TAX TIPS:  These tips serve as a guide, tax rules change so always check with a tax professional when you file.

Some common deductions are:

·         Medical insurance premiums, co-pays, prescription medications, doctor's bills, hospital fees and also travel to and from medical appointments including parking fees.

·         Only medical and dental expenses you paid for during that year are included, regardless of when the services were provided.  Deductions are only expenses that are in excess of 7.5% of your adjusted gross income. You can only deduct those amounts for which you have not been reimbursed by private insurance or Medicare.

Some special expenses are:

·         Special schools or homes (when recommended by a Doctor), Oxygen & equipments, eyeglasses, wheelchairs & repairs, costs & care of disability dogs, books, magazines, hearing aids, & travel costs/lodging  to receive treatment.

·         You can take medical expense deductions for your dependants.  They have to be related to you, lived with you for the entire year as a member of the household and/or you provided more than half of the person's total support for the year.   
Info provided by National Family Caregivers Association

Communicating with your child's school:

1- Be mindful of your emotions.  Don't let them get the better of you. Think positively on your goals.
2- Prioritize and Plan.  Make a list of questions, wants, needs, goals and solutions.  Think about which ones you can negotiate and which ones are non negotiable.  Figure out the order in which they are important to you and in what order you want to address them.
3- Communicate and LISTEN.  Listen to what the other's are saying and ask questions on anything you don't understand.  Don't make a decision until you fully understand everything.
4- Communicate and clarify.  Make sure that others understand what you want and where you are coming from.  Ask for clarification if you need it.
5- Offer up options and be willing to compromise.  Don't be afraid to bring up the solutions you came up with (#2).
6- Don't be afraid to offer apologizes and especially praise.  People will respond better to praise but if you've made a mistake be sure to apologize.  Using positive words like please and thank you will go a long way to keeping things civil.