Raising Children on the Spectrum in Florida: Navigating Roads Less Traveled

When a child with autism joins a family, the family faces many challenges. Autism affects about 1 in every 150 American children and can cause communication, socialization, and behavior challenges. Some people say that the divorce rate for families with autism is very high, but others disagree. Regardless, parents considering divorce should make sure they work together to meet the needs of their child with autism. Each child with autism is different, and their needs can vary. This article talks about the laws that apply to these children and what parents in Florida should consider when getting divorced. In 2008, a Florida law was passed to expand health insurance coverage for kids with autism. The law requires insurance plans to cover screening, diagnosis, and treatment for autism spectrum disorder. It also sets limits on the costs and lifetime benefits for these services. This law helps kids with autism get the support they need. This law will help families with kids on the autism spectrum pay for therapies that their health insurance doesn’t cover. It can be expensive, and some families have to borrow a lot of money to afford it. When parents of kids with autism get divorced or separated, it can be even harder to figure out how to pay for their child’s needs. Each parent might have different ideas about how to spend their money, and one parent might not even believe their child has autism. It can be tough to afford all the things their child needs, like medication, therapy, special foods, and more. Autism can also make it hard for kids to process sensory information, which affects the way they behave and learn. But a parent might not even realize their child has this problem, and might not want them to get help for it. During a divorce, a parent who stays at home may need to start working more or get a second job. This means their child with autism may spend more time in daycare or after-school programs, get less attention from the parent, and may not be able to go to therapy as often. Sometimes, the court can order the other parent to give money to help the stay-at-home parent take care of the child. The court also has to think about the needs of the child when deciding on a schedule for the parents to spend time with the child. This schedule might include a plan to help the child behave better or communicate better. Each child with autism is different, so each plan will be different too. In cases of shared parental responsibility for a child with autism, the court can decide which parent has the final say on important decisions like where the child lives, their education, and their healthcare. Sometimes parents disagree on how to treat the child’s autism, and a professional can help make decisions for the court. If there are siblings, the parenting plan should also consider their needs, and they may need extra support. It’s important for siblings to support each other, especially when one has autism. Child support is based on the parents’ income and how much time they spend with their kids. The court can order a different amount if they think the standard amount is unfair. This can include extra money for expenses related to a child’s disability. If a child has special needs, child support can continue past the age of 18. If a child’s diagnosis or expenses change after the final court decision, the support amount can be changed in a new court case. Special education services are available for children with autism, and parents can request these services by contacting the special education office at their school district. It’s important for parents to help their child transition from early intervention to mainstream schooling and to work together with the school to create an individual education plan (IEP) for their child. Communication between parents and involvement in their child’s education is key for their success. In conclusion, issues with divorcing parents of children with autism are becoming more common. Recent laws in Florida are providing support for families with children with autism. Parents should work together to support their children and are doing a great job. It’s important for parents to seek help and support when going through a divorce. And the laws in Florida are changing to better support families with children with autism. Donna L. Lorman, president of the Autism Society of Greater Orlando, was interviewed for this article about autism. The article also references a book on autism and several legal cases related to family law in Florida. The author, Ingrid A. Keller, is a lawyer specializing in family law and is a member of various legal associations. The article was submitted by the Family Law Section of The Florida Bar.

Source: https://www.floridabar.org/the-florida-bar-journal/raising-children-on-the-spectrum-in-florida-navigating-roads-less-traveled/