Members of the Academy of Special Needs Planners all devote a significant part of their practices to working with individuals with special needs and with their families to plan for the future. They are familiar with the special challenges such individuals and families face as well as the resources available to them in the community.

Academy members work together to stay current on legal developments and to share cutting-edge techniques in planning for individuals with special needs.

Source: Academy of Special Needs Planners

Your child's transition from school to employment may take some time and effort. But, with early planning and professional advice, you can make a meaningful difference in your child's ability to forge a fulfilling adult lifestyle.

Source: Academy of Special Needs Planners

IDEA is our nation's special education law. IDEA stands for Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. The IDEA was originally enacted by Congress in 1975 to make sure that children with disabilities had the opportunity to receive a free appropriate public education, just like other children. The law has been revised many times over the years. The most recent amendments were passed by Congress in December 2004, with final regulations published in August 2006. So, in some senses, the law is very new, even as it has a long, detailed, and powerful history.

IDEA guides how states and school districts provide special education and related services to more than six million eligible children with disabilities.

Source: National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities (NICHCY)

The mission of PACER Center is to expand opportunities and enhance the quality of life of children and young adults with disabilities and their families, based on the concept of parents helping parents.

Source: ©2007 PACER Center, Inc.

Summary of Medicare benefits, rights and protections, and answers to the most frequently asked questions about Medicare.

Source: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Disabled children whose parents have little income or resources may be eligible for Supplemental Security Income benefits. Your child under age 18 can qualify if he or she meets Social Security's definition of disability for children, and if his or her income and resources fall within the eligibility limits. The amount of the SSI payment is different from one state to another because some states add to the SSI payment.

Your local Social Security office can tell you more about your state's total SSI payment.

Source: U.S. Social Security Administration

Want to connect with other parents going through similar experiences? Check out the following groups and organizations:

• Parents Helping Parents
• Sibling Support Project
• Kids Together, Inc.
• Exceptional Parent
• ParentPals.com