Takeaways The modern family is no longer defined by the nuclear model. Today, blended families — where one or both partners bring children from previous relationships — are increasingly common. So-called “nontraditional” families, including blended
Takeaways Preparing a comprehensive estate plan to protect a child with special needs can be an emotional roller coaster. On the one hand, parents should be relieved that they are taking steps to guarantee that
Takeaways One in five children in the United States have special needs, per the Annie E. Casey Foundation. These include children with physical, developmental, and behavioral disabilities. Beyond day-to-day responsibilities such as taking a child to
Takeaways Irish actor Colin Farrell, star of the TV crime drama “The Penguin,” made recent headlines in connection with his 21-year-old son James, who has a genetic developmental disability called Angelman syndrome. In an interview
This month, our Paralegal, Heather Geils, shares her experience as a Sibling. Siblings of individuals with disabilities are frequently involved in their brother’s or sister’s life longer than anyone else in their family. This involvement evolves
When a young adult approaches his or her 18th birthday, parents worry about how they can continue to support their child once adulthood becomes legally official. For the uninitiated, when teens turn 18, they can make
Mental illness affects one in five adults in the United States, the National Institute of Mental Health reports. The severity of mental illness varies. Serious mental illnesses are mental, behavioral, or emotional disorders that cause significant life
Young and adult children with special needs may have a developmental disorder, such as autism, ADHD, or Asperger’s syndrome. They may have an intellectual disability such as Down syndrome. Or, perhaps they have a learning
One in five families in the United States care for children with special needs. The United Disability Services Foundation identifies several barriers young adults with disabilities encounter when reaching adulthood. These include such difficulties as finding employment, seeking
The New York Times Magazine’s weekly The Ethicist column recently explored a difficult question that may challenge many parents of adult children with special needs. The Ethicist helps people sort out the morality of the
