Author: Hgrant

Great Toys For Children With Special Needs

Written by Hgrant on August 10, 2018. Posted in Recreation and Fun.

For children with autism, developmental disabilities or other special needs, toys are often more than just playthings. The right toys for your child with special needs can provide opportunities to learn, grow and develop. They can also be rewards or objects to calm and soothe. By encouraging interactive play, toys can help your child socialize with others.

Choosing the best toys for your child is important to promote their intellectual, social and emotional development. In this post, we will share tips to help you select appropriate, high quality toys for your child with special needs.

How To Choose An Appropriate Toy

With so many toys to choose from, parents may feel overwhelmed by the multitude of options. Finding a developmentally appropriate toy that engages your child can be a challenge. While each child has different needs and preferences, good toys share some common features. Here are a few qualities to look for the next time you are toy shopping:

Quality materials. As with anything you give your child, safety should be a top priority. Toys made from quality materials last longer and reduce the risk of injury that may result from breaking a toy. Look for a toy that feels solid and durable when you pick it up. Washable toys are a must, especially if your child puts things in their mouth.
Large parts. Avoid giving your child anything with small pieces. Children who have challenges with fine motor skills play better with large components, and it only takes a second for a child to put a small piece in their mouth. In addition to preventing choking hazards, large parts also make it easier to keep track of toys.
Encourage fine motor skills. While you should avoid any small removable pieces, toys can help children refine their fine motors skills by encouraging them to push, pull, squeeze, slide or spin different components.
Promote interaction. Look for toys that encourage your child to respond verbally or interact with others. If your child has siblings, having toys that they can play with together will help them bond.
Improve concentration. To promote focus and learning, choose a toy that enables your child to learn patterns or play games. Some good options include musical toys, handheld games or light-up puzzles.
Engage their senses. Children with autism or other special needs often enjoy toys that incorporate sensory stimulation. Look for toys that use lights, sounds or tactile elements to encourage play.
Teach new skills. As technology has advanced, electronic educational toys have become more interactive and more affordable. There are also a variety of traditional toys like blocks and puzzles that help teach colors, letters, numbers, communication skills and other important concepts.

Examples Of Great Toys

While appropriate toys for your child with special needs will vary based on their developmental stage and interests, here are some examples of quality toys for children with special needs:

Monkey balance board from Alex Toys. This sturdy wooden balance board encourages active play and promotes gross motor skill development. With its durable construction, it can be used indoors or outdoors, and its 200-pound weight limit accommodates both younger and older children.
Body Pod sensory sock. This body sleeve provides feedback so children with sensory challenges or developmental delays can improve their coordination. When the child moves, the Body Pod pushes back and provides kinesthetic and visual stimulation.
Gravity blanket or lap pad. These weighted devices promote feelings of security and calm for children with anxiety or sensory challenges.
Tote & Go Laptop from VTech. In addition to teaching words, phrases and numbers, this cause-and-effect toy promotes interaction by encouraging children to respond verbally.
Duplos blocks. These blocks come in a variety of sizes, colors and themes, so there are options to fit nearly any developmental stage. By playing with tactile toys like this, children develop spatial awareness and improve their fine motor skills.
Glow in the dark PlayFoam. This moldable, luminescent foam encourages creative, tactical play. Best of all, it doesn’t stick to hands, clothes, furniture or floors, a big plus for children and parents.

No matter what challenges your child experiences, the right educational and behavioral support can help them reach their full potential. Lexington Services provides a variety of services for children with autism and developmental disabilities and their families. Click here to learn more about our customizable services for children of all ages.

To get more like this, read the last post.

How You Can Do Your Part To Increase Autism Awareness

Written by Hgrant on August 7, 2018. Posted in Educational.

Some people are concerned by the sharp increase in autism diagnoses in the U.S. In 2000, one in 150 children were officially diagnosed with autism. By 2008, that number had risen to one in 88. Today, researchers estimate that one out of every 59 children in the U.S. has an autism spectrum disorder (ASD). In just 12 years, California saw autism diagnoses spike by more than 600 percent.

Far from indicating the beginning of a national autism epidemic, this increase indicates that autism awareness is spreading. As it does, children with autism are being diagnosed earlier, receiving appropriate treatment sooner and leading happier, more fulfilled lives. Thanks in part to the efforts of the Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring (ADDM) Network, more families are recognizing the signs of autism and getting their children the support that they need. This post will cover the facts that caring adults need to know and discuss ways that you can do your part to increase autism awareness.

Autism by the numbers

The most recent research from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that 1.7 percent of American eight-year-olds have been diagnosed with an ASD. This rate tracks with the incidence observed in other developed nations. As with many mental health conditions, a gender gap exists with ASD. Boys are four times more likely to be diagnosed than girls.

While children as young as 2 can be reliably diagnosed, most children do not receive an ASD diagnosis until after age 4. The median age of first diagnosis varies based on the disorder subtype. It ranges from 3 years 10 months for children with autistic disorder to 5 years 7 months for children diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome.

Although diagnosis does not occur until later, parents of children with an ASD typically notice developmental differences before their child’s first birthday. Parents often initially report concerns with their infant’s hearing or vision and later notice issues with communication, social interaction and fine motor skills.

Autism impacts people across all demographic groups. While white children are still more likely to be diagnosed than minority children, this gap has been narrowing in recent years. People with autism come from all socioeconomic backgrounds and display a wide range of intellectual abilities. Nearly half of all children with an ASD have been observed to have average or above-average intelligence.

The Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring (ADDM) Network

To further autism awareness and research, the Children’s Health Act of 2000 empowered the CDC to create the ADDM Network. The network funds 11 sites located in different states across the country to track the number and characteristics of children with autism. This is the largest, ongoing autism tracking study in the U.S.

With funding from the federal government, the ADDM Network sites use a population-based surveillance method to research the prevalence of autism. Their researchers study incidences of ASD and other developmental differences among groups of thousands of children in diverse communities throughout the continental U.S. In addition to identifying how many children have been diagnosed with autism, the ADDM also seeks to understand which children are more likely to be diagnosed and at what age.

All 11 current ADDM sites are funded to study instances of ASD among 8-year-old children. The CDC chose to focus on 8-year-olds because previous research has shown that most children with autism have been diagnosed by this age. Additionally, six of those sites have received funding to track autism prevalence among 4-year-old children. With this data, the CDC seeks to further their understanding of the early identification and characteristics of young children with ASD.

The ADDM Network analyzes the data that they collect to identify significant trends and monitor changes over time. In addition to their tracking activities, ADDM sites also engage in education and outreach efforts in their communities.

Things you can do to increase autism awareness

Though rising diagnosis rates point to increasing awareness, caring adults play a vital role in promoting understanding, resources and research to support people with ASD. Parents are their children’s biggest advocates and are important voices in the autism community. Other relatives, teachers, caregivers and community members can also take action to support children, teens and adults with autism.

Whether you are already well-informed or are just beginning to learn about ASD, there are a variety of ways that you can help to promote autism awareness. Here are a few things you can do to get involved and make a difference:

Learn the early symptoms of autism. Any caring adult can play an important role in ensuring children with ASD are diagnosed as soon as possible. Young children with autism often exhibit difficulty making eye contact, a limited vocabulary, little response to social interaction, limited facial expressions, strong resistance to change, repetitive or unusual play, a strong attachment to usual objects and a fixation on sensory interests such as blinking lights or fans. If you observe any of these signs in an infant or toddler, encourage the child’s parents to ask their doctor to conduct an autism screening during their next visit.
Donate to nonprofit autism research institutions. With many reputable organizations working to better understand ASD, assisting researchers is as easy as making a one-time or recurring gift. Charity Navigator can help by providing the information that you need to ensure your donation supports a trustworthy, well-run institution.
Organize or assist with fundraising events. If you are interested in getting more involved, autism awareness and research organizations need volunteers to assist with event planning and logistics. You can organize your own fundraiser in your community, sign up to staff an event or join a fundraising team. To get started, identify an organization that you would like to support and check their website for opportunities to get involved.
Inform your neighborhood and community. For parents of children with autism, raising awareness should start at home. Talk to your neighbors about how autism impacts your child. Increasing awareness in your neighborhood can help to prevent incidents and keep your child safe. To begin these conversations, inform your neighbors that your child has autism, explain any associated behaviors they may see and ensure that they know how to contact you if needed.
Educate local law enforcement. Unfortunately, many people with autism will experience an adverse encounter in which the authorities are called. Ensuring that your local law enforcement officials are informed about autism helps them to better manage these situations. If your child has autism and exhibits behavior that could pose a safety risk, consider proactively reaching out to local law enforcement to provide information about your child’s challenges, communication needs and emergency contacts. There are also resources available to teach officers how to respond to incidents involving a person with autism.
Sit down and learn from people with ASD. Regardless of how much you already have read or observed, you can learn a lot about autism by listening to people who are living with it. Each person with ASD is unique and has their own stories and experiences. If you don’t personally know someone with autism or are interested in meeting new people, volunteer with your local Special Olympics or let Big Brothers Big Sisters know that you’re open to mentoring a child on the autism spectrum.
Share your personal story about life with autism. If you, your child or another close family member has an ASD, you can add to the dialogue by sharing your personal story. First-person experiences help to provide others with a realistic portrayal of what people with autism experience. For those who are comfortable sharing their story, there are many different ways to do so. You can talk about it with friends and family, share posts on social media, speak to a community group, write a blog or create a post for the Autism Society.
Celebrate Autism Awareness Day and Autism Awareness Month. Activities to increase awareness generate extra attention during the month of April, which is designated as National Autism Awareness Month in the U.S. To promote autism understanding, resources and advocacy, the month is celebrated with presidential and congressional declarations, events, fundraisers and participation activities. Many people show their support by wearing ribbons or clothing featuring the autism awareness puzzle pieces, which represent the uniqueness and complexity of people on the autism spectrum. Observe World Autism Awareness Day every April 2 by wearing puzzle pieces or the color blue.
Advocate for people with autism. Because many important programs depend on government funding, the decisions made by federal and state governments impact the resources available for autism research and support. Learn more about the legislative issues that affect children, teens and adults with autism and reach out to your representatives to start a conversation. By getting involved as an advocate, you can promote initiatives to improve the health, education, safety and employment opportunities available to people with autism.

If you are the parent of a child with an ASD, there are many resources available to support your family. Lexington Services specializes in empowering children and teens with autism to reach their full potential. Learn more about how the Lexington Life Academy helps students to develop the academic, behavioral and social skills that they need to succeed.

To get more like this, read the last post.

Great Career Paths For Teens With Autism

8 Great Career Paths For People With Autism

Written by Hgrant on July 17, 2018. Posted in Educational.

Can your teenager with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) enjoy a rewarding, fulfilling career? The answer is most likely yes. By paying attention to their interests and proficiencies now, you can increase their chances of finding a suitable job in the future. In this post, we will discuss possible careers for people with autism and highlight five prominent individuals with ASD who have made significant contributions to their professions.

Common Proficiencies Of People With ASD

You may have heard the axiom: “If you know one person with autism, you know one person with autism.” Like everyone else, people on the autism spectrum possess a wide range of skills, abilities and interests. However, many people with ASD demonstrate one or more of the following career proficiencies:

Visually oriented. Many individuals who are on the autism spectrum are strong visual thinkers. With a keen attention to detail, they can easily spot things others may miss and excel at intricate work.
Interested in animals. Children with autism often develop strong bonds with their pets. Because they can relate to an aversion to eye contact, loud noises and over-stimulation, people with ASD can be especially attuned to the needs of animals.
Good with facts. People with ASD have a tendency to approach situations logically, which can be helpful for making objective decisions. Many individuals on the spectrum enjoy research and develop an impressive knowledge base on a topic of interest.
High technical aptitude. For individuals who are very detail-oriented, technical skills often come easily. Many people with autism have a unique talent for learning the ins and outs of machines, systems or programs.

People With ASD With Amazing Careers

Experts have speculated that many famous historical figures including Albert Einstein, Charles Darwin, Emily Dickinson and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart may have been on the autism spectrum. However, modern psychology has only recognized a formal diagnosis of autism since the mid-twentieth century, so it is impossible to know for sure whether those individuals were affected. While many people prefer to keep their health information private, the following notable individuals have all publicly acknowledged that they have ASD:

Jo Redman is a three-time WKC kickboxing world champion. She advocates for autism awareness and uses her success to inspire others with learning challenges.
Dan Harmon has produced several successful television projects including NBC’s “Community” and Cartoon Network’s “Adult Swim.”After learning about autism while conducting background research for a character, Harmon recognized many of the markers in himself and was subsequently diagnosed.
Temple Grandin is a well-known professor of animal science, advocate for the humane treatment of livestock and autism spokesperson. Dr. Grandin teaches at Colorado State University, writes about animal behavior and animal welfare, and serves as a consultant to the livestock industry. After observing the comforting effects of pressure on cattle, she invented a hug box to help alleviate tension and anxiety for people with ASD and other sensory challenges. Dr. Grandin also regularly speaks and writes about autism, including an article on suitable careers for people with autism.
Singer-songwriter Marty Balin founded the classic rock band Jefferson Airplane and its second iteration Jefferson Starship. In addition to performing with his bands, Balin has also written songs for other artists and released successful solo albums.
Actor, writer and producer Dan Aykroyd is best known for starring in the original cast of “Saturday Night Live,” “The Blues Brothers” and “Ghostbusters.” Aykroyd overcame being expelled from school twice as a child to achieve success in television and film. After winning two Emmys and being nominated for an Academy Award, Aykroyd made millions as a co-founder of the House of Blues chain of music venues.

Careers For People With Autism

People with autism perform best in positions that maximize their strengths and minimize their weaknesses. In general, they should seek jobs that provide structure, require attention to detail and avoid those that regularly involve intense interpersonal work or require a strong short-term memory. Here are eight types of occupations that may be a good fit for someone on the autism spectrum.

Animal science. For those who enjoy working with pets, career options include veterinary technician, groomer, obedience trainer, dog walker or pet sitter. Individuals who are comfortable with large animals could also consider occupations such as equine trainer, livestock handler or zookeeper. If your child is high-functioning and very intelligent, he or she could even become a veterinarian.
Researcher. People with autism can leverage their interest in facts to pursue a career in research. In many of these positions, their tendency to be logical and unemotional is an advantage because it enables them to present the information they find without personal bias. Careers for people with autism exist in many different fields and require various levels of education. Possible jobs include reference librarian, title abstractor, fact-checker, genealogist or research assistant.
Accounting. If your child excels in mathematics, a career that focuses on numbers may be a great fit. Like research, there are many related jobs at a variety of different skill and education levels. People with autism can excel in careers such as forensic accountant, CPA, tax preparation specialist, bookkeeper, billing specialist and accounts payable clerk.
Shipping and logistics. The freight hauling and logistics industry offers many different types of jobs. For those who are confident drivers, there are driving jobs that range from operating a tractor-trailer to delivering mail on rural routes. Non-driving jobs that may be suitable for someone with ASD include package handler, load supervisor and mail processor.
Art and design. As previously mentioned, many people with ASD are very visually oriented and excel at creating 2D or 3D images. These skills can be translated into a variety of creative or industrial careers including animator, CAD designer, photographer, architect, illustrator or artist.
Manufacturing. Many people with autism perform best in a structured environment. These individuals may excel at jobs in manufacturing, a field that relies on consistent, routine processes. If your child enjoys tasks that involve assembling components, he or she may be interested in a career as a machinist, baker, fabricator, machine operator, woodworker, assembler or welder.
Information technology. Many IT positions are very specialized and performed “behind the scenes,” which may be appealing to someone with autism. To identify appropriate roles, pay attention to the way the employer describes both the position and work environment. People with ASD can excel in roles like network engineer, web developer, web designer, software engineer and database administrator but would be wise to avoid positions that are described as “client-facing” or that operate in an “agile environment.”
Engineering. Like IT, engineering offers many technical positions that are very attractive to detailed oriented individuals. If your child has strong math and science skills, he or she may want to consider a career in civil, chemical, electrical, biomedical or mechanical engineering.

Whether your teen loves to draw or spends hours online, identifying and developing their skills is the key to a fulfilling career. Lexington Services specializes in helping children with autism and other learning challenges reach their full potential. Click here to learn how Lexington Life Academy empowers its students to succeed academically, socially and professionally.

To get more like this, read the last post.

How To Prevent Or De-escalate Acting Out And Bad Behavior

Written by Hgrant on July 10, 2018. Posted in Educational.

Even when your child is acting out, behavior always serves a function. Understanding that function will help you better manage future situations and de-escalate bad behavior. By learning the antecedents that trigger your child’s misbehavior, you can proactively prevent these incidents from occurring. This article will teach you how to recognize behavioral patterns and outline intervention strategies to stop the acting-out cycle.

Key Behavioral Principles

Let’s begin by defining three key psychological terms we will discuss throughout this post. These fundamental behavioral principles apply to everyone, not just children with special needs.

An antecedent is something that cues a person to perform a behavior. When someone receives an antecedent, they behave in a way that maximizes reinforcements and minimizes punishments. If you check your email each morning after you pour yourself a cup of coffee, pouring coffee is an antecedent to checking your email.

Reinforcement refers to something that is done to increase the chance of the desired response. Positive reinforcement adds something to the situation, whereas negative reinforcement takes something away. Remember that negative doesn’t equate to bad. If you check your email each morning to avoid receiving urgent phone calls, that’s an example of negative reinforcement.

In contrast, punishment is a consequence that follows behavior in an attempt to decrease the likelihood of the person exhibiting that behavior in the future. Like reinforcement, punishment can also be classified as positive or negative based on whether it adds or subtracts a stimulus. Being given a written warning for not checking your work email would be a positive punishment, while being denied a merit raise would be a negative punishment.

Phases Of Escalating Behavior

When a child exhibits a challenging behavior, they will display seven stages of escalation. This is sometimes referred to as the acting-out cycle. Understanding each phase is essential to timing effective interventions.

Calm. In this phase, your child is responsive and cooperative.
Trigger. A stimulus sets off a pattern of behavior.
Agitation. Your child will begin displaying signs of anxiety or may withdraw from the situation.
Acceleration. Uncooperative, aggressive or provocative behaviors will escalate.
Peak. This is the climax of the incident. Your child’s behavior will feel out of control.
De-escalation. This phase is characterized by a reduction in the frequency or intensity of negative behaviors.
Recovery. Your child transitions back to a calm state.

Strategies For Prevention

The root cause of acting out is often a desire for attention. If a child misbehaves, adults typically notice and respond quickly. Acting out can make a child feel in control by commanding the attention of everyone around them.

To prevent acting out for attention, parents and other caregivers should regularly provide positive attention. Actively engage your child during calm periods, tell them what you expect and follow up with praise to validate good behavior. Remember that people who are more introverted or anxious tend to shy away from public praise. Specific, private praise often works better than more general public acknowledgment.

Many children also have predictable antecedents that precipitate misbehavior. While every child is different, these triggers may include transition times, unexpected changes, needing to wait, unfamiliar social situations or challenging schoolwork. Parents and other caregivers can intervene before these situations to disrupt the acting-out cycle.

If you know about an upcoming change in your child’s routine, give them as much notice as possible. Tell your child what’s going to happen and when. Some children also benefit from reminders and gradual transitions. To get your child to go to bed earlier during the school year, you might give a reminder that it’s 30 minutes until bedtime and suggest reading a favorite book before going to sleep.

Similarly, children can be taught how to wait. Suggest something that they can do during that downtime. If your child misbehaves while you’re waiting to check out at the grocery store, ask them to help you place items on the conveyor belt. You could also suggest a more passive strategy, like watching the register total the amount as the clerk scans each item.

Stay Safe While De-escalating

Sometimes children begin acting out despite our best efforts. When de-escalating an incident, ensuring the safety of your child, yourself and anyone else nearby should always be the top priority. Remember to remain calm. If there are multiple adults present, you should identify one person to lead the de-escalation. Any other adults should stay nearby in the event assistance is needed. Depending on the severity, you may need to isolate your child from other children or pets. Don’t be afraid to call for help if necessary. You should always have an exit strategy in case the situation becomes unmanageable.

Strategies For De-escalation

Intervening as soon as you notice your child becoming agitated can help diffuse the situation. Ask how you can help or suggest that they take a break. To de-escalate the incident, validate your child’s feelings and attempt to redirect their behavior.

If your child is already in the acceleration phase, move to their eye level and speak calmly and respectfully. Avoid using a tone or body language that could be perceived as threatening. Emphasize that you understand that your child upset but need them to cool down so you can work through the problem together.

When a child refuses to cooperate, the best course of action is to ensure they are in a safe place and allow them to cool off on their own. Provide your child with time and space to calm down in a quiet environment. Once your child is calm, you can decide whether it is appropriate for them to resume regular activities. Later, you should reflect on why your child’s behavior escalated and consider interventions that could interrupt the acting-out cycle in the future.

Lexington Services provides a variety of personalized programs for children with behavioral challenges. Click here to learn more about our behavioral support services.

To read more like this, check out our last post.

Autism Nutritional Therapy – Using Food To Feed Mind And Body

Written by Hgrant on July 6, 2018. Posted in Educational.

Nutritional therapy for autism is usually the purview of pseudoscience and inflammatory rhetoric. However, certain aspects of autistic disorder (AD) can keep someone with the disorder from receiving proper nutrition. Even if diet cannot be used as a panacea, at Lexington, we believe it is still necessary to ensure a proper, balanced diet for people with autism.

Diet As An Aggravant Of Autism

Many people believe certain foods or ingredients are aggravators of autism, but at this time the jury is still out. While many theories have arisen, but none have been scientifically proven. Some food ingredients, such as dyes, high-fructose corn syrup and artificial preservatives, are often linked to having a negative impact on children with (or without) autism. Cutting these, along with refined and overprocessed foods, likely won’t negatively impact your child’s health. It’s cutting out foods with nutritional value that may lead to unintended consequences. For instance, preventing your child from eating other foods, such as wheat and dairy, can potentially hurt them because they lose out on necessary nutrients.

Diets To Treat Autism

Some parents introduce restricted diets to their autistic children, including gluten (wheat) free, casein (dairy) free and low sugar. Experts worry because these parents self-treat their children based on personal research and by talking to other parents, despite the fact that none of these diets have been proven by documented research to be effective.

Additionally, children with autism have different sensory issues or may need to eat in a way where certain conditions/routines are met. Some may be sensitive to texture, color or smell or any combination of reactions. If you’re looking to try to restrict your child’s foods, you should consult with a registered dietician or another nutrition specialist to ensure that they eat a balanced and healthy diet.

Diets To Ameliorate The Effects Of Autism

Different diets designed to treat autism can be easily found on the web, but that doesn’t mean these are beneficial to your child. Diets some parents place their kids on include:

High calcium to protect thin bones.
Elimination diets to address digestive problems.
Substitute foods to accommodate children who have an aversion to texture.

It’s important to note that none of these diets have been deemed as cures by experts and that no studies support their effectiveness. There is some research to support that AD does create a disconnect between the gut and brain, which might be the root of some dietary problems. That being said, it’s important to work with a professional to ensure that your child is eating the right foods before starting any diet.

Unlike other conditions, autism encompasses a wide spectrum and is a complex group of disorders. While there are similarities among children with AD, no two have the exact same experience or symptoms. That being the case, while one diet may ameliorate the effects of autism for one child, it may do nothing for another.

Foods And Supplements As A Therapeutic Solution

Sometimes children with autism are given specific foods and/or supplements, such as multivitamins, omega-3, vitamin D and enzymes, to ensure proper nutrition. These can be helpful to some children; however, receiving too high of a supplement can have unintended effects. According to small-scale studies, certain supplements, such as omega-3 fatty acids, are considered safe and may reduce some autism-related symptoms such as repetitive behavior, hyperactivity and even improve socialization. Other nutritional supplements may also counteract some of the effects of autism nutritional therapy, but again, you want to be careful. It’s best to check with a professional to ensure that a properly balanced diet, along with the appropriate type and level of supplements, are given.

As you know, dealing with AD can have its rough days. Sometimes we want to believe in a cure so badly it’s easy to turn to something like diet in the hopes that it’ll work. However, while diet modifications may help some children, there is no one-size-fits-all solution. Diets should never be generically used as a treatment for autism. However, using it as a complement with more conventional treatments might help.

If you think your child might benefit from nutritional therapy, Lexington Services can refer you to a nutritional specialist to make sure your child is getting the necessary nutrients.

To read more like this, check out our last post.

Legal Guardianship Options And Alternatives For Parents

Written by Hgrant on July 5, 2018. Posted in Parenting.

In the U.S., all children reach legal adulthood when they turn 18. Adults, including those with cognitive impairments, are presumed to be competent unless proven otherwise and have the right to make their own decisions. While a parent can petition the court to continue to make decisions on behalf of their adult child and keep their legal guardianship, they must proactively seek that legal authority.

If your child has a disability and is currently in their midteens, now is the time to begin considering what will happen when they turn 18. There are different legal options to explore depending on your child’s needs. The judicial process can be lengthy and arduous, so the sooner you get started, the better decision you will be able to make for your child.

Why consider legal action?

Unless you intervene, your child with autism, Down’s syndrome, developmental disabilities or other cognitive impairments will be responsible for making their own choices once they celebrate their 18th birthday. You may want to explore your legal options if your child relies on assistance to complete daily activities, struggles to understand complex situations or has difficulty communicating appropriately.

Taking legal action can ensure that you are able to continue to guide and protect your child after they reach adulthood. There are options that parents can pursue to continue to make their child’s health care decisions, help with their finances and guide their educational choices. If you seek guardianship or another legal role before your child turns 18, you can avoid the consequences of not having a plan in place and prevent the need to have your child declared incompetent later.

What options do parents have?

While the laws governing guardianship and other agent roles vary by state, there are a variety of arrangements that can be tailored to fit your child’s needs and abilities. Keep in mind that courts generally will prefer the least restrictive option that protects your child’s interests.

Limited Power Of Attorney (LPOA)

High-functioning individuals who only need or want assistance with specific tasks can grant someone the limited ability to act on their behalf with an LPOA. With an LPOA, your child would decide what specific matters that you could represent them in. For example, if your child needs your help managing paperwork to continue their education, they could establish an educational power of attorney. Executing an LPOA would not take away your child’s right to make their own decisions, including the right to terminate the LPOA.

Durable Power Of Attorney (DPOA)

Children with mild or moderate disabilities may be open to granting their parents a DPOA. Adults can choose to designate another person as their agent with the authority to make legal and financial decisions on their behalf. A DPOA would enable you to manage your child’s banking, handle any contracts such as rental agreements and buy or sell property for them. Unlike a general or limited power of attorney, a DPOA remains in effect if the individual becomes incapacitated. If your child chooses a DPOA, they would retain the right to make their own decisions and could change or revoke their DPOA at any time.

Health Care Surrogate Designation

To allow you to continue to make health care decisions on their behalf, your adult child can execute a health care surrogate designation, aka a health care proxy. This designation would enable you to continue to access your child’s health information, speak to practitioners on their behalf and make choices for them when necessary. Your child would retain their legal rights, including the power to change or revoke this document.

Guardian Advocate

If your child will not be able to live independently, you may want to consider petitioning the court to appoint you as a guardian advocate. Not all states have guardian advocate programs, but if yours does, pursuing this designation is less expensive and time-consuming than seeking legal guardianship. Your child would not need to be found legally incapacitated, and if they own no property other than funds from Social Security or other government programs, you would not be required to hire an attorney. A judge would review your child’s health and educational records to assess their abilities and determine which rights a guardian advocate would assume.

Legal Guardianship

If your child is unable to make decisions on their own and your state does not have a guardian advocate program, you will need to petition for guardianship. To have a guardian appointed, a person must be declared legally incompetent by a court. A legal guardian will then be granted the authority to make decisions on their behalf.

There are different types of legal guardianship. Guardianship of the person gives the designee the authority to make decisions regarding the ward’s residence, education and health care, while guardians of the estate aka. conservators are granted the power to manage the ward’s finances. The court may also appoint the same person to manage both the ward’s life and property in what is known as a full or plenary guardianship.

What is the process to seek guardianship?

Before beginning the process, collect your child’s health and education records. You will also need to identify references who can speak to your child’s history, abilities and challenges. To apply for a formal guardianship, you need to hire an attorney to represent you.

Your attorney will file an application with the court, and the court will then appoint an attorney to represent the interests of your child. A psychological evaluation of your child will be conducted to evaluate their competence to independently make decisions. If the court-appointed counsel reviews the findings and agrees to your petition for guardianship, no hearing is necessary. Otherwise, the court will hold a hearing where both sides will present their arguments, and a judge will decide whether a guardian should be appointed.

Each state has its own guardianship laws, so if you are interested in petitioning for legal guardianship, you should research the options and process in your state. However, the National Guardianship Association offers more information and resources for parents and caregivers.

Before your child celebrates their eighteenth birthday, prepare for what that transition into adulthood will mean for them. Consider your child’s abilities, needs and desires as you plan for the future. By exploring your options in advance, you can help ensure your child continues to receive the support that they need.