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
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
Child support paid on behalf of your child with special needs impacts the amount they receive from SSI, whether they are under the age of 18 or receive child support as an adult paid beyond the age of 18. The child who receives SSI under the age of 18 will have up to two-thirds of
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
As a parent with a developmentally disabled child, do you know how to legally protect your child once he or she turns 18 years old? When a child turns 18, his or her parents no longer have the authority to make decisions on his or her behalf. For parents of a child with a developmental
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
