Editors note: This article was written with contributions from Thomas Flynn.

In our decades of planning for families, we have come to understand that financial advisors can add the most value during times of transition. Transition phases are periods of intense change, making them pivotal moments during a family’s journey. For families of children with special needs, transitioning out of high school can lead to many sleepless nights.

Questions related to further education, housing, and work can be overwhelming. Fortunately, the last few decades have yielded a wealth of new opportunities; now more than ever, our children can continue their journey on the right path.

First Things First: Start with Your State

We usually have clients start their transition planning with programs offered in their state. State governments commonly design programs specifically to support individuals with special needs, whether the purpose is education, employment, or other aspects of living an independent life. We often refer our clients to the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS). One example of a resource offered by the Pennsylvania DHS is the Community Living Waiver. The Community Living Waiver supports individuals with disabilities to live more independently in their homes and communities through various programs and services.

During your research, see if your state offers resources available for people with special needs. You should visit your state's website to ensure you take advantage of these opportunities.

Post-Secondary Education as an Option for Special Needs Students

During the 2020-2021 school year, 15% of students received special education services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. The same study showed that 65% of those students spent 80% or more of their time in general classes, and 76% graduated with a regular high school diploma. Across the country, colleges and universities have started to embrace students with special needs, and for good reason. Colleges have finally begun to realize that there is a wealth of untapped potential hidden inside students with special needs and are dedicating resources accordingly to create inclusive programs.

Almost every state in the country has at least one college or school with a specialized program, and more are popping up each year. You can research inclusive programs in your area on the ThinkCollege website. In addition to providing needed support, students enrolled in these programs can interact with students of their own age in an environment conducive to growth. Some programs even pair education with rewarding real-world work experience. By learning more about these programs now, you’ll be better positioned to support your special needs student.

It’s Time to Get to Work!

A college education isn't for everyone, and that's okay! As children with special needs transition beyond high school, we aim to help them live a fulfilling and rewarding life. Fulfillment can come in many shapes and sizes, employment being one of them.

Employment allows an individual to learn skills and bring meaning to their day. When properly planned for, employment also places someone in an environment that provides structure and support. However, finding suitable employment can be challenging because everyone is different.

Depending on your child’s needs, working with existing organizations' programs may be beneficial. For example, on usa.gov, you can find a repository of resources and opportunities specifically designed for individuals with special needs. And most states have companies that work to place and support special needs individuals in work opportunities. On top of job placement, many of these companies will also provide assistive technology and accessible transportation.

For example, Easterseals is an organization with a nationwide footprint based in Illinois. Every year, Easterseals helps more than 75,000 individuals with special needs access employers eager to make use of their skills. A willing community is one of the most powerful resources for individuals with special needs, and many other organizations like Easterseals across the country enable these connections.

Employment does come with additional challenges. While income can bring a sense of accomplishment, pride, and satisfaction, it can also raise questions regarding your child's financial status. How are you and your child managing their assets now that they have an income? As you consider the future of your child's finances in the context of your transition, you need to be careful because any income or savings could have an impact their future benefits.

Transition Planning Tips for Families with Special Needs Children

As a part of our special needs financial planning practice, we answer transition planning questions daily. We have decades of experience advising families with these transitions and have distilled the following from this wealth of knowledge.

• Are the assets in the child’s name, a joint account, or a trust? While the optimal location for your child's assets may differ depending on your unique situation, we often find that a Special Needs Trust is particularly effective. Other arrangements, such as having the assets in your child's name, can jeopardize their eligibility for government benefits. As you plan for your transition, consider the structure of your child's financial accounts.
• Is your child's income above the thresholds for qualifying for Supplemental Security Income (SSI)? SSI is a stipend provided by the federal government for individuals with disabilities. This income can become an important basis for your child's transition plan regardless of their chosen path. However, if your child is employed and their income is too high, they may not be eligible.
• Does your child qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)? This government program provides monthly benefits for individuals with strictly defined disabilities. Your child may be able to be employed and still receive SSDI benefits through the Ticket to Work program.
• Should my family consider the use of an ABLE account? ABLE accounts are tax-advantaged accounts for people with disabilities that largely do not affect eligibility for government disability programs. Work with your financial advisor to see if these beneficial accounts can fit into your transition plan.

No matter what direction your child may choose, we take several foundational steps with clients to make a future transition as smooth as possible, no matter the circumstances. One of the most important things we instruct parents and guardians to do is to write a Letter of Intent (LOI). An LOI describes several critical features of your child's life, including:

• Their daily routine
• The best ways to communicate with them
• How to manage certain behaviors
• Hot-button words to avoid
• Names and contact information for teachers’ aides, bus driver, social service providers, and employer
• Medical information, including names and contact information for doctors and therapists, lists of medications, locations of relevant pharmacies, and health insurance coverage

Writing an LOI is essential as a primary caregiver because we often do not think about how many nuances there are to the day-to-day activities of a child with special needs. You can significantly improve your child's quality of life by articulating your child's needs to equip their future employers, caregivers, and others.

Bridging the Gap: What Successful Transition Planning Looks Like

Everybody loves a success story, and we're no different. To end this article, we're presenting an example of what successful transition planning could look like for your child. We were fortunate enough to see the direct results of great schools and visionary business leaders working together for their communities. We saw this with a magnificent hotel at Clemson University called the Shepherd Hotel, which embodies the idea of "Hospitality with a Purpose."

The Shepherd Hotel works with the ClemsonLife program at Clemson University to employ students with disabilities in the program. Here, the students learn skills while working alongside their peers. Paid for their work, the students have direct input into the type of job that they want to work and the hours that can be incorporated into their busy schedules. And while the jobs are part-time during their enrollment in the ClemsonLife program, there are opportunities for full-time employment after graduating, providing a perfect transition for many individuals. It is our understanding that the goal of the Hotel's stakeholders is to take this model and bring it to campuses all over the country.

If you want to learn how to achieve a successful transition for your child with special needs and ease this pivotal part of your family's journey, consider booking a free, no-obligation meeting with a Wealth Enhancement Group financial advisor. Our team of specialists is ready to provide your family's plan with a level of care unmatched by other wealth management firms, especially when it comes to special needs planning.