14 | How to Become a Representative Payee for Your Adult Child with Special Needs to Manage Their SSI Benefits and Finances

In this episode of Adult Special Needs Caregiving, host Jenny Olson breaks down what it means to be a representative payee for a loved one with special needs, a role many caregivers end up taking on without fully understanding it. Jenny shares her own experience applying to become her son Ben's representative payee through the Social Security Administration, or SSA, so she could help manage his SSI benefits. She explains how a representative payee is different from guardianship or power of attorney, who typically needs one, and why the SSA requires this extra step even if you already have legal guardianship. Jenny also walks through the real life process of setting up a special needs bank account as the representative payee, including a funny and frustrating trip to the bank, and shares tips on keeping accurate records, following SSA's required spending order, and avoiding common misconceptions about managing this money. She also introduces the ABLE account, a helpful tool for saving money without losing SSI or Medicaid benefits. If you are new to this process or think you might need to become a representative payee soon, this episode will help you feel more prepared and less alone. This episode is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional or legal advice.

Helpful information on SSA and representative payees: ssa.gov/payee

13 | Worried about Elopement? Free Safety Programs and Registries for Wandering, Elopement, and Emergencies for Special Needs Children and Adults Every Family Should Know

In this solo episode of Adult Special Needs Caregiving, host Jenny Olson shares some of the best free safety programs and registries for families caring for a child or adult with autism, Down syndrome, dementia, intellectual and developmental disorders, and communication disabilities. Jenny opens up about the scary moment her son Ben eloped as a toddler, and why programs like these matter so much, especially during summer when wandering and elopement risks go up.

She walks through several free tools every caregiver should know about, including the Blue Envelope Program for traffic stops, Take Me Home and Safe Encounter registries, Project Lifesaver and WanderFlag tracking programs, SMART 911 safety profiles, the Big Red Safety Box wandering prevention kit, and state Silver Alert programs for missing persons. These resources can help first responders, police, and medical teams respond faster and more safely if your loved one wanders, elopes, or is involved in a medical emergency. Whether your loved one is 3 or 45, these programs are designed to give caregivers peace of mind and give first responders the information they need right away. Best of all, these programs are free and easy to set up before a crisis ever happens.

Grab Jenny's FREE downloadable PDF with all the program info on Instagram @adult.special.needs.caregiving or click below:

Special Needs Safety and Elopement Prevention Checklist

12 | How the VizyPlan App is Helping Autism Families Navigate Daily Routines with Founder Justin Bowman

In this episode of Adult Special Needs Caregiving, host Jenny Olson talks with Justin Bowman, founder and CEO of VizyPlan, a visual routine and planner app for kids and adults with autism, ADHD, and other special needs. Justin shares the story of his son Sawyer's autism diagnosis and how his own family's struggles with meltdowns, transitions, and communication led him and his wife Danielle, a speech language pathologist, to create an app that turns sticky notes and picture boards into an easy digital tool. You'll learn how VizyPlan uses AI generated images, avatars, and social stories to help kids and adults understand their day, prepare for new places, and feel less anxious about change. Justin also talks about the app's calendar features, IEP meeting support, provider tools, and a brand new calming feature called Resna that uses heart rate data to help with focus and anxiety. This episode is packed with real, practical ideas for special needs parents and caregivers looking for tools that actually make daily life easier, whether your loved one is a young child or an adult on the spectrum. Justin also shares great advice on finding community and support in the autism and disability space.

Note: This episode is not sponsored, and Jenny is not an affiliate of VizyPlan.

VizyPlan app: https://vizyplan.com/ Justin Bowman: https://www.instagram.com/vizyplan/ Follow the podcast on Instagram

Timestamps:

• 00:01:49 – Justin introduces himself and his family
• 00:02:22 – Sawyer's early signs and autism diagnosis journey
• 00:08:01 – How Vizyplan started with sticky notes and picture binders
• 00:12:11 – Moving from paper visuals to AI generated images
• 00:16:00 – How Vizyplan avatars and Vizy Stories were created
• 00:18:09 – Using countdowns to prepare kids for big events
• 00:20:20 – Vizyplan's provider tools and Vizi Advocate for IEP meetings
• 00:25:43 – How Vizyplan can help special needs adults, not just kids
• 00:29:23 – Introducing Resna, a new calming and focus tool
• 00:32:25 – Pricing, free trial, and how to download Vizyplan
• 00:36:10 – Justin's advice on finding community and support online