Special Needs

Articles

...step is to form a transition team. The team includes you (the parent or guardian), your child, educators, employers (if your child is employed) and administrators....planning, expressing his desires for his future. You, the parent, are the lead advocate in helping your child become independent. As you create your child's transition...

...special education advocate should be considered....be considered. An advocate is a person who speaks...special education advocate is typically very...the ADA in 2009. Advocates work hard to help...hindrances. A knowledgeable advocate should attend (along...with the parents/guardians) IEP Meetings, Section...Special education advocates inform parents of...

...options, weigh consequences, and follow through on their choices. The difference from guardianship is who holds the final say. Under guardianship, the guardian can override the person's wishes. Under SDM, the person retains that authority. Supporters advise, explain, and help implement decisions, but they...

...with disabilities, standard estate planning advice doesn't address the coordination problems you're facing. You can't just fund a trust and name a guardian. You need to structure beneficiary designations so your ex-spouse's choices don't inadvertently disqualify your child from SSI. You need trustee arrangements...

...without permission Make decisions about their education or employment The guardian holds those rights. Your child becomes a ward of the court. They can't...rights. Your child becomes a ward of the court. They can't override the guardian's decisions, even when they disagree. Full guardianship removes all decision-making...

...adult child becomes the patient, and HIPAA privacy protections kick in. Unless your child has been determined to lack capacity and you're the legal guardian, or unless they've signed a healthcare power of attorney naming you as their agent, providers can refuse to share information with you....

...consequences, but the principal makes the final call. This differs fundamentally from guardianship, where a court transfers decision-making authority to a guardian. Under guardianship, the person loses legal rights. Under SDM, they keep them. Texas became the first state to recognize supported decision-making...

...What guardianship Does. Guardianship is a court process that declares an adult legally incompetent to make their own decisions. The court appoints a guardian who has the legal authority to make decisions on their behalf. Those decisions can include where they live, what medical treatment they receive, who...

...attendance and you could see the pride on both faces when Charlotte explained just why her brothers were her heroes. "My brothers protect me, they are my guardian angles!" Her mother's message to other parents of special needs children is:...

...trust designed to protect the assets of a person with a disability. A self-funded special needs trust must be created by a parent, grandparent, legal guardian, or court to receive and hold assets (such as inheritance, lawsuit settlement, gifts) that belonged to the person with the disability, who is the...

...the ability to remain alive can be associated with diminished ability to make your own health care decisions. The courts can be asked to appoint a guardian to make health care decisions for...

...decisions on behalf of your child after you're gone. Here's what qualifies someone for that job. What a Trustee Does. The trustee isn't a ceremonial guardian or a check-signer. They're a fiduciary with legal duties and personal liability. Core responsibilities: Distribute trust funds only for expenses...