Death of Parent of Autistic Child

Planning for the care of your children should you meet an untimely demise is an unpleasant task that all responsible parents must undertake, one that can be much more complex if the planning involves the possible death of a parent of an autistic child.

Being autistic and dealing with death

Attending to the future needs of a child with a developmental disability can be quite a responsibility. Depending upon the level of function of the individual in question, one may have to take into account a variety of lifelong needs. These needs must be realistically assessed, a task which can be quite difficult for parents to undertake. An evaluation of the prognosis for your child's future development and level of independence will be necessary to determine the best way to address his needs. Professional, unbiased, advice and evaluation may be a good idea during this appraisal, since many parents may find the process emotionally trying.

Parents who have few assets may feel that there is little need for planning. This is the case with many families who live with autism, as the expense of treatments and therapies makes tucking away a nest egg for the future difficult. However, planning for the possibility of a sudden departure of a parent of a child with autism is about more than just finances. Ensuring that plans are made to provide a stable and supportive environment during this harsh transition period is essential, especially if he or she has significant developmental impairments.

If your child is likely to require a great deal of assistance throughout his or her life, plans need to be made to address those needs once parents are no longer able to provide that care. One of the first decisions to be made is where the child would live should his parents pass away. If family members or close friends are to be entrusted with the care of your child, agreements should be made and legal documents prepared to ensure your wishes will be honored. If placement in a facility or group home is to be done, an agency or other representative must be assigned to see to those details. Taking a few steps now to see that someone will be available for your child should the worst happen can ensure that someone who respects your wishes and your child is in charge of his or her future, rather than an impersonal state bureaucracy.

Life insurance can be purchased at very affordable rates, making it within the grasp of most families. However, it may not be in the best interests of your child to make him or her the direct beneficiary. If your child will need government assistance for financial and medical needs, a lump sum of this sort could make them ineligible for the help they need. Programs like SSI and Medicaid are granted according to income, and any nest egg your child has been left will have to be depleted before any assistance is granted. Since private medical insurance is often refused to individuals with autism, ensuring that your child will be financially eligible for government medical assistance may be essential to ensure access to proper health care in the future.

If your child will receive and inheritance, the same concerns apply. Even a sizable inheritance will evaporate quickly if your child is paying medical bills out of pocket, leaving him or her without the safety net you intended to provide. Consulting an estate planning expert, especially one familiar with special needs planning, can help you find the most advantageous way to provide your child some financial security well into the future.

Certainly, planning for one's own death is not the most pleasant task. Most of us would prefer not to consider our own mortality, nor plan a future for our children which will not include our own care and guidance. However, while security in such situations is important for any child, in the case of the death of a parent of an autistic child, planning for the worst case scenario is essential, and avoiding the issue can have dire, lifelong consequences.

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