The reality is sobering. According to a report published on the online site of Children's Hospital Boston, about 57,000 babies weighing less than 1,500 grams (3 pounds, 4 ounces) are born annually in the United States. With medical advances, as of 2005, survival of these frail infants has increased from about 20 percent 15 years ago to nearly 90…

Each year countless taxpayers overpay simply because they're not taking full advantage of medical deductions. Individuals with disabilities are especially at risk. Time and energy spent running around to doctor visits, therapy sessions, and the like can leave little left to spend on preparing taxes. Fortunately, with a little effort year round and…

Sometimes one of the most difficult parts of handling a life-altering event is not even knowing what needs to be accomplished, never mind what issues should be tackled first. There is no single set plan for any family, no "one size fits all" list of tasks to accomplish first. In this article the author, a mother of two children on the autism…

In many ways, families who have children with special needs are similar to most other families. They share a daily routine, watch movies and eat popcorn on the weekends, and enjoy vacationing together at a beach or camp. All parents want their children to have access to good schools and the best possible healthcare. Most importantly, parents hope…

A growing number of families are sandwiched between the long-term care needs of parents and grandparents, on the one hand, and the healthcare, income, housing, and other needs of children with disabilities on the other. As the parents of a child with disabilities age, they need to develop a plan to meet the caregiving needs of their child when…

Estate planners counseling families who have children with disabilities are increasingly confronted with planning dilemmas that mirror the social, financial, and societal issues presented by an aging population. It is not uncommon when discussing "special needs" planning with clients to discover that they are in their 70s or 80s and…

The guide presents information to help reduce the tax burden on people with disabilities and their families. Sections address medical expenses, dependency claims, charitable contributions, and special needs adoption expense deduction. (CL)

As more and more children are being diagnosed with Asperger syndrome (AS), more parents are wondering what the future will be like for their child. Because of the challenges faced by youth with AS, it is important for parents and teachers to work together to guide high school students with AS through a successful transition to the adult world.…

All parents go through a rite of passage when their children turn 18, a time when, in most states, children are recognized as adults. These 18-year-old adults can now enter into contracts, live where they want, and make their own medical and educational decisions, including quitting school, if they so choose. For parents of children with special…

For most families, financial planning involves paying the monthly bills while putting money aside for the children's college funds and the parents' retirement. However, for parents of children with special needs, planning often takes on a very different meaning. Ensuring that children will have the resources to meet their financial, educational,…

The excerpt from "Saving Money and Getting Help: Advice for Families of Children with Spina Bifida" (Lynn Rosenfeld) provides guidelines for parents concerning health insurance, health maintenance organizations, and questions to ask concerning health insurance coverage and filing claims. (DB)

An income tax guide is presented to aid families with certain aspects of the Tax Reform Act of 1986 that specifically affect disabled persons and their families. Among items covered are personal and standard deductions, the additional standard deduction, deduction for dependents, deductions for medical expenses, and tax credits. (Author/DB)

The article explains intricacies of tax law which may be of benefit to parents of handicapped children when filing income tax returns. (KW)

This annual guide to income tax for parents of children with disabilities covers organizing records; avoiding audits; deducting medical expenses; and considering the impact of recent changes in medical expenses, Social Security numbers for children, child care, earned income credit, and deduction for dependents. (DB)

The effects of differing attitudes toward money on family life are discussed using a sample case from family counseling services. (DB)