You know it is important to plan for the future when you have a special needs child. You may wonder what kind of plans you need to make to ensure your child’s future is secure.
There are several aspects of special needs planning you should consider.
Independence
According to Kids Health, you should make plans for your child’s life as an adult with special needs. Your child will likely lose eligibility for services through Georgia’s public schools once he or she turns 21. You should ask yourself what kind of assistance your child will need afterward. Does your child need someone to be home with him or her during the day? In this situation, it is a good idea to look for day programs your child might attend. If your child is capable of living away from you, you might want to look at group homes for adults with special needs. It is a good idea to look at options before your child needs them because there may be a waiting list for some programs.
Finances
Your child may require expensive care. It is a good idea to put money away each month so you can pay for your child’s treatment. You may want to consider setting up a special needs trust. This will allow you to save for your child’s care without making him or her ineligible for federal benefits. A trust can also ensure your child has access to financial resources after your death.
Guardian
It is important to appoint a guardian who can care for your child if you are unable to do so. You should think about the kind of information this person will need as he or she takes care of your child. You may want to write a letter with all of the contact information for your child’s doctors. This letter should also include the medication your child takes. You may also want to include information about your child’s daily and weekly routine so a guardian can keep things consistent for your child.