A child with autism, for example, is likely also to have other special needs that require specialist care. A lifelong development disability, autism affects how a person communicates with and relates to the world and other people around them.
Autism is also a spectrum condition so while each person with autism may show similar problems, the condition will affect the individual in different ways and to a greater or lesser extent. Some of the more severe conditions associated with autism include cortical vision impairment and developmental cognitive disability.
The American charity, Autism Speaks, has calculated that the cost of caring for someone with autism over the course of their lifetime is $2.3million. With little or no state help available, that means the burden of providing that care falls squarely on the shoulders of families. And as estimates suggest that around 1 in 50 children will be born with autism, it is clear that this is a problem that is only going to grow.
John Nadworthy and Cynthia Haddad are the authors of The Special Needs Planning Guide. Each has a special needs child so the book is written with their own personal experience very firmly behind it.
The book aims to give parents the tools to providing the right care for their child and getting the family finances in shape to deal with the burden of taking care of a special needs child for all that child’s life. Theirs is a chronological guide, starting from birth through to adulthood, offering advice on finance, insurance, legal matters, state benefits and – importantly – dealing with the family and emotional issues around a disabled child.
Even a family with no financial worries can benefit from advice on dealing with the care of a special needs child.