STEP 5: Plan for Your Child’s Future in Your Absence

ASGA hopes that our children with Autism will grow up to be working, financially independent adults; however, current statistics confirm that many adults with Autism will not be able to live alone and support themselves. As a parent, you will have more peace of mind if you can provide some resources for caregivers to use after you are gone. It will make it easier for a future caregiver, even a neurotypical sibling, to step up if they know that finances will not be a burden.  

Many parents of neurotypical children start a college fund when their children are small. But college savings accounts can only be used for education. Your child with Autism may or may not go to college. In the past, people with disabilities had to keep asset values and income levels low for fear of jeopardizing their government benefits. Fortunately, there is a way to save for your child’s future expenses that will not impact his government benefits (with some limitations).