As the parent of a developmentally disabled child, did you know that it is important for you to know your legal rights? During the month of March, Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month is celebrated to seek awareness about the inclusion of people with developmental disabilities in all facets of community life, as well as awareness of
Do you have a child with Down syndrome? We know that as a parent of a child with Down syndrome you have many roles, such as caregiver, advocate, decision maker, champion, friend and fiduciary. What would happen should a time arise when you are no longer here? What would happen to your child? Who would
When planning for special needs loved ones, it is important not just to consider the present, but also the rest of their lives. This includes, however daunting to think about, the time that remains after their parents or guardians are no longer alive. While it is a scary thought, it is a reality that all
Why is National Autism Acceptance Month celebrated every April? In the past decade, the widespread growth of autism has more than doubled among children in the United States, from 1 in 125 children receiving a diagnosis in 2010 to 1 in 59 children receiving a diagnosis in 2020, according to the Autism Society. The mission
Having a loved one diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease can be devastating and heartbreaking, has this happened to you? As Parkinson’s progresses, has your loved one begun to experience difficulty walking, bathing, and dressing, as well as falling? Are you, your loved one and family facing the difficult decision of placing your loved one in a
You know there are many legal considerations involved when you are planning for a loved one with special needs. From government benefits and accessing specialists to care management and advocacy, you may find yourself pulled in a myriad of directions. The secret to success? Don’t put off the comprehensive special needs planning you need. We
The unfortunate truth is that there is an elevated risk of divorce among married couples who have children with special needs. Divorce happens. However, it is little understood that Florida law provides a legal basis to obtain child support for your special needs child beyond the age of 18. In fact, when appropriately addressed during
Are you familiar with the term ‘guardian advocacy’? In Florida, guardian advocacy is a process where family members or caregivers can obtain legal authority over an individual with a developmental disability. When it comes to guardian advocacy, however, do you know how to legally protect your developmentally disabled child? It can be overwhelming to accomplish
If you are a parent of a child with autism, or Down Syndrome, or some other intellectual or developmental disability, no doubt you are concerned about what may happen to your child after you are no longer here. Will your child have a safe place to live? Will your child get the health care she
