Planning for Adulthood
Financial Planning for Transition-Age Youth and Adults:
Guide to Special Needs Financial Planning Tool Kit by Autism Speaks
All parents worry about their children’s futures. But for parents of children with special needs, the worry can be even bigger. Autism Speaks provides a toolkit for special needs financial planning. Topics include:
- Accessing Funding Through State and Federal Programs
- Special Needs Trusts
- Financial Products & Instruments Used in Planning
- ABLE Accounts: A Savings Tool for Individuals with Disabilities
- Guardianship and Conservatorship
- Finding the Right Professional
- The Basics of Budgeting: A Step in the Right Direction
- Financial Assistance
To obtain this tool kit, please see Financial Planning Tool Kit | Autism Speaks or call Autism Speaks at 888-288-4762 (en Español 888-772-9050)
Guardianship and Related Alternatives:
If you are considering guardianship or related alternatives as adulthood approaches, there are many issues to consider in determining how to respect a person’s autonomy while also assessing what level of support they require. If you wish to pursue guardianship, there are several forms that need to be completed with the assistance of a PCP/psychiatrist/psychiatric nurse practitioner/psychologist and a social worker. This requires two providers who know the person well. There are additional requirements if a person is treated with antipsychotic medications. As this paperwork needs to be filed with the court, some families seek the assistance of a lawyer with expertise in supporting people with special needs. A judge evaluates the information and makes the final decision. The following are some types of guardianship and alternatives:
Supportive decision-making
Health care proxy
Durable power of attorney
Appointing someone to make all education-related decisions
Representative payee
Limited guardianship
Conservatorship
Legal guardian
Rogers Guardian
Additional information is available at:
File for guardianship of an incapacitated person | Mass.gov
Guardianship & Conservatorship of Incapacitated Persons | Mass.gov
Guardianship of a Minor in Massachusetts: (masslegalservices.org)
Disability Law Center – Massachusetts Protection and Advocacy (dlc-ma.org)
Alternatives-to-Guardianship-and-Guardianship.pdf (dlc-ma.org)
Post-Secondary Education:
There are supportive accessibility services at most college campuses. Some local schools and online resources include:
Dean College: Learning Support Services for Students & Graduates | Dean College
Northeastern University has a program called “Accelerate Pre-College Programs.” It is a summer program which provides a “snapshot” of what college is like, while proving extra structure and support: Accelerate Pre-College Programs (northeastern.edu)
Postsecondary Educational Opportunities Guide | Autism Speaks.
Quinsigamond Community College is well known for their supportive services for individuals who may have a disability: Faculty Guide to Accommodations (qcc.edu).
Additional Transition-age Resources:
Association for Autism and Neurodiversity, formerly known as Asperger/Autism Network:
AANE offers many different supports for transition-aged youth and young adults. Membership gives people access to online discussion forums, online and in-person support groups, workshops, and more! There is an annual membership fee of $60; financial assistance may be available.
www.aane.org or 617-393-3824
Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission “provides services that break down barriers and empower people with disabilities to live life in their own terms.” Their programs specialize in training, employment, community living, and disability determination for federal benefit programs. Services are availability to any person who has a disability who is as young as 14-years-old, and then throughout adulthood.
Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission | Mass.gov
National Autism Association has a free toolkit full of information to consider as a child turns 22:
Age of Majority Toolkit - National Autism Association or 877-622-2884
Resource Guide for Transition Aged ASD Youth | Mass.gov
Resources: Transition — Massachusetts Advocates for Children (massadvocates.org)
Transition Resources for Ages 14 - 22 - DisabilityInfo.org