Heritage Behavioral Services Blog

115 Americans died of an Opiod overdose everyday. This has brought severe health, emotional and economic effects on the families.  The opiod overdose epidemic has become American Public Health Emergency among all races and ages.  learn more...... 

The family of the man with Down Syndrome who died after confrontation with the off-duty sheriff's deputies in 2013 at the Westview Promenade movie theater in Frederick county Maryland has been awarded $1.9 million settlement.  Ethan Saylors died from asphyxia following a broken larynx during a scuffle with the deputies. Ethan was accused of not buying another movie ticket to view a second screening of a movies at the theater.  read more....

Due to the "discriminatory" practices for workers with disabilities, U.S. senators have called for an end to the sub-minimum wages. An Illinois manufacturing company, was accused of exploiting nearly 250 employees.

As per the new government figures, more American children are being diagnosed with Autism. In a recent release from Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 1 in 59 children are on the spectrum. This is up from the last estimate of 1 in 68 reported in 2016 and 1 in 150 at the start of the century.  The increase in autism prevalence could be attributable to better identification among minority children. 

As a teenager, Michael McLaughlin wanted to go to college. He had several disabilities including dyslexia and bipolar disorder, which threatened to make the road ahead more difficult....... c ontinue reading

While emotional problems are common in our daily lives, particularly in childhood, over diagnosing mental health conditions with over use of psychiatric medications are epidemic leading to presupposition of mental health crisis.  Dr. Stanley Kutcher of Dalhousie University, working with the World Health Organization (WHO)  has brought these issues to light. continue reading..

The Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities (GCDD) recognizes March as Developmental Disabilities (DD) Awareness Month. The goal for this month is to create awareness about developmental disabilities, teach the importance of inclusion within every aspect of life and to share the stories of individuals with a disability to show that a successful life is possible.