116: What are the Life Stages of a Special Needs Person?

You may have heard the sentiment that parenting is one of the most challenging yet most rewarding jobs there is. That is even more true when raising a child with special needs because they often come with unique challenges. It's easy to quickly become overwhelmed mentally, emotionally, and even financially and physically at times. Your sense of normalcy may seem different from others around you, leading you to feel isolated and alone, unsure of what to do or where to turn.  To help provide some answers, we sat down with Kerrie Lloyd, Vice President at Index Fund Advisors, author of Planning the Future for A Special Needs Child, and founder of Integrative Solution Services LLC, where she provides consulting and collaborative tools to the special needs community. Kerrie is also a Doctor of Natural Health, NhD, and earned her certification in Pivotal Response Therapy for Autism through the Koegel Autism Center at UC Santa Barbara (now at Stanford University). She also earned her Chartered Special Needs Consultant (ChSNC®)* designation in 2020 through The American College for Financial Services, a fully accredited institution by the Middle States Commission of Higher Education. Despite all the accolades, Kerrie's most important job is as Adam's mom. Adam was diagnosed with Autism and Deafness early on, and through her experiences with him, she has learned what it takes to raise and care for a special needs child. Kerrie noticed that special needs children go through a series of life stages, each marked by major events, such as diagnosis, the beginning of school, and the transition to adulthood. Having this knowledge makes it easier to prepare for each stage, eliminating the fear of the unknown for parents. Now that Kerrie is in the later stages with Adam, she has compiled her experiences and resources to share this insight and knowledge with others. In this episode of Absolute Trust Talk, we will discuss: The six stages of life for an individual with special needs. The key planning components and milestones that mark each of the stages.  What the transitions from each phase look like.  Important resources that are available and how to access them.  The importance of obtaining legal help to ensure that parents understand their rights, know what they can ask for, and ensure that they aren't missing any steps.  And much more.  It can be difficult to navigate life's complexities with a special needs child, but you don't have to go through it alone. Understanding these life stages can help you better understand your child, feel more prepared for each milestone, and even unlock enriching and fulfilling moments. Take the Next Step in Your Estate Planning Journey If this episode resonated with you, we'd love to help you with your own estate planning needs in California. Schedule a complimentary discovery call with our team at Absolute Trust Counsel. During this no-obligation conversation, we'll: Learn about your unique situation and goals Answer questions about our services Determine if we're the right fit to work together  Visit https://absolutetrustcounsel.com/scheduling/ or call 925-943-2740 to schedule your free discovery call today. Follow and Review: We'd love for you to follow us if you haven't yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We'd love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select "Ratings and Reviews" and "Write a Review" then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a couple second and it helps spread the word about the podcast. Episode Credits: The Absolute Trust Talk podcast is brought to you with the help of Q2Mark, led by Chief Marketing Officer Susie Hays. Since 2016, Q2Mark has partnered with Absolute Trust Counsel on all marketing communications—from brand development and website design to this podcast series with over 192 episodes, social media management, video production, and more. If you're business owner looking for comprehensive marketing support, visit Q2Mark.com.