Parenting an Adult with Disabilities or Special Needs : Everything You Need to Know to Plan for and Protect Your Child's Future

Every parent of a child with disabilities knows just how overwhelming and frustrating it can be. When these children enter adulthood, the difficulties can become even greater. Many parents are tempted to keep their children at home, believing that they will be safer and happier under their care. But adults with special needs deserve the same chance at a happy life as everyone else. As the mother of an adult child with disabilities, Peggy Lou Morgan has years of experience dealing with the challenges these adults face every day. She believes that the most loving thing parents can do for their children is to prepare them to leave home in a way that works best for them. In "Parenting an Adult with Disabilities or Special Needs," she gives parents invaluable advice on: teaching their adult child to be a self-advocate - helping their child cope with relationships - helping their child find a good vocational program - finding an apartment and a roommate - understanding government programs that can help their children while they become more independent Compassionate and thorough, this guide will help readers to ensure that their children leave the nest with confidence and joy. The nest is never empty That nagging question Loneliness is the only real disability Your child's pursuit of happiness Discovering your child's dream Researching the options Drafting a transitional plan Setting goals to accomplish the transitional plan Estate planning Working with your attorney Implementing the plan a step at a time The nest may seem empty but you aren't finished yet Continuing the civil rights movement for disability rights. Offers advice to parents on how to prepare adult children with special needs or disabilities to leave home and pursue a happy life, and discusses how to calm fears about what will happen to those children when their parents are no longer around to care for them Offers practical advice for parents of adult children with disabilities, discussing vocational programs, government and private funding, residential options, power of attorney, and working on transitional plans. Letting go is never easy. Here's how to prepare your adult child for a happy, healthy life in the real world.