We hear a lot about autism, and the media—putting out movies like Rain Man and the more recent The Accountant—have helped give some attention to it for better or worse. The fact remains, many people simply don’t understand autism, despite the Center for Disease Control (CDC) reporting that approximately 1 in 59 children has an autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

Everyone should have a good doctor, but this becomes especially important when applying for disability benefits through the Social Security Administration (SSA). When applying for benefits, you will need to provide evidence demonstrating that you have been unable to work for at least the past year. If your primary care doctor can corroborate this through what is known as a "medical source statement," your chances of being approved for Social Security disability insurance (SSDI) benefits or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) improve.

What do Julius Caesar, Joan of Arc, Agatha Christie, and Adam Horovitz from the Beastie Boys have in common? They have all been diagnosed with epilepsy.

There are very few things that government agencies do without a lot of confusing paperwork (or online forms). The Social Security Administration (SSA) is no different. For people with disabilities, filing your application for Social Security Disability or Supplemental Security Income is of paramount importance. Qualifying can enable individuals and families to continue to stay in their homes, get the assistance they want, or the medical treatments they need.

The Residual Functional Capacity (RFC) is a form that is filled out by your doctor. This form explains your ability—or inability—to perform work-related tasks, and find and maintain employment. As a matter of fact, this form is informally known as the “Ability to Do Work Related Activity” form. To be awarded Social Security Disability, you need to prove that not only are you medically disabled, but that you cannot perform any substantial work activity, and the RFC is pivotal to demonstrating this to the Social Security Administration (SSA).

Obtaining disability benefits can be very challenging. Reports show that more than 50% of disability claims are denied on the initial attempt, making the experience very frustrating for those who truly in need. Complicating matters, it’s up to the Social Security Administration (SSA) to determine eligibility for Social Security Disability (SSD) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI), not individual states. That makes the process quite lengthy; generally about 400 days, according to the SSA.

Looking for a new home in a new city, perhaps away from the support of friends and family, can make even the most independent person nervous. If you are a person with a disability, this anxiety can be compounded by a list of factors. People who are disabled often have to consider not just public transportation, but the accessibility of facilities, service providers, career opportunities, and even more diverse or specially equipped entertainment options.

For many Americans approaching retirement age, it’s a very real worry: Will there be enough in Social Security to cover my needs? How can I get the most to support myself? And what about my spouse? There are hundreds, if not thousands, of articles that address these concerns, and usually they involve an enormous amount of trepidation and volumes of paperwork if you choose to apply on your own.

Social Security recipients, we have good news: the Social Security Administration (SSA) has released their annual Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA), and we’re happy to report that there is an increase of 2.8%, the largest increase since 2011.

The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that up to 1 billion people—nearly one in six of the world’s population—suffer from a neurological disorder. Defined as a disease of the brain, spine, and the nerves that connect them, neurological disorders come in many forms. The most common adult-onset neurological disorders are as follows: