Determining Where to Start as Your Child with Special Needs Nears Adulthood

Determining where to start as your child with special needs nears adulthood is no easy task. There are legal matters to address such as special needs trusts and guardianship, advocacy strategies to pass on to kids, and many more. The list is full of important things to address. Because your child’s eighteenth birthday is not yet imminent, they may be ignored.

You know what I’m talking about, right?

I’d like to give you a hand in determining where to start as your child with special needs nears adulthood. So today I’m sharing three—count ’em—just three ideas. Whether your child is five or fifteen or somewhere in-between, completing these three steps can help you jumpstart the process.

#1: Obtain Hard Copies of Your Child’s Medical Records

Electronic medical records are a great invention. They can also be very hard to access when hospitals and clinics update their computer systems. Who knows what will be in place when your child reaches adulthood? It’s wise to obtain paper copies by contacting the practices of the doctors and therapists who treat your child. They can tell you how their process works and what costs may be involved. Most likely you will be sent an electronic file to download and print out. If your child’s medical history is complex and ongoing, you may want to request records every year or two to update your paper files.

#2: Write Down Your Memories of Your Child’s Medical History

To read the rest of Determining Where to Start as Your Child with Special Needs Nears Adulthood, visit the Hope Anew blog

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