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The Right to the Ordinary: Money, Choice, and Dignity for Autistic Adults
Andrew recently spent a night in New York City. It was a staycation — a Broadway show, dinner in Manhattan, an overnight stay at a Times Square hotel, and shopping for souvenirs. Andrew is a young autistic man supported by AABR, and during this particular trip, something new was in his...
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The Financial Side of an Autism Diagnosis: What Families Should Know
Receiving an autism diagnosis for your child may bring an overwhelming amount of new information. Families quickly find themselves learning about therapeutic recommendations such as Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), speech-language therapy, occupational therapy, and additional medical care. ABA, for...
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Plan for a Lifetime: How to Build Financial Security for an Autistic Person
There is no one-size-fits-all approach to financial planning. Every person and family brings different goals, resources, responsibilities, and ideas about what financial security looks like. That is especially true when planning for or alongside a loved one on the autism spectrum. For an...
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Financial Planning for an Autistic Child When Parents Divorce
Many families with a child on the autism spectrum face divorce. One of the biggest concerns in these divorces is what will happen to the children. Parents may worry about how to explain divorce to an autistic child, provide emotional support and reassurance during the process, and ease transitions...
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A First in American History: What the Education Freedom Tax Credit Could Unlock for Autism Families
Meet Ryan. He and his family had a waitlist letter for an evaluation for augmentative communication, with an opening that didn't come for seven months. When that moment finally came, the communication device he needed cost over $750, and insurance covered none of it, claiming it wasn't...
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Building Resilience Through Self-Care and Support Teams During Divorce Transitions
Stressful times can take a toll on a person’s physical, psychological, and emotional well-being, and for those experiencing divorce transitions, the stress is taken to another level. According to the Social Readjustment Rating Scale (SRRS), also known as the Holmes and Rahe Stress Scale,...
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Helping Families with Disabilities Transition from Child to Adult Systems of Care
Having a child diagnosed with a lifelong disability is like planning a trip to one country, but unexpectedly arriving in a different country (read Emily Perl Kingsley’s essay Welcome to Holland). Just imagine, you have nothing packed that would make the trip easier or more comfortable, and you do...
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Notes, Buckets, and Beneficiaries: An Introduction to Special Needs Planning
Having loved ones with special needs requires specialized planning to meet their unique financial requirements. The search for direction about financial assistance (benefits and support provided by government agencies) and special needs planning (preparation for future financial needs) can be...
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Understanding and Resolving Conflict in Divorce Involving Autistic Children
Divorce is complicated enough, but when there is a child with autism or other disability involved, it takes things to another level. I should know. I unexpectedly faced divorce after 21 years of marriage, and it took incredible amounts of time, money, and emotional energy to get through the...
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Rethinking Guardianship: Empowering Autistic Individuals and Preserving Rights
Often when I encounter families with young autistic kids, they are admittedly very anxious about their child’s future. Who will take care of my child when I die? How can I make sure I am an active decision-maker in their lives when they reach adulthood, especially if they are non-speaking or have...
