Your child has special needs, and you’re struggling with what that means, how to best help him or her, and how you will be able to handle it all. Your emotions are swirling and suddenly you have to decode the foreign language of IEPs and the school system. You are also worried that your school won’t be doing enough, or doing the right things, for your child. How do you make sure your child is getting the best special education services from school?

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If you are a parent of a child with special needs, you may suffer from constantly worrying that you don’t have enough money to provide the best care for your child—or you fear that you will face bankruptcy from all the bills. Diagnoses such as cerebral palsy and Down syndrome and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) may need equipment, services and care that may not be covered by health plans or private extended health insurance. Plus, coverage varies, depending on the diagnosis. Many families go without or wait for years to get services that would have been beneficial if used earlier. For the parents of kids with special needs, the gap is wide. So many are forced to cobble together a plan to help their children, often at great financial and personal expense. The question remains: What financial benefits can I get for my child with special needs?

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If you are a parent who has a child with autism who requires constant supervision, it’s difficult to juggle his or her needs along with a full-time job. You must work and pay the bills, but your child needs 24-hour care. How do you handle all the responsibilities alone? Fortunately, in the state of California, you can apply for financial help if you are a single parent raising a child with autism.

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Raising a child with autism can add stress to a family. This stress can overwhelm a couple and lead to marital problems. According to studies, parents who have a child with autism with are 23% more likely to separate. Although this is only a statistic, divorcing parents undergoing a separation need to prepare themselves for divorce when their child is on the autism spectrum.

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Typically, children with Down syndrome experience delays in certain areas of development, so early intervention is recommended. It can begin anytime after birth, but the sooner it starts, the better. However, there is no single, standard treatment for Down syndrome. Treatments are based on each child’s physical and intellectual needs as well as his or her personal strengths and limitations. So does early intervention help my child with Down syndrome?

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