At Alabama Family Trust, we understand how parents of special needs children have their hands full with the challenges of raising, caring for, and protecting their kids. They invest in their education, their health, and their future (that last one is typically accomplished through a special needs trust, of course). Although they love and cherish their child, they may find themselves feeling exhausted in many ways — physically, emotionally, spiritually, and financially.
But there are other issues facing these families that are often overlooked. If you are the parent of a special needs child, read on to find out about these less talked-about challenges and how you can address them.
Lack of Cooperation from School Districts
While school districts, on the whole, are wonderful entities with the best intentions of helping special needs children thrive, it can sometimes be difficult to secure an appropriate Individualized Education Program (IEP) for the disabled child.
If parents are unsure whether their child’s IEP has been done correctly, they have the right to take the plan home with them and review it with their lawyer. This gives them the knowledge and understanding they need to push back on any part of the IEP that they feel has fallen short or missed the mark.
Bullying by Other Children
Unfortunately, the sad reality for many special needs children is that they are often made fun of at school — and even in the community. This problem can actually be much worse for those children who are “higher functioning” than others because they are more aware of the mockery.
Parents are not always sure how to address this issue, and sometimes any action they do take seems ineffective. The first step is to speak directly to the bully and/or his parents, explain the situation, and ask for corrective steps to be taken. If this does not have the desired effect, a meeting with the school administration should be set up as soon as possible (if the bully is another child at school). If the problem still persists, the parents of the special needs child may have their attorney write up a letter to the bully and his family.
Uncertainty of the Future
As mentioned before, parents of special needs children have many major concerns — but one of the biggest is how to care for them in the future once the parents have passed away.
Special needs trusts are immensely helpful when it comes to securing a disabled child’s financial future. These trusts can be set up when the child is still a minor, and will provide for their needs once the parents are no longer alive. When a special needs trust is established, it provides peace of mind and a sense of confidence that just can’t otherwise be obtained.
Call Alabama Family Trust to Set Up a Special Needs Trust!
If you have questions or concerns regarding your disabled child or if you are interested in establishing a special needs trust, don’t hesitate to contact us! We are here to help you in any way we can. Call us today!