starting November 1 if you apply for a “hardship”.  The rule are complicated and depend upon whether you use gas or electricity and whether yours is a public utility or a municipal utility.  A good resource is located here at the CT Network for Legal Aid website.

The best path is to call your utility NOW before the winter months and get on a payment plan that you can afford.  Remember, though, that a plan only spreads the cost out over a period of time, it does not reduce the cost of your heating bill overall.   Some of the utilities have plans that will also help defray the costs and lower your overall bill.

If you heat with electricity like I do, don’t forget to save money by choosing an electric supplier that may provide your energy at a lower cost than your utility.  You won’t notice any difference in your service or your bill, just lower rates!  You can also get an energy audit (mine was free!) where a certified person will come to your house and check your doors and windows for leaks, provide caulk and weather stripping, retrofit you with energy efficient light bulbs and give you lots of tips on how to save energy.  More information at CL&P or United Illuminating.

You know that phenomenon where you happen upon some piece of information and soon afterwards you encounter it again?  It’s called Baader-Meinhof and I had it again today.   I was reading a really interesting article in USA Today on the use of IPads in special education and lo and behold, what comes across my desk this morning?  Information on an “APP-Tastic” conference right here in Mystic about how the IPad and apps can help special needs students, particularly those on the spectrum.  Presented by Lighthouse  Voc-Ed Center and the NEAT Center (New England Assistive Technology), it’s cheap, it’s local and it sounds really useful for parents and school staff.    I know many families have used this technology for their kids.  Do you have a favorite app or way to use your technology to help your kid?  Let’s share!

Here’s Chelsea getting a fist bump from ASCONN for raising over $500 at her school on “Hat Day for Autism”.  Chelsea’s mom received one of our “Help Now” mini-grants a few years ago to purchase a special car seat. Now 10 years old and a happy fourth grader at the public school, Chelsea wanted to give back. Her idea?

Let kids pay $1 and wear a hat to school. Obviously, the kids at her school like to wear hats. Check out the posters Chelsea and her friends made to advertise the day.    Great idea, Chelsea!

Reading the NYTimes this morning, I came across this article about kids in an autism program at a NJ middle school running a coffee shop as part of their curriculum.  Why doesn’t every school have this?  I know one district that does this with kids in an ED special ed classroom – why not all kids?   Pass it on to YOUR district.

Autistic Children Help at Coffee Shop in N.J. School – NYTimes.com.