ABSTRACT
The authors of Chapter 22 discuss the unique financial challenges that families face when raising a child with ASD. Using information gained from a focus group study, which investigated the financial planning needs of special needs parents and caregivers, the authors of this chapter discuss barriers and challenges of financial planning for loved ones as reported by study participants. The authors provide clinical recommendations and discuss that although it is difficult for families to imagine someone else caring for their loved ones, as effectively as they do, caregivers are strongly encouraged to at least identify a safe, and good enough, option, as a guardian, as opposed to leaving the designation unaddressed until a crisis emerges.
