Special Needs Transition Checklist To Do Before Your Child Turns 18

If your child with special needs is getting close to 18, this episode is a must listen. Host Jenny Olson breaks down five things every special needs caregiver, parent, and carer should know and do before their child transitions into adulthood. From case management programs to Medicaid waivers to guardianship, these are the real steps that Jenny wishes she had known about sooner in her own journey with her son Ben, who has autism and an intellectual disability.

In this episode you will learn about finding a case management agency in your area, like Developmental Pathways in Colorado, and why connecting with one early can open doors to funding, resources, and support you didn't even know existed. Jenny also covers special needs trusts and why setting one up early can protect your child's access to vital benefits like SSI and Medicaid down the road.

Jenny walks through the difference between guardianship and power of attorney in a clear and easy to understand way, and explains why starting that process around age 17 can save you a lot of stress. She also talks about what adult day services, therapies, and job training programs can look like after high school ends, and how to start figuring out what the right fit might be for your child.

And then there are the waivers. Jenny gets into the DD waiver, the SLS waiver, SSI, SSDI, and Medicaid, including why some of these waitlists are so long that you need to get on them years before your child turns 18. She also shares how these programs are all connected and why the order you apply for them actually matters.

This episode is packed with practical information for caregivers and disability families who are navigating the special needs transition to adulthood and trying to figure out where to even start.

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