When it comes to making the right choices for children with disabilities, families are the experts. To prove this point, the Hatton Project sponsored a grant wherein researchers interviewed members of 12 families of children with disabilities on factors that caused them to identify themselves as "successful." The results yielded eight lessons…

With the increase in the numbers of diagnosed children on the autism spectrum, schools are being challenged to provide proper educational services for these children. In Educating Children with Autism, the National Research Council recommended that educational programs for students with autism include three basic components. These are direct…

Most individuals with a disability live at home and are cared for by their families. Some of these individuals will require family support for their entire lives. However, few family caregivers are afforded a complete picture ahead of time of what the actual costs of care will be, and, therefore, are unable to plan for the future as they would for…

The authors present estate planning suggestions that address concerns about lifetime care for the disabled children of aging parents. Aspects covered include disinheriting children, trust funds, and medical and legal assistance and food stamps. (CL)

An attorney describes problems that can arise if property is left outright or in a standard type of trust to or for the benefit of a disabled person. (CL)

During a family counseling session parents of a developmentally disabled teenager and their young adult son discuss the angry reactions of the young adult son during an estate planning session. (DB)

Information is presented on a number of tests used in genetic counseling (e.g., genetic evaluation, chromosome evaluation, consideration of multifactorial conditions, prenatal testing, and chorionic villus sampling) which help parents with one disabled child make family planning decisions. (CB)

Parents who wish their handicapped offspring to be financially provided for after their own deaths need to explore several ways of managing and distributing their assets, including: creating a will; disinheritance (to avoid loss of benefits; joint property and life insurance; and trusts and trustees. (CB)